Oktoberfest 5k Preview!

I get to race. I get to race. I get to race. I get to race.

My last race was in May, so I’m more than antsy to make some new safety pin holes in my shirt. That’s why I pulled the trigger and signed up for the Addison Oktoberfest 5k.

I’ve run this race probably a dozen times. This is a fun event. You run, then get free German beer. It’s a win-win.

Last year – My friend wore lederhosen during the race, so we decided to celebrate.

That said, I haven’t run this race the past few years. Instead I would wake up early for my long run…and then go to the race and drink free beer cheer for friends.

Some of my friends I cheered for. I had to blur out some x-rated items they had on the table.

I gotta say, I’m not a huge fan of the new course. Back in the day it was a flat race. But now the course goes over a rather large bridge…TWICE. Yup, you go over the man-made hill and then turn around and do it again.

But at least I know that going into the race, so my plan is to take advantage of the 2^nd downhill. I’m going to ride that wave, and use that momentum to carry me to the finish! Or that’s the plan at least.

The scene in the beer tent after the race.

This race has grown each year, and raised a lot of money for the charity. It has also gotten pretty competitive. Some speedy folks show up for the prize money all the fun.

If you don’t know, the Addison, TX Oktoberfest is one of the biggest in the country. It’s four straight days of beer-soaked, sour-krouted, polka-dotted fun.

Things may have gotten out of hand.

And if you don’t know, yes, Oktoberfest takes place in September. That is how they do it in Germany. I could explain why here, but instead, I’ll let my buddy Flula explain in THIS VIDEO. (And yes Jason, I do actually know him.)

With my 2nd favorite German. We will fight you…in a non violent way.

Ha, ok, if you watched that video, it didn’t explain much, but hopefully it gave you some giggles.

In the end, I hope to have a good time, a good race time, and a approval from this guy…

My friend here grows a glorious mustache.

Recap coming soon! Prost y’all!

How bout you? Racing this weekend? Celebrating Oktoberfest? Any Oktoberfest race predictions for me?

-Scott

Dopey Training Week 2

This past weekend saw the end of training week 2 of 18 for Disney’s Dopey Challenge.  This was basically an “off” week after last week’s “on” week.  In fact, the weekend only called for 7 miles on Saturday and cross training on Sunday.  And halleluiah, I think fall has finally arrived round these parts.  We actually got some rain at the tail end of last week.  Seems like it’s been months since it has.  We’re still far from being out of our drought, but it was nice to finally see some wet stuff fall from the sky.  And a byproduct of the rain were some cooler temps for once!  It went from being 97 one night to 67 a morning later.  So needless to say, my 7 miler felt like a breeze!!!  I actually found myself wishing it was a higher mileage week just so I could run in the cooler temps!  But I’m trying to be smart and stick to the plan.

Who put a cartoon character in charge of a major race?

After the early morning run, I did what I did last year at this time and went to cheer the Addison, TX Oktoberfest 5k.  I had a few friends running the race, but also a few thousand of people I don’t know, but I really enjoy cheering for runners in races that I’m not running – I don’t get many chances to because usually I can’t stand being at a race if I’m not racing it, but this one is different.  You see, the runners (and spectators) get free Paulaner beer.  Yeah we do!

My friend wore lederhosen during the race, so we decided to celebrate.

All the runners floated ALL the kegs, so the Saturday morning party was over by 11am.  Oh well.  On Sunday, for my cross training I went to yoga.  I usually run trails too, but figured it bee too muddee after the rain, so I took it as a sign to get a little extra rest.  B to the W, yoga was plenty of work in itself.  Our instructor kicked our downward facing booties.  I’m pretty sore today from it.  But it’s still a good feeling, ya know?  In addition, I cranked out some yardwork, which can be a workout in itself.

All in all, a good recovery weekend.  This week we’re back at it.  3 miles Tues, 5 miles (with hills) Wed, 3 more Thurs, 4 more Sat, and a fun 14 on Sunday.  There will also be a few weight training sessions throwed in there.

Hope your runs are going well too!  It was a BIG racing weekend around the country – let me hear how ya did!

-Scott