St. Patty's Run

After three years it was time to head back downtown for my annual birthday run also known as the Colorado Springs St. Patrick's Day 5K.  We had signed up for this event in 2020, but then had to do it virtually. 

The day started out windy and chilly although in the sun it wasn't too bad.  Everyone has big smiles before the event begins.

The crowd looked smaller than previous years.  According to the results there were 534 males and 735 females taking part in the race.  I knew I was walking so I found a spot along the side near the back.  No reason to get in the way of the runners.

It's a flat course that goes through the downtown streets.  I always look forward to the mile markers.  About this time I was nice and warm and paused to take my jacket off which later turned out to be a mistake.

Here I am on Tejon Street headed towards Colorado College where the turn around to the final stretch is.  I never did see the two mile marker, but I caught a glimpse of this good looking guy who was on the last stretch.

We briefly turned west and got a beautiful view of the snow capped Pikes Peak.  The clouds were beginning to build and the temperature was dropping.

I stopped to listen to the bagpipers warming up for the St. Patrick's Day parade that starts after the run.

Mile three...almost there.  By now I was freezing again--the wind was blowing, it was cold, and my hands were turning into ice cubes.

There it is...those flags that say "Start" are also the finish line.  I couldn't have run across the finish line even if I wanted to (which I didn't).  I've never understood why people stand in the middle of the street when they know a race is going on.

As with most Colorado 5K's there weren't any water stops along the way, there wasn't even a bottle of water or snacks at the end, and of course no medal.  My brother in Oklahoma always makes me jealous with his post race drinks and food.  Why is it that they can have beer at a 5K in Oklahoma, but not a liberal state like CO?  (Here's a link to his blog:  Yogis Den.)

The male winner of the race did it in 11:50 or 3:49 pace and the female did it in 14:57 or 4:49 pace.  How is that even possible?  My time was 53:03 or 16:49 pace and you know what?  I was really happy with that.  I'm just happy to be upright and moving.  Irv's pace was 11:35 which is amazing for someone about to turn 65.