Crystal Lake Thanksgiving Day 5K
You know it’s a good day for a 5K when you wake up and find SNOW on your car!
We didn’t let the snow/rain/cold temps (low 30s) deter us! I was super excited to be running our first Thanksgiving Day 5K – especially since the entry to this one was practically free! All you had to do was donate some food. And it looks like they got a lot of donations – I think there were at least 300 runners there.
For being an inexpensive race, I thought it was still well organized. They still had bibs, registration, the trail marked, and people helping along on the trail. There were no pace signs at the mile markers, or water stations, but that was fine with me.
The 5K was held in Lippold Park in Crystal Lake (about a 30 minute drive for us), on a crushed granite path. Crushed granite path + 3 days of rain + a little bit of snow + runners on crowded trails = SUPER SOAKED SHOES. A few times we stepped in puddles that went OVER our shoes and had the fun feeling of water squishing between our toes as we ran. No worries though, we brought extra socks and shoes (My idea of course. Even though I will probably never be a mom, I still think I have the mom instinct)!
Check out how muddy my pants got! I think my shoes are ruined. Wah.
And the close-up!!!
Our goal was to get in under 30 minutes. I wasn’t sure if we would be able to because we were focusing so hard on not stepping into ALL of the puddles, but our final time was about 28:40! We even had negative splits. I never really felt like I was struggling, but doubt I could have gone much faster at the end.
Even though the race was crowded, muddy and cold, it was still a lot of fun. I’m so happy to be getting back into the game, and being able to run with Steven. It might be a silly goal, but I would like to work on my speed, as well as endurance this winter. Do you have any winter running or exercise goals?
Distance: 3.09 | Time: 28:40 | 1: 9:49 | 2: 9:11 | 3: 8:52 | 4: 00:46
Data is happy it is Thanksgiving and is going to celebrate by resting his butt on my head. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Themocracy
Congrats on the turkey 5k! Looks like an excellent morning in my book!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Congrats on meeting your running goal! I might very well have been deterred by that weather. Reminds me I should poke my head out while it’s still 50 with the sun shining. Round these parts, that never lasts for long.
No specific winter workout goals other than to get back into it. Kind of got tired of my routine so October was a bit of a bust. Wii Fit’s been a decent distraction for getting back into working out though it’s not always the most time effective. To find a new routine or group of routines… I suppose that’d be my goal.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Thanksgiving haiku: Back to the Future =-.
Same issue with the chicago trot – the gravel path was NOT the way to go 😉 I have a pic of my legs on my blog too … we went through the same elements, just different races!
.-= Author’s last blog post… (Not So) Happy Thanksgiving =-.
Excellent 5K time! And a run in the mud sounds kind of fun!
.-= Author’s last blog post… The Biggest Loser Week 11: It’s the Final Countdown =-.
Oh my goodness! Cats are so funny. Love that picture.
Good job on your race–especially having to dodge all those puddles! Way to go!! That’s a great time.
I’m not 100% sure what my running goals are but I think that after the race on Dec 6, I want to find a few more half-marathons to work towards for the next 6 months or so. I’d really like to work on my speed now that I’m starting to have more endurance, but we’ll see. 🙂
.-= Author’s last blog post… Thanksgiving =-.
Congrats on the Turkey Trot. I was going to run that one but woke up late. I went out a little later in the morning and ran by myself. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Vet-Run 2009 Race Report =-.
aaahhh – snow?! I was wondering if we’d get some….we’ve lucked out thus far, but I know it’s headed our way.
Great job on your 5k! I’ve never done a race on Thanksgiving Day because we leave around 9 a.m. to head over the hills and through the woods. One of these years, I would love to do it, though!
.-= Author’s last blog post… A Bunch of BS =-.
Nice job on the race! I’ve never run on a gravel path before, but I have “ruined’ shoes before. I kept wearing them, though. I figure the mud gives them badges of honor.
Also, Data! That crazy cat.
My winter goals are to keep my weekly mileage between 10 and 20 a week (not doing so well on that so far), run outside as often as possible, and then start training for a spring race or two.
.-= Author’s last blog post… The Boys of Lunch =-.
I did my first turkey trot too yesterday – so fun, even with cold temperatures! I’m hoping to sign up for a 10k run in mid-December… but I’m not letting myself register until I do a week of consistent running 🙂 I like running outside so much more than on a treadmill though that I’m trying to run outside through the winter (aside from when it is icy!).
Love the cat picture! SO cute! Great job on the 5k!!
Oh man…it looks like your Turkey Trot was much more weather-challenging than ours!
Winter exercise goals– get outside!!! I hate feeling stuck indoors all winter long…talk about cabin fever 🙁
.-= Author’s last blog post… O Christmas Tree =-.
Great job!! I ran this morning with sweatpants, a sweatshirt, a down vest, and gloves (which I immediately took off b/c I was getting warm) and it was nice! Maybe I should give winter running a chance…then again, it’s so toasty at my parents’ house that I don’t mind going out in the cold. :p Although, it probably took the first 20 minutes just for my muscles to warm up!
Congratulations on your Turkey Trot! I love that you two run together!
And I love how Data shows his affection. Aww, kitties!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Kim, better than vampires. =-.
LMAO Data!!! Congratulations on meeting your time on your Turkey Day 5k!!!! You guys just rock!!!
=^..^=
.-= Author’s last blog post… Happy Thanksgiving =-.
OMG, Lippold is right behind my house (you can even see my street on your Google map)! I walk there all the time when it’s warm and light outside. I had no idea it snowed there on Thanksgiving … I wish it had where I was in WIsconsin!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Dropout =-.
I wish I would ‘ve been able to join you! I am still pretty injured! I am so impressed at your 5K time – that is excellent! I hope you continue to strive to build endurance and distance!
Talk soon and keep me posted on any runs that may be local and if time permits will definitely do it with you two!
Ann