Dennis Krzykowski Memorial 5K (aka DK5K) Run 2013: Race Recap

I have run this hilly 5k in Cedarburg, WI for the past four Fourth of Julys. This year, I had not run a single mile since the Allstate 13.1 Marathon in early June. So, essentially, I hadn't run in almost four weeks. In fact, I drove to the race with my dad thinking I would do the one mile walk option instead of the 5k. My lingering ankle issue and a lack of training were my main concerns about running it.

Pre Race

As I was filling out the paper entry form, in a fit of sleepiness, I decided to check the "5k Run" box instead of the "1 Mile Walk" box. I told myself that I would do a nice casual 8:00/mile run with walk breaks, which would not affect my ankle. I would not worry about my finishing time and just relax. Well... I guess I don't know myself too well, because I ended up racing the whole thing, finished #1 in my age group and besting last year's time by 5 seconds! How did this happen? Compare if you will, some key points from 2012 vs. 2013:

	2012 DK5K	2013 DK5K
Training Mileage 3 weeks before race	40	0
Training Mileage 2 weeks before race	40	0
Training Mileage 1 week before race	45	0
Race Time Temp	85 degrees	65 degrees
Finishing Time	20:23	20:18
10 year Age Group Place	4th	1st
Finish Line Photo	Not lookin' good	Lookin' good

I have come up with some conclusions about why I did better this year:

1) It was 20 degrees cooler than 2012: Yes, I wilt in the hot weather and last year was a scorcher. Look at the two finish line photos and note that it was even a struggle to raise my head last year!
2) I ran a smarter race this year: I started more slowly, since I didn't know how I'd feel after a four week layoff. During the last mile I was able to fly up the last two big hills passing several runners who were slowly dying on the inclines while I was just hitting my stride.
3) I had fresher legs: Nothing like a four week zero mile taper to get the legs feeling "fresh as a morning breeze!"

Anyway, it was a great day for a race and it felt fantastic to be running again. I still don't know if my ankle will ever stop with the periodic tingling sensations, so maybe I will have to live with them? I guess I might. On another note, sadly, this may be the last July 4th DK5K as the race director mentioned that it was hard to get volunteers on the 4th to staff the race. However, they may move the race to the fall. In which case, I probably won't be able to run it since I'm an out-of-towner.

Me and my dad pre-race

Chillin' Pre Race

Lining up to run 

Finish Line

After getting my Age Group Medal

So, I don't think I did too much damage to my ankle. It still is a bit tingly, but not bad. I need to make a decision about running the Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half later this month. I may do some light running this week, maybe 20 miles or so, to see how it goes.

By the way, the race was in Wisconsin, so of course there was a guy grilling bratwurst near the finish line: