Last week's race was quite large to say the least - about 16,000 finishers between the 15K and 5K. I decided that this week would be a good week to do a smaller race. I have ran races put on by FiveStar NTP previously and I knew how smoothly they run. Through Five Star I found out about Bring on the Snow 5K in Cumming.
After running the Hot Chocolate 5K last weekend, I have developed pain in my right shin. At first I thought it was just a "runner's ache", but after a few days of it hurting I came to accept I probably got hit with a case of shin splints again...great! I took it easy most of the week and laid off the miles to let things calm down. As the week went on, I was questioning whether or not I was going to do the race Saturday morning - I have way too many bigger races that I cannot afford to have injury for. Then, I remembered my good friend from the past - kinesiology tape. I went to Big Peach Running on Thursday to get a fresh roll then watched the tutorial video online about how to tape for shin splint relief. Thank goodness for my kinesiology tape or I probably would not have been good to go.
I thought the race started at 8:00 so I left early enough to get to the race around 7:00 to get through all my pre-race activities (check-in, port-a-potty trip, stretch, etc). Well, I quickly found out that the race had a 8:30 start! Note to self: double check your start time before setting your alarm the night before a race. Since I had extra time to kill and it was 28 outside, I decided to hang out in my car for a while.
As I sat in my car and watched other participants arrive, I quickly felt OLD! About 1/3 of the 300 participants were under the age of 21! Most of them were high schoolers with their soccer, cross country, and track sweatshirts on. I knew then this would be a pretty competitive race. I couldn't let that get the best of me. I kept reminding myself that my #1 competitor is myself and to just run my best and if I have to slow up with my leg, it is ok.
While waiting for the race to start, I met a woman that was doing her first 5K. She told me she wasn't sure if she could run the whole time and didn't know if it was ok to walk. I told her it is 100% ok to walk and to just do what she can and the best she can. The night before as she was putting her 6 year old daughter to bed, her daughter told her "mommy, you know you won't win the race right." I reminded her that even if it takes her over an hour to finish, she is still beating everyone on the couch. After talking for a bit, we decided to head to the start and I wished her luck with a few last minute words of encouragement.
The start line was not easily marked and not organized well (people were starting in a very wide line that quickly had to narrow into the road), however it started on time. They advertised the race as a "fairly flat" course, however I would say it was moderately hilly. It was an out an back course with some good down hill sections on the way out, which we would soon be running UP. I hit my half way point in pace to beat my PR by about 30 seconds - WHAT?!?! I was on quite a high at 1.5 miles. Since the back half was a little more challenging, I did not PR. On a happy note, I FINALLY got back to my pre-marathon training time! This is exactly the boost I needed going into my longer runs getting ready for 3 half marathons within 8 weeks.
What about the lady I met at the start? Since it was an out and back, I knew she was just a few minutes behind me. After I finished, I ran back a bit to find her. Around 38:30 she crossed the finish line of her first 5K. Even though I hardly knew her, I was so proud of her! She did a wonderful job and is looking forward to finding more 5Ks to run.
Post race food can be a hit or miss - either you get just a banana and water or you get some amazing food. Since this was a smaller race, I did not expect too much. Well, they had one of my favorite post race indulgences - PIZZA! They knew the way to this runner's heart for sure!
The shirt for the race was cute. It was a light blue, long sleeved cotton shirt. I always enjoy shirts that are not white and the fact that the shirt was long sleeved was nice (especially in January).
Post race food (yummm, pizza)
On time start
Race Cons:
Not an well-marked/organized start
Overall race rating: A-
Question of the Week:
What injuries have you had to overcome in your running/training? How did you overcome it?
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