When friends asked me to run the 17th annual Street “Drag Race,” I was skeptical. True, I have been known to dress as “shower guy” for Halloween and have been spotted sporting a Speedo in Red Square, but the idea of gallivanting for three blocks wearing women’s clothing was daunting. Of course, this uncertainty was overcome, and I found myself clad in a mini-skirt, halter top and four-inch heels this past Tuesday night.

The race began with a glitter-covered strut for our adoring fans. After the participants had been presented, it was time to compete. Following the instructions, we all took places near the back of the pack because a fall up front would have resulted in being trampled by stampeding drag queens. At the command of Mayor Adrian Fenty, our feminine foursome took off. I quickly found myself racing through the pack. My prowess in heels was shocking. Clearly, I am a natural. After three blocks of doing my best not to break an ankle, I crossed the finished line and wrote my name into the history books.

The race itself and the madness afterward is a makeup-clouded blur, but will certainly be enjoyed again in the future.