What: The 2nd Annual Gwinnett Gobble Wobble 5K and Fun Run
Where: Little Mulberry Park, Dacula, GA
When: Thanksgiving (November 24, 2016)
Pre-Race:
My cousin-in-law Corey asked me if I was interested in running a 5K.
“Sure”.
The end.
Also, I ran some regularly before. LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS TOO EXCITING FOR YOU TO READ RIGHT NOW. I’m falling asleep typing it.
This'll work.
Pre-Race Day:
Arrive at the site at 7:20AM for the 8AM race. On the way we passed LeBron James' Jewish Church.
Still got it.
Get in line to pick up the bib. The volunteer, while handing me my racing bib:
“Just ignore Jenny’s name on there.”
Message received.
Weather is about perfect. Partly sunny, mid 50s.
Turkey mascot looking like he’s eaten a little too much of himself before today:
Course is completely in the park, following the paved trail and going back through the race entrance.
Our group, Pre-race:
Top: Me, Rick, Cody, Mike. Bottom: Stephanie, Corey, Shana. Taking the picture: Gracie.
Local squirrel without his racing bib still has enough room for a large, multiple-acorn snack.
He's holding about 37 acorns in his mouth.
Onion Headline: “Area man extremely worried about turkey-headed runners.”
Nothing creepy going on here.
RACE TIME!!
00:20
Took about 25 seconds to get to the starting line. We were crossing the finish line in a reverse of what we started to run. There were at least 300-400 runners/walkers doing the race in all age groups.
The course was the trail at Little Mulberry Park. All paved. Very pretty views throughout. Like this.
And this:
10:20 (Mile 1)
There’s always that one dude. Wearing the headphones too loud.
“YOU’RE CROWDING MY SPACE”.
That guy. Picture him in your mind. Let that sink in.
It took all of this mile for me to find my pace AND space. It was very tight on a relatively small path.
That's more like it.
19:10 (Mile 2)
Started to find good room among some surprising hills. Go with my usual pattern: lose ground uphill, speed downhill. Plus, since this was only a 5K, a fast pace was possible.
28:03 (Finish)
Again, because I’m in Champion mode, mostly sprinted to finish. The route doubled back around on the opening half mile, so we circled the lake again at this point:
Making it better.
And I came on through the finish (not pictured).
Pictured here was the one champion of the group, Gracie, who placed second in her age group:
The Real MVP.
Lots of fascinating outfits throughout the race:
Hipster pilgrim
Turkey tutu.
This one confounded our group the entire day:
Turkey shirt? Or Angry Bird?!
I still don't know.
Corey and Stephanie (and bemused runner):
Final tally:
#1 of the non-medalists!! World Champion status unaffected.
Post-race:
Shower, Nap, Turkey, Nap, Football, Bowling, Sleep.