Frosty 5K 12/8/18 Cedar Falls, IA
Weather: 20 degrees, cloudy, calm winds
Terrain: roads and recreation trails
Terrain: roads and recreation trails
Distance: 5K
I decided to attempt a 5K PR to finish out a great 2018 season. The last time I'd attempted to PR at 5K was in spring 2007, so you can plainly see that I'm not exactly built for speed, but I had an ambitious goal of running in under 30 minutes and I wanted to see if I could do it. Most of my athletic endeavors are "hey, let's see if I can do ____," so this fit right in. The race had packet pickup optional the day before so I took advantage of that, and realized there are no timing devices or numbers on the bibs. My achievement, whatever it was, would be solely personal.
Before the race we were welcome to hang out in a local mega-church, which was warm and had plenty of space to hang coats, so I wouldn't have to schlep my car keys on the run. The rag-tag group of maybe 150 racers went out and got underway. The roads would be open to traffic but this didn't end up being a problem. We only spent the first mile and the last half mile on public roads, and there were hardly any cars (cops directed traffic at intersections, which helped immensely). There were lightly rolling hills but nothing that I couldn't easily run. Focused on pushing the pace the entire time and trying to stay relaxed with my breathing, and it worked well. There were no mile markers but I knew I was on pace the entire time. Fortunately I am very familiar with the area in this local race.
Crossed the finish line in 29:21, well under my 30-minute goal. Got a medal, too! The post-race spread in the church was delightful. Cookies, cupcakes and bagels, along with cocoa and coffee. Having a warm place to stretch makes a difference.
Before the race we were welcome to hang out in a local mega-church, which was warm and had plenty of space to hang coats, so I wouldn't have to schlep my car keys on the run. The rag-tag group of maybe 150 racers went out and got underway. The roads would be open to traffic but this didn't end up being a problem. We only spent the first mile and the last half mile on public roads, and there were hardly any cars (cops directed traffic at intersections, which helped immensely). There were lightly rolling hills but nothing that I couldn't easily run. Focused on pushing the pace the entire time and trying to stay relaxed with my breathing, and it worked well. There were no mile markers but I knew I was on pace the entire time. Fortunately I am very familiar with the area in this local race.
Crossed the finish line in 29:21, well under my 30-minute goal. Got a medal, too! The post-race spread in the church was delightful. Cookies, cupcakes and bagels, along with cocoa and coffee. Having a warm place to stretch makes a difference.
Pros:
-Indoor pre- and post-race. For a winter race this is an incredible plus.
-Lots of little surprising perks. Most of this was because of the Holiday Hoopla event it's affiliated with, but there were door prizes and a photo booth (and Santa pics).
-Finisher medal for a 5K. Yes please.
-Lots of little surprising perks. Most of this was because of the Holiday Hoopla event it's affiliated with, but there were door prizes and a photo booth (and Santa pics).
-Finisher medal for a 5K. Yes please.
Cons:
-Bare bones. If you are the sort who needs a water stop for a 5K, bring your own. Fortunately I didn't require water or a bathroom, although there was a public restroom at the halfway point.
-No timing. I was surprised by this, since it was put on by a company with "timing" in its name.
-Shirt is enormous. I got a medium and am swimming in it. On the plus side, the sleeves are long enough for gangly me.
-No timing. I was surprised by this, since it was put on by a company with "timing" in its name.
-Shirt is enormous. I got a medium and am swimming in it. On the plus side, the sleeves are long enough for gangly me.
Race Grade: B+. Cute little minimalist race with nice unique perks.
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