When I got to Independence Grove this morning to run my 13-miler, the lady at the front gate asked if I was there for the 5K. Well, no, but I was immediately intrigued. After I parked my car, I went to the tent and asked what the 5K was, the cost, and when it started: Lake County Employees/Retirees 5K (open to the public), $5, and 8:30.
$5?! I think that is what the emergency running money I carry with me is for – last minute 5Ks. Ha ha. And the 8:30 start meant I could run 7 miles before the 5K.
Have you ever run a spur of the moment race?
So, I did my 7 mile warm-up (10:20 average pace), and got back to where I thought the race would start… only to find out it was about a quarter of a mile away. Oops! So, I ran to the race start, and placed myself in the group.
Running to the start…
I guess I placed myself in the wrong spot because I had to dodge a lot of people in the beginning.
Passing everyone on the grass…
So, I planned on running this nice and slow, but didn’t. My competitive spirit got the best of me and I ended up running an average of 8:48 per mile. It actually didn’t feel that bad! (But I kept in mind that I got to stop at 3.1)
1: 8:41
2: 8:52
3: 8:57
3.1: 00:46 (7:32 pace).
Racers in front of me
It was a beautiful day for a run. The temperature was in the low 50s (I thrive on this weather) and the sun was out.
I was in such a good mood, I encouraged some people to sprint and pass me at the end. Oops. Turns out one of the girls was in my age group (20-29). I came in 3rd for my age group at 27:32 (Garmin time 27:18! Darn – I should have started near the front!).
I ran 3 more miles after the race (very slow, 11:18 average pace) then went to the Health Expo they had set up. One woman at the expo was extremely impressed when I guessed that there were 15 teaspoons of sugar in a can of soda. Yuck! Another guy asked me if I had had my cholesterol checked recently. I told him I don’t eat meat/eggs/dairy, so he said I am probably okay. Ha ha.
I stayed around for the Awards Ceremony, then headed home. I felt pretty pumped! I had no idea I could run a 5K so fast (for me) especially after running 7 miles. Woo hoo!
I wanted to show you the “bibs” – they were actually bands were wore on our ankles! They did track our time electronically, but I think they all started at the same time, hence the different in Garmin Time versus clock time (or maybe I missed the start because I was passing people already?). Oh well!
Wow, congrats on the race! Running such a fast 5k after a 7m run is crazy (in the most positive way of course ;)). You’re so inspiring!
That’s a fantastic time! Especially since you ran 7 miles as a “warm-up”. And then still had a 3 mile “cool down”. Great job! I’ve never done an impromptu race before. Looks like it was a pretty course too.
I thrive in 50 degree temps too. 🙂 It’s my favorite. It’s almost 90 degrees again here today. I’m beginning to wonder if we will ever see fall?!
90? YUCK! 😛
WOW! Great job! I would love to happen upon a surprise 5k! Sadly, there aren’t many around when I’m out at 5am….
That’s pretty cool that you happened upon a 5K and serendipitously had spare cash to enter. Congratulations on the AG place!
I did a 5K after a six mile run this morning. Great minds must think alike, yeah?
Ha! Great minds DO think a lot. Did you think it was a fun way to break up a longer run? 🙂
$5?!?!? That’s unheard of! Awesome job, though!
Awesome!! I told you your speed was there 🙂 Sub 9s after running 7 miles? You are a rock star! Plus, I think it’s so much fun that you randomly stumbled upon a 5K.
I’ve signed up for a race a couple days before but that’s not really spontaneous. And who has ever heard of a $5 5K with an expo??
Dave and I had so much fun last-minute race crashing the other day – it totally energizes you to jump into a race last minute! I love that you did it, too (although you actually paid…). And a $5 race? Irresistible!!
PS – Thanks for updating me on your blog roll!
WOW- great pace after a 7-mile warm up!!!
I did one surprise 5k; same thing…showed up to the park to run 5 and there was a 5k, so I ran 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down.
Great job on the 5k! You did fantastic after running 7 miles! I did the same thing when training formula first marathon. It was a lot of fun!
HA! This is so random/awesome. I rarely run races on a whim. And, by rarely, I mean never!! Although, at $5, I would have found the money to get this one in for sure.
Fun! You are really fast!!
Thanks! When is your next race? 🙂
That is so cool that you stumbled onto a 5k. And also super cool that you were 3rd. I think I have told you before about how only once was I anywhere near top 3 in my age group and that time I missed 3rd by just a few seconds. If I had known, I definitely could have gone faster! (not that I’m still upset about it or anything)
Awesome random race– it’s so funny you “ran” into one 🙂