18th Annual RRI Rise & Run Road Race

This race is held in the town of Sturbridge, Ma. It's a 5k, a 10k and a 1 mile fun run. The race starts and ends in the parking lot of The Publick House . The Public House is one of these places that you MUST visit if you are ever in the area. It's just full of soo much history, plus the food and the atmosphere is great!

Picture of the back of the building

The race itself was small and low key. About 120 walked\ran the 5K and about 70 people walked\ran the 10K. The course was all through very scenic Sturbridge back roads. I have never done this race before, but I have run these roads before. They are close to a camp ground that I stayed at a couple years ago so the roads were familiar.

Team Hoyt blessed us with their presence. This is the second race I have done they have have run also.

If you do not know who Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt are, please click the link above...  grab a tissue and be inspired. Dick is one of the most down to earth guys you can ever meet. 

All walkers and runners started the race at the same time which I thought was weird. Usually you would see walkers head out about 15-30mins before the runners. Then the 10k'ers, followed by the 5k'ers shortly after. But they explained that at a certain point of the course there would be a turn around point for the 5k'ers.
The race started a couple of minutes late, but caught me off guard when it did start. I was actually talking to another runner when a loud horn went off marking the start of the race. The first 1/4 mile was a steep hill that came up to an clearing that gave you a good view of the damage of a tornado that hit this area over the summer.

I took this picture after the race

It looked like a bomb had gone off in this area!

The 5K turn around came quick. I passed a few people before this point. Then I realized I was right behind the first place person of the 5k! It was a lady in her 50's. I was like really?? Up ahead I could see the first place person of the 10k. He was only 4 people ahead of me...... I was fifth! It was hill from there for the next 2 miles. It was brutal but an advantage to me. It helped me get a gap between me and 6th placed. I knew I wasn't catching up to the few ahead of me, but I was determined not to let the person behind me pass me!

As soon as hit the top of the hill, we took a left and it was mostly down hill from there. There were a couple of other hills but not as bad as the one after the 5k turn around. Knowing that I struggle down hill, I looked behind me and I could see 6th place slowly catching up...... Time to bust out  "Jazz Hands!" ..Sorry to steal your move Jamoosh, but I must admit, It works!! I kept pace and widen the gap at the few hills that were left.

I kept looking over my shoulder as I approached the finish line. I hate it when last minute someone comes flying by me and steals my thunder. But I was good. I could see 6th place far enough away. I crossed the finish line at 43:44.  Not my best 10k time, but hell, 5th place, I'll take it!! 

So officially I came in 5th place over all and 2nd in my age group. I am super happy with this! This undid all of last weeks sucky runs. I felt great!!

...... but one thing bothers me. Remember I mentioned I was right behind 1st place of the 5k? She came in at 21:41.... This was the first race I have ever done that it was not packed with young 20yr olds with blazzing speeds. I wonder.........  if I would have chosen to do the 5k instead of the 10K, would I have come in first place? With my time of 21:04 in my last 5K, in my mind, I honestly believe that I could have. What a feeling that would have been....

After the race I hung out and talked with a few of the other runners. Watch the award ceremony. Only 1st place got awards... :( ...  Then I hit the Publick House bakery for some treats to take home!!

Awe yeah...... this was my prize!