When we woke up that morning
it was raining but the race didn't start until 2 pm so we were hopeful that it would clear up before then. At the start of the race it was only sprinkling but the damage had already been done. This course was through the vineyard, which meant wet grass!
it was raining but the race didn't start until 2 pm so we were hopeful that it would clear up before then. At the start of the race it was only sprinkling but the damage had already been done. This course was through the vineyard, which meant wet grass!
Since it was rainy and things would be slippery, I didn't really feel like running. To be honest, I debated weather or not I still even wanted to go to the race when I woke up but I figured it would do me some good to get out of the house. My sister would be running her own race but I planned to run with my mom and maybe walk a bit. I forgot my music, but I did have my umbrella!
The race started in front of the winery in the driveway and Lacey was all ready to be the front runner!
I really wasn't in a running mood so I did not start off fast like I usually do. I was okay with lots of runners passing me. Turns out, I think they all went out too fast because after we got down the driveway and on to the highway, I ended up passing a lot of them anyway. After the stint on the road, we turned up a huge hill into a neighborhood. At the end of the neighborhood was literally the "end of the road". From here on out it was grass and mud and lots of rolling hills. Up till this point I was feeling good and I didn't walk at all. I guess once I started running I got into my groove. Also at this point no other runner had passed me from this point on. That made me feel good. All these rolling grassy hills mixed with rain and mud made some runners wipe out. I saw one and my sister saw one as well. Luckily they were all right and got right back up.
At the start Lacey took off fast like she always does and for a long time there weren't any other runner near her. Once she got to the rolling hills she could hear someone breathing behind her but she didn't want to take the time to look back. She just knew that if she could hear him, he was too close!
After the first downhill, she almost wiped out a few times but caught herself. During this time her and the other runner were almost side by side. She thought she was about to lose her lead but he was slipping just like her and before long she couldn't hear him anymore. He wiped out going down one of the hills.
When we got back to the winery I thought we were almost done, but oh no! There was another part of the vineyard we had to run through ( and the grapes weren't even in season) and then we had to run around the winery on more muddy trails. When we got to the end of the muddy trail, we then had to run up a grassy will to the finish line, that was an extra challenge. My shoes were soaked and felt as if they weight 20 lbs a piece. I figured that everyone behind me probably felt the same way so I admit I didn't feel bad walking a bit there at the end.
Lacey ended up crossing the finish line as not only the first overall female, but the first runner overall! The other runner behind her was a male and he ended up getting an award for first male.
I ended up coming in 10th place overall. I know this was a small race ( less than 100 people) but I thought the age grouping was ridiculous. There were 2 age groups, 21 through 46 and then 47 and up.
I feel like they should have at least made the second age group 50 and older. That way my mom would have won first in that age group because she deserved it. She came in right after I did.
We received super soft race shirts, free wine and a wine glass from this race.
Lacey received a nice medal and a Dick's Sporting Goods gift card for placing first.
There were also some raffles ( we didn't win anything), and baked goods ( we had some, because after that race we deserved them), and live music. It ended up being a nice time relaxing under the covered patio. It turned out to be a good time and I'm glad we went.
-M & L
Congrats to both of you! Sounds like a fun race, altho the mud had to make it challenging!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that is odd how they split the age groups. That would be fun running through a vineyard, even with the wet and muddy conditions. Good job, to all of you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to both of you for a great race! That is a weird way to split age groups. How random! There are a few winery races near me and I have been debating about doing one. Now I think I will. It sounds like a lot of fun, especially if you like wine!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Lacey still ran that hard after Boston 2 Big Sur. That's amazing and glad that she won!! That is a very weird split indeed! Your mom deserved that prize for sure. Way to go on getting it done even though you weren't feeling it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fun family day despite the rainy day. congrats to all of you! Small races are fun sometimes
ReplyDeleteWow! Congrats to all of you! The wiping out and slipping part scares me. Glad you all finished unscathed.
ReplyDeleteLove that pic of you 3 ladies.
ReplyDeleteAdd wine in & you know that's a good race ;)
Wet grass & mud doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but when you're with friends/family that makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning, Lacey, that's awesome!
And good job to the three of you racing in less than ideal conditions.
Congrats to all! The slippy grass would make me nervous too.
ReplyDeleteGreat job to you all! I agree with the age groups - that’s surprising to me that they only had 2. We have vineyard runs here in NJ and they are some of my favorites ever.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you all on what sounds like an incredibly tough 5K! I can't even imagine that hill at the end with your wet shoes! Way to go!!
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