Harvest Festival 5K Race



This weekend I ran the Harvest 5K with my dad, sister, and friend.  I've run this race several times and even placed first in my age group before, but I haven't ran it in a few years.  I was hoping I could place first again.

The race is a local race, so even though I did not register ahead of time, the cost was only $15 which is a bargain. The race started  at 9:30 am which is normally a good thing since it's not too early but the weather this weekend did not feel like fall at all, it was more like a hot summer day. It would have been better if it was earlier to beat the heat and humidity.

We didn’t even leave the house until 8:45 am (it is only a 1.5 away from our house). Once I arrived, I went into the Municipal building and signed up for the race, and was able to use real restrooms which is always a plus.

Yes, the start line is right in front of the McDonalds!

Then we made our way over to the race start where they were starting a kids race. We watched that race then we began to make our way to the start line.

We lined up and there was a gun shot start and we were off. The course is a flat route that loops around the main portion of the town. It's kind of nice that it's all decorated festive for fall.  Of course I started off way too fast. I told myself I needed to slow down since we were only a quarter mile into the race. I did pass one lady, but then soon enough two other ladies passed me. Does anyone else eye up their competition?

 I thought ok there is only two other ladies ahead of me now, not knowing what their age group would be in since you only see their back when they are passing you. Shortly after, there was another lady that passed me. She did look a little younger than me but I wasn’t sure. I was struggling to keep up with the pace I was running, but I kept telling myself it’s only a 5k I can push myself more! I know you shouldn’t say “just” in any race because it’s an accomplishment but I am used to running much longer distances, not thinking of the pace you are trying to withstand for the distance. That is the challenging part.
Pictures are blurry because it was so humid.


We were coming up to the last stretch of the race and I knew there were three females still ahead of me. There was no way I was going to catch up to the first two, but the third one was right ahead of me. So I kicked it in high gear right at the end to make sure I crossed the finish line right before her, and I did!  After crossing, I was able to get my results printed out right away. I looked at the sheet and I saw I came in third. I was a bit disappointed since the last time I came in first.



Then I looked at the paper more closely and saw that I placed third female overall and 1st in my age group, with an average pace of 6:45. I felt much better about this.


My dad even placed 3rd in his age group. We waited for our medals to be handed out then we treated ourselves to a cupcake and whoopie pie. After eating that, I thought heck I better run home instead. So I ran the mile and half back to the house.  -L

33 comments:

  1. Congrats on your race! Thats so awesome that you were able to pass another runner right at the end. And third overall female is amazing!

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    1. Thanks.Yea I really kicked it into high gear right at the end.

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  2. $15 for a race! That is awesome. Congrats to you! Amazing pace and how exciting to place 3rd overall!

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  3. Woohoo!! COngrats on the race. And the sweet placing! :)

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  4. WOW! Congrats on placing in both overall and AG! Great speed, too! :)

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  5. Congrats!!! Despite the humidity you rocked it!!! So speedy!

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  6. Strong race, Lacy! I get anxiety counting how many women are in front of me. I don't even WANT to know. $15 is a steal for a race and so close to your house! :)

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    1. It was such a small race its hard not to count who is in front of you.

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  7. Way to go, and congrats on the first place age group award! You were quite speedy for such a humid morning!

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  8. Awesome race!! Congratulations!

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  9. Another chalk up for a win. Awesome!!!

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  10. Dang girl, you are FAST!!! Congrats on your placement and finish - that's awesome!

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  11. Wow; that's awesome! Congrats!

    My speedy friends size up their competition . . . I guess that's a good thing about being slow -- never even enters my mind!

    I have a 5k this Sunday. Just for fun. Especially since it doesn't start until 10 am :( and it ain't flat either, with a small portion on a trail.

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  12. I'll use other runners for motivation and try to pass them, but I'm slow enough that I have no goals in placing in my age group.

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    1. Its always nice to have that motivation. Makes you push yourself more.

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  13. That is a great price for the race! And congrats on the 3rd place overall finish :) It sounds like your strategy of starting fast and trying to hold on paid off.

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  14. Congrats! That's a wicked fast pace!

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  15. Well done to you and your dad for placing! What a fantastic achievement! Congratulations x

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.