Race Recap: Chip River Run 2014

Yesterday I ran my first race since my 10k back in March.  In the meantime, I have really been “banking the miles” (I’ll post an update on that later!) and staying very active.  There were a few races in between that I could have done, but because we are trying to save money to fix up our house I decided to just stick to the races that I really want to run.

The last two years on this weekend I have run the MoM Race in Royal Oak.  Up until a couple of weeks ago I had still planned to run the race because it was tradition.  However when I learned that my friend would not be running it, I decided to run the Chip River Run instead.

Last year, The Chip River Run was held on April 20th and it was right smack in the middle of the flood of 2013.  The course had to be changed because of flooding around the river.  The temperatures were unseasonably cold, about 20-25 degrees.  For these reasons, the race director decided to move the race a couple of weeks later this year.  But despite the conditions being less than ideal last year, it still was an amazing race for me.  It was the first time I ran a 5k without stopping to walk.  You can read my race recap here.

This year, instead of almost winter temps and flooded trails, we got definite spring temps (about 50 degrees) and spring weather conditions (rain).  The trails were a little muddy and the river was high, but we were able to run the course along the river as intended and it was beautiful.  I had debated between running the 5k or the 10k and decided on the 5k with a goal of beating last year’s time.

The course was mostly flat with some slight inclines here and there, including multiple bridges.  There was a brief trail run, which at first seemed welcome, but when it turned into a steep hill made of sand I changed my mind.  That hill really wore me out, but I kept strong and kept on… I was determined that I was NOT going to walk during this 5k!

Walk I did not.  Beat last year’s time I also did not.  And I was disappointed.  But not for long… the thing with races is that they very rarely are exactly a 5k.  They are either short or long, and how you run the course can definitely alter that.  Last year’s 5k measured in at 3.05 miles (according to Endomondo), which is a little shorter than a 5k.  My official time was 38:33.   This year’s 5k was about 3.32 miles according to Endomondo, with an official time of 39:40.  According to Endmondo, though, I ran a 5k in 37:08.

So looking at the official results, you’d say I did not beat last year’s race.  However, looking at it from Endomondo’s perspective… I did… I went from a 12:38 pace to an 11:57 pace.

However you want to look at it, I have come a long way.  I have improved my pace considerably, almost to my PR pace.  My endurance has improved significantly.  And gosh-darn-it, I ran/walked a freakin’ 10k this year in 25 degree weather!!!  So fooey on myself for being disappointed when I crossed that finish line.  I have every reason to be proud!