Race Recap: HMF's Red Dress Run For Women

Well everyone, I can finally say I have completed my first 5K RUN! As I've mentioned, I have walked in several, and I have done the distance on my own, but never in a race!  I've got mixed feelings about how I did…. Read on!

Red Dress Run For Women 5K
Registration: $30, includes bib, t-shirt, and bangle bracelet
Race Location: Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, West Hartford, CT
Packet Pickup: I opted for the day before, at Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford.  Was in and out in 5 minutes. Alternative was to pick up the morning of.
Parking: I ended up scoring a sweet street spot, but there was a lot about 5 minutes away with shuttle transportation.
# of Participants: 1200 women (no men allowed!) there was also a kids race, which had about ~60 kids

Reppin' Rebel IPA! 

Overview: I arrived around 7:45 to ensure parking and plenty of time to get a grasp on my surroundings.  I have been to Elizabeth Park numerous times, so I was familiar with the park.  In the rose gardens, there were vendors and tents set up: baggage check, registration, HMF "store", various gyms, physical therapists, food vendors, etc.  I checked a bag with ease, and there were four volunteers watching bags throughout the race.  

The kids' run was first.  There was a 100M, 1/2 mile, and 1 mile.  I thought this was an awesome event, and a great way to get children involved.  Parents (male and female) were allowed to run with their kids.  There were definitely some cute kids, wearing capes like superheros!  The kids race started at 8 am and was over in about 15 minutes.

I made my way after the kids' race over to the starting line.  There were DJ's and a host, who got everyone pumped up.  The founder of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, Beth Shluger, was there to offer words of wisdom, as was the record holder for this course (whose time was in the 17 minute range!).  It was nice to hear their words, and honestly, it calmed me down a bit.  

The race started right on time, and I honestly kind of blanked out for the first mile or so.  There were just a lot of people in a little area, and I found that I kept getting stuck behind people who were walking the 5k.  That irritated me but I let it go! The course wound through residential neighborhoods, and there were residents out front with their children cheering us on, giving high fives, and one even had their sprinkler on for us!  It was really nice, and made me feel really connected with everyone.  As I passed mile 1, my time was 9:14.  There were a few slight hills throughout, and by mile 2 I was at 18:32.  I finished with a time of 28:50.  I was really displeased with my time, but still tried to remain proud that I had even finished!  Overall, I placed 198th, out of 1200.  Not too shabby- but I know I could have done better!

Post race, I ventured to some of the booths, and was APPALLED to find a booth about "anti-running".  They had t-shirts for sale that said "Running Sucks" and "Run Later" and had boxes of donuts on the table.  Supposedly, they were aiming to "save your joints" and don't run, but what's the point of having a booth at a RUNNING RACE? I did NOT care for this, and I don't understand this.  HMF, WTF?  The other booths were great.  There were free strawberry parfaits, and protein bars, both of which were delicious.  Bakery on Main had a booth with complimentary bars as well, I'll be trying that one tomorrow!  I purchased a t-shirt, and got a free HMF pint glass! Woohoo!   

Then, I met up with my friend Tracy.  Tracy ran this course in 20:35- her new personal record! She placed 1st in her age group, and 8th overall… OUT OF 1200!  I was so proud of her and am so inspired by her.

All my sweet swag!

Post race breakfast! SO good!

Fruit

Much needed after waking up at 6:50 on a SATURDAY.

Overall, the energy at this race was great.  I liked that it was women only, and everyone seemed really supportive of one another.  Even the police officers and volunteers throughout the course were cheering us on!  I will definitely run this race again.

What's your favorite 5k race?  How did you do in your very first one?

What's your pre race and post race routine?