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).

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