A not too early morning, a big breakfast and off we went to Hampton, VA for Crawlin' Crab Race Day. I performed well even though my run didn't actually feel all that great, and finished 30th overall, the fourth woman and first in my age group. J&A's second annual October event was a little hot, but a great event and here's my review!

A 530am wake up call got Race Day started, then I had a big breakfast before hopping in the car with my Race Support and heading to Hampton, VA. Opting for Race Day Packet Pick-Up at the Hampton Convention Center, I wanted to arrive a little early in case there was a backup or problem parking. Pulling off the exit from 64, we were stopped in Crawlin' Crab traffic, but it was only a minor slow down and once we reached the Convention Center, I hopped out of the car and walked into Packet Pick-Up. Race Support had no trouble finding and sliding into one of the plentiful free parking spots, and after retrieving my number, race bag and tech Crawlin' Crab 5K 2013t-shirt, we rendezvoused back at the vehicle. I pinned on my number, slid on my running shoes and checked out my newly acquired clothing. I typically have bad experiences with race shirts. The sleeves are too short, they're too baggy and in general, the once size fits all usually doesn't. J&A fixed this problem with the Crawlin' Crab 5K tech T, however. A specific women's cut and short sleeves made the power blue technical shirt a great fit and I look forward to wearing it. Putting the shirt back in my brand new reusable Crawlin' Crab lunch bag, I grabbed my race bag and Race Supporter and we made for the Starting Line festivities.

We had missed the Kid's Kilometer event doing packet pick-up and spending some time back at the car, but on our walk saw a few smiling young ones with medals draped around their necks and parents who were getting ready to run their own race. Before reaching the start area, we could see long port-a-potty lines that I didn't feel like waiting in. These lines were easily avoided by taking a few extra steps and returning to use the facilities in the Convention Center. I used the clean, indoor ladies room without a line quickly and we resumed our walk to the Start. On our way, I noted that it did look like there were ample port-a-potties, I was just lucky enough to never get close. Reaching the hustling and bustling Start, we could hear Bob the Crab doing an awesome job MCing the start and making sure everyone had a fun filled Race Day. We spent 15 minutes chatting with friends and giving clients some last minute words of encouragement before the Half Marathon participants in Corrals 1 through 5 started going off right on time at 8am. After sending off my last client in corral three, I ran a short warm up before hopping over the metal crowd control device to join my fellow 5Kers in Corral 6. Crawlin Crab 6 Oct 2013 (2)Bob the Crab sent the last of the half marathoners off, and we had five minutes or so before the 5K's scheduled start time of 815am. After announcing a few birthdays and encouraging Team Hoyt as they took their head start, Bob released Corral 6 onto the 70 degree, kind of humid race course with an enthusiastic cheer.

Immediately after entering the course, the Hampton University Marching Band did a great job making sure everyone's race got off to a rocking start. Limited to 1,500 runners, I had to weave through a tiny bit of 5K traffic, but was well past it as I rounded the course's first turn. Flat with lots of hard turns, the course was very straight forward and uncrowded. Running on the right side of the roads meant the pavement banked down from left to right, which bothered my right ankle a bit and likely slowed me down some. Luckily, I knew I'd be coming back on the same course and face the opposite issue. Hitting mile one and making my third 90 degree turn, the pavement leveled out as I headed down to the first of the two U turns where I could see the leader far out in front of the rest of us. Rounding the cone, I headed back out to 90 degree turn four, past a course-side port-a-potty and towards the course's second U turn. I could again see the people in front of me, which definitely gave me a little push through the halfway point.

I didn't stop for water at mile 1.8, but the cheering volunteers who manned it were good for a smile and some extra motivation as the temperature and humidity started to increase. Past the water station and approaching the mile 2 marker, I was step in step with a member of Team Hoyt when my watch beeped to let me know I had run two miles. The woman I was passing had a watch that beeped a second later, and we commented that we still had a ways to go before reaching the Mile 2 Flag. Hoping we were right and the marker was misplaced, we parted ways and ran on. Two more 90 degree turns had the Crawlin' Crab 6 Oct 13course coming back the same way it went out and I think I passed another course-side port-a-potty at mile 2.5 before I rounded the course's final curve at mile three. Finish Line in sight, Hampton University's Marching Band gave me a burst of energy through the timers. My official results were a time of 22:55 that made me 30th overall, the 4th woman and winner of my age group, though unofficially I actually ran 3.19 miles.

After crossing the line, I walked down the Finish chute and was handed my medal, also a bottle opener, by a smiling volunteer. I nabbed a banana, bottle of water and Crawlin' Crab 5K koozie before posing for a Finisher photo and meeting up with my buddy to start our short journey to the Post Race Party. Once inside the cool Convention Center, I was very glad to not be running ten more miles on a now hot day, and with a little time to spare before the party's doors opened at 9am, I munched on my banana and stretched out on the floor. When the doors did open, I walked right up, had my ID checked for a wristband and bought beer tickets for my Race Support. No lines to be seen, we picked up a pair of Coors Lights and anchored down at one of the many high top tables inside the hall. After enjoying half of my beverage, I trotted over to get my Baker's Crust post-race fuel and returned with two spoons. The friendly volunteers were also dishing out Baker's Crust's tomato and cheese chowder, and though I didn't have a chance to give it a try, word around the table was it was pretty delicious, too. While savoring the lovely crab and corn stew served in a bread boule, I made a note that I was drinking free beer, looking at my finisher's Crawlin' Crab koozie and wearing a medal that doubles as a bottle opener. J&A sure likes to party.

Minutes later, Rich Whiskey started their set. An excellent choice, they got the Post Race Party rocking with their own take on songs from 311, the Beastie Boys and more. We spent another hour enjoying the band, chatting with fellow 5K finishers and meeting up with friends who were also waiting for half marathon finishers before walking back to the Finish Line to cheer them on for that last tenth of a mile. While waiting for the Team FitNice finishers, I found a lone, line-less port-a-potty and, after enjoying those Post-Race Coors Lights, made use of it. Encouraging runners as they crossed the Finish, I had a post-race recap with the Team FitNice finishers, who all did incredibly on a hot day, and then it was time to head home for a little NFL action. Leaving the parking lot was a cinch and an easy end to a great morning.

The second edition of this event, J&A put on an, as always, fun, family oriented, runner friendly event. The 5K course wasn't very scenic, and I have no idea where I picked up an extra tenth of a mile, but it was flat with plenty of running room. A great event, I definitely recommend the Crawlin' Crab to anyone looking for a wonderful 5K experience.