MS 5K run at Ridley Creek State Park - race #3

    It was a beautiful Sunday morning, about 58 degrees, sunny and breezy, and I was able to sleep in a little because of the 9:30 a.m. race start.  Downing just a cup of tea (I know I should eat something, but I'm always a little nervous before races), I headed to Ridley Creek State Park on April 17 for my third 5K in three weeks.  Arriving at the park, which hosted one of the 18 Walk MS sites held across the Delaware Valley, I was amazed by all the people who were ready to take part in the walk.  Many had formed teams and were wearing matching T-shirts.  The race and the walk helped raise funds to help local people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
     With a DJ blasting music for the crowd, I saw several people wearing race bibs head to the starting line.  It was a small group, only about 50 runners for the up and back race.  Right before the start, I heard someone say that the course was downhill in the beginning.  At the sound of the horn, we were off and headed down a narrow paved path.  (See photos and video at http://tinyurl.com/3m8odnd.)
      Shaded by towering trees, we ran past old stone homes and rain-swollen streams.  The course was very scenic and I can understand why so many people enjoy running, biking and walking their dogs at this state park.  The hardest part for me running at Ridley Creek was that there were no standout identifiable markers.  Once I made the halfway point and jogged around the little orange cones, I headed back, uphill this time, for the finish.  Trudging my way up, I kept thinking, "this tree looks familiar, I think?"  But actually I had no idea and just kept pace with a runner in front of me. 
     Finally turning towards the end, we ran into maybe a few hundreds walkers who were just beginning their five-mile trek.  Veering off onto the grass, I headed towards the flag and finished with a time of 30:08.  My best time so far this spring and I was 25 out of 49 runners.  It was the most challenging of the last three races.  The winning time was a 21:30, way behind the Ridley Run's first place time of 15:41.  Offering great support like always were Kevin and my mom.  No T-shirt this time (only if you raised $150), but I did receive a cool medal which I wore to breakfast at the Dairy Cottage;-)

     This Saturday I'm headed to Aronimink Elementary School in Drexel Hill for the Cure For the Kids 5K.  All the proceeds benefit Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.