Falafel 5K 2011

By: Diane Derkowski

I was kind of surprised not to have any takers for the Falafel 5K… after all, how often do we get to particpate in such a cool (but in an odd “meatless ball” sort of way) themed event?

The drive over to Shalom Park on Providence Rd was uneventful, an approximate 30 minute drive from University.  There was plenty of parking, and the volunteers were helpful and friendly.  They said to thank Steve Udelson for the beautiful weather, who happened to be our host for the event.  It was a pleasant number of people, a nice contrast to the masses at the recent Boston Marathon.  A quick stop to the porta-pottties (bonus- no lines!), and they were the fancy porta-potties with the sinks in them!  The race was a non-chip event with awards given to the top 10 male and top 10 female overall finishers.  I saw Rachel from RFYL at the start- it was nice to see one familiar face!  As we got started, I sized up my competition and got into my “bust out a 5K pace”.   I saw 4 girls visibly in front of me.  I took out the 1st one rather quickly before the 1st mile and really didn’t think I could pass the others until mile 3, when I gained on them up a little  hill. Overall, I thought the race was all downhill but then someone said she thought there were a lot of  hills.  I’m thinking to myself. “downhilly…”!  Oh, in all the excitement,  I forgot to turn on my watch (at least no one took me out at the start), so I didn’t really know where  I was pacewise until I came to the mile makers.   After the race, I herded to the after-race area, longing for my falafel!  I found it!  As I salivated towards the table, I realized they were charging for the falafel!  $5 each!   Well, they looked so good!  As I took the first bite, it definitely met up to all my expectations, and it was worth every penny!

Then the awards ceremony- I got 7th place overall female!  A nice glass plaque award and a  $5 gift card to RFYL.  I did 23:15, 7:29 pace.  A PR too!   It was fun!  Small race, great course, nice people, and gorgeous weather! Oh, and yummy falafel!