Thanks for all the encouragement - you gals are so sweet!

Actually, I would probably consider a 5K, given all the stuff you have said, except that most of them I've found just aren't very convenient for me to get to from where I live (out in da boonies), and I am not a morning person, so I tend to run around lunchtime (or late morning). I've also been cutting way back on discretionary spending for a variety of reasons, so paying $25+ to do such a short event (and the driving to and from) just doesn't seem practical right now. But, never say never -- I will consider it if an event comes up nearby that has a reasonable entry fee and doesn't begin at oh-dark-thirty.