Frosty 5K 12/14/19 Cedar Falls, IA
Weather: 18 degrees, windy
Terrain: Roads and paved recreation trails
Distance: 5K
Last race of 2019, this one a local fun run with a holiday theme. Last year I ran a 5K personal best here, but this year was going to be a family slog just for fun. I picked up our packets the day before and got long-sleeve shirts (nice color, blue, this year) and a goody bag for my son (all kids under 10 got one). The goody bag contained an ornament kit and a candy cane, which went over very well with the kiddo. Next morning we bundled up and headed to the megachurch where the race was based, which again this year was a great place to stay warm and use actual toilets before going out into the world-famous Iowa windchill (in the mid-single digits). Race started on time and my husband, son and I wound through downtown before heading out and back on the paved trail. Racing with a preschooler is an entirely different kind of exercise, mostly in "patience" and "keeping someone on task." He raced well in the first mile, then did a lot of "are we there yet" in the latter 2/3rds of the race. He looked adorable, though, which counts for something.
In this untimed race, it didn't matter, and we did eventually find our way to the finish line with minimal incident - one slip on a rogue ice patch. Better him than me, because my foot was finally on the mend from my sprain 3.5 weeks ago! We finally crossed the finish line in about 54 minutes, which was good enough to get finisher medals, and then went inside for cocoa, cookies, and candy canes. In addition to delicious treats, there was a raffle (we lost, but still) and a photo booth where we could get pictures with Santa Claus that were both printed out for us and texted digitally to our phones. Technology! We used our picture and our son's goody-bag kit to make a custom ornament commemorating the race.
Last race of 2019, this one a local fun run with a holiday theme. Last year I ran a 5K personal best here, but this year was going to be a family slog just for fun. I picked up our packets the day before and got long-sleeve shirts (nice color, blue, this year) and a goody bag for my son (all kids under 10 got one). The goody bag contained an ornament kit and a candy cane, which went over very well with the kiddo. Next morning we bundled up and headed to the megachurch where the race was based, which again this year was a great place to stay warm and use actual toilets before going out into the world-famous Iowa windchill (in the mid-single digits). Race started on time and my husband, son and I wound through downtown before heading out and back on the paved trail. Racing with a preschooler is an entirely different kind of exercise, mostly in "patience" and "keeping someone on task." He raced well in the first mile, then did a lot of "are we there yet" in the latter 2/3rds of the race. He looked adorable, though, which counts for something.
"I'm gonna win," the small, slow lad exclaimed with confidence
In this untimed race, it didn't matter, and we did eventually find our way to the finish line with minimal incident - one slip on a rogue ice patch. Better him than me, because my foot was finally on the mend from my sprain 3.5 weeks ago! We finally crossed the finish line in about 54 minutes, which was good enough to get finisher medals, and then went inside for cocoa, cookies, and candy canes. In addition to delicious treats, there was a raffle (we lost, but still) and a photo booth where we could get pictures with Santa Claus that were both printed out for us and texted digitally to our phones. Technology! We used our picture and our son's goody-bag kit to make a custom ornament commemorating the race.
All I want for Christmas is DOMS
Pros:
-Value. Great swag at a reasonable price (the 3-person cost to register was under $75).
-Finisher medals for a 5K. Perfect for kids.
-Photos at finish and with Santa are a nice touch.
-Finisher medals for a 5K. Perfect for kids.
-Photos at finish and with Santa are a nice touch.
Cons:
-Minimalist. No timing, no water stops.
-Cold. Obviously, this is not the race's fault, but it's a factor to consider when signing up. I'm guessing there were no-shows because of the cold snap and wind.
-Cold. Obviously, this is not the race's fault, but it's a factor to consider when signing up. I'm guessing there were no-shows because of the cold snap and wind.
Race Grade: A-. Doing it this year with my family really helped me appreciate all the little details and awesome swag that go into this event, and at a very low cost.
