Two 5Ks one weekend…Part 1 (Keystone Wounded Warriors 5K)

So for the past couple of years I have been into running 5ks pretty heavily. In my very busy program the ability to run longer than a 5K on the weekend just isn’t possible at this time. With that said that doesn’t mean I am not planning to start doing some official half and full marathons, just unfortunately not at this time.

With doing all of these 5Ks I have grown to really enjoy doing them and meeting everyone and going to the different courses/venues with the occasional conference and expo thrown in there for good measure.

With the 5Ks as you may or may not know they tend to be themed towards one function or the other. If could be for charity (i.e. breast cancer awareness) or it could just be for plain fun (i.e. color run). We;; this past weekend I decided to try something new and take on 2 5Ks in one weekend. This will be a two part writing as each blog will cover each one of the 5Ks I took on.

Now the first 5K I did was actually supposed to be on Friday night, however it had been cancelled at the last minute due to not having enough people registered. It was a pity too because I was looking forward to as it was only a few minutes from where I live. Irregardless my plan was still to do two in one weekend so I went onto active.com and began to see what there was for a Saturday morning run.

I ended up finding one in Pottstown, PA and it was for the Keystone Wounded Warriors. I am a huge supporter of our armed forces and those who served so this was perfect. I signed up, did some yoga and went to bed early to prepare for the following days event.

So when I woke up it was 40 degrees out, very rainy and very windy…perfect for a 5K, please not the hint of sarcasm on that statement. Once I arrived the rain and wind hadn’t let up and the temperature was only a few degrees warmer. So I checked in with the committee and I got my bib number and my t shirt and went to prepare in my car and hope that the rain and wind let up just a bit.

The 5K kicked off at 9:30AM and by the time we had all assembled at the starting line the rain had stopped and the wind had died down. The weather was still being nice and cool with no sun which made it very nice to run in. Now I should state that it would be the smartest thing I the world to actually look at the map either before or after you register for the race in order to repair because it would seem this 5K was more of a trail run rather than a road race 5K. Thankfully we were informed of a slight hill “depending on how you looked at it”, this would be an understatement I would come to find out later.

So this would be my first trail run and as the race began I realized I was not prepared for this one. The course was a rough one as I started to run the wooded paths jumping over roots and branches I started running over wet leaves that were laying on rocks…please don’t be jealous. So after rolling my ankles about 6 times I came upon the hill…the 75 degree incline hill, it seemed like such an Everest to me as I have yet to really train for hills. I was not alone however as many of the people saw the hill sighed and then started the long walk, very few took the run up it and for those that did my hat goes off to them.

Now after I went up and back down the hill I was about 2 miles in and the weather changed, it got warm real quick which meant the rain turned into humidity which turned into …holy cow I cant breath, so good times for this one. I did have to walk a few times in order to catch my breath and rest a bit, but I pushed on and I managed to cross in 27:38 which I was more than happy with. They had snacks like pretzels and chips with water for everyone after the race which is always nice to have there waiting for you.

All in all I thought it was a good race and I would do it again, but this time I would be much more prepared for it.

Thank you and run safe,

JB