3/18/13

5K #13, March 16: Nevada, Las Vegas

State #13

12th Annual Run Away with Cirque du Soleil 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the Springs Preserve


The temperature, unlike the chilly 30s and 40s for the previous 5Ks, is a terrific 70 degrees.


The official starter for the run was Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G Goodman, who was lucky enough to have her picture taken with Jeannie.


I finished with a time of 26:08, 74th overall out of 871, but 4th in my age group, so no medal this time.

Below is the starting point and finishing point for the run held at the Springs Preserve, a few miles from downtown Las Vegas.

The Springs Preserve, where Las Vegas was first settled in the 1800s, includes colorful desert botanical gardens, museum galleries, outdoor concert and event venues, an indoor theater, historic photo gallery and a series of walking trails that meander through a wetland habitat.


At the finish...


After the run.

I found some fellow runners wearing the tutu.


Some Cirque Du Soleil frolicking.


This 5K was a fun well-organized event, and Mayor Goodman even gave Jeannie the mayor's own personal chip. Her security policeman told Jeannie afterword that the mayor just gives out a few of those chips.


13 States Completed (blue).

Scheduled for April and May (red).


3/3/13

5K #12 March 3: Oklahoma, Ardmore

State #12

A Sunday sunrise 90 mile drive to Ardmore, Oklahoma


for the...
A2A Arbuckles to Ardmore Race for Mercy Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K

36 degrees for the 8:00 a.m. start


Lots of wind, sun, and inclines, especially the last mile
But a good time at the finish, 26:10


And a hat presentation for 1st in my age group (73rd overall out of 633).




And back to Texas



Runs Completed (blue). Scheduled for March and April (red).


3/2/13

5K #11 March 2: Louisiana, Shreveport

State #11

Heading to Louisiana from Houston where we celebrated my mom's 93rd birthday...


Through East Texas...


to Louisiana for the...
Louisiana Skeeter Run 2013 in Shreveport: SWAT Teams Stamping Out Malaria
Skeeter is short for mis-skeeter which is southern vernacular for mosquito which carries malaria which will be helped to be stamped out by funds raised by SKEETER 5Ks all over Louisiana today.


Today is also Texas Independence day.


But at 34 degrees, a little cold for my slightly PG-13 flag shorts, which were unfurled last week in Virginia.

Lining up in Louisiana.

I carried my iPhone for some pics.
And we are off...

Running across fields and trails.

Heading to the finish.


The best part -- jumbalaya after the run.


24 minutes and 50 seconds, maybe about 15th overall, but first in my age group and awarded a commemorative dog tag.



Runs Completed (Blue). Scheduled for March and April (Red).