4 the Wounded 5K race recap

4 the Wounded 5K is a local race, literally in my backyard.  100% of the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project which is extremely near and dear to my heart.  Being the spouse of a veteran, you kind of have a different kind of respect for veterans and this cause in particular.  We've seen many wounded soldiers in our time, and some are actually family members.  This race reminds us of their sacrifice and their courage.

Okay enough about that before I get all mushy mushy and start to tear up...

So the race.  Yes!

At the start/finish line

This is an awesome quote!

The race is part road, part trail.  You have the option of going all road, but that's no fun, I mean for real.  It's not like I'm pushing a stroller!  So the hubby and I take the trail every year.  This is the third year for the race and the first year I beat the hubby, the second year he beat me, so this year it was my turn!!!  (or at least I wanted it to be!!!!)

Pre race 'thumbs up' for beating the hubby!

Before the race we hung out at the start line with some friends and chatted a while.  We couldn't hear a thing they were saying at the start of the race since they had approximately 1200 runners.  We are 'mid packers' so we hung out in the middle.  Since this is the third year of the race, they still need to do some tweaking, the number has more than doubled in three years, and the course has changed every year.  It was a bit confusing to me, but I'll get to that later.

Pre race photo...I look like I'm pushing my boobs and butt out...

So we started around 8am.  The first mile is a huge downhill literally 1/2 mile down, 1/2 mile up!!  So it was and always is horrible for me.  I don't mind hills, but this one is crazy!

First mile:  8:00 (a PR for a one mile in a race)

The second part is the trail.  Trails always kick my ass.  I mean for realz.  I am a nervous runner as is, throw some trails in the mix and I get really nervous.  I'm such a klutz, so I'm always thinking I'm going to kill myself on the trail.

To my surprise not many people took the trail this year.  I was kinda upset about that.  I mean obviously your time will be better on pavement, but dang y'all, it's a TRAIL run!!!!!  Embrace it!!!  I felt okay on the trail part, I was passing what little people were on the trail, so I thought, dang, I got this!!!

Second mile:  9:15

Not too shabby, right?  I was on my way to a PR!

Then something happened.  The course changed from last year, and the year before.  And I'm not sure why.

In previous years the trail runners were told to go straight, but this year we had to go left.  I went left, started walking to make sure I was going the right way.  The guy behind me also thought we made a wrong turn, we asked a race volunteer, after he told us to keep going and turn at the sign, I sped back up.  That confusion cost me precious seconds....

Third mile:  9:48

I was a little ticked off about that.  Why would they do that?  The race was perfect as is.  I'm not sure why, but it did make me a little irritated to say the least.

So my final time (per Nike GPS) was 27:24.

8:51 pace for a part trail run.

Not too shabby.

Online it says my time is different.  I contacted the person for discrepancies and he told me they do 'gun time' as opposed to 'chip time'.  WTF?  I mean, you make us wear a chip, USE the chip time!  It's way more accurate than 'gun time' especially if you're mid pack before you start!  So I was irritated about that....I had a discrepancy last year too, but didn't say anything, but this year I did.  I think they should totally make it all chip, I mean it IS more accurate, it's not like we are racing in the 90's people!!!!!!!

Ugh.

So the hubby is still the record holder...for one more year.  But his time of 27:01 will be demolished next year.

I do wonder, IF we didn't have to do that extra part that was NOT part of the course last year, maybe I would've beat him...hmmmmm.......maybe.....

So all in all, it's a great course, they need to work on more of the technical stuff to make it right though.

Things I would suggest?  (and I will, they always send out a follow up email for suggestions...)

Chip timing only.
The course more clearly written out for trail runners when they finish the trail and get back on the main road.
I'm not sure about the extra we had to run this year, I honestly don't think it was needed...it was literally a waste of time, and caused much confusion!!!


Do you prefer 'gun time' or 'chip time'?  Did you even know there was a difference?

I prefer chip time obviously.  I mean it's more accurate, duh!