2012 Suzy's Run 5K Race Report

Over Labor Day weekend, I participated in the Badger Childhood Cancer Network's Suzy's Run (HERE).  There was a 5K run, 10K run and a 2 mile walk.  The kids were also invited to participate in the Pirate and Princess Run at Keva Sports Center.  I did not have the kids over the holiday weekend this year and was bummed that they didn't get to participate in this really family-friend atmosphere.  The boys wore pirate hats and the girls wore sparkly crowns (some adults too).  It was totally fun to watch before the run started.  Maybe next year.

The race start and ended at Keva Sports Center in Middleton, Wisconsin.  The race ran through an industrial area and also on the beautiful, flat portion of the Pheasant Branch Nature Conservancy.  Packet and chip pick up were a breeze and there was plenty of opportunity to use the nice restroom facilities ... once, twice, ok ... three times ... before the race.  Maybe I hydrated too much after the Taste of Madison the day prior!

The race was sponsored by Suzy Favor Hamilton, but I don't recall seeing her at the event.  Bummer.

There was a slight annoyance at the start line.  My iPod Nano had been messed up for the past week and of course it wasn't in working condition at the startline.  Sure, I'll run with my Yurbuds and iPod for no reason (Grr...).  I was able to go to the Apple Store at the mall after the race and to my luck ... I had four days left on my warranty and they gave me a brand new Nano.  I never have such luck.  This made my twenty miler much easier on Monday, BTW!

168 runners ran the 5K and 61 people competed in the 10K.  The course was nice and flat, as advertised.  I wish we would've had more opportunity to run further into the Nature Conservancy.  There were really nice, large mile markers.  The first mile, I was at 8:30 and had done a lot of fidgeting with my iPod.  I picked it up a bit the second mile.  I was making awesome time and knew where the course was headed.  I sang in my head and picked it up, as we headed out on the sidewalk.  My watch read 23 minutes, then 24 and I knew that I would cross the finish line soon.  I saw The Boyfriend walking towards me, from the finish line, in his neon orange shirt.  He was bringing me in and encouraging me to finish strong (He, who didn't run nine months prior!).  The announcer called my name, and gave props to The Boyfriend for encouraging me to finish under 26 minutes.  I sped up with a huge smile on my face and I crossed the finish line in 25:49.  That was my fastest 5K time in awhile.  I was super stoked when I stopped my watch.

The Boyfriend ended up finishing with a minute-and-a-half PR of 23:13.  And, we are quite the pair ... We both took third in our age groups.  Pretty exciting stuff for both of us!

25:49

46/168 Finishers
11/96 Females
3/12 Age Group (30-39 F)