The Color Run

Philadelphia, PA

 July 8, 2012 

Distance: 5K

Time: Irrelevant 

There's a reason that this race is referred to as "the happiest 5K on the planet". 

The reason - your finishing time doesn't matter,  it's more of a relaxing jog than a run AND there's a giant rave-like post celebration featuring house music and clouds of color. 

Before

After.
Compliments of the very talented Michael W. Mafodda

For anyone who's scared to do a 5K, this is a great starter but don't be fooled, no other 5k is quite as fun. Our morning was particularly sticky and crowded - 20,000 turnout!

 I had sweat through my sports bra before my wave crossed the start line. All that moisture proved to be necessary 1K down the road when we reached our first color stop

[Color stop= a section of volunteers with water bottles filled with powdered paint, resembling Gulaal paint which is used in the Indian Holi (Spring festival) celebrations] where we entered a cloud of pink and exited with our first hint of color. 

The Color Run features a different color stop every kilometer throughout the race. That's 5 color stops for those of you who are mathematically challenged. No one finishes looking as they started and the only white crossing the finish line are the smiles of every participating individual. 

A sea of white. 

Entering yellow.

Michael W. Mafodda. All Rights Reserved.

Michael W. Mafodda. All Rights Reserved. 

So brighten up that boring running routine of yours and run the rainbow! 

MDW: Spring Lake 5

Memorial Day Weekend

Did you spend your MDW DTS? If so, bravo. However, if you used any of the previous abbreviations while enjoying your long weekend activities, you should be denied the right to ever enjoy a MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND DOWN AT THE SHORE again. 

Write it out, people. I was informed by Manasquan inhabitants that people who abbreviate are not shore-worthy and are likely to be labeled a "benny", "shoobie", etc. 

Avoid the embarrassment, act the part, spell it out. 

My Memorial Day Weekend, poetically representing the end of my freedom and my clinging to college memories and worry-free days for dear life, was spent at the one-and-only Jersey Shore with my favorite people doing one of my favorite activities.... running. 

Race: The Spring Lake 5 
The largest road race in NJ and the largest 5 miler in the nation! 
Weather: 85 & Sunny = perfection. 
My clocked time: 40 mins 32 secs

My new lifeline - I'm obsessed! 

And then, of course, afterwards...(siiigghhhh)........

My favorite distance followed by my favorite ending.