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Stockton 5k Rotary Run Race Report


Another nice run downtown put on by Fleet Feet! This was the first year for this Memorial Day run, so the crowd was small, maybe a couple hundred people. The shirts were nice, the goodie bags were cool (popchips, granola, a JUMP ROPE!...) and some of the best, lively, supportive volunteers you could ask for. And can I just mention again, how cool it is to have Stockton Police officers posted up all along the course, because not only are we passing the scenic downtown waterfront, we're also passing the scenic downtown crazies and the tents under the freeway.

The usual suspects and I headed down to run the 5k on Monday. A big Delta breeze was blowing in, so I wanted to get warmed up. In the process of warming up, I ran up on Alan Sanchez of Good Day Sacramento which means I was briefly on tv which means I was briefly famous. The proof is here:


I actually started at the front of this race. Tony Vice of Fleet Feet was going lead the runners on his bike (cool). I even toed the line, which was a pretty cool feeling even though I did it reluctantly knowing all these dudes around me would take off a lot faster than I would. But how many chances do you get to start in the front! AND there weren't any other women stepping up to the front! So I did, which means I got too excited and started faster than I should have and I was running out of gas a mile in. No good. People passed me as I tried to relax into my pace, but none of them were female. Minute by painful minute I held onto the lead.

I've never been the lead female runner in any race, but I have been the one counting the women in front of me at the turn around, estimating ages and age groups and finish places. I've been the one seeing the first woman pass me going the other way and yelling encouragement to her.

This race, the women were yelling at me. "First girl!" "First female!" as we hit the turn around. Everyone that said anything...it helped carry me. It motivated me. I've never experienced anything like it, and this race may very well be the only time I ever will. So I came to a turn and saw Tony on his bike waiting at this corner after having led the lead man in...he took off in front of me and said, "first female, let's go" and led me to the finish. It was pretty amazing, actually. I've never had an escort to the finish line.

I didn't run my best time, actually I came nowhere near my PR (about 3 minutes slower)....but I'll take the experience of being the first woman to finish. I'LL TAKE IT.

and i won't forget it.
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