Race Review - Rudolph Run 5K

This was our second year running this race.  It is a nice, small town event.

It starts at our local park, goes outside of town and back.  This event also takes place the same day as our church's food pantry and since the packet pick up is at our church, it makes for haphazard parking.  However, we managed to squeeze into a spot and pick up our packet.  We then walked towards the park where the starting line was.  Not only was parking a snafu but walking to the park was as well.  In previous years, they marked a path with lawn candy canes.  This year they did not.  Therefore, people were walking through our Pastor's yard and right next to their house.  While this isn't necessarily a "problem", it did invade their privacy a bit so early in the morning!

Waiting for the start, the announcer gave instruction.  Being close to the front I could barely hear him so I imagine those further back couldn't understand a word.  Ready, set, go!  We were off.  I started at a pretty good pace.  I don't really expect to break any records.  I have been averaging 9.30 min mile or a 5K in just over 30 minutes.  I consider that fantastic...no matter what anyone else thinks.

There were many school kids along the course shouting encouragement, having Christmas music playing in their vehicles, giving out water, etc.  I crossed the finish line strong. 

We then had to walk back to the church and wait inside the fellowship hall.  There were donuts, fruit and cookies galore!  Not to mention hot coffee and cocoa!  Yum!  Might as well eat all the calories I burned.

Then we waited.  And waited...and waited.  It wasn't chipped.  The times were done manually.  While I know this takes time, we waited almost an hour for results.  People were leaving, some were grumbling and everyone was impatient.

Results were in....in my age group I got third place.  Last year I got 3rd place as well - with almost the exact same time! 

It was a nice, hometown race.  No fancy bells and whistles but the money went to a good cause (a local food pantry and Riley Children's hospital).  This was our last race for 2015!

So, the review of the event Rudolph Run 5K:
Terrain - pavement, strictly road
Organization - Organized fairly well with some minor hiccups
Cost - $20 per person
Time of Race - 8:00am
Overall - pleasant hometown race, nice long sleeved shirt, candy cane, bells for shoes, refreshments afterwards
Award - placement winners got a mug
My Time 30.22
Race # - 20 (22 if you could the trifecta as 3 individual races, which it was...but it was one event)

Bring on 2016!!!
 

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Me holding my 3rd place prize and wearing my race shirt

My pal and my fancy Christmas socks (am a sucker for knee socks)

Race Review - Turkey Legs Trifecta

What a rainy, cold day!  This was our first trifecta and our first race that was longer than 3 miles!

A trifecta is 3 races equaling a 15K (just over 9 miles).  After completing each race (4K, 5K, 6K) you get a medal then all 3 pieces of the medal fit together like a puzzle to create one large medal.

So we drove a little over an hour and I didn't even want to get out it was so cold.  I am not sure it was THAT cold....but the rain and the wet air made it feel that much colder.

We met up with our running group (Corn Fed Spartans - look them up on FB).  I was thankful they had a tent to keep the mist off us.  The first race started shortly after we got there.  All the races were trail runs...our first of that too.  The first 2 miles was a breeze.  I could go all day long it felt like.  I finished and was feeling good.  I quickly grew frigid once my body cooled down.  I had 3 layers on but it didn't seem to help.  I was thankful I decided to wear my mud shoes!  The trails were slippery and muddy!  Many people made the same rookie mistake we did awhile back - tennis shoes.  They hold no traction whatsoever!

The second race was a 5K (3.1 miles).  This mostly in the woods with some grass terrain and pavement.  I felt good on that one too...and we saw a deer!  Pretty neat.

Finished that and had a snack thanks to the members of Corn Fed - haha!  And again, started getting frozen.  Next up was the 4 miles.  This made me nervous.  I have ran 6 miles before but not often.  I just took off and did the best I could which was pretty good.  This was all trails and the first hill was brutal!!!   The only bothersome thing was how congested it was.  The trails were often impassable, meaning you had to go single file.  For the first quarter mile or so, there were many times I had to walk because the person in front of me was walking and there was no way I could pass unless I wanted to tumble down the hill.

Regardless, I came to the conclusion that I really enjoy trail runs...probably more so than pavement events.  I am unsure why.  Probably because there is no need for speed.  You can go at a nice jog pace and the scenery is nice too.

I definitely would do it again.

So, the review of the event Turkey Leg Trifecta:
Terrain - trails - hilly, muddy, uneven
Organization - Organized fairly well
Cost - $50 per person
Time of Race - first wave was at 10am
Overall - very good...I really enjoyed it
Award - free beer (gave mine away), turkey dogs and 3 medals
My Time -1 hour 40 minutes for all 3 races combined
Race # - 19 (21 if you count each race individually) for the year
 

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Race Review - Turkey Trot 5K

I have the trots....the Turkey Trots that is.  Hehe.

This was the very first 5K I had done.  We did it last year so it marking our 1 year "runnerversity" made it special.

It was a typical hometown race.  It seemed smaller in attendance compared to last year.  We arrived and got our packets.  This year we had the option to get a shirt or a headband which was nice.  I have enough race shirts to carpet my house. 

This year they had a Piyo instructor getting everyone warmed up.  God bless her.....there were very few people interested.  However, that didn't stop her!

It was then time to run.  The course was familiar and I found that I liked that.  I knew, in comparison to where I was, how much further I had to go. The first little bit was a breeze.  I always start out fast no matter how much I try not to.  I just figure get my speed work out of the way then take it nice and easy towards the end.  Well, once we turned that first corner, we were heading into a nasty wind.  I felt like I was pushing and running as hard as I could but going nowhere.  It was horrible.  It definitely wore me out. 

They handed out bottled waters along the course.  While this was thoughtful, I prefer a paper cup.  Just down it and toss it (or hang onto it or shove it in your pocket).  With the bottled water, I had to carry the darned thing the entire race.  I kept looking for a trash can alongside the route, no such luck.

Overall it was a decent race.  It was timed but not chipped.  It was the old school stop watch.  I have no idea what my time was.  They haven't emailed them yet.  I figure it wasn't my fastest so right around my average of 30 minutes.  I will update once I get the official time.

Then afterwards, I ate the calories I burned in turkey and potatoes!  :)

So, the review of the event Turkey Trot 5K:
Terrain - pretty flat, cement, through town
Organization - Organized fairly well, money went to a local person dealing with cancer
Cost - $20 per person
Time of Race - 9:00am
Overall - Good hometown race
Award - didn't stick around to see if there were placement awards, participants had the choice of a teeshirt or headband (there were no extra however so you were outta luck!), banana and water after
My Time -unsure
Race # - 18 for the year
 

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