May 25th in Tampa, FL
This is a fun un-timed 5k where color was thrown at the runners in the form of dyed cornstarch and some kind of colorful liquid. It was very high-energy with loud music and DJs getting the crowd all pumped up before the race. Color bombs were included in the race packets, and they were thrown from the entertainment stage to the crowd before the race even started. Here are some photos of the pre-race craziness and celebration:
So then the race began. Something happened pretty soon into the race (~ 1/2 mile?) that made me feel very nauseous. I absolutely could not run for most of it and felt just horrible. I don’t know if it was the heat, or the cornstarch, or the protein bar I ate before the race… but I felt so bad that several times I considered leaving the course. About 1/4 mile from the finish line it became clear I was definitely going to vomit, but this was a HUGE race (20k runners) and the sides of the path were lined with photographers and families cheering the runners on. Picnic blankets, chairs, and people shoulder-to-shoulder; there was really nowhere to puke. About 30 yards from the finish line I spotted a restroom and a clear path to it, so I sprinted and made it to the stall just in time. It was awful. For a minute I seriously thought I might die.
Special thanks to my awesome friend who stuck with me through the entire race, despite all of my complaining and slow walking. I think I might have finished the 3 miles in under an hour, but I can’t be sure. He could have done the route three times over in the time it took me to finish, but he stuck with me through the entire journey. He ran backwards, he ran in circles, he ran in figure eights, but he stayed with me through it all and never took his eye off me.
So THANK YOU, special friend, for your undying support and dedication.
