Race Recap: Pie Run 5K (2011)

On Saturday I ran the Pie Run 5K in Garrett, Indiana, which is a small town about 20 minutes north of Fort Wayne. This was the inaugural year for the run. Proceeds were used to buy peanut butter to send to starving children in Haiti. The race cost $10 per person which included a T-Shirt. The race was open to runners and walkers. Nearly $800 was raised from the race money. Age group and overall winners were given pies as prizes.

Pre-Race in the Parking Lot

-This race was cheap!
-The race was in a small town. Podunk. I love small town races.
-I thought my performance was quite strong. My best 5K so far this year and although not a PR, one of my better times to date. Anything under 30 means applause in my book.
-For the second time ever in my 5K-running history I received a cotton T-shirt that fit me. They offered children’s XL which I then immediately requested. The organizers were like “Are you the one that wanted a kid’s shirt?” Yes, please. And the shirt is a thinner cotton. I hate those thick cotton shirts that just make you sweaty and uncomfortable.
-The post-race fare was more than I expected for $10. Mini water bottles and packaged crackers. The husband and I split one. It was better than nothing. I was happy they offered a little something to the runners.
-I had no real issues with the course. It went through some neighborhoods just off the main drag. No big hills. Just a few gradual ones. I would have liked to have seen more of the town but again, no major complaints here.

Post-Race w/husband.

-I did not win a pie. The overall female winner was in my age group. So she got a pie. Her time was 22-something. Then the 2nd place winner in my age group was the given a pie, because who needs two pies right? Well then they kept giving out more pies but started over from oldest category to youngest. So they never made it back to my category. I left pie-less and wishing I had run a 27-minute 5K to beat out girl #2. Motivation. (Both girls were a year older than me so I would attribute their speed to age. Right?)
-I had some chest cramping on this run. Not a full on side cramp but just tightness like from heavy breathing. I am still trying to determine if “This means I am out of shape.” ….. or ….. “This is what it feels like to run hard at a 5K. Suck it up.”
-It was a bit windy out. Overall the breeze helped cool me but a few times I was literally running into the wind, I’m sure that impacted everyone’s times.

My shirt. It fits. (Please excuse the wild hair.)