Race Report: Fight the Fire 5k

I've been asked before why I would choose to race the 5k distance—tallying just 3.1 miles—when I could run longer—a half-marathon (13.1), marathon (26.2), ultra-marathon (26.2+). It's a fair question.

Though I understand its heart, I must say fiddlesticks. (Or, if it were closer to December, humbug.) For, which is better: the ever-changing color spectrum of fall or the bright, growing greens of spring? The dangerous beauty of the Rockies or the eternal blue off the Florida coast? The sun's rising or its setting? Surely, diversity in delight mustn't create rivalry! So it is (for me anyways) with the different running formats, whether in distance or terrain.

On the 5k length in particular, I find the speed of the race to be one of its biggest draws. Simply put, it's fun to go fast. (Or to try to go fast!) But the pace isn't so fast that it's a sprint, leaving you breathless within the first mile (that is, assuming you run it right). But it is a testing pace, a pace that carries with it unique mental demands for the runner.

All races, no doubt, require responding to your body (both pre-race and throughout), responding to the course, responding to your competitors, responding to your watch...but I think the difference is that, at the 5k level, each and every one of those responses will make or break your race. Go out too slow, it's over. Go out too fast, it's over. Kick it in too early, it's over. Kick it in too late, it's over. While at a longer distance there may be time to recover (even to respond multiple times), not so in the 5k. And, it's this combination of high-level mental and physical exertion that I love and think is unique to the distance.

Well, that's probably enough running reflections. On to the actual race...

I think Ashley and I agree that this particular 5k more than lived up to the pre-race hype—said hype being general fall fun in the form of:

• a smaller, low-key event (<100 people)
• a cool race name/good cause (Fight the Fire! supporting the local Fire Department)
• a cool city in the midst of the fall season (Stillwater)
• some free fruit at the finish

I find that it's, generally anyways, best to come with minimal expectations and let the races write their own story.

Adding to the above fun, Ashley and I both exceeded our time goals over a not-exactly-flat course! I clocked in at 19:17 (sub-20 goal) and Ashley sprinted in for a 26:14 finish (sub-27 goal). While I realize that the actual elevation isn't too impressive on the chart below, the hills were noticeable (particularly the last one):

My splits (19:17) / Ashley's splits (26:14)
M1 = 6:20 (up) / M1 = 8:30 (up)
M2 = 6:00 (down) / M2 = 8:30 (down)
M3 = 6:14? (up) / M3 = 8:15? (up)

Now, on to the 1,000-word images...

It's go time...coffee for the road! (pre-race)

Fighting the fire with smiles! (post-race)
We were waiting for the firefighters helping with the race to ask us if we wanted to drive the truck, but I kinda got the impression that our particular role in fighting fires would never be behind the wheel. Maybe next year!

Enjoying some coffee and a (surprisingly) tasty bagel. (post-race)
Also: day good, year...not so much.

Ashley, ready to fight, in pink.
Perfect match for the outfit! (post-race w/more coffee; so far coffee has been in every picture!)

Surprise Patagonia backpack for coming in 2nd overall; also a perfect match for the outfit!

A butternut squash we discovered at the local Farmer's Market in Stillwater after the race.

Stillwater (with Wisconsin across the bridge) 

I think it's safe to say that, God-willing, we will be back to fight the fire next year!