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So, I've decided to start blogging again! Why? Because yesterday's race was so FUN!

It has been years since I've done a Women's Only event and WOW! was it different. I'm used to people crowding the start line. At yesterday's Pink Series 5K in Alpine, Utah, I learned that sometimes people might race just for fun. Go figure!

As we "lined up" to start, I looked around. The crowd hadn't moved forward. No one was elbowing anyone to get to the front of the pack. Women were holding back as if to say, "Hey, I don't care if I get an awesome prize at the end, YOU go ahead and go for it..." Crazy ladies! They had awesome Miche bags and gift cards!

The last race I was in was in California for an ocean triathlon. When the race started, a bunch of women just about pushed me to the bottom of the harbor! So when the horn blew at the Rodeo Grounds in Alpine to start the Pink Series 5K, my natural survival tendencies rose to the surface, and I took off. When I looked ahead, I couldn't believe I was actually at the beginning of the pack. (That rarely happens.)

It seems everyone was just running with friends and family, enjoying the course and the camaraderie. I was there with my future daughter-in-law and it was my idea we do this race together. It was her first ever 5k and my umpteenth, but I've never "raced" just to finish. With the great down-hill course, I toed the start line hoping for a PR. But at mile 2, I began to wonder if I should have toned it down just a bit. Oh, well, it was too late for camaraderie now!

As I rounded the park for the finish, to be welcomed by firemen in pink ties, I was ecstatic to see that I had PR'd. (I no longer count my high school times...)

My daughter-in-law finished shortly afterward and my son reassures me that she did have fun. This race might be one I can even talk my teenage daughter into doing with me; running a 5k is something she has sworn she will NEVER do.

This 5K taught me that there are races you can run just for fun. Maybe I'll adopt that philosophy sometime this year for another race.

I hear the Pink Series is doing a 10K in Logan and hosting their second Half marathon in Park City in October. This race is now one of my top-picks for local races. Not just because it has cute swag bags, was well-organized, started on time, or even because of the prizes at the end. But because it supports Cancer research and also because of the attitude of those around me. I was reminded of why I run and how grateful I am to be able to do what I love so much.

If you want to see who was there and how much fun it we had, go here . If you see yourself in a picture and want a full-sized copy, send me an email at goinmom@yahoo.com

Over-all Race Grade: 33/35

Swag Bag: 5
Organized: 5
Started on time: 5
Post-race Goodies: 4
Fun Little Extras: 5
Course: 4
Prizes: 5