Though this is not my first race, it is my first race report ever. Please forgive me if I break any rules. This is the second time I've run this race. A year ago, as a new graduate of the C25K, I ran it as my very first "real" race, and thus entered the world that I never dreamed that I'd be a part. Last year my DD ran it with me and this year my whole family participated, with my kids running, and my DH walking. It was nice to have an event for which we could all participate. This was the first 5k for both my DS and DH. My goal was to improve over my last 5K (check) and I secretly wanted to break 30 minutes (maybe next time). The weather was cool, around 50 degrees F and somewhat windy. I wore black running pants (that I appreciated in the wait before the race, but could've lived without after the start), a light blue sleeveless tech shirt under the long sleeve cotton SBK race shirt, a red headband, and my Mizuno running shoes. My kids and I lined up with the 10:00/11:00 pace group and my DH started with the walkers. It was an amazing crowd with over 24,000 participants! Even with that many folks, we saw several people we knew. We chose not to get chips for the race, so we all carried timers. It took a few minutes to make it to the start line after the gun went off, and at that point my DD went on ahead. My DS and I ran together for the first mile or so. We were thrilled to see the 9:04 on the timer at mile one. This is the fastest either of us had run a mile, so we were pumped. I felt good, my legs felt good... Around 1.25 miles, DS wanted to walk, so I ran on ahead agreeing to meet at the finish at the appointed spot. Around 1.67 miles, he caught up again, I was so pleased to see him! We hung out for another quarter of a mile when we separated once again. At mile 2, I was still averaging under 10mm. Then mile three...ugh...for those of you that run longer distances, a mile long hill may not seem like much, but for us 5k'ers, that's 1/3 of the race! It was ALL uphill. It wasn't a monster hill, but it was definitely a hill. I run on shorter similar hills, so I didn't croak, but it slowed my pace considerably. That's ok, I kept running and finished beating my PR by around 3 minutes at 31:34. DD finished quite a bit ahead of me, and my DS just 3 minutes after me, his first 5k PR. DS told me that he ran a minute and walked a minute for the last mile, and ran on all the downhills which I thought sounded like quite a plan to come up with on his own at 11 years old. We waited around for the walkers and DH. I found out that it took DH 18 minutes to reach the start! We quickly took off for the rest of the day's non-running related activities. It was a good day and we all plan to repeat the event next year. Thanks for reading. Janet

You wrote a fine report, HandyMom. It sounds like a great day for you and your family. It's always special when the whole family participates. It's not very nice of the race directors to make the 3rd mile uphill. Long hills can be tough. Congrats on your PR and fastest ever mile. TomS

Congratulations on your 3 minute PR that is huge especially at the shorter distances, don't minimize your accomplishments, you did a great job! The Komen races really are for a good cause and even though they tend to be crowded I have the new marathon that runs out of Jacksonville on my radar screen...not sure if it will be this year but soon. My mom passed away from Breast Cancer so this holds a very dear spot in my heart and I will run this one very soon. Once again congrats on a fine race...oh and by the way distance, hills, speed they are all relative believe me they really are!

Super first race report! No rules broken. Photos are optional but highly desired. Congrats on the PR and sub 30 will be yours someday.

Well done! Congrats!!

nice job!! sounds like a great race and a WONDERFUL family day!!

Nice race and race report, Janet Your are getting to be quite the pro at the racing and report stuff From a DH's perspective. I was never more proud of my DW when she ran her first 5k race. Hers was small compared with yours with just 8000 runners, but it still takes guts to put yourself out there for all the world to see. Your a speed demon compared to her as she avg's 13m/m but like yourself, she works hard at it. Keep runnin' and racin' Fran

Greta report Janet! I love how your whole family was involved and you all did a great job!! I have to tell ya, I run longer distances, and a mile uphill would kill me too. I'd rather avoid hills altogether! You'll get that sub 30 minute 5K next time!