This was a tough 5k. Hot, humid, windy, hilly. There were people puking on the course (and no, I don’t think they’d been drinking the free beer before the race). But I’m proud to say that I pushed through it all and was rewarded with a new current* PR!
It all started when I got to the race early to warm up and ran into a bunch of friends.
Sum uv my run buds.
A couple of us were chatting at the start line about how this race was going to hurt, but we still hoped for a good time. I was really wanting to average SUB-7 minute miles.
The course was an out an back with a big man-made hill (bridge) in the middle that we had to cross twice. The out was mostly downhill with the wind at our back…I went out too fast – 6:30ish mile.
At the turn around we realized that the rest of the race was going to be uphill…into the wind…into the sun. Second mile was 7:00ish. Third was 7:30ish. The opposite of a negative split.
The race charity benefits kids with cancer. And they had posters of some of the kids along the course. That definitely helped with motivation. I pushed on.
At the last turn I looked at my watch – I was at 21ish minutes with .1 miles to go…a PR was in reach! I kicked it in, crossing the line at 21:33! That’s an average per mile pace of 6:56!!! Dude. Sweet. Goal reached!
31st out of 1547…I’ll take it!
Afterwards we headed into the beer tent to celebrate!
Cold beer and air conditioning…Yes!
Food, live music and Free Paulaner beer from Germany!
My one friend learned to drink from her dog. I have no idea why they use Bud Light cups for good German beer.
And while I was shut out of placing at this race (I hate my age group), several of my friends did bring home some hardware!! But instead of medals, they got beer steins.
Two age group winners and PR setters!
Another winner! Picking up her beer stein and baby.
A good morning was had by all. We couldn’t help but show each other some love.
I’m the meat in a runner sandwich.
In the end, this event was a lot of fun…But of course, hindsight is 20/20. When I was going up that last hill, I was not having fun at all, but pain is temporary, right? The glory of PR’ing in a local 5k lasts forever!!!!!
How bout you? Race this weekend? Anyone celebrate Oktoberfest? Anyone want to join our sandwich?
-Scott
*I say ‘current’ because my all time PR is like 19:04 (high school).
Piratebobcat 
Scott, great job!!! Wow, a hill the last mile!! That’s tough!! You did a really great job!! Way to run!! Love the pictures!! Everyone look so happy and into the fun!! XOXO!!
Thanks Kristin!!! Yeah, I wanted to stop and walk on that hill, but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. Thanks, we had some fun out there. I for one was really happy to be done with that pain run and cooling off in the AC beer tent! XOXO
Haha, oh, I bet!! Sounds like a fabulous time!! Great job!!
Thanks again!!
That’s amazing! Great job!
Thank you!!!
Speedy Scott! Congrats on the PR. I feel bad for the runners who called Earl.
Thanks Kelsie! It felt good to see that time when I crossed the line. Ha, yeah, they were having a tough time for sure.
Congratulations! Great job!
Thanks Cynthia!
Awesome results!
Thank you! The hard work is paying off!
Awesome time, congrats! Sorry it was a rough race though.
Thank you! I knew it was going to be painful going into it, but glad I pushed through it!
Congrats! I love to hate 5K’s. I think once my next two marathons are over (Oct/Apr) I will focus on getting faster on short distances. Would love to hit a 20 min 5K, my current is 24 min. I’ve got a lot of work to do. That beer tent is huge too, looks like fun!
Thanks! Hahaha, I know what you mean! And I like your plan – I’m doing the same thing right now! After spending last year training for the Dopey Challenge, I’m spending this year focusing more on speed. I’d love to run a 20 min too. Working on it! We’ll get there. Oh yes, the beer tent is legit. It’s one of the largest Oktoberfest in the country!
Congratulations!!!
Thank you!
Congrats on the PR!
Thank you!!!
Huge congrats. Never understood how Oktoberfest takes place in September but whatever, lol! Beer stein medals, now that is cool 🙂
Thank you! Ha, well that’s how they do it in Germany, so that’s how we do it here! Yeah, maybe next year I’ll win one of those steins…especially cause someone stole mine there a couple years ago!
Yay, congrats on the PR. While the course sounded tough, what a great cause and the after party sounded like a blast. I love how affectionate your friends are…even the guy trying to give you a kiss in the last picture!! 🙂
Thanks so much! Yeah, it was a tough day for sure, but yes, it is a great cause and a fun time! Haha, the affection came after a couple beers I think. 🙂
Woo hoo! Congrats on a new “current” PR, speedster!
Thanks so much! The hard work is…working!
1) Nice job with the quasi-PR.
2) Find a way to run 19:03.
3) Running beer is the best beer.
4) I’m joining your age group in a couple of weeks – get ready to rumble.
1) Thankish
2) Working on it.
3) It always tastes so good after a run.
4) Bring it, though I leave this age group in a few months, so it will be short lived.
Congrats! Sub-7 is soooo fast! All the track work is paying off 🙂
Thank you! My last few have been at like 7:01 pace, so I really wanted to see 6’s in front! Funny how doing the work tends to pay off 😉
Great run!! Hills, heat, but the beer is certainly an appropriate reward!! Oh, and that PR* 🙂
Thank you! We were all struggling that second hill, but yes, the PR* and the beer was worth it!
Great job Scott!,
I ran my very first race ever this past Saturday! (recap coming soon) I went very well and made some person records according to my Garmin (fastest mile and fastest 10k I believe). It ended up being 16k which made my final push of what I thought would be that km that much harder when it turned out to be two! But I kept going and I think I ended up with a time around 1hr 27 for 16k. onward to #WineDineHalf in Nov! thanks for keeping my inspired and motivated!
Thanks so much Mike! Wow, congrats on your first race – can’t wait to read about it! Congrats on your PR’s! Ha, sorry about your mix up, but they say you use different muscles when you kick it in than when you’re maintaining pace, so theoretically the kick muscles should be fresh. Good luck at the Wine n Dine. I always wanted to run that race! And thanks so much for your kind words!
Congrats on your PR!
Sounds like a sorta obstacles race, avoiding people puking.
Thank you sir! Ha, yeah, and like the obstacle races, they had beer at the end!
Congrats!!!
Thank you!
Way to go with the PR! You’re a speed demon! I’m sure running towards beer helped 😉
Thank you! Ha, I’m trying to become more demon-like! You joke, but I did think about tha ton the race – “keep pushing and you’ll get to the beer faster” I did!
Ahhhh damn 21:33…my current 5k PR is 21:38, 5 freakin seconds lol.
Great race, it’s really tough to run through the heat and humidity plus all uphill in the second half. I’ve got that 21:33 on my list now buddy lol.
Hahaha, yes! 5 seconds! I’m going to keep pushing with hopes you don’t catch me, but good luck to you!
Thank you! It was challenging. I wondered how faster I’d be if it was cooler and flatter, but each race is different!
Bring it on pal! 😉
Congrats on the PR! I hate my age group too, oh well. We don’t celebrate Oktoberfest until October.
Thanks so much! Yeah, how do I finish 31’st over all, but 6th in my age group? Them some fast people my age. Oh well. Ha, well we coordinate ours with the official one in Munich, hence the Sept. start.
Woot woot! Congrats on your new PR – that’s awesome! I can’t even imagine doing 10 minute miles, let alone sub 7. Whoa. Love that the prizes were beer steins. Looks like an awesome Oktoberfest.
Woot woot, thank you!!! It’s all relative – I have friends who run 13 minute miles and others who run sub 5 minute miles!!! It’s a great party for sure! I hope to win a stein next year!
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That’s AMAZING!!!! WAY TO GO on your AWESOME PR!!!! LOL can’t believe they put good beer in Bud Light cups. Shame.
Thanks Amy!!!! I used penguin power to get me there! 😉 I know right?!?! Last year they put them in proper Paulaner cups. What gives?
Congrats on the new PR!!!!!! Job well done! Doesn’t hurt there was beer afterwards to help celebrate 🙂
Thanks so much! No, the beer definitely helped to put up with the pain of racing hard!
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