8.15.2010

OC Fair Closing Celebration 5k Race Report

The Green Girl represented Team Jamba Juice at the OC Fair Closing Celebration 5k this morning.

The race registration area was clearly marked and very well organized. The volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful.

I was also very pleased to receive a technical shirt for a 5k race.

While I was waiting for the race to start, I handed out some Jamba Juice coupons.

I also ran into some other Team Jamba Juice athletes. We all chatted about our respective race schedules and wished each other luck.

After my long run yesterday, I wasn't sure how my body was going to react to a race so I figured I'd take it easy and went to the very back of the line.

When the race started, I immediately regretted my decision. I had positioned myself behind a wall of walkers. Along with a number of strollers, I tried my best to weave past them.

I finally managed to break away and I eased into a comfortably fast pace.

I loved running through the fairgrounds. It was so cool to go by funnel cake stands and cotton candy while running a race.

After I hit the Mile 2 marker, I realized I had a chance to PR. I dug deep and pushed myself as hard as I could. That last mile was rough. I got a side stitch and I got really tired.

When I finally crossed the Finish Line, Mr. Green Garmin read 34:49:12.

I knew my 5k PR was 34-something but I couldn't remember the seconds so I called my friend, Dan. He looked it up and let me know it was 34:48. Unfortunately, my official tag time was 34:50. I missed a PR by two seconds - well, I guess technically, three.

Regardless, I had a really good time and the medal was awesome.

Our bibs granted us admission to the OC Fair, so I handed out the rest of my Jamba Juice coupons and headed inside.

I stopped to get a roasted corn on the cob and then I headed for the exhibits.

They had an Ice Exhibit featuring elaborate ice sculptures.

Going inside the chilled room evoked memories of visiting the Harbin Ice and Snow Art Hall in Northern China. Since I had missed the outdoor Harbin Ice Festival, I was thrilled to have been able to view a handful of ice sculptures at the hall.

After I'd visited all the exhibition halls, I hopped on the Skylift for an aerial view of the fair.

I stopped to snack on a couple of mini cupcakes before heading home.

I'm happy to report my third race representing Team Jamba Juice went exceptionally well.

17 comments:

  1. Wow! That is so close. If you started in front of the walkers, you would have had your PR. Next race, you have to move up in the queue just a little more. Good job!

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  2. I agree with Doug... It's those damn walker's fault LOL
    You're awesome Mary!
    Sounds like a fun run! (Especially the free admission to the fair part.)
    ~Michelle

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  3. So close! But you know you have it in your for next time.

    Wow--that's one big fair!

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  4. Sounds like so much fun! You'll get your PR next time :)

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  5. Bummer that you were so close to a PR, but what a wonderful race! That fair looks like a lot of fun, too!

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  6. Well done, especially after a long run - this is a good race, and the PR is just waiting to happen. Glad you enjoyed the fair!

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  7. Running through the fairgrounds! I would love that! Well done, if you started in front of the walkers you might have had the seconds for the PR. It doesn't matter, you did great in a great race! Lovely medal!

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  8. What a cool race running through a fair! So close to the PR!

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  9. That race sounds so fun! And love the medal! Great race, starting behind the walkers is a pain - it really screws up your pace! Seems like you handled that really well though - SO CLOSE to a PR - next time for sure!

    The ice sculptures look really cool!

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  10. That seems like a really awesome race! That would be fun to run through a fair! I've gotten to run through fairgrounds... BUT only when they're empty lol... nice job almost getting a PR on tired legs ;)

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  11. Forget the PR -- I'm impressed that you ran PAST the funnel cakes! (You're stronger than me!) Congrats.
    And definitely a fab medal! I love the bling. :)

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  12. My goodness! This race looked like so much FUN! I really want to do it next year! I would have dont it this year if it didn't fall on the same weekend as the show!

    Congrats on the time to! Only a few seconds off, all while taking pics, and enjoying the scenery and it was nice and chilly either! That medal ROCKS! Lucky!

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  13. the fair looks like it was so much fun, and the medal is great! i am looking forward to finally getting one for my half.

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  14. haha, thanks for the good luck wishes!! AND... I will gladly give you most of my butt lol ;)

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  15. I don't know about you, but it would be painful for me to run past a funnel cake stand. I would definitely have to take a break from racing to grab one! That's good race nutrition, right? :p

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  16. Nice race! Nice bling! Tech shirt? Wow! Looks like a winner of a race. The only problem would havebeen running past the funnel cake stands. I'm not sure I could have kept going. I *love* fair food!

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