Arrow Dash 5k

Clinton, MS

I was very excited leading up to this race for several reasons.  First of all, this was my first 5k ever just one year ago.  I was looking forward to enjoying the race that started this lifestyle.  Secondly, this is the only 5k on my schedule due to 3 back to back marathons on the horizon.  Finally, I was set to run fast, push 20:00 on the clock and PR.

I started the race strong and kept up with the lead pack, pushing a solid 6:30/mile pace heading into the last half mile of the race.  Coming around the corner of a building racers in front of me went two different directions! Some turned left, some right.  I called out across the course to officials asking which way to go and was directed right then around a loop and across a sidewalk to the finish.  Clocking an overall finish time of 18:25… for a 2.72 mile run! I was furious to say the least.  I put forth a lot of effort and training only to have it washed away by poor organization and race officials and volunteers who were not in agreement.  After the first 10-15 runners came through the chute the race organizers fixed the problem for the rest of the field, but we were put out in a bad way. The 18:25 official finish time put me first in my age group and third overall.  I was given a medal that I would have more than likely won anyway, but soiled none the less.  I emailed the race director after crossing the finish… no response.

On the bright side following the race Anna & I made the trip to Cleveland for a Delta State football game and visiting with old friends.  A great way to fix a spoiled morning.

Full race results can be found below

ARROW DASH

 

Check out the difference a year of running can make the picture on the left is from this 5k in 2011

                                                                                   

Hands Around the Hill 5k

Atlanta, GA

I was lucky enough to spend my birthday weekend with my little sister and a few great friends hanging around downtown Atlanta, GA. We took in a great game at Turner Field between the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays.  The Braves came out on top, as rare of an occasion as that has been this year.

Along with a tour of the stadium and a few other sightseeing stops around town my roommate Stephen and I found a nice 5k to run downtown.  The day before my 25th birthday I took the starting the line for my last race in the 20-24 age division.  Clocked an official time of 22:15! Another PR and my first age division victory.  Farewell 20-24 age group, you did great things for me over the last 8 months. Ready to start to tackle the 25-29 group, the challenge becomes greater.

FULL RACE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND BELOW

HANDS AROUND THE HILL 5K

Magnolia Speech Sprint 5k

Jackson, MS

The Magnolia Speech Sprint was another 5k through downtown Jackson circling the campus of Jackson Academy.  I ran hard the first 3 quarters of this race and finished with a PR of 22:47, 24th overall, and 7th in the Male Age Group 20-29.  A well organized race, easy course with a loop so it’s not quite a down and back route, and a great shirt.  This is easily my favorite non-tech tee that I have gotten in a race so far.  I highly recommend this race in the future.  I ran this one alone, so no race day pictures.  Here is a link to the Full Results though.

MAGNOLIA SPEECH SPRINT

Pursuit of Fun 5k

Gulfport, MS

The Pursuit of Fun 5k, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Running Club, was held at Gulf Islands Water Park in Gulfport, MS.  This was a 3.1 out and back course with plenty of runners at the line.  A personal accomplishment for this race was posting my first official 5k time under 25:00 minutes.  Official finish time was 23:49, a great finish for my first race back after my injury in New Orleans. This was my little sister’s first 5k, unfortunately she was late showing up to the starting line and the rest of the pack had a bit of a head start on her.  After finishing my race I ran back out to catch up with her and finished the course with her.  Following the race all runners were given free, early admission to the water park.  Krystina and I enjoyed a morning of water slides, wave pools, and the lazy river.

Full Race Results can be found here

Pursuit of Fun 5k Full Results

  

Komen Race for a Cure 5k

Jackson, MS

Today I cut off my hair to create a pink mohawk, along with the pink beard, pink shorts, and giant painted on ribbons I set off to have my most enjoyable race to date. No timing chip, no time goal, no clock to stare at just thousands around me to entertain as they tackle a 5k.  A good friend of mine, Mandi King, completed her first 5k and I was there to pull her through and keep her moving through the mileage.  Other friends of mine, Stephen Chew and Stephen Houston, finished somewhere in the range of 29 minutes.  Houston and I posed for what seemed like hundreds of pictures, everyone wanted to have their pictures with us.  This was a great morning and more fun than anything I’ve done thus far running.

                   

Jingle Bell Run 5k

Chicago, IL

It was a cold snowy morning in Chicago, IL.  I hopped in a cab to take me from my hotel on E. Whacker St. across the river and out to Lincoln Park for the Jingle Bell Run 5k sponsored by the Arthritis Society.  After arriving at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Center in the park for registration I tied Jingle Bells to my shoes and wore one around my neck and set out to the starting line.  Running through snow was a new experience for me.  Very slippery when you need to do some quick footwork for a turn or to avoid mud or simply to get around people that were moving much to slow.  There were 1,075 participants in the race. It was very difficult to get out of the starting gate and get moving on the race course.  I spent the first half mile or so in the snow covered grass as opposed to the snow covered sidewalk so that I was able to move past the clumps of people until I come along to people that were closer to my preferred pace.

My official time was 26:01.5

I finished overall 133rd of 1,075 runners

96th of 402 males

11th of 26 Male Age Group: 20 – 24

Jingle Bell Run Overall Results

 

 

 

Arrow Race for Recess 5k

I ran this race with my two friends Whitney and Jenni Owen.

 

I finished 3rd in my age class with a time of 25:29

 

Whitney finished with a time of 27:59

 

Jenni finished 3rd in her age class with a time of 36:01

 

Full Race Results