Yesterday we ran our second 5K for the year – the Antioch Run for Freedom 5K! Antioch is the town just west of us, so it took less than 20 minutes to get there, and the race didn’t start until 8:00. Woo hoo for not having to wake up early (in fact, I slept in a bit).
I’ve spectated this race once but never run it. It’s put on by a local bank (State Bank of The Lakes) and runs on rolling country and residential roads. It was a nice, quiet course, with a few people out spectating and running their sprinklers for the runners.
We arrived around 7:40, walked a bit to “warm” up, then lined up. It already felt really intense in the sun – it was 75°F when we started with a dew point of 68°F, eek (it was 80°F when we finished).
I was worried we’d have to do a lot of weaving at the start, but we didn’t have to do much at all!
We started in a residential neighborhood with a bit of shade, then went to a open country road that was all downhill (woo hoo!) and in the sun, then wove around (and up and down, mostly in the sun) in the neighborhood for the last two miles.
I felt fine, but the heat and sun really got to Steven, and he was starting to get goosebumps in the third mile! Goosebumps are a sign of heat exhaustion! No bueno! We took a couple walk breaks in the last mile (and one in the second mile).
We had positive splits (10:58, 11:12, 12:14) and finished in 35:52, which is faster than the 5K we did a month ago!
After the race we talked to Terry, an old friend of ours (there were some people there from the running club I was in years ago), got waters and apples, stood by the cooling fan for a bit, then hit the road! Steven felt better after getting more water and cooling down.
It was nice to do a local small race without a lot of fanfare or logistics, and to leave the house around 7:20 and be back by 9:10!
I hope we keep the 5K trend going!
I love holiday races, but July 4th is always a scorcher. I never ran a single July 4th run without having some form of heat distress. But still congrats on a strong race in spite of it all!
So so so true!!!! And thanks! I think we did really well for that heat!
It was so hot! I thought it was lovely that people had their sprinklers out for the runners – that’s a very thoughtful gesture on their part.
It was! And some little kids had super soakers – they were having fun! Some people were playing music too.
Great job. I love small, local races. Our 5k power walk is coming up on Saturday (when it’s supposed to hit 109F -yuck).
Thank you! We really do too!
Oh gosh! I hope it cools down or is at least cool in the am!
I didn’t know that goosebumps when it’s hot out is a sign of heat exhaustion! Good tip.
I’m glad you had a good 5k even if it was a scorcher!
I remember learning it when I was training to become a personal trainer! Thankfully it was heat exhaustion and not heat stroke.
Thank you!
Oh, my goodness – so scary about Steven! I’m glad he is okay. And nice to have the local race and be able to sleep in. I looked up Antioch on the map to see how big it was and was surprised by the size of the nearby state park – Chain of Lakes, I think? It looks really interesting! and only a couple of hours from me.
I am too! It was worrisome during the race!
That sounds right! I think people really like those lakes but I haven’t checked them out yet!