OC Fair Run 5k (20:32)

The OC Truthful Run 5k is certainly one of my favourite races of the 12 months. Now, it’s not quick, nevertheless it’s a favourite. You get to run by the precise fairgrounds! The course itself seems like a cross-country course as a result of there are such a lot of turns across the rides and animals.

Earlier than the OC Truthful Run 5k:

I left round 1 p.m. the day earlier than and headed to Orange County. It’s a few 2.5-hour drive with visitors, and even on Saturday, there was a lot. I didn’t understand bib pickup ended at 2 p.m., so I missed it and simply acquired a fast chew to eat, relaxed, and watched the Olympics. It was very uneventful, and I fell asleep fairly early. That additionally meant I awakened round 5 a.m. for the 8 a.m. race—just a little sooner than I desire, however no huge deal.

I acquired to the OC Truthful Run 5k round 6:30, picked up my bib, after which did a fast warm-up. If you’re operating the OC Truthful Run 5k, I extremely recommend getting there 50-75 minutes early to park as a result of it will get crowded and onerous to park later.

After my warm-up, I headed to the OC Truthful Run 5k begin line. When a race provides me a decrease bib, I all the time really feel lots of strain to carry out in addition to I did the 12 months they deemed I deserved a decrease bib. Final 12 months, I used to be third general and had a weirdly good day. I’ve felt stale with operating within the final week, and operating the Tracksmith 5000 definitely didn’t assist that. So anyway, I used to be nervous, and being on the OC Truthful Run 5k begin line for quarter-hour earlier than the race didn’t assist.

OC Truthful Run 5k Race:

The gun went off, and so did we! As talked about, my physique didn’t really feel nice, however I instantly discovered myself in third place among the many ladies. I believed, “Simply have to carry this.” Not that place actually issues, however after all, I wished to carry out in addition to the 12 months earlier than. For the reason that OC Truthful Run 5k has so many turns, I actually didn’t care as a lot about tempo—relatively, placement.

The primary mile of the OC Truthful Run 5k is quick and has the least quantity of turns. I additionally took it out too quick in 6:20. From there, it was an ideal regression run, and I simply tried to maintain going.

Whereas operating by the truthful, there are a ton of turns—you go round rides in addition to the barn animals (sure, it smells as unhealthy as you assume). After mile 1 of the OC Truthful Run 5k, I actually simply wished to complete. Since there are such a lot of turns, you possibly can’t see how you’re putting, so it makes you nervous the whole time. I ran a 6:38 second mile.

A enjoyable function of the Orange County Truthful Run 5k is that you simply get to cease and play truthful video games if you would like. There are two stations they open up for video games and photographs. I’ve by no means tried it, nevertheless it appears to be like like a enjoyable factor to do!

For the third mile of the OC Truthful Run 5k, I used to be simply making an attempt to carry on. I stored telling myself, “You are able to do it. Simply maintain going.” And I did, one step after one other. I truly didn’t understand there’s a slight uphill on the third mile both. We left the truthful round mile 2.5, and I sprinted as onerous as I may. I ran a 6:46 third mile and completed in 20:32.

OC Truthful Run 5k Ideas:

I had actually hoped to be sooner, however I ran what I may on the day, and my physique didn’t really feel nice. I’m completely happy to be 6 seconds sooner than the 12 months earlier than and get third once more. Persistently third. As summer time of 5k season winds down, I’m wanting ahead to utilizing a few of that velocity for longer races.