The Color Run – 2013

Something I’ve wanted to do for a really long time, basically since the day I first heard they existed, was participate in The Color Run. It was one of the wishes I added to my list of 20 Wishes as something I really wanted to try. So this year I watched the website until it was time to register for the Arizona run, I recruited my sister and sisters in law for my team and we all signed up!

We headed down to Tempe the night before the race to check in and get all our goodies (t-shirt, sweat band, back numbers). And we all bought a pair of their snazzy $5 colored sunglasses of course. 😉 The atmosphere the night of the check in was so lively and fun. They had loud music playing, colorful tents set up and the line walked you through a sporting goods store so you could buy new running shoes or clothes before the big day.

On our way to the location in Tempe it rained the whole way the morning of the race… We were seriously starting to stress out a little bit thinking that maybe the run would be canceled because of the rain. But we got there a little early (our run was the middle heat) and discovered that The Color Run does not stop for a little bit of rain… The race will go on!!!

We arrived all spiffy clean and white… I put my cell phone in the small plastic bag that our Color Run ‘tattoos’ came in. It was the perfect way to keep my phone with me, but still clean and dry throughout the race… It was also the reason that some of our photos look kind of fuzzy… They were taken through the plastic bag. 😉

By the end of the race we were no longer so spiffy clean and white… But it was SO SO much fun! They set up different color stations and as you run through there are volunteers that throw colored powder on you. Because of the rain that day the powder stuck really well… I think we had even more fun because it was wet and muddy along with everything else!

I think the blue color station was our favorite because it happened to be in kind of a dip along the sidewalk. That dip meant a DEEP, WIDE puddle to run through while they through blue powder on you. Hilarious!!!

When you’re finished racing there’s a big dance party kind of thing afterward where you can get free bottles of water and snacks, then dance around throwing colored powder on everyone nearby. LOTS of fun, I tell ya! 😉

If The Color Run comes to your area I really recommend it! We had the best time and can’t wait to do it again next year! OH, and just an FYI, the color stays in your shirt even after it’s washed. It just dulls a bit over time, so it makes a fun keepsake of the day! It does wash out of your shoes though unless their super white to begin with… Dark shoes are a much better option. Just a little tip for you. 😉

My other tips if you plan to participate in The Color Run:

• Bring a change of clothes and shoes for afterward, especially if you have to drive a long way home to shower… At least you will be dry.
• Bring old sheets to cover the seats of your vehicle if you don’t plan to change right away… otherwise your car will be colored too.
• Bring a towel! We really needed to dry our faces and what not after the race and had nothing!
• Don’t worry if it rains! The Color Run team holds races in the rain all the time and it didn’t even faze them… Plus made it more fun for us!

So there’s a check mark for my 20 wishes list! Have you been working on your list lately?? Have you ever run in a Color Run, Mud Run, etc??