Tour of the Gables 5K Race Recap

The running community in Miami has given me so much. It has helped me fall in love with running and meet some of the greatest people around. It has also helped me get others into running. Before leaving Miami I wanted to run a 5K with the woman who has been my running partner for the past two years. This woman has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. I still remember our first run together: running from Coconut Grove to Key Biscayne and getting poured on as we were on the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge. During that run she told me about her love for running and, how in a few weeks time, she would be running the Marine Corps Marathon. She had two kids and was married, just like me. She made me realize that what I thought was an impossibility, training for and running a marathon, was actually not only possible, but also an attainable reality.

So when she told me she wanted to run a 5K with me before I left and wanted to get a PR, I jumped at the chance of running with and pacing her. We signed up for Tour of the Gables 5K and my friend, who is running Rock n Roll Chicago with me, also joined in on the fun. The morning was gorgeous and I helped both of my friends PR. My running partner PR'd her 5K time by 30 seconds (official time 29:28) and I was just as happy for her as I would have been if this race was a PR for me. The run has truly given me more than I could ever give it.

What I liked:

• Smooth packet pickup. 
• Water stations at every mile. 
• Race started promptly at 7:30am. 
• Beautiful course through Coral Gables. 
• The race was walking distance from my house. 
• Smaller race and perfect for getting those best times. 
• Post race tent with food. 
• The company. 
• I never thought I would be "fast enough" to pace anyone and, yet, here I am pacing my friends.
• Gorgeous weather.

What I didn't like:

• No medals. 
• The race shirts are gigantic. I got a small and that shirt fits Alex better than it fits me. 

I don't know what the next race recap will be. There is a trail run and an evening 5K I'm eyeing but I haven't committed to any other races yet. Right now, I am enjoying my Chicago Marathon training and working out with my girls before the Big Move. 

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