Phoenix Pride Surprises

Hey there everyone, I didn't want to steal any glory from Lindy and Marcie since they accomplished something much greater than I did this weekend, but since Lindy is asking I will share. :) AND I want to hear about Pat's Run from Cynthia (please tell all!).

It all started with the Garmin. 2 Saturdays ago I was rained out of a 5K that I wanted to do to test out the Garmin during a race. So, last week I was debating spending the $40 on Pat's Run...I just couldn't justify it so I went looking online for another race. Found one for Sunday and it was just called Phoenix Pride 5K for $15 with a T-shirt. Sounded great and I decided to do it. The web site didn't look any different from any other running club website until I started clicking around to get more info after my decision to do it. One of the links popped up the AZ Pride page that said "Gay Pride" on the top of the page. I was surprised! Couldn't believe I didn't figure that out yet with the subtle rainbows on the pages. For a moment I thought, dang, should I still do this? But the moment passed quickly when I realized this might be one of the funnest races I'll ever do! Maybe I'd even see some of my gay friends there. I then emailed my friend Suzanne to find out if she'd go with me and we had to laugh a little thinking that we might be thought of as a couple, but she was in anyway! Let people think what they will - we were going and we were going to do awesome!

When we got there there it was no different than any other small 5K. Good music playing at the start, nice people at registration, and, well, lots of rainbow banners and flags. Guess that was the only thing different. ;) There were less than 100 people and everyone was very nice - not chip timed because of the small number of people. The race was a loop in Tempe starting at Moeur Park east on Curry then south to Tempe Town Lake. Majority of the race was along the lake and then back up to the park up Lake View Drive (nice hill included here - ugh. Hate that in the last mile!). Anyways, we did GREAT! The Garmin kept us on or faster than a 10min/mi pace except on that uphill, but our first mile rocked so we didn't need to worry. Another surprise - the Garmin makes you race faster!! I think my gun time was 30:12 (still yet to be posted) and Garmin time was 30:10! A PR for me at about a 9:44min/mi pace. YAY! Next goal is for a 5K in under 30 min which I just commented that I couldn't dream of doing. Hmmm...now I think I can! Maybe not until it cools off again though or if I head up north for a race.

And yes, the shirt has rainbow footprints. ;) Nice shirt though! Fun race! Great company! Suzanne's husband and friend came out and filmed it as well so we should have some cool shots of the Start/Finish line!