Brewers 10k Recap- 2014

 

Saturday I ran the Brewers 10k for the second year in a row and I all have to say is I will be back next year. What can I say, I love this race!

 

#1 It's put on by a baseball team

#2 You getting to run on a warning track

#3 Awesome medal

#4 Very well organized!

 

I drove up to Miller Park on Friday to get my race packet and then went outlet shopping for a bit.  Saturday I had to get up really early for this one, 4:35am yikes! I drove up to the ballpark and hit a little traffic getting into the lot. The roads around were only open until 6:30am so a lot of people were rushing to get in. This year they did something smart and had the 10k start 15 min before the Half Marathon. I think this elevated a lot of congestion at the start and on the course. I was in corral C and quickly got in place by 6:50am.

Starting line selfie



In the corral

Race started promptly at 7am and I crossed the start at 7:01. I was very worried about this race because I had some knee pain all week and some shin pain. I started moving along at a 10 something pace with no pain. Good thing about this race is I knew the course so I knew the hills and where they were. I ran the first mile and 1/2 as I knew the first overpass was right after that. I chugged up with a good run/walk charge. After that it was all downhill into the Miller Brewery. Smells of hops filled the air as we ran through and on to the next huge overpass hill. After that there was one more huge one before it was down hill to the stadium. Once in the stadium it is pretty awesome, you run around the warning track and you are on the jumbo tron. Only down fall is the roof was closed so no GPS. Once you go through the stadium there is only .10 mile left, up the last little hill to the finish. Official time was 1:11:34, with baring recent injuries, I was pretty happy. Especially since I know now I can do my half marathon next week.

 

Post race selfie

Blurry medal selfie

Love the medal

With it's brother medal in the background

Tobi

 



Peoria Firecracker 5000 Recap

 

We took our typical trip down to Peoria for the 4th of July this year. I asked my good friend Katy if there were any races on the 4th or that weekend. She mentioned I should try the Firecracker 5000 on the riverfront. We headed down the night of the 3rd so I could get up early and do the 5k. I was able to sign up the day before and get my packet that morning.

 

 

First one up, heading out to the race.

 

I got to the race about 40 min before so I could get my packet and find Katy. The race was very well organized and was about 1,000 participants in size. After I found Katy, we took a quick picture before heading to the start.

Love this pic!



Starting line selfie

 We got to the starting line and after the National Anthem, hit the ground running. Katy is much faster than me so I only stayed with her for about .10 miles. I realized right away I was going way fast. In fact my first mile was my fastest ever, 9:53! I never knew a sub 10 mm was possible for me! The rest of the race went pretty normal. I did not carry water so I needed to rely on the water stops. I also felt like I was going to puke at the end, but had my fastest 5k at 33:12! I was so happy!

 

Afterward we got the traditional post race beer and then I headed to find the nearest Dunkin Donuts for a post race treat. I liked the race a lot, it was reasonable priced and well organized. I will do this one again next year if given t

he chance.



Biggest Loser 10k Race Recap

 

I'm back from my blogging break, well hopefully. Days just always seem to go by so fast! August 24th I ran my 2nd official 10k, the Biggest Loser Six Flags 10k. Packet pickup was small the day before at Sport Authority. I got a nice shirt and a draw string bag.

I arrived at the park around 6:30 as the race began at 7am at Six Flags Great America. I met 2 ladies from my Mom's Run This Town group Michelle and Julie once I got to the park.

I was surprised how few registrants they had for the race. I think they said only 500 or so, small for a national run. My friend from work Heather was also doing the race with her sisters.

 

The 10k had a disadvantage as it was just the 5k route run 2 times. Also only about 2 miles of the 10k were through the actual park. I was also surprised how few water stations there were and race support. Below are my pros and cons of the race:

 

Pros:

Smaller race and easy to spot friends

Nice medal, it spins!

Nice shirt

 

Cons:

No porta potties, had to use the one bathroom in the park that was open

Few water stations for such a hot day

Most of the race not in the park but in the parking lot

I got lost, route was not marked so well in places

No one cheering on course

 

I finished in 1:14:00 note I ran 6.4 not 6.2 and it was humid as can be.

 So I am sure I would be around 1:13 for 6.2. Would I run this race again, probably not but I would run another Biggest Loser one.

 

 

 

 

 



Pure Leaf Review

 

 

Yes I know it is not the best picture, but this tea is really good!! I received my @PureLeaf tea in my latest Influenster Vox Box. For the #LoveofLeaves this tea has a bold flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. I drink a lot of tea and have had a lot of varieties. Some tea has a very sweet, way too sugary taste, but not this tea! It is just the right amount of sweetness and tea to quench your thirst! I love Pure Leaf already and will be buying it again. To find out more, visit their site. I received this product free from Influenster in photos and reviews.#contest