Oktoberfest 5k Recap – New PR!

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).

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