Corktown 5k Race Recap

30th Annual Corktown 5k

Introducing my new racing kicks, the Grey Silencers

Pre-Race: Spike and I arrived about an hour and a half early to the race and the first thing we thought was, next year we get here sooner! It was fifty something degrees, sunny blue skies, the slightest hint of wind and somehow we found ourselves parked directly in front of the Michigan Central Station. (Side Note: I'm OBSESSED with abandoned buildings and have been dying to get close to this place!) We spent the time before the race hitting the porta-potties and marveling the breathtaking view.

My fav shot from the many I took.
So hauntingly beautiful.

Start Corral: After an easy warm-up run together we headed over to the start corrals about 12 minutes before the start, hopped the fence to get in, and promptly split up after a quick kiss good luck. The race was staggered; green bibbed runners expecting a 30 minutes or less finish were lined up and sent out first, gold bibbed runners/walkers were started a few minutes after to bring up the rear. It was packed and a sea of green; wigs, shirts, socks, you name it! Definitely a festive, St. Patricks Day theme'd race.

The Race: It took a few to shuffle over the start line and then I was running! The course is a flat, fast, straight shot down Michigan Ave and back. After weaving around runners the first half mile I settled in and the miles started ticking by, much faster than I had anticipated, and I just rolled with it because it felt so effortless. I got to see Spike on his way in to the finish a few minutes before the turn around and in a blink of an eye I was kicking it in to the finish myself! I threw up my hands in celebration as I crossed the finish line and may or may not have yelled "F*ck yeah!" Whoopsie. :)

Final Chip Time: 23:34 / 7:36 P - Second fastest 5k I've ever ran and post-injury PR!!!

Suck it injury, Red is back!!!

(Garmin Stats: 7:31, 7:27, 7:41, 6:48 {.1} for 3.14 M)

604 / 7631 Overall
115 / 4259 Women Overall
20 / 835 AG

Post-Race: We had forgotten to make an after race meetup plan so while wandering around trying to find Spike, I spotted Ken and got to snap a quick pic with him! After declining a BEvERage, I headed back over to the finish area and heard them announce Steph's name so I started looking for her but found Spike instead. He had run a great race too, even with having run his first 20 mile training run the day before!

Corktown 5k + Michigan Central Station
+ Spike + Perfect Day = Happy, Happy Redhead

Post Race Thoughts: To say that I was excited for this race would have been putting it mildly, I may or may not have had my race outfit picked out and ready for over a week. My race plan was simply to have an amazing first post-injury race and try to finish around 25 minutes because I thought that was within my range. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised at the finish!

Corktown puts on one helluva a race and I can't wait to run this again next year! Everything about this race is so well organized; they had satellite packet pickup, they sent out a last minute FAQ email that was extremely helpful, the first 7,000 finishers received a commemorative 30th annual medal and tech shirt (Boo unisex! But they are great quality), and their website is seriously awesome. Because the St. Patrick's Day parade is after the race there are a ton of spectators lining the course cheering you on and giving high fives. We didn't get to stick around for the after party because of family obligations but it looked like it was going to be a blast. Def put this one on your radar for next year if you're in the area!