Trinity Falls Trail Day 5K, McKinney, TX

I needed motivation to get back into shape and decided to sign up for a local 5K race that popped up in my Facebook feed. Despite its name, this race was not a trail run: it was a community run to celebrate National Trails Day which was on June 6 this year. It was easy to sign up; I drove over to McKinney to picked up the race packet a few days before so I could see where the place was. This turned out to be a nice/upscale community development with big single family homes and some townhouses.

It had been pretty hot in Plano, so I trained on the indoor track of the local gym. Hoped the heat on race day would not be too bad, especially since the race was scheduled to begin at 9 am. It turned out to be rainy and cloudy, which was great! Debated driving my RV there so I could relax while waiting for the race to start, and change clothes after. Decided to take the RAV4 instead, since I was not sure about the parking situation. Arrived early, got a nice parking spot along the road across from the starting point. It was still drizzling so I dug out my disposable raincoat, but the rain stopped about 30 minutes later. Went over to check things out, vendors were opening up booths, saw the row of porta-potties and something I've never seen before, hand washing stations complete with paper towels! What a great idea!

Race finally started promptly at 9, after a short warm up. Although this was a competitive chip timed race with prizes for top finishers, it was also a family run/walk with little kids joining and parents pushing strollers. The route ran through paved jogging paths through the development; I have to say it was quite pretty. There was a water station at the halfway point, most welcomed as I was running without my hydration belt (probably still packed away in boxes somewhere). Fortunately it was cloudy most of the way but very humid.

Well, I managed to finish the race with just a few walk breaks. Not my personal best, but it's been many years since my last timed race (I don't count the Bowie Veterans Day 5K four years ago, mostly walked). My interest in road races rekindled, I hope to do more, in cooler months and/or locations. A couple of my former running buddies wanted to do the Reykjavík Marathon or Half Marathon. I no longer have it in me to run marathons (been there, done 14 of them), not even a half. Definitely more 5Ks, maybe a 10K if I train consistently. We'll see.

Almost forgot, we had a coupon for snow cones at the end of the race! I'm not a fan of snow cones, but got a small one anyway. And a final photo for commemoration ...