Miles on the Mississippi 5K Race Recap
The Miles on the Mississippi 5K was in Guttenberg, Iowa on July 1. Race proceeds will be used to provide clean drinking water to those in need through Childcare Worldwide.
I wasn’t planning on doing a 5K this weekend, but when I saw there was going to be one in the town we spend the Independence Day holiday weekend in, and that it was only $15 to enter, I though “Eh, why not?”
The race was small – forty-four participants! I was actually impressed we had real bibs (I’ve done races in this area where they just use index cards)!
Dad and I rode our bikes there (about 3.5 miles) and I registered thirty minutes before the race start. I lined up at the front of the pack for the race. And immediately felt like half of the group took off from in front of me.
Huh. I knew there was prizes for “top runners” and basically said goodbye to the idea of placing as I watched seven or eight women run off ahead of me (ha, not that I am fast, just that with such a small field, I thought I had a chance of placing due to lack of fast runners).
I felt good though – good enough to take a goofy selfie of myself and “my competition” and send it to Dad.
I saw my mom shortly after sending that text to my dad. Quick, Kim – act like you’re running and not screwing around! (It’s not like me to take photos and text during a 5K – I obviously was not taking the race very seriously).
A lot of the first mile was in the shade on city streets, which is probably why I felt good. I passed a few women in that mile (8:22).
Then we went up a short incline to run along the dike along the Mississippi River. Ahh, beautiful views. BUT SUNNY.
I passed another woman on the dike, and a young boy (who would eventually pass me back).
I still felt good, but the sun was making me feel hot (even though it was in the mid 60s). I felt encouraged to keep running strong though, since I could see my parents and nephew ahead! Mile 2 was in 8:05.
Mile 3 was mostly back on the city streets. There was a tiny incline and then it was flat. And somewhat shaded. By that point my face was dripping in sweat (maybe I shouldn’t have put sunscreen on for my bike ride) and I was ready to be done!
The last mile had a little loop past the finish line (on an adjacent street) and when we ran by the finish, I saw my parents waiting there, and tried to keep pumping my arms to finish strong so I wouldn’t look like a complete mess in front of them! Mile 3 was 8:20 (there was no .1 at the end – I’m guessing the course was short).
I finished in 24:41 and all I could think about was water (there was one water stop at mile 1 but I didn’t want to risk being passed again if I stopped) and shade. I was completely dripping in sweat. I wasn’t out of breath or anything, but my skin felt icky.
My parents and nephew and I all went back to the gazebo where registration was and I downed a bottle of water, and used paper towels to wipe off all the sweat, and started to feel better. I asked a volunteer about the age group awards, and she said they were first place awards for 13 and under, and 14 and above. Ha – that’s a big age group! My dad told me a few women finished in front of me, so I figured I didn’t place, but we stuck around to cheer on the winners (and for me to cool down).
When they did the awards, they gave out first place first and I expected that to be it, but they also had second and third, and I was very surprised to hear my name called for third place (in the 14 and above women’s age group). What a nice surprise!
I liked this course and running in the town I have been visiting since I was a child. I saw this was the third annual race and hope to run it again!
After the awards, we picked up some donuts in town, then dad and I rode our bikes back (mom took the donuts in the car, ha). I’m grateful my dad rode with me and waited around for over an hour and a half for all this, and that my mom came out and spectated, too! I bet I wouldn’t have finished at the time I did if “no one was watching”! Ha ha ha.
Themocracy
That’s a hard age group….I wouldn’t want to be competing against 18 yr olds :p that is a sweet award too, well done!
Right?! LOL. I should note, the ladies I passed were much younger than me!
Thank you!
My very first 5K only had about 40 runners, but it was part of a sprint triathlon (not as part of a relay – you could either do the full sprint triathlon, or just sign up for the 5K), so it didn’t feel too small. I can’t imagine what it must be like to do a race that actually only had 45 participants!
Ahh, interesting! You know… I wonder if the other races I’ve done around this area have been smaller. It’s definitely different!
DYING at the “14 and up” age group – I guess the race organizers aren’t runners, and don’t think adults might be competitive. Congrats on getting an award!!
From the looks of it, the race was put on by a high school club, so props to them for doing so well and having course marshals at each corner, an almost 5K course, food and drinks after, and some awards 😉 Maybe they were thinking high school age kids and above! LOL.
Thanks!
Congrats!! You did great 🙂 Sunshine will make you feel cooked lol and you toughed it out. A sub 25 is impressive!!
Thanks! 🙂