village runner 4th of july 5k.

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to check in with quick little race-recap.  I should be studying right now, but I’m having one of those “blech I would rather do anything than study but my apartment is clean so blogging it is” moments.  But anyway, I digress…

A few years ago, I instituted a tradition (with myself, because why not) to run a race on the morning of the 4th of July every year. I did it a few years on and off (once in high school, again in 2009), and now I’ve done it every year since 2011.

Here are my recaps from 4ths of the past.  Funnily enough, I’ve done a different race the last 4 years:

• 2011: Channel Islands 10k
• 2012: Will Rodgers Pacific Palisades 10k
• 2013: Huntington Beach Surf City 5k

Anyway, this year I wanted to run a 5k to see if I could bring my 23:34 down from last year, so I chose to head out to Redondo Beach to run the Village Runner 5k.   This was one of the best local races I have ever done – it was flawlessly executed, the course was (relatively) flat, fast, and well-marked.  I also shaved almost 3 minutes off my time from last year (different course, but very comparable).

Village Runner 5k:  20:41 (6:36 pace). Splits were: 6:22/6:44/6:50.

3rd/133 in my age group  and 153/2500 overall.  I’ll take it!

I have some more thoughts to share about how/why I’ve gotten faster but I’ll save those for a different post.   Back to the race itself…

I got to Redondo around 7:15 am for an 8 o’clock start, checked in, grabbed a T-shirt and some Clif products before heading back to my car to stash my stuff.

pre-race expo.

I weaseled my way to the front in true gunner fashion and waited for the start.   I LOVED that the race announcer dedicated the race to Louie Zamperini, who grew up in Torrance. (Side note: I am currently reading “Unbroken” and am loving it).

I also enjoyed the gaggle of teeny tiny high school boys all ready to race their 5k. They were SO energetic and nervous and also all shirtless which I am not sure was necessary.

The race started and we headed out to the ocean, ran along it for a bit, and turned around and came back.  First mile was a little fast, but whatever.  I was so ready for it to be over around mile 2.5 and then I said to myself “if you walk during a 3 mile race you are doomed for life.”  So obviously I didn’t walk, and I was really happy with my time.

I also loved this race because I bumped into so many people I know from the running community. First, I saw my high school friend and teammate, Jordan Page, who was the 6th finisher overall.  He always was and still is a total beast. First mile in 5:05? Ain’t no thing.

I also saw my sorority sister Cody out there – she screemed my name a little bit after the half which was awesome, and my DTLA Running bud Kevin was out there in an American flag body suit.  My Ragnar SoCal #DirrtyDozen Teammate Carrie @ Family Fitness Food was out there cheering for her son, so it was nice seeing her for a little bit as well!

Post-race, I was impressed by the expo — I grabbed a banana and some water, and picked up some Clif products to take home. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Kit’s Organic Fruit and Nut Bars.  I also loved how race results were posted almost immediately and e-mailed to us, and that they let me pick up my medal so I could skedaddle out of Redondo before the ceremony.  I’ll definitely be back to run the Village Runner 5k, especially since it is now home of my “since HS” 5k-PR.  (It’s possible it is a straight lifetime best, since some high school races were not 3.1, but rather 2.9 or 3.0 miles).

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I spent the rest of the 4th partaking in some #traditions with my best friend Whitney and her friends who I have appropriated as my own over the last, I don’t know, 8 years?

It was the perfect study-free day.

I am NOT good at drinking games (just the drinking part), but at least I look like I can rock flip cup? #powerstance 

Later, we rented/borrowed bikes and headed out to Venice Beach to plant ourselves in prime territory to watch the fireworks.  There were some minor bike problems but it was super fun being out there.  I need to bike outside more. 

I hope you had a fabulous 4th!

Do you have any annual holiday traditions, fitness-related or otherwise? 

I also like to do a 5k on Thanksgiving morning.