I signed up for the “New” Indian Ladder Farms Spiked Apple 5k for several reasons:

• I love Spiked Cider and Cider Donuts.
• This year, I wanted to run some NEW races.
• It offered cool swag (shirt, medal, wine glass).
• It is in a very scenic area (https://youtu.be/XLMtIsBf6As)
• It was originally scheduled on June 21.
• It was local.
• The charity:

Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do try to do those weekday short runs (Mon, Tues, Wed this week).

And oops, there was a 5k the day before!!

But truthfully, if it’s fewer miles than a half marathon, I just go out and run it. At this stage of my racing, I don’t think about getting PRs.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

As I mentioned, this was a brand new race for this area (I believe the company sponsors this race elsewhere).

I have participated in several trail run/walks at here at Indian Ladder Farms.

But I was glad when they said the race course would NOT be on technical trails. (I am NOT a trail runner.) But it would be 2 loops and some grassy sections and some paved.

This race was only for fun… no pizza the night  before.  I think there was hot dogs, salad and ice cream followed by fireworks.

Race Day:

My Race Plan:

Do not get injured!! And most importantly, have fun!!

I would most likely do a lot of walking… because my legs would be tired after the 4 mile race I ran the day before and it’s hard to run fast on grass.

I hesitate to even call this a “RACE.”

Advertised Course Map:

Elevation:

I arrived early and parked in the grassy parking lot.

I collected my shirt and bib.

 

What I thought was odd was that they gave you your medal before the race began.

And they said that you could wait and just get your donut and cider and NOT run the race at all??

Um… I was planned to do the race!!

It was crowded for a new race…  probably over 250 runners. I race fairly often, as you know, and I didn’t recognize anymore?!

Maybe these people weren’t runners or maybe most local runners did the 4 miler the day before?

Anyway, I put my medal and shirt back in my car (so no post race medal pic)…

and got ready to head to the start…

Finally, someone I knew showed up.

We discussed our race strategy which was the same since she had also run the Firecracker 4 the day before… slow running, walk often!

As I expected, there were many walkers and always annoying when they start in front.

We began on a rocky dirt road and then continued onto grass.

I ran slowly until there was a hill and then I walked.

This pace continued until the end.

Although it was advertised (see above) as a two loop course, there was several turn arounds. It was very confusing since runners were on different loops  and often it was hard to know where to go…

They needed more course marshals on the turns but runners just kept running. I heard several runners saying that they went the wrong way.

I did not although I almost missed turning into the finish line.

Since the course did not go into the woods, it was very sunny and more humid that the day before.

I was glad to not be racing.

I occasionally glanced at my Garmin and was surprised when I saw that I completed 3.1 miles and there was no finish line in sight.

Eventually I did finish this 3.6 mile 5k!!

and then waited for Linda to arrive.

Actual course map:

and elevation:

Post Race Activities:

Since we  already had our medals, Linda and I headed to the building with the cider and donuts.

I checked my email and saw that I won my age group (as I was the only one!!)

When we were approaching the building, I asked someone where the awards were given out.  She replied that she didn’t know but would taken me to someone who did know.  We went in the back, through the kitchen and eventually found out that the awards were way back at the race finish line.

I may have groaned since we were very sweaty and thirsty.

She handed us two freshly baked cider donuts and two glasses of cold cider…. ahead of a LONG line of race finishers.

Did we feel guilty?? Maybe  just  a little plus she didn’t take our tickets…

We then headed back to the finish.. and I got a golden star pin as my award.

By the time, we headed out to our cars, the line was miles long (so no temptation to wait and use our drink &  donut tickets for seconds..)

Additional Race Reflections:

Racing two days in a row is not ideal (esp. at my age.)

I was happy with my finish time. Yes, it was slow but running on grass and dirt is not easy…

I am unbelievably happy that after the race, my legs/feet felt fine.. no pain anywhere (always a good thing at my age.)

All in all, I thought this was a fun race. No regrets.

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up before the race.
• Lots of parking.
• Trail but not a technical one.
• Cool swag esp. the wine glass.
• Many porta-potties in addition to real bathrooms
• A cool medal (that is also a bottle opener).
• Free finisher photo.
• Cold spiked cider for all.
• Warm cider donut for all.
• Important charity.
• Virtual option.

The Bad:

• The DATE! (last minute change but they did option a refund.)
• 10 year age groups (but it wasn’t a huge race.)
• Confusing course.
• Long line for refreshments.
• Course was over 3.1 miles!!
• Cotton race shirts

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

But since there are many other races in the area during the summer, I doubt I would repeat this one unless my friends decided to do it.

Final Stats:

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