Parting is such sweet sorrow!! The last race of the PRC Winter 5k Race Series went out like a lion on February 10th, and we were greeted with beautiful weather.
Unfortunately, the January race of the series brought in some winter weather which kept many participants (myself included) home in warm beds. The February race was a welcome change, with dry (for the most part) running paths, relatively warm winter temps, very little wind, and (dare I say it?) SUNSHINE!!
I chose to trek out to Portland Running Company early to get in some extra miles, so the 9:00AM race time is always so perfect. Not so early that most people would have to get up at the crack of dawn, but early enough that you can be out of there by 10:00 or so, even after grabbing food and waiting for the raffle prizes to be announced. I was feeling sluggish on my solo run and wondering how the 5k was going to feel, but it turns out, I really had nothing to worry about.
After a couple of miles out and back to the store, I began to see all the bright beanies and happy faces of participants affixing race bibs to their clothes. Our host, Paula Harkin, was out there manning the post-run breakfast station and welcoming everyone to her race like the good host that she is. Check in took about 2 minutes and it was great to hang around the store to check out the latest and greatest in shoes and gear and to chat with the Maurten rep who was handing out some of my favorite pre-race sports gel.
My husband’s cousin from Wisconsin has been in Oregon for work and decided to come out and do the race as well, so I met up with him, said hello to several friends, and headed out to the course to start the dynamic stretches. After the national anthem, we were off and I felt good.
The course was just as it always is. – well marked, beautiful, and easy to navigate. As usual, it was inspiring to watch the fastest runners coming back in from the out-and-back course and I was done before I knew it. I don’t know if it’s Paula’s infectious joy, the Maurten gels, or being surrounded by all those runners, but I always feel so strong and grateful at the PRC 5k races.
After the race, Paula was making heart-shaped pancakes (since it’s almost Valentine’s Day, after all) and there was fruit and coffee as usual. The raffle went quick with Dave’s usual color commentary, and before I knew it, it was time to call it a day, (or morning, since it wasn’t even lunchtime.)
Thanks to Paula and Run With Paula Events and all the runners and walkers for starting the weekend off so great.
If you missed the PRC 5k races or are looking for more, come out to Paula’s newest race, the Tualatin River Run on Saturday March 30th. This 5k race will be along the Tualatin River by Brown’s Ferry Park and it’s flat, fast, and guaranteed to be beautiful.
