Every year, I plan to sign up for the 10k and then I chicken out.

I know that the hills would be good training but… the 5k is an out and back and mostly flat.

Then last year, I did run the 10K.

Oy! Those hills!!

So this year, I returned to the 5k. 🙂

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

This small race in the country has always been one of my favorite races. I have run it for the five years straight (2013-18) and enjoyed it each time. I was out of town in 2019 and it was cancelled in 2020. But I ran it again in 2021 and as a I said above, last year, I ran the 10k.

It was always well-organized and had great food – the usual food but also chili and homemade muffins & cookies (including gluten free ones).

And there was chocolate milk, fresh from the dairy. (You know how I LOVE chocolate milk post-race.)

Plus, I also have won a homemade pie as first in my age group every year. 28:56, 28:01, 27:54, 27:32, 27:01, 28:30. Yes, it seems that I was pretty fast but that was then and this is now.

Lately I don’t feel very fast. In fact, I was highly doubtful that I could finish under 30 minutes. I was expecting (but not in a bad way), a course PW, maybe even a 5k PW.

Packet pick-up was the night before. But since I lived so far away, I planned to pick mine up the morning of the race.

Again the weather was tricky. What to wear? I was brave the first two years and wore a skirt, a baseball cap and no gloves. It was April, right? Then the next three years, it was cold and I resorted to capris. In 2021, they moved the race to May so I was able to return to the skirt on a very hot day.

This year since the race was back in April, but (this seems to be a trend) RAIN was predicted.

No cold temps but no sun with rain and wind meant capris instead of a skirt, a jacket, arm warmers…?

Of course, I had pizza for my race carb loading (yes I carb load even for 5ks. lol)

Race Day:

The race started at 10 am which was great since it would be an hour drive from my house.

After my race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, I left my house around 8:15 am. It was raining lightly.

I got to the race early (around 9:15 am) and found a parking spot in a MUDDY grassy field next to the church. The race started at the church in the town of Bacon Hill, a small farming town with awesome scenery. (It reminded me of Vermont.)

So as soon as I arrived, I picked up my shirt and bib.

We were also given a ticket to enter to win the many raffle prizes.) Then I went back to my car to drop off my shirt.

I wasn’t sure that I would know anyone at this race since most of the runners that I know were running a local 10k.

Of course, it started to rain harder. There were tents and many runners waited inside the church.

But I did bump into a few runners that I knew and we hung out chatting.

There was music playing and a little over 160 runners. Much fewer than usual because there was a virtual option for both the 5k and 10kand the WEATHER.

Eventually at 9:45, they directed us to the start. No corrals and I wasn’t sure if it were chip timed so I didn’t start too far back.

I ditched my umbrella but it was raining so I kept on my jacket (with arm sleeves under it).

Miles 1-1.5

The pastor read a prayer, the church bells rang and we were off.

The 5k was an out and back. We started with the 10k runners but they looped around and then veered off onto a very hilly route.

I decided to go out fast. I always have positive splits so why try not to. Unfortunately my fast now is not what it used to be (to some I was never fast and to others, I still am fast. Remember pace is so individual.)

However, Because I am now used to only running 60-90 seconds at a time, I was out of breath very quickly. I wasn’t even able to run the whole first mile.

And although it was raining, harder and harder, it was humid.  I had to stop and rake off my jacket and tie it  around my waist.

The course wasn’t as flat as the map showed. The hills were rolling throughout but not that bad for the first half.

There used to be so many the signs along the route. Many of them were riddles. They were a nice distraction. This year, I only noticed a couple (maybe due to the rain?)

This one was my favorite:

My legs really protested my attempt for speed.  There were mile markers and a few scattered volunteers with umbrellas cheering on the runners. But very few spectators due to the miserable weather.

A little past the one mile marker, there was a water stop. I walked for a while (too long) here since I was thirsty. I even took of my DIY arm sleeves.

Mile 1.5-3.1:

Eventually we turned around and headed back…. I realized quickly that I had gone out too fast (and it wasn’t even fast.)  I could not keep up that pace. (I was wearing my Garmin but I never looked at it until the race was over.)

I continued running but added in lots of walks.  The wind was blowing at us now and the rain pelted my face.  My clothes and shoes were getting soggier and soggier. Although there didn’t seem to be downhills on the way out, now there appeared to be many uphills.  Yes, I walked them.

Finally there was one mile to go and I couldn’t wait to finish and get that chocolate milk. And get out of the pouring rain!!

As I approached the finish line, I sprinted as fast as I could (and stopped my watch.)

The clock said: 31:xx. A big course PW but I was happily surprised at my time (considering how much walking I did.)

Post-Race Activities

I immediately made a bee line for the chocolate milk.

There was a lot of refreshments (3 kinds of chili, pastries, fruit, etc.) More food than there were runners.  We were encouraged to take extras.

I didn’t have to wait long before they announced the raffle prize winners (not I) and the awards.

Yes, it was worth the hour drive. I won a pie!

I waited a bit for the rain to let up but it obviously wasn’t going to so I headed back to my car.

In past years, I ran more miles because the 10k route (though hilly) was very scenic.

And I would stop by Kings Dairy for some homemade ice cream.

Not today!

Additional Race Reflections:

Positives:

• 5k and 10k options
• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Beautiful countryside scenery
• Chocolate milk.
• Chili and homemade goodies as post-race refreshments.
• Super friendly volunteers.
• Virtual option.
• Raffle prizes.
• Pie, ice cream gift certificate, cookies as age group awards.

Negatives:

• Late start time.
• RAIN!
• Lack of speed work (my fault).

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

It was super well-organized. Special attention was paid to EVERY detail.

Final Stats:

But I was thrilled with my time.  But I wasn’t expecting much.  I did exactly what I had planned.  Just run. I definitely think I could have run faster. But there didn’t seem to be a reason to. When I was winded, I walked. I was just running for me (and the PIE) and because it makes me feel good to race.

All in all, I loved this race. I will definitely do it again…maybe even the 10k again.

Next Up:

Another 5k.

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? How do feel about racing in the rain?  Please share.

 

 

 

 

---

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

---

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs