My Better Half 5k 2025

I almost didn't sign up for this race, but I couldn't let my birthday tradition go. Because I didn't exactly have time to train for a fast or impressive 5k, my mindset was complete, don't compete. I wanted to run this race, but I didn't want to race it.

I was on my own on race morning, and I planned everything perfectly. I got up around 6:30am when the response to a 3-alarm fire in Ballard woke me up. I had protein coffee in bed, then got dressed and headed out the door around 7:20am. I arrived at Seward Park at 7:45am and found perfect parking along the same street as last year. (Times like these, I'm so glad to have a teeny tiny car!)

I was ready for a literally-freezing start with new fleece-lined tights.

Around 7:55am I headed down to the park. I didn't want to waste time standing around because it was only 32°, although it was a clear and sunny morning. The 5k is the last of the three race distances to go, so I knew the majority of racers would be on the course and it would be easy to use the bathroom and get to the start. Sure enough, I used a porta-potty (no line!) and worked my way up toward the front of the corral but 8:08am, just two minutes shy of our 8:10 start.

I lined up near the front because there were obvious walkers and people with strollers all throughout the corral, and I wanted to be ahead of them. It had been awhile since I ran the 5k for this race and had forgotten that 5ks appeal to people who just want to get out and stretch their legs.

Anyway, I started the race toward the front of the pack. I knew the big hill was coming at mile .5 and the start tends to be pretty tight, so I kept my starting pace very easy. I just wanted to warm up and not try to dodge people or overtake anyone. Plus, I truly wasn't intending to work too hard; I just wanted to enjoy my last race of 38.

I am actually in this picture. Can you find me?

The hill worried me because I haven't been running hills at all, but I was able to keep momentum, even passing a few people who slowed way down or opted to walk. When I reached the top and could keep going, I realized the hardest part was over.

There were two times I got pretty emotional during this race. The first was right as I crossed the start line, when I was feeling so grateful to be out there. The second time, I choked up as I left the hill behind. The 10k runners were passing us from the turnaround, and I saw so many happy runners, and I just felt so joyful. I guess I've missed running more than I realized or something. My heart felt full and happy.

Around mile 2, I began bargaining with myself. Typically in a 5k, I take a walk around 2.6 miles, and I was determined to get that far. I took stock of myself and decided I felt tired, but the hardest part was breathing the frigid air, and stopping wouldn't fix that. I was stuck beside a trio of runners who were having a great time, but their boisterous conversation was grating on my nerves as the run began to feel like work. I figured I could lose them in the "tunnel of love", and then take a little walk.

Well, the tunnel of love is mile 2.8, and by the time I got through there, I knew walking would be a copout. I asked myself, do you need a walk, or is this mental? I had .3 miles to go! Why stop now?

When I turned the corner to the finish line and saw the clock read under 30 minutes, I was happily surprised. I picked up my pace just a touch to ensure I'd cross the line in time.

The finisher's "village" was pretty empty because the 10k and half marathon runners were still on the course. It didn't occur to me that it may be empty because most of the 5k runners were still out there, too. I got some photos and then decided to head home. Matt was still on shift because that big fire in Ballard delayed his shift change, and I knew Zoe would be wanting her morning walk.

It wasn't until I had walked her, showered, and settled down to relax that I saw the results email had come through. I was absolutely floored to see that I had somehow placed third in my age group!

My mind had been so firmly on complete, don't compete that I hadn't even paused to consider I might have made the podium. According to the results, I beat out the 4th place runner by only four seconds! I guess I accidentally competed after all when I decided to forgo a walk break.

I can't believe how close my clock time was to 2nd place's!

Orca Running has a policy that they don't mail awards, so I contacted their Instagram page to see if I could pop by to pick up my award. It meant another 25-minute drive to Seward Park, but this is my last race of 38 and the first of 2025, so it felt really important to have the award in hand. They were super kind and let me know they'd be at the race venue for another hour.

I drove back down and saw they were in the process of loading up their trucks. As soon as I approached them, they recognized me and had the handmade award ready for me! It meant a lot to me that they took a minute out of their cleanup duties to do that for me, because I know how exhausting a long race day, including setup and breakdown, can be!

Every year, I'm so glad I commit to running a birthday race. I never regret it, even when it means going out in freezing temperatures and leaving a warm, comfy bed while it's still dark out. But this year especially meant so much to me. At one point during the race, I thought to myself, I am going to be 39, and look what I can do.

I intend for my last year of my 30s to be outstanding, and this was a good way to cap off 38 and welcome 39. Here's to what's next.

Ali