Drumstick Dash Report

So running the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving Day turned out to be a good idea.  A thoroughly entertaining time and a great way to help a good cause.  When I woke up Thursday morning, the first task was the figure out what to wear.  The sunny morning was a crisp 42 degrees.  I elected for tights, shorts, a baselayer, longsleeve gym shirt and my RoanokeOutside.com team jacket.  I wandered outside to see if I was right on my decision.  Yup, with the addition of a pair of gloves I would be fine. 

Driving to the DD was even funnier. I get off at the same exit some days to go to work, so I am familiar with the traffic jam that it creates.  Thursday was no exception.  I giggled as I looked down at the road full of cars and people.  I bet the ordinary person was like WTH is going on there?  There was literally a traffic jam from the parking garage, up Williamson Rd onto Elm and I581.  I patiently picked my way to a spot then headed out towards the start line.  It was fun to mingle with the crowd.  I saw several people I know while I wandered. 

Soon everyone began to line up at the start lines (there were separate ones for walkers and runners).  The crowd was HUGE!  People everywhere.  7582 people were registered for the run and walk.  I decided since I really didn't know how I was going to do since I hadn't run a 5k in like 6 years that I would start near the back of the runners.  This ended up costing me nearly two minutes in the finaly standings since they went by gun time despite the fact we had timing chips!?!?!?  Anyway, the start was funny because once the gun fired we couldn't go anywhere then began slowly walking up the street.  I think I was at a slight jog by the time we got to the start line.  I joked as we walked along in the herd that we were slower than Black Friday shoppers which cause a bit of laughter around me.  

Starting where I did also caused a bit of annoyance in that there were way too many slower people, kids, strollers and dogs around me.  They cluttered the road from curb to curb, so I ended up running on the sidewalk on more than one occassion.  I loved the musicians that were staged on the course.  We had all sorts of music to entertain us.  It seemed like it took the first mile forever to go by, the second mile was quick and the third wasn't so bad either.  I felt great as I was running and I was determined not to walk.  The only time I really had to slow down was the alley on Luck Ave.  There simply wasn't enough room for the cluster of people. I found myself zipping in and out of people and by people.  I almost felt rude at times, but got over it quickly. 

The course was nice, not too flat, not too hilly.  I really did enjoy it.  The race finished on Campbell Avenue near the Market which I think is cool because you are surrounded by the old store fronts and there is room to contain a crowd, so there's actually people to cheer you on.  It is also a slight downhill so you can pick up momentum and really go for it at the finish.  I put in a good effort hear and passed people in the last few blocks.  HA HA!  I found some more friends and mingled for a while after the race.  My trainer, Lisa came to support me so it was cool to get to hang out with her and the other Gold's Gym people for a bit.  After seeing some other friends finish up the walk, I decided to head home to enjoy the rest of my T-giving before having to go to work.  I had a great day all in all.  I look forward to running another 5k and definitely running this race again next year!

Oh yea, who would have thought I'd run this race one minute slower than my fastest 5k???  Look I got in under 30 minutes!!! 

FINAL RESULT
Chip Time  29:47  (Gun Time 31:45)
1434/2375 (overall)
53/108 (F, 35-39)
533/1154 (Female)