Mermaid Half Marathon Arizona- 5K, 10k, half

(Feb 23rd, 2014)

Well, I had nothing better to do so why not enter a race. Immigration paperwork was still going through, might as well join a race for something to do on the weekend. A person can only watch so much TV.

I had seen this Mermaid Series advertised on Facebook. I didn't know anyone else doing it. My circle of friends was quite small since moving from Canada to Arizona. I made sure with hubby that we had nothing else going on and he said sure.

We arrived at Rio Vista Park bright and early. My first impression of the park was “Wow there is green grass in Arizona.” You would never know it by looking at my street. There was more than enough parking and the bathrooms were very clean. There was a line up pre-race (isn't there always though?)

So I made my way down to the start line in my pink and black tutu, wearing the pink shirt and bib number 110. Making tutus had become another hobby with too much time on my hands. I was a little worried I was going to be the only one wearing one. (I read on facebook it was all the rave….where were all the tutus??) The music playing was real catchy, and the spokeswoman was doing a good job getting everyone pumped up. I think she could tell I was nervous. She asked where I was from and if it was my first mermaid race.

And then BAM we were off. Don't go too fast , don't go too fast was all I could think for the first mile. The course itself was a decent course. All pavement with some little up and down hills. There were 2 water stations on my 10k course. I had my hand bottle so I graciously said thank you but passed on. The amount of empty cups on the ground made me feel bad for whoever has to clean it up after. Why can't people throw them in the big trash cans?

I finally found some other tutu wearing ladies. That made me feel better. I remember yelling something along the lines of GO TUTUS!! But I failed to think about how hot it would be wearing it. The fabric kept going in between my legs as I ran. Never again would I run in a tutu. There is a first for everything.

And there was the finish line. Wait...why am I running past the finish line? oh….I am only about 3 miles in. So I kept trudging along. I was more near the back of the pack. Ladies were passing me on the other side going to the glorious finish line. I finally hit the turnaround point. Couple more miles to go and there I was. Finally crossing the bridge to the end. I saw my wonderful husband. He was filming me bounce across the line. They had said my name as I crossed.

There was no medal. It was a cute little charm on a necklace. Green teardrop style with a girl just running free like a bird. I made my way to the post race food. Lots of water with bagels,bananas and fruit. Nice and fresh and all the volunteers kept saying way to go.

We stayed for a little bit. There was a group of young girls doing a 1 mile run. Promoting fitness to all ages. Great to see. I don't remember fitness being promoted when I was their age, but we also didn't have the video game and tv influence that kids nowadays have. There was also a couple of backdrops to take your picture with. Myself I'm not the most photogenic...but I gave in to him.

Overall it was a great first Arizona race event for me and I would sign up again next year.