First, the hooded sweatshirt. I have a problem with shirts being too short in the arms after I wash them once, so I went with the size medium. The sweatshirt is really warm, so that is a plus. The "swag bag" didn't include any other goodies or coupons, just info on 2 other local races and an evaluation form. Kind of disappointing but for $20, I can't complain.
Next, the race itself. The course (map below) included 2 loops around the same area. This was a run/walk so the path got a bit confusing at times.
The volunteers didn't really know what they were doing. I ended up going the wrong way on part of the course, and I had to ask several times where I should go. The volunteers were only announcing things once every 6 or 7 runners. There could have been better signage or more vocal volunteers! This race wasn't chip timed and it appears that some folks finished the race after the 1st loop and messed with the scoring and ranking of others. Also, one guy was registered as a female so that also messed things up. It took over an hour after the last runner crossed the finish line to have the official results. Most of the gym had cleared so the only folks there to accept awards were those that thought they had won. Before I finish talking about the results, I want to talk about how the race went for me.
Sweet action shot |
The last mile I was all by myself with no one to compete against, and I went the wrong way for part of the way (7:42). I sprinted the end (6:42) and finished in 23:03 according to my Garmin. That is an average of 7:26 per mile and a new PR!!! My previous PR was 23:44, an estimated time from the Hot Chocolate 5k. This is a new PR and official! There are so many things I could have done better, and I'm still really happy with my time. Next goal is to break into the 22 min category (obvi).
Waiting with friends for the race results. Photo Credit: Wendy Jay |
The age groups in this race were groups of ten-ish, therefore my age group was 19-29. I placed 2nd and received my 2nd age group award ever!
Photo Credit: Wendy Jay |
2nd place! |
Now that awards were over, it was time to have breakfast with Santa! We headed over to the recreation center across the parking lot. Upon arrival, there was still a good amount of food left and things were pretty delicious!
Apparently I don't know how to evenly pour syrup. |
However, the runners were banished to a side room that did not include Santa! What is the point of having breakfast with Santa if we can't see him? Kind of dumb if you ask me. We did end up walking over to the next room and got our picture taken with Santa.
The real deal! Photo credit: Joe Werner |
All things said and done, I do not plan on running this race next year. It was fun, but there are other events that are organized better. What was your worst race experience? How did you do in spite of things?
After the race, it was time to head to Soldier Field for the Bears game. The first half was really fun to watch, but the second half was beyond miserable to watch. I did have fun regardless, but games are always more fun when your team wins!
Awesome job on your P.R. and age group award! Even with going the wrong way! And your hat is really cute. And I recognize some of those Yankees, including Judy, my usual Monday night running partner at RFK.
ReplyDeleteI think my worst race experience was the Bonfield Express 5K on Thanksgiving 2010 in Downers Grove. It was just way too crowded and most of the runners/walkers didn't understand how to line up according to pace. (They had pace signs near the start corral but they were very easy to miss.)
Thanks! The hat is Quicksilver and I've probably had it since college. It was the only hat I had that matched the jacket I wanted to wear. The girl that finished first had a time of 21:xx. I've decided that her and I need to become friends, haha.
ReplyDeleteHow did you do at the race despite the challenge? It sounds like you could have had a slower first mile with lots of weaving. I think that small town races really need to do a better job in general of teaching race etiquette. Provide something in the race packet or something...
I did OK at that race. I was slacking a lot on my running last winter (after the Hot Chocolate 15K), so my time wasn't that great. There was a lot of weaving at the start of the race (weaving around people wearing jeans and walking 4-across from the very start), then when it would have gotten better, the course went into a residential area with really narrow streets ... it was terrible. I think I slowed down a lot there. Then it opened back up on wider streets and the last mile was a little better.
ReplyDeleteI think for any race of 1,000 or more, they should advertise a wave start like they did at the RFK TT. Just to really drive home the point of "slower runners and walkers in back."
It should be illegal everywhere always to walk/run 4 people across. Sidewalks, races, indoor tracks. Honestly!!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a "wave" start is great! Nothing official, just a way to easily divide things up. Now, I'm excited for the Matteson 5k. I'm going to look at the map ahead of time to make sure I don't go the wrong way!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! You did amazing. That is a huge pr especially for a 5k. GREAT PACE!! Some of those pictures made me cold just looking at them. BOO to the volunteer issue though. CONGRATS on the age group award!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Janae! I'm really excited and have another 5k coming up on 12/31 that I hope to dominate and break into the 22's! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the awesome new PR! It's so annoying when volunteers don't know what the heck is going on :(
ReplyDeleteCongrats on that pace and PR Kelly!!!! That's awesome! I want to be like u when I grow up! :-)
ReplyDeleteKeep ur friends close and ur enemies closer! Haha!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you made the best of an awkward race. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA I guess that is one way to think of it! And the official results came out. She finished in 20:xx actually. YIKES
ReplyDeleteThanks!! It is just frustrating because this is the 3rd time they put on this even. I definitely expected more.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Amanda! You'll get your PR soon enough!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThat is frustrating. If they're not going to put on a good race, why bother? Ugh.
ReplyDeletePeople that were from Lemont and have run this race in previous years were saying that it was just plain embarrassing. In the end though, I had a fun time and got my official PR. Now, onto the next race! Matteson we're coming for you!
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