Race the Bar 5k #4

The final race in the Race the Bar series was a few weeks ago on Nov. 3rd. I debated about doing the this last race since I had dropped to 4th place for my age group in the overall championship after that horrible 3rd race. I wasn't that far behind in points and I thought there is always a chance, so I should at least give it a try.

It was another afternoon race and the weather was perfect. Instead of this race ending at a bar, it actually ended at a brewery. Pretty cool. Coming into the race, I thought I have to just go out there and give it my all. Run hard. Earlier that week I had decided to test it out and see how hard I could push myself. I always hear my husband and my BIL talk about pushing yourself to "puke stage". Well I know I've never felt like that at the end of a race and I don't think I really want to. But maybe this is how you are supposed to feel. I figured it would be best to try it out before a race, just in case I really did get to "puke stage".

So during a regular 3 mile run in my neighborhood, I pushed myself to run faster. I could definitely feel it was tougher. It was the first time I finished that course in under 30 minutes! I didn't puke (luckily) but my legs felt like they were on fire! I finally had hope that it was possible for me to run a sub-30 5k. After that run I knew I wanted to run this last Race the Bar 5k. Even if I didn't place in the overall series, I really wanted to see if I could run a sub-30 5k.

Pre-race

BIL with the photo bomb

 I felt great on race day. In fact, so great that I finally did it! I finished a 5k race in under 30 minutes! My official chip time was 29:23. And the course was legit...my Garmin had 3.11. YAY for me!! It was so great to finally accomplish this goal!


Adjusting my hat and my feet are actually in the air!



Right after finishing the race

Post race beer in the brewery

 I didn't place in the overall championship...I finished 4th in my age group. But I was so happy to finish under 30 minutes it really didn't matter. The medal or trophy at each race was a pint glass. For the overall championship in age groups, you got 4 bottles of beer each from the different breweries that sponsored each race. Don't get me wrong, I like beer, but personally I would much rather have a medal. I also think that if you did all 4 races in the series, you should have got something for that...at least a pint glass! Yes I'm complaining (since I didn't win anything).

Well I don't think I will do this series again next year, but I did accomplish two goals: Finish a 5k in under 30 minutes and I ran in all the races for the series. I'm happy with that. :)