Barrington Run for the Arts 5K Race Recap: A PW but an AG award

Time: 25:16 (8:07 per mile)
Age Group: #2
Overall: 75/312

This morning, my family and I went to Barrington to run in their 16th annual Run for the Arts 10K/5K race.  My little sister did not join us since she lives in Bloomington and is a swimmer not a runner.

Dad, Mom, Me and the little bro post race

I was not planning on running a race today, but then I saw a 3 mile run on my schedule.  Why not run a 5k?  It's a holiday, the race will be over quickly and I love the high you get when you cross the finish line.  Plus, I looked at the race results from last year and I felt confident that I could snag an age group award.  My dad opted to run the 10K while my brother, mom and I ran the 5K.  My brother bikes regularly and is planning on running his first marathon in Chicago this year.

I woke up way too early... like 4:45 early (!).  My family picked me up about an hour later and we made it to Barrington a little past 6 since my brother and mom had to pick up their packets.  We chilled, talked and stretched while we waited for the race to begin.

Remember how my mom vowed never to run a race again?  Well, that was a dirty lie!  She cracked me up since she came out of the porta potty with a look of absolute disgust on her face.  Evidently the person who used the potty before her went #2.  She goes, "Someone when poo there!  DO NOT use the third bathroom!"  We had to tell her to quiet down in case that person was in the area.

The beginning of the race was ODD.  First, I did not see a big start banner up or even a timing mat.  We did have chips attached to the back of our bibs and the race was professionally timed.  Second, I could not hear the announcer talking despite standing only a few feet in front of him.  Their speakers must not have been working well since his sound wasn't traveling at all.  I found it rude that people kept on chatting.  I mean, c'mon!  The announcer was trying to tell us important information.  I don't want to hear about your experience at Ragnar Relay or what you should do with your hat.  Also, this group of teens sang the national anthem and I couldn't hear them at all due to the consistent chatter!  And, it did not appear that they had any microphones.

However, I did hear the gun go off loud and clear.  I didn't start my Garmin right away since I was hoping to find some sort of timing mat to go over, but I didn't so eventually I threw caution to the wind and hit start.  My little brother and I ran together for a bit and I asked him if he wanted me to run it with him.  He said that I should do my own thing so I took off.

The Course

Mile 1 - 8:04: My legs felt so sore and there were some rolling hills on this course.  Also, the temps began to climb and I was not feeling it at all.  I knew I was in trouble when I began breathing heavily not even half a mile into the race.  Ugh.  Thankfully I was only running the 5k!

Mile 2 - 8:18: Along the way I ran by a man who was also struggling.  It made me feel good to know that I wasn't alone.  We chatted a bit about the rising temps, how we both were not feeling it and how we were glad to only be running the 5K.  I told him I was not thrilled about the hills.  He was in my sights for a while, but sped up toward the end and finished a bit in front of me.

Mile 3 - 8:08:  Every time I heard footsteps approaching me I thought a few things.  First, I hoped that it wasn't a woman my age.  I was still gunning for an age group award.  Second, I really hoped that it wasn't my brother.  That would just be awful to have him finish ahead of me since I'm the runner not him!  Also, I noticed this little kid running beside me.  He definitely was under 10!  I ran past him and figured that I had passed him for good.

Last .12 45.14 (6:31 average mile pace):  I actually sprinted toward the finish!  I didn't overtake anyone since they were too far in front of me.  In addition, the little boy managed to get in front of me!  What the heck!  Unfortunately, he was too far in front for me to sprint past him.  Boo!  Oh well, he is little and therefore, speedy!  He has less weight to carry and I can bet money that his knees and IT bands are in better shape then this girl's!

I grabbed some refreshments and went back to the finish line to try to watch my little brother finishing.  However, I missed it because he finished just a little bit behind me!

He finished in 26:29 - just 9 people behind me!

After the race, he told me his motivation was not to get passed by old people or little kids.  Also, he wanted to catch me!  I feel like a proud mama watching my baby bro run that race in that awesome time.  Hopefully he can keep this up and get his long runs in so we can run the marathon together!

We watched my mom finish the race and then the three of us waited for my dad.  I didn't see him finish since I went to the awards ceremony to check if I won an award, which I did despite running a personal worst!  My bro told me that I'm too hard on myself, which is true.  I'm glad that I had enough energy to sprint at the end and that I didn't give up despite the fact that I was getting overheated.

Bottom line: good race on a somewhat challenging course.  I think I'd consider running it again depending on my training scheduled next year.

Happy Fourth of July to everyone!  Did you run a Fourth of July race?  If so, how did it go?