Dashed at the ASH Dash

Posted on April 24th, 2011 by Middalia

The ASH Dash 5K is a small race (about 700 people) held on the Austin State Hospital grounds and the proceeds from the race benefit the children and adult receiving treatment for mental illness. Very family friendly event with the Easter Bunny making and an appearance and an Easter egg hunt after the event.

Just as we did last race, I ran my own race and my husband ran with the kids. Have I mentioned how awesome he is?

Honestly, I did not feel great going into this race. Nothing was really hurting me but my energy level was low and I was not feeling fast. My 2 attempts at racing this season have been so slow that I consider them to be failures. I tried to think positive thoughts for this race but really didn’t expect to PR. Even though I didn’t expect to I still went out at close to my PR pace. Couldn’t even hold that for a mile..finished the first mile in 7:11. And it only went down hill from there, I tried to run fast but only managed a 7:22. The race is a two loop course so around this point I had to start running around them. Why do they always walk in big packs?? Anyhow my third mile was a slooow 7:40. Recovered a little for a sprint to the finish .19 at a 7:08 pace. Finish time 23:33. I was very disappointed with my race time, I didn’t think I would PR but I didn’t think I would be that slow.

There was no time to mope about my failure as my children would be coming through the finish line and I need to set a good example for them, so I put on a smile and encouraged them in their performances. My daughter PRed with a 28:11!! My son didn’t fare so well, I think he went out too quickly and the heat got to him. I could see he was disappointed, I was able to encourage him with my own experiences. After realizing that not every race is not a PR for me either he felt better.

Post race there were lots of goodies and an Easter Egg hunt for kids of all ages. This was great for my kids who are 10 and 11 now and to old for most egg hunts. My son even won one of the Easter baskets. Even though I didn’t think I placed in my AG, I checked the times and it turned out I had. I won second in my AG and received a little golden bunny trophy. That really turned the race from a negative experience to a positive.

Overall a good race: flat course, fun activities after the race, cute trophies and tees. The only negatives today were the weather warm and humid (which has nothing to do with the race itself) and having to weave around the walkers on the second loop. We may do it again next year as my daughter really wanted one of those golden bunnies…she got really close (4th in her AG). I think she wants to try for it next year and maybe by next year I will be in good enough shape to PR and win myself another bunny