High Mountain Coffee Run 5k and 10k

On the 27^th, there was the 30^th anniversary of the High Mountain Coffee 5k & 10k. It was held at the town just below mine. A big deal it was, let me tell you! I signed up for the 5k. I began training right away. From my house, you either go up the hill, or down the hill. About three times a week I would run up the hill to strengthen my legs. At first, I ran only 3 minutes before wheezing and walking. Then I continued up the hill for another 12 minutes. Every day I ran, the continual upward hills got easier. By the second and third days of running, children from my town began running with me too! That was cool. When I leave my house, I run a couple of minutes before reaching the next upward cluster of residential space. Small picknee are out playing and as they see him coming up, they join. The little ones run with me and we do sprints. Once they get tired enough (which takes time- they got energy!) I continue as older picknee join and we are all running together up and up and up! ( myself and fellow pcv who did the 10k)

On race day, I was nervous but ready! The 5k is mainly local high school track students. And me. When the horn blows, the HS’ers are gone- however by the first minute they slow down, and everyone is pacing. By the 2nd mile, there are groups of them walking. I ran the whole way. As they see me pass, they sprint forward and pass me. This happened all the way to the finish line. I was so annoyed! Either run or walk. Like any race you need to keep a solid pace. Not sugar crash. Sigh. I encouraged the walking HS’ers in good sport anyways.

I got 79^th out of 214, 9^th female to cross the line, and first female who was over the age of 20(like I said, highschoolers, haha). And I went a personal best of 23.38. I am proud of myself. Another PCV ran too. He ran the 10k. He did well, going 56 minutes. And the 10k has the steeper climbs in comparison to the 5k. Next year I will set my sights on that. 

After the race, there were booths set up from sponsors and vendors-galore. People from around the area came out, dressed up and enjoyed the social setting. There were students from my primary school there as well as teachers. Everyone had their family out and about on the field that had the festivities.