Race Recap: Shake and Bake 5k Run

When Holly invited me to visit her and water ski, I asked her to find a race for us to run. I couldn't go all the way to Alabama without running a race, right? Apparently, finding a race in August in the south is a bit of a challenge. Kind of like finding a race here in Chicago in the middle of winter. Holly found a 5k, the Shake and Bake. The price was right: $20. Even though I haven't run a 5k in years, I was glad for that distance because I was a little fearful of running in the heat and humidity down south!

We woke up at 5:30 and were on the road by 6:15 to drive the 90 miles to the race. Who does this for a 5k? Runners. Holly promised me a good experience. The race was held in the town of Mt Laurel, which is a Southern Living planned community. Most of our drive was on the interstate, but when we exited, I saw the hills, actually, they looked like mountains to this flatlander, and I got a little nervous. I didn't expect it to be so hilly around there but Birmingham's where the base of the Appalachians start. Remember, I live in the pancake flat area by Chicago!

We parked the car near the starting line and retrieved our race packets. My bib was #3 and Holly was #4. Apparently, people wait until the very last minute to sign up for this one! I looked for #1 and #2 and didn't see them anywhere. Speaking of #2, we looked for a bathroom. First, we went into a general store but the shopkeeper told us there were no public restrooms. You know this isn't true, right? I was a little surprised by his lack of hospitality in this mini-Mayberry.

Holly and I wandered around, looking for a bathroom. Our search turned up empty and we went back to the race site, where we were directed to a trailer hear near the starting line. Instead of the usual portapotties you might expect at a race, there was a PortaLisa, a trailer with flushing toilets and a sink to wash your hands. It was air conditioned and there was even a carpet on the floor. It did kind of smell bad when you walked up to it, but inside it was scent-free. I have to admit, it was pretty nice! Luxurious, in fact!

The PortaLisa: It just felt too nice to use at a race!

After a long speech by the representative from Vapor, the beneficiary of the race, we lined up at the starting line. There was a brief stretching session led by a physical therapist. Doesn't she know you aren't supposed to stretch cold muscles? I said nothing and just played along.

photo courtesy of Shake & Bake 5k

After we stretched there was a prayer. Holly tells me this is quite common at races in the South. There was no Star Spangled Banner. What to do? I bowed my head and prayed for a good race. After the prayer concluded, we were off.

Initially, my legs were a little stiff as they often are when I first start out on a run. I took this as a hidden blessing--it kept my pace down in the beginning. The temperature wasn't as warm as it could be, but the humidity was high. I let everyone pass me and I plodded along. The course wound through the very pretty town. It was really quiet, though. Not a lot of people were out. We did some climbing but I think most people would probably consider these "rolling hills".  I kept my pace steady and drove up the hills, thankful for my CrossFit training, only stopping to walk a couple of times. I had hoped not to walk at all, but the humidity made those hills a challenge. Still, my pacing was good.

There was a woman wearing a mint green shirt who was ahead of me for most of the race and I tried to figure out her age--I thought maybe she'd be in my age group. I could not catch her though! So instead, I let her pace me.

The final hill was long and it was tough. I walked a good part of it, but once we turned around and headed downhill, I flew down to the finish line. I tried to pass mint green shirt but she was running all out as well. I saw the clock at the finish and hoped to beat 27 minutes. As I crossed the finish line, I looked down at my Garmin, which had me at 27:02. I wasn't unhappy about this, but you know how it is with numbers!

photo courtesy of Shake & Bake 5k

I grabbed a couple of waters and waited for Holly to come across the finish line. Once she did, we walked over to grab some post-race treats. There was fresh watermelon, Powerade, cookies, and peaches. There was also a guy handing out popsicles from Steel City Pops. I looked at the menu and asked about the Buttermilk pop. "Like cheesecake," the guy said. Ok, then! Holly and I each had one and it was just the best post race treat I've ever had in my life. Seriously, if you have the chance to try this, I recommend it.

It might not look like much, but that pop is a #holottatasty right there.

We waited quite a while for the results. That was probably the only part of the race that was a little disorganized. Once they got it sorted out, things moved smoothly. There were 10 year age groups and medals were given to the 1st and 2d place males and females. When they called the 50-59 year old female winner, I was excited it was me! As it turns out, mint green shirt wasn't in my age group after all--she was in the 40-49 group--which she won.

50-59 Age Group Winners
Photo courtesy of Shake & Bake 5k

After the race, we used the PortaLisa one more time and headed back to Holly's house, stopping at Peach Park for some post-race peach cobbler. Seriously, does it get any better than that?

I loved this little race. The setting of the town of Mt Laurel was perfect for a 5k. There was a total of about 150 participants making it a pretty small race. I was astonished at the nice portapotty and the extravagant post-race spread--for such a small, inexpensive race, it was really top notch. I've been at much bigger races with a lot less. The race is chip timed and results were posted on the Monday after the race. Race photos were posted on Facebook about 10 days after the race. The photographer did a great job catching everyone crossing the finish line as well as candids of participants throughout the morning.

And that age group win? Well, that was just the icing on the cake. I haven't run a 5k in years and certainly, I'm not going to break any records with my finish time, but I was happy to just run and to run well in the south. Heat and humidity be damned. Oh yes, and RA be damned too!

Official finish time: 27:00:09. Oh so close to breaking that 27 minute mark! But good enough for an AG win. And that's a victory in my book!

What's the best post race treat you've ever had? Have you ever been at a race with one of these luxury portapotties?

I'm linking up with Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel for Coaches' Corner!