Lansing Marathon 5k Race Recap

The short recap: 1 min PR (21:19) + 1st AG + 1st Female Overall

Race Expo: Saturday morning bright and early Spike, Running Laminator, and I headed over to Lansing for packet pick-up at the Lansing Lugnut Stadium. It was a cold, windy, and overcast morning and an outdoor packet pick-up wasn't very pleasant for anyone; not the volunteers or us runners, hopefully next year they’ll pick an indoor place. After the expo we drove the course so Lam could see what he had gotten himself in to and then we stocked up on cupcakes for the post-race celebration before heading back home to relax and carb it up.

While driving the course we left behind some motivation for the racers. Spike said that some of it lasted for race morning but most had been blown off by the wind. Boo.

Pre-Race: Race morning came early and rocking our throwaways, we headed back to Lansing for the race festivities; it was chilly as all get out and the wind was starting to pick up. As the boys lined up for the 8 am marathon start I wished them good luck and made my way away from the start so I could see them take off before heading over to my own start line. My heart raced watching them fly by; there is just something about race morning that is so damn exciting, even when I was injured I got butterflies sending Spike off to race.

The guys and I in our pre-race Walmart throwaways.

Start Corral: There was a discrepancy about whether the 5k started at 8:15 am or 8:30 am so I made friends with two hilarious guys while we waited for whatever time it started, to start. They joked that if I lapped them I had to smack their butts as I passed; I was happy for the convo as I tried to keep my mind off the biting cold and my nerves.

The Race: It was a two loop course around the Lansing Capital area and for the first time in my life, I lined up one row back from the start line. I knew that being an inaugural race, there probably wasn't going to be a big turn out because the real fasties in the area were running the half/full or would have raced the day prior at a more established race in the area. I was right, and as they sent us on our way I immediately found myself within the first few runners. There was a left turn about .1 in and just after that I overtook the only other girl I could see and never looked back!

The first lap was all about figuring out the tangents and the second lap was about running them better. I caught up with the only guy within reach and decided to just stick with him for a while because the pace felt sustainable and I needed the company. When you're used to running in the middle of the pack always surrounded by other runners, being virtually alone is a really surreal feeling. There were no clocks on the course, save the finish line clock that was set up for the marathoners, so I only allowed myself to look at my watch at the mile beeps. At mile two I  knew I should PR so I just put my head down and gutted out what was left as best as I could, despite the nasty winds that blew me around with each gust. As we rounded out the final mile every volunteer we passed yelled "Lead Female!" so I got a pep in my step and pulled away from the guy as he yelled "Finish strong!" So I did. 

Documented chicking, complete with angry face. 
Stupid wind.

Final Chip Time: 21:19 / 6:52 P - 1 Minute PR!!!

5/234 Overall

1/140 Women Overall

1/13 AG

Can't wait to tell my grandkids that I won a 5k once! Gotta love a small, inaugural race!

Post-Race: After finishing I caught my breath and thanked the guy who I had paced alongside, Carl, for the help. Then I headed to my car to switch into my spectating gear and meet up with Spike's sister so we could cheer him and Lam in. I got a call soon after from Lam telling me his race had not played out as he had expected so I told him where to meet us and we kept our eyes peeled for Spike. Thankfully not long after that Tim came running by finishing the half and let us know that Spike should be coming up behind him. Not five minutes later I spotted him off in the distance and we started cheering like crazy! I won't spoil his race recap (you should go read it instead!), but I will tell you I wasn't the only one with a PR that day. 

So proud of him.

Post-Race Thoughts: This was an inaugural event series featuring a full, half and 5k, and was not without its issues  along the way. I hope that they will be able to iron them out for next year because overall I think it could grow into a great event. As for my thoughts on the 5k race, from what Spike said they ended up going with a well-used course from other local 5k races that was really flat and fast and I took full advantage! I do want to extend a huge shout out of thanks to all the volunteers, they were so great! If I do not end up running this event next year, I will definitely join the ranks.