Living Outside The Lines: “Divalicious”
This is surely fabulous news for the 2968 participants in the 2017 Diva Half Marathon & 5K held in Galveston, April 24. And yes, I was there, unashamedly running 13.1 miles in my pink tutu!
by, Becky J Miller, exclusive to Corridor News
According to urbandictionary.com “divalicious” is defined as “the epitome of a diva, in a positive manner. A female that is independent, confident, worldly, stylish, and all around fabulous.” Although the term is often used to describe larger than life personalities such as pop-singer Beyoncé’, one need not be famous to carry the moniker.
This is surely fabulous news for the 2968 participants in the 2017 Diva Half Marathon & 5K held in Galveston, April 24. And yes, I was there, unashamedly running 13.1 miles in my pink tutu! P.S. Generally I discount tutu-wearing runners as being of the non-serious sort, but trust me, I was all about that pace, even in a tutu!
Birthed in 2010 on New York’s Long Island, the Diva Half Marathon & 5K series has expanded to include races in vacation destinations such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, CA, Myrtle Beach, SC, DC’s Wine Country, VA, Chicagoland, IL, Toronto Island, Canada, Temecula, CA and Peachtree City, GA. The official race website claims their events are “the most fun and glam women’s half marathon series in the nation. This series is all about girl power.”
Two things about this race captured my attention; I loved that it was all about women (men are permitted to participate, but the focus is definitely not them), and having run all over the Texas hill country, I was super excited about running a flat course! Hills are a great physical challenge for athletes who love to push the limits, but they’re also stealers of precious pace seconds, or even minutes.
For their entry fee, all participants receive a string bag, pink technical shirt, pink tutu, tiara, feather boa, post-race bubbly served in a keepsake champagne flute, and a fabulous industrial strength medal with a Pandora bracelet-compatible bead attached. During packet pick up at the race expo, vendors are available for runners interested in purchasing merchandise ranging from socks to shoe charms to medal/bib displays to headbands to blinged out ball caps, and SPI belts.
The Diva Half Marathon & 5K series is very well organized from pre-race day instruction emails to the expedient packet pick up to parking directors to staggered wave start and efficient finish-line medal issuing. Oh, and runners get to personalize their race bibs. Mine read, “Diva Warrior” because “Diva Warrior Princess” was too many characters. Many runners simply have Diva “Susie.” If I had any complaints about the race it would be that the bubbly was sparkling cider versus real champagne. #falseadvertisting
Galveston’s course was flat as expected, only two slight uphill slopes. The beach scenery was gorgeous even at a crisp 58 degrees with 25 mph winds.
The finish line was brutal though, what I would consider a blind finish. My Garmin hit 13.1 without my feet crossing the finish line. The end of the course included so many twists and turns that without other runners to follow; one could easily lose their way. I hit 13.26 miles and didn’t spot the finish until I was actually upon it. Still, I finished the race within my anticipated time. #DivaWarrior #GoMe
So, if you are feeling divalicious; whether a runner or a walker, this event is definitely for you!!
Until Next Time,
Becky J Miller ~ Warrior Princess
Becky J Miller writes a bi-weekly column and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.
