Monroe 37th Annual Micro Marathon
August 5, 2023
Location: Monroe Iowa
Start Time: 8:00am
Entry Fee: $25.00 ($29.74 with Fees)
Race Director:
Website: https://www.facebook.com/MAMM5K10K/
Race day had a high of 84 and a low of 68 and way too much sunshine.
On race day, I woke up at 6:05 after leaving Shotgun Bettys around 3:30am. Luckily, Kaylee, Mom and the kids agreed to go to the race, so driving 50 minutes away on two hours of sleep wasn’t so dangerous. We rolled into town about 20 minutes before go-time while the townspeople were setting up for Old Settlers - a small carnival held in Prairie City and Monroe each year. After looking around, I estimated that there were probably just under 100 total runners for the day but hadn’t figured out the difference between the 5K and 10K runners. I always choose the 10K over the 5K so I can at least enjoy the race a bit - a 5K is over so quickly. A few days prior, I saw that a few fast guys from Team Runablaze would be there to crush the course. I saw Austin O’Brien and had no doubt in my mind that he’d win the race. Little did I know he was coming off an injury but this was his comeback race. Ironically, we were wearing the same shoes. Slime green Saucony Endorphin Elites - a few other runners had these on as well. Both groups started at 8:00am. Prior to the race starting, I asked if there would be a bike lead because I hadn’t memorized the course map but once I heard Team Runablaze was there, I knew I’d just need to follow the orange jerseys and I’d be fine. There were volunteers at every turn and the course was marked with chalk or paint to assure you were going in the right direction. Myself, along with Todd Haugen (53:06.02) and one other runner (I didn’t ask her name) supported the Fitness Sports jerseys. I’ve run with Todd many times, he’s always out grinding away race after race! For the most part, the course had a few rolling hills, though no major climbs and the roadways were filled with loose gravel, cracks and potholes. Since breaking my foot a few years ago during a race where I stepped in a pothole, I keep a close eye on the ground to assure it never happens again. After everyone started settling in, I was in 17th place and could tell that too many took off too hot and also realized the 5K runners did indeed have a different bib. I started picking off runners rather quickly and after two miles, I’d moved up to 9th place. I felt like most of the race, I was running directly into the sun. After the split for the 10K runners, I wasn’t sure how many were ahead of me but since it was an out and back, I knew I’d be able to count eventually. The girls at the water station were unfamiliar how to hold the cups and I actually dropped the cup, luckily, it wasn’t that hot, nor was I that thirsty so it was no big deal. Eventually, I saw Austin heading straight at me on the other side of the course just flying I then counted that there were six ahead of me and the likeliness of me catching any of them wasn’t too great though I thought I could get one of them! I kept grinding and had carried just under a 6:30 pace for the entire race which actually surprised me. I’d just run 58 miles 10 days prior during the Ames to Des Moines route of Ragbrai I felt good and knew that I had a chance to win my age group depending on the age of that tall bearded runner (John Rathje) that snuck ahead of me a while back. I was never able to catch him and found out he was 45 so I had to settle for 2nd place in the 40-49 age group and 6th overall. My finish time was 40:40, a time I was very happy with after just over a week of resting from my previous Ultra. The medal ceremony assured that all males, females and age groupers got some bling. Austin ended up setting the course record with a 33:25.21. Jake Potter won the 5K in 18:27.
August 5, 2023
Location: Monroe Iowa
Start Time: 8:00am
Entry Fee: $25.00 ($29.74 with Fees)
Race Director:
Website: https://www.facebook.com/MAMM5K10K/
Race day had a high of 84 and a low of 68 and way too much sunshine.
On race day, I woke up at 6:05 after leaving Shotgun Bettys around 3:30am. Luckily, Kaylee, Mom and the kids agreed to go to the race, so driving 50 minutes away on two hours of sleep wasn’t so dangerous. We rolled into town about 20 minutes before go-time while the townspeople were setting up for Old Settlers - a small carnival held in Prairie City and Monroe each year. After looking around, I estimated that there were probably just under 100 total runners for the day but hadn’t figured out the difference between the 5K and 10K runners. I always choose the 10K over the 5K so I can at least enjoy the race a bit - a 5K is over so quickly. A few days prior, I saw that a few fast guys from Team Runablaze would be there to crush the course. I saw Austin O’Brien and had no doubt in my mind that he’d win the race. Little did I know he was coming off an injury but this was his comeback race. Ironically, we were wearing the same shoes. Slime green Saucony Endorphin Elites - a few other runners had these on as well. Both groups started at 8:00am. Prior to the race starting, I asked if there would be a bike lead because I hadn’t memorized the course map but once I heard Team Runablaze was there, I knew I’d just need to follow the orange jerseys and I’d be fine. There were volunteers at every turn and the course was marked with chalk or paint to assure you were going in the right direction. Myself, along with Todd Haugen (53:06.02) and one other runner (I didn’t ask her name) supported the Fitness Sports jerseys. I’ve run with Todd many times, he’s always out grinding away race after race! For the most part, the course had a few rolling hills, though no major climbs and the roadways were filled with loose gravel, cracks and potholes. Since breaking my foot a few years ago during a race where I stepped in a pothole, I keep a close eye on the ground to assure it never happens again. After everyone started settling in, I was in 17th place and could tell that too many took off too hot and also realized the 5K runners did indeed have a different bib. I started picking off runners rather quickly and after two miles, I’d moved up to 9th place. I felt like most of the race, I was running directly into the sun. After the split for the 10K runners, I wasn’t sure how many were ahead of me but since it was an out and back, I knew I’d be able to count eventually. The girls at the water station were unfamiliar how to hold the cups and I actually dropped the cup, luckily, it wasn’t that hot, nor was I that thirsty so it was no big deal. Eventually, I saw Austin heading straight at me on the other side of the course just flying I then counted that there were six ahead of me and the likeliness of me catching any of them wasn’t too great though I thought I could get one of them! I kept grinding and had carried just under a 6:30 pace for the entire race which actually surprised me. I’d just run 58 miles 10 days prior during the Ames to Des Moines route of Ragbrai I felt good and knew that I had a chance to win my age group depending on the age of that tall bearded runner (John Rathje) that snuck ahead of me a while back. I was never able to catch him and found out he was 45 so I had to settle for 2nd place in the 40-49 age group and 6th overall. My finish time was 40:40, a time I was very happy with after just over a week of resting from my previous Ultra. The medal ceremony assured that all males, females and age groupers got some bling. Austin ended up setting the course record with a 33:25.21. Jake Potter won the 5K in 18:27.
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