I survived the Corporate Challenge! From the massive crowds to the ridiculous humidity to the torrential downpour, it certainly was something to remember. I finished the 3.5-mile course in just over 55 minutes. That equates to just under a 16-minute-per-mile pace. Not my fastest, for sure. But it was super hot and muggy, and I spent most of the race trying to weave my way in and around much slower people.
Probably the most frustrating part was that very few of the participants understand and demonstrate proper race etiquette. I tried to stay to the left to pass (just like when driving!), but most of the back of the pack people didn’t understand that’s what they were supposed to do (or didn’t care). And, as there were 11,000 people in this foot race, there were a lot of people to navigate around! A lot of them also didn’t seem to know that you shouldn’t just drop your water cup anywhere you please. I can’t believe I didn’t see anyone slip and fall on the thousands of cups scattered across the roads.
So, as you can guess, I wasn’t the last person to cross the finish line – by a long shot. Does this mean I’ll do more short-distance races? I think so. The friend who talked me into doing the Corporate Challenge has asked if I’d like to try a local 5K sometime this summer. Racing with other experienced (or at least knowledgeable) racers sounds like it would be more enjoyable. Although with a smaller, more race-focused (as opposed to post-race beer- and food-focused!) crowd, it does raise the concern that I’ll be much closer to the very back of the back.
Then again, who cares? I’m still going to finish, and I’m still going to walk as fast as I can to get there.
Oh, and about my ridiculously small race shirt? I totally MacGyver’d that thing and added side panels so it would fit. Take that, We Don’t Make Shirts for Anyone Over a Size 6 company!
