Wet N Wild 5k - August 24, 2013

I did this race in 2011.  I recall the course being hot and boring.  Most of the course was out on the sunny (no shade) streets of Irvine and the last part of the course went through the Wild Rivers Waterpark, the highlight of the race was getting to "run" through the lazy river.  The medal (bling) was a cheap Party City-ish medal with a sticker on it.  Yuck.

Crappy little medal from 2011

I signed up for the race last year.  It was to be run at Knott's Soak City.  I was too tired to drag myself out of bed on race day and I didn't go.

This year's race was at SPLASH in La Mirada and the race course was through La Mirada Park.  That sounded a whole lot better than running on some hot boring streets, so I signed up again.

After I signed up I discovered the Wet N Wild 5k was the same day as the Awesome 80's 5k.  The races were to far apart to be able to do them both.  I debated back and forth about blowing off Wet N Wild and doing the Awesome 80's instead.  I knew the bling this year at Awesome 80's was really cool.  In the end I decided to stay with Wet N Wild.

I have mixed feelings about today's race.  There were lots of happy volunteers and the event seemed pretty well organized. They even had two water stations on course.  Most 5k's only have one at about the half way point.

Course map.

I guess my biggest issue was with the course.  I looked at the course map and I knew it wound it's was through La Mirada Park.  I had even read in the course description that this was a grassy course.  I guess I didn't realize just how grassy.  The majority of the course was on the grass at the park.  I really don't like running over grass.  It's uneven, and sometimes it can be deep and soul sucking.  You have to watch where and how you put your feet down because it's very easy to step in a hole or turn an ankle.  Gah, I just don't like it.  There were lots of hills in this race.  At times we were running on the slant of the hill.  Oh and right at the start of the race was a steep incline.  Ugh.  I ended up walking parts of this race.  Even though I know running on the grass is good training (it works different muscles) I was not a happy camper.

Concentrating on running up a hill!

The best part of the race was just before the finish when we got to run through the lazy river.  By then I was all hot and sweaty so the cool water was a welcome relief.

Just out of the lazy river.

All my whining aside I would do this race again next year if it's at a different location. Hopefully it won't be on the same day as the Awesome 80's 5k.

Oh, and they improved the bling since 2011.  They gave out a nice medal this year.

Much improved medal this year.

After the race they have a photo op.  You stand in front of a green screen and they take your picture.  They print it out right there.  It's only $5.00.  It's not the best quality photo, but it's cool.

$5.00 post race photo op

At home after the race.