The Freaky 5k has become a staple for our family. This will be our 8th time participating in this event. This race is well run, the weather is usually decent, and its super family friendly. In addition to the 5k run/walk, they host a kid's fun run dubbed the "Mini-Monster Dash," they have a costume contest for kids, adults, and dogs, and have kid's activities including a bounce house. The race has always been very well attended and with the weather forecast for this year, I expected a large crowd. Last year's race was cold, wet, windy, and simply put, just miserable. This year, the weather forecast called for highs in the 50's and partly cloudy. The Mini-Monster Dash started at 8:00am with temperatures in the low 40's. As far as late October weather goes, this is just about as good as it gets. This year, we signed up Maya and Delaney for the full 5k and Harper for the Mini-Monster Dash. This will be Delaney's first full 5k and Maya's second. We set goals for Maya to break her previous PR from last April of 35:22. For Delaney, we really wanted her to give her best effort and finish the entire race and do her best without complaining or whining. My goal, was to contend and finish in the top 3. Coming off of the Fox Cities Marathon last month, I took one of my longest hiatuses from running. I took nearly a full month completely off of running...and honestly, I didn't even really miss it. So I didn't really know what to expect as far as a time for the 5k. Taking into consideration that this course is difficult with two large hills, one of which is right at the finish, on top of my lack of just running in general, I was just hoping to finish in the top 3.
Prerace
As usual, we (I) wanted to get to the race early enough to not be rushed and have time to warm up before the Mini-Monster Dash. We just around 7:00. After getting to Pierce Park, we picked up our race packets, bibs, and shirts. After getting situated with the kids, I set out for my usual warm up. I finished my warm up just in time to watch Harper run the fun run in her wolf costume. After she finished we had about 15-20 minutes before the 5k started. I got in another short warm up and helped get the kids ready for their run and we then found our positions at the start line.
Nutrition
As usual, I didn't eat anything before the race and just had some coffee before the start. I took a serving of Hammer Nutrition Fully Charged preworkout drink mix about 10 minutes before the start of the race. I also had a few sips of Endurolytes Fizz (Grape flavor) during my time after leaving for the race and before the start of the race.
Miles 0-3.1
As soon as the race started, three younger (high school aged) kids pulled out in front. I was fine with that, as I usually aim for even splits or even negative splits in shorter races like the 5k. Typically speaking, I am used to other runners taking off like a bat out of hell at the start of the race and then usually passing them after a mile or two, and sometimes less. Before reaching the first mile, I passed one of the three kids in front of me with only two others holding strong. Shortly after passing mile one, I passed one of the last two kids ahead of me. After hitting the second mile, I finally passed the final kid. As the race continued, the last kid I passed was hanging in there. I knew I had to keep pressing hard, otherwise he'd likely pass me during the final kilometer. As we drew closer to the finish line the gap had grown bigger, and I was pretty certain I would ultimately finish in first. I finished in 17:42, about 10 seconds ahead of second place.
Post Race
What's on Tap
I have nothing on tap....literally nothing...well, nothing specific. I have started to coach Maya's basketball team, which is in full swing. I have a laundry list of random chores to get done around the house before the snow begins to fall. So, I guess you could say I have all "that" on tap. But as far as running and racing, I have nothing on tap. I really want to take some time away from any specific training to just recharge from this past spring and summer's intense training. I am already starting to look forward to a strong 2019 race season and it all starts in the off season...which is NOW. I'd like to get in a little cross training this winter, to include swimming, cycling, and strength training. I'm thinking that come January/February, I'll be diving right back into some sort of a training plan for some sort of a race in the spring of 2019 before we take our highly anticipated Florida Vacation!Thanks for reading! Cheers!
