While I wasn’t training for a 5K, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to hop into this race in my ‘burb. When else can I roll out of of my own bed and jog to the start line?
This race is part of the annual Bedford Day celebration, which includes a parade, fair, and fireworks to mark the incorporation of the town in 1729. How to describe the vibe of the day? A mix of delightful, quaint, and wholesome about sums it up. Imagine local sports team bake sales, an art show, pie-in-the-face booth, and the Minuteman in their period dress playing their flutes and drums. This was our second year living here for this celebration, but the first year for running the 5K.
I don’t *think* I look at my watch that much while racing…
I’m a big believer of just-for-fun races, and this was that for me. There was no illusion of “maybe I can eke out a PR.” I wasn’t even expecting this to have chip timing. There wasn’t a big start line, just a small crowd of about 150 people and a guy with a megaphone. It was the very picture of low-key, small race magic. I just wanted to push myself a little and have fun. Mission accomplished!
There’s not much to say about my racing. I went out a little hard on mile 1, then ran steady for 2 and 3. I felt pretty winded running in the 7:30s, faster territory than what I’ve been running these days. Even out of breath, I was pumped to be pushing myself again after a pretty long spell without speed work.
I would have been 3rd overall female if I hadn’t accidentally registered Louie as a female—whoops! And here’s a fun first for me: getting a mention in the local news, which published the top 25 finishers.
Cruising through the finish line in front of the middle school 🎉
The details:
Bedford Day 5k
September 23, 2023
Weather: Cloudy, 54 degrees, light wind
Finish time: 22:49