Boordy Vineyards Trail 5k Race Recap

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Sunday night hubby and I ran the Boordy Vineyards Trail Run 5k. It was our first night race (yes, we've run the Harrisburg Mile, but this was a distance race). We chose to pick up our packets at the race rather than drive into MD early to get them. So, we headed to Hydes, MD about 3:45 p.m. to make sure we got there before the 5:30 p.m. arrival requirement and with plenty of time to park the car, get our bibs, and make it back to the start line.

We arrived with plenty of time, probably about an hour. LOL! We parked and headed over the main buildings to pick up our packet. It was a little chaotic, but we found our numbers (700 & 701), grabbed our bags which included a shirt and a Boordy Vineyards glass, then headed back to the car to get ready.

This is what our car faced. How pretty is that? We got our bibs on and took our obligatory self-portrait.

We had to wait a bit for the start, which totally not their fault, it was ours for overestimating how long it would take for us to get there. LOL! We did line up about 10 minutes before the race and went towards the back. I needed that but, hubby decided to stick with me due to his lack of running this summer and his injuries.

Just as we were wondering what time we were going to get started (6:00 p.m. start time), we actually started. It may have been 6:01 p.m. according to our watch, but really not bad for getting started on time. We ran through the start and onto the winery grounds.

We ran around this area of grapes, then hit the road. I was a little surprised as I thought it was a trail run, but in reality we ran less than a mile on the winery grounds total (about .4 miles at the start, then the same .4 miles on the way back). We hit the road in front of the winery and hit the hills. Ugh. So not a hill girl.

I'll be honest, the hills did me in. I did more walking than I wanted to. I'm not going to complain too much, I haven't run more than 2 miles in 2 months. How can I bitch that I should have run more of the race? I was really glad hubby decided to run with me. It was nice to have someone to be with. We were at the end of the pack, but we did have a good time chatting and running.

Here are some photos from along the course:

Hello hills

Look! A good race photo!

Yea...we would have been arrested for not coming CLOSE to the speed limit!

Oh look, more hills

Up hill to the end. Why are all races this way?

The finish line is within sight!

We crossed the finish line and headed to get our timing chips removed when hubby realized he never put his on. It was not intentional. He made fun of me putting mine on, somehow he just forgot to do the same. Oops! It's ok. We finished so slow that it wasn't worth the timing chip. LOL! Both of our Garmins said 42:29, but officially I came in (and unofficially so did he) at 42:27.

We grabbed a water each, then back to the car to grab our wine glasses and hubby changed shirts. We grabbed his unused timing chip so he didn't get charged for losing it. Once that was returned we headed off for after run food and wine. We arrived back to the winery buildings and had no idea where to go or what to do. There were no signs or volunteers. You couldn't see where post-race food was or where the wine would be. We got in a line that led into the barn, but had no idea what the line was for - food, wine, unrelated? The line was so slow too! Too many people in too small a space. Once we were inside, it turned out to be food. There were vegetables, crackers, bread rounds, red and green grapes, and cheese. The problem was that the runners who finished first took huge amounts of cheese and there was very little left by the time the slow runners got to the end. By the time we got there, we were told we could only have 2 pieces of cheese so everyone could get some. Ugh.

Once we got our food, we moved onto wine. We had no idea what we were to do, but went over to the sign that said wine tasting. Hubby changed his shirt after the race, but didn't bring is bib. When we got to the tasting, they said he couldn't do one without the bib. Huh? So, he went back to get it. That was a bit frustrating, especially when someone asked if their friend could get a sample and the same guy who refused my husband said he could get a small plastic cup for free. We eventually tasted about 6 wines, but if we wanted a glass, we had to buy a bottle. So, we bought a bottle of their blush wine to have with our snacks. We found a spot on the stone wall and sat.

The wine was tasty and one we could agree on. The food was yummy and now makes me want a meal of cheese, crackers, and grapes. LOL! We listened to the band, which was pretty good. They did offer a larger BBQ meal we could purchase, but by the time we finished, got through the food line and did the wine thing, we were ready to head back.

On the way home, we saw the most beautiful sunset. Honestly. It was the best one we have seen since the ones we saw in Negril, Jamaica, which has some of the most incredible sunsets in the world.

Straight out of camera from my point and shoot. Seriously. Did NOTHING to enhance it.

So, while I had a good time with the race because I got to share it with hubby I'm not sure this the overall experience was that great. It was a tad frustrating at times. But, it really was a fun time with Brian.

What did I learn from this race? A couple things actually.

1. I learned I need to lose weight. This was the first race that I really felt the pounds I've gained. Maybe it was the hills, maybe it's because I haven't run in ages. I don't know, but whatever it was, I knew I would have felt better, maybe even run faster if I weighed less. I'm not saying this as a pity thing. I'm saying this as a fact thing. Just a strong realization.

2. I hate hills. Seriously. What did the race teach me? I need to incorporate hills into my training. Now, sure, I haven't run in two months, so I'm sure that had something to do with it, but the last few races with hills have messed with me. I know as much as I don't like them, I need them. So, this running season, I will actually focus a bit more on hills.

I will say I want to know what's up with the shirts this year at races? I haven't gained or lost that much this year, I gained it all last year. The first races of the year, the shirts fit fine. Since June, every shirt I have picked up is WAY too small. I even upped the size the BWC shirt and it's still too tight. I know that girl shirts are fitted, but what the heck is going on with them being cut 2 sizes smaller than what the size should be? I know as I lose weight the shirts will fit better, but the fact that I can't wear them NOW when I ran the race is disappointing.

Overall, there were really good things about this race, things I loved. On the other hand, there were things that I really didn't like. It's kinda strange at how there was no middle ground - I either loved aspects or hated aspects. I'm not sure I would do this one again, but I'm glad I did get the chance to run it this time around.

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