On my 24th birthday, I developed a list of 25 things I wanted to do before I turned 25. (Read my 25×25) One of those things was to run a race…and I use the term run very, very loosely.
Well I have now complete my 2nd 5K! I ran walked the Susan G. Komen 5K in Little Rock last fall, and now I have run walked the Color Run 5K in Tulsa!
My sister and I at the Susan G. Komen 5K in Little Rock.
Friends at the Color Run in Tulsa (from L to R) Brittney, me, and Ashley.
With teaching 5 Zumba classes a week, I rarely find time for other forms of exercise. When I do have days off, I often feel like I need to spend it resting my body, so that I can be at my full potential to teach the following week. But last month, I put those needs aside for a fun run with friends.
New friends and old friends at the Color Run.
I absolutely loved the Color Run! Whether you are looking for your first 5K or you are an avid runner, I would highly recommend the Color Run. The event is not timed. If you are a runner, and you want to run for time, you should make an effort to be towards the front of the starting gate. There will be a LOT of people there, so if you’re too far back, you will get held back at the start. You will also have to time yourself as there is not even a run clock at the finish. If you’re not a competitive runner then feel free to party your way towards the start line a little while after they start the race. Dance with the runicorn, follow the drumline in a conga, or jam to the DJ’s tunes at the main stage while you wait for your chance to start.
The Color Run mascot “Runicorn”
Once you start the race, you will periodically run through color zones. Your white shirt will soon be filled with color as the volunteers throw a rainbow of powder your way. I would recommend covering your hair with a bandana. I was very thankful that mine was covered and only the end of my ponytail was coated in color gunk at the end of the race. Note that you will not be coated in color by the end of the race, but don’t worry…the real fun comes after the race! After you’ve finished, all the runners gather together at the stage where the DJ is playing and the workers are throwing out free goodies. They will then call for a color throw! Everyone gets a packet of color when registering for the race. At this point, everyone will rip open those color packets and throw them in the air! The sun will instantly grow dark as a cloud of color fills the air above you, and when the color settles (on you and those around you) you will be covered in color!
At the main stage jamming out before the color throws!
After the color throws, you can head over to the blower guys – workers hooked up with battery packs and lawn blowers that will blow the loose color off of you before you get in your car to leave. It will take a significant amount of color off of your clothes, so if you’re wanting to try and preserve the color, you shouldn’t do this. The only way to keep the color on your clothes is to mix up some kind of formula to spray on the clothing before washing it. I have not heard of anyone who had a very successful mix that preserved the color, so I decided not to try to keep mine. When I washed the shirt, most of the color came out, although I do have a few random spots that kind of make the shirt look dirty. I think I will tie-dye it, so that I can actually wear it in public again.
My new goal is to be able to actually run a 5K. Looks like I have some training to do!
Get info on upcoming Color Run races at thecolorrun.com.
Cultural Belle 