Awesome 80s Run - 10K

Start: Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 7:00 am

Location: Fiesta Island : ( 

Distances: Radical 5k and Totally Awesome 10K. 

Packet Pickup: Road Runner Sports at Carlsbad. 2 miles from my work, conveniently located.

Race Summary

This was a FUN 10k at the worse possible location, Fiesta Island. The race was scheduled to start at 7:00am. Unfortunately, I was sitting on the highway right across the starting line from 6:25- 6:55 am. I could hear Michael Jackson in the background. I thought "There is no way I am going to make it". I ended up finding parking near Seaworld, 1.5 miles away. It was 7:02 and the race had started already. I tried to stay positive and ran my fastest mile EVER to the starting line where a couple of friends were waiting for me.  Phew, I made it by a hair!

Since I was one of the last ones to cross the starting line, I decided to change my race strategy. My goal was to pass as many people as possible. It was hard since there were dozens of walkers at the back. I felt like I was playing Frogger. 

This was my first 10k. As you probably know, I usually run longer distances. This was also my first time running around Fiesta Island. My husband already told me how much he "liked" running there during the last RnR San Diego Marathon. It's just a BIG loop and you can't really see ahead.  For the Awesome 80s 10k run, we ran Fiesta Island twice. The temperatures were nice, on the cooler side and I was having fun passing people in funky neon costumes. At the end of the second loop, we made a right turn and a quarter of a mile later, the road stopped. What? Yes, we had to wait in line to take some stairs and run back to the finish line. I even had time to snap a picture. If I were the organizers, I would eliminate the stairs.

Awesome 80s 10K Run with stairs

I arrived to the finish line in 59:40, including a mandatory stop and lots of zig-zagging. 

The finisher's medal, a casette tape

The post-race 80s party was the best. Ghostbusters, Blues Brothers, Madonnas, Cindy Laupers, Gumby and Pokey, Hello Kitties, Karate Kids (shower included) were all there. Nice dance performances including the Thriller choreography and some breakdance. Only in the US, I love it!

HH, 'Mua', Tessa,May

80's Roller Skating Disco Diva and Pop Star

Don Johnson, Chip and Hulk Hogan

Posing with 2 human Rubix cubes

80s pop singers with Ghostbuster's Marshmallow Man

Overall, I had a blast. Not bad for an inaugural neither. There is only one thing  I would change: location. As promised by the organizers, these were some of the event highlights:

*Coolest Costume Contest

*Totally Awesome T-shirt

*Custom '80s medal for all finishers

*Live '80s Cover Band, Dance Crews and Entertainment

*Rad '80s photo props including a Back To The Future DeLorean

Back to the '80s, who remembers did movie?