Race Review - Sloppy Rib Run

My races have gotten out of order.  I have been so busy that I don't get on here to post them as quickly as I would like.  I then realized I had forgotten a couple.

This was was an hour and a half away, which we consider "local" because it is under a two hour drive.  The GPS gave us wonky directions.  The race was at an event called Rib Fest and our GPS took us to the event.  The road was blocked so we had to turn into a subdivision.  There was no one directing traffic or any signs to direct us at all.  Once we found our way out, we tried a different route and eventually made it to the parking (which was $5 at the school).

The day was steadily hot and getting hotter as the afternoon wore on.  Granted the event was in late afternoon, it was already hot.  The event was a 5k but there was a Sloppy Rib division that we signed up for.  This meant you ate 5 ribs at every K (resulting in a potential 25 ribs) and with every rib eaten, you get 10 seconds off your time.

Who knew a Rib Fest was so popular!  There were tons of people!

Once we got our bibs and was explained the race, we were ready.

We were off.  The heat really played a huge factor in speed and endurance.  At the first Rib stop (immediately after the start, I might add), I shoved in 5 ribs.  They were a little less than finger length and smothered in BBQ sauce.  The flavor was good but chewing them and getting them down - without water - was not.  I got the 5 in and was still chewing when I took off.  It was like a brick in my throat.  I could not get it down and feared choking.  I spit what was left out.

I continued on.  The second stop, I decided to just eat 3.  Then I moved on.  I stopped at each water station and washed what I could down.  The ribs were rather chewy so I accessed the pan before I reached in.  I tried to find the smallest pieces I could I would pull them apart before eating and it helped.  At each of the rest of the stations I ate 5 for a total of 23.

There was a lady in front of me at the end.  We continually passed one another.  I took it pretty easy at the end because the ribs and heat were not a good mix.  She passed the finish line a few seconds before me.

So.....that made her the winner in our age group.  Grrrrrrr......honestly, if I had eaten ONE more rib, I would have placed first.  Frustrating.

It was a different kind of run and not sure I would do it again.  haha!

So the review of the event Rib Run
Terrain - Strictly pavement
Organization - organized okay
Cost - $46/person plus $5 to park
Time of the race - 6:00pm
Overall - It was a different kind of race, not sure I would do it again though!
Swag - medal and ribs!  Winners got an apron
My Time - 31.26
Race #22 (43 total to date)