This year’s Run, White and Blue 5K at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown fell on a super hot evening — the evening of Thursday, Sept. 7.
Since I ran a really strong 5K in July, I was not expecting to beat that time when I toed the starting line for the warm start — and I didn’t. Before the race, the temperature was 91, with humidity of 55 percent and a dew point of 72. The “feels like” temperature was 97.
So, while I still wanted to run fast, I knew that the weather conditions meant adjusting my expectations, and I knew I would slow down as needed. This was my eighth year in a row running this race (including one virtual in 2020), and it’s one I always look forward to.
The race began at 6 p.m., and I ran the first mile in 9:08. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep that up — and, even that fast mile for me still was a little below my average pace of 8:55 at July’s Firecracker 5K.
I walked at each of the three water stops, and my paces for the next two miles slowed into the low 10s — still much faster than a normal run for me. The last water stop had run out of cups, but there was one cup of ice left, so I did take that.
The course is two loops around the Delaware Tech campus, with the second loop a little shorter than the first. Although the weather was brutal, I was still happy to be able to come away with a time of 30:20. Running well even on a super hot and humid day made me want to test my speed during a cooler 5K.
Knowing that I would be coming in super close to 30:00, I tried to run as fast as possible at the end, running the last bit (after the first three miles) in an 8:22 pace. Then, I went through a post-run spray from the firehose.
Like I did in the last two races I did that had age groups (the Mike Sterling 10K and the Great Wyoming Buffalo Stampede 10K), I placed fourth in my age group.
After crossing the finish line, I made my usual first stop at the Vanderwende’s ice cream truck, then got some Big Oyster beer. Later, I had some of the rest of the food spread, with included pizza, chicken and more.
This race is affordable at only $25 and supports the great cause of scholarships for veterans and first responders. Plus, there’s the whole dinner after (ice cream, beer and the rest of the food are all included with the race entry). I met up with several friends before and after the race.
I wore my now-go-to race shoes, the Brooks Hyperion Max (which were gifted to me as a member of the Run Happy Team), and I also wore my Pen & Paces Yell My Name Race Bib Topper Kit that I got for free through BibRave. I didn’t have people cheering for me by name at this race either after also wearing it at the Mike Sterling 10K, so I’m thinking I will have to wear the bib topper to a larger race (it’s held up well after two races).
In addition to the post-race party and food spread, swag included a cotton T-shirt celebrating the race’s 10th anniversary.
Splits
Mile 1: 9:08
Mile 2: 10:10
Mile 3: 10:05
Last part (watch had .12): 59.5 seconds (8:22 pace)
Final: 30:20 / 9:47 pace on results; 30:24 / 9:45 pace on watch
She Runs by the Seashore 