And here we are: the race report I’ve been kind of dreading. The Spud Run is traditionally one of my favorite races, but my head was absolutely not in the game this year, and it really just wasn’t my day. I’m never going to regret an experience, or moving my body, but I can also tell you this is not an experience I prefer to repeat. Let’s talk about it.
About The Race
The Spud Run is a small, local race that takes place in Hastings, part of our thriving farming community. They offer a 10K, a 5K, and a 15K challenge that combines the two. Through the years, the race has become part of the Cabbage, Bacon, and Potato Festival, an anchor of a busy event weekend. There is a family-friendly festival, a gala, and many other events showcasing the local potato and cabbage farmers (and bacon producers, too). I’m all in. The course is rural and open and all runners receive a head of fresh cabbage and sack of potatoes with their shirt and medal.
The Night Before
I was still dog sitting the night before this race, and I didn’t get home until after 10PM. For me, this is incredibly late, and I was anxious because my clients’ flight was delayed. I didn’t really have time to settle down or get myself in a relaxed frame of mind, but I did my best to gather my things and get ready before bed. Ugh.
Race Morning
I slept terribly, but that didn’t matter. The 10K race started at 7:00AM, which is a huge selling point for me. It’s nice to get things done and over with. I left extra early because the normal starting point for the race (the Hastings Library) was under construction and parking was uncertain. I picked up a bagel and ended up being the first person parked at a church that offered up their lot for the cause. It was about 1/3 mile trek to packet pickup, on a main road, in the dark, with pretty mangled sidewalks. Meh. I took a bathroom break, snagged my big and shirt, and collected my cabbage and potatoes to stash in my car. I chose to look at it as a nice warmup. Speaking of warm, the temperature had jumped significantly from the past week to Saturday morning, and that was less than ideal.
The Start Line
As the sun rose, we started to gather at the start line. I was surprised to see that there weren’t very many runners at all, maybe 150, which was a big reduction from years’ past. I was surprised, just because it’s really a great race with amazing amenities and an awesome vibe. Hopefully this doesn’t bode poorly for the future. But all the same, we gathered up and the race began.
Miles 1-3
The race takes place pretty much entirely on open farm roads. There isn’t a lot of traffic, which is nice, but there are plenty of fields of crops and livestock to see while running. The majority of the course is unshaded, which I don’t like, but there is a lovely tree canopy tunnel in the middle of the race that offers a nice reprieve. I started out ok, although my legs felt heavy, the air was thick, and I just didn’t want to do it.
Miles 3-6.2
The day kept getting hotter and more humid, and at a certain point, the smell of smoke from the wildfires crept back. I switched to intervals and kept pushing. None of my regular distractions were working, and so it was just a really long and annoying 3.2 miles.
The Finish Line
And finally, I made it through the finish line. About time. On the plus side, I could have lined up for the 5K in plenty of time for the 15K challenge. But on the other hand, it was one of my worst showings at a race. I was pretty bummed. I had seen zero friends or acquaintances, and due to the construction, the post-race “party” was kind of unexciting. The race offered plenty of refreshments and snacks, but I decided to wrap it up and take it on the road.
I walked over to the Cabbage, Bacon, and Potato Festival and popped into one of my favorite coffee shops for an iced coffee and grits bowl. It was the perfect pick me up after a rough 10K.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
The Good: There are so many great things about this race. First, it supports our local farmers and agricultural community, which is so important, especially in the current climate. The medal and shirt are always great (who doesn’t love a potato medal?), and the cabbage and potatoes are such a fun bit of swag. The volunteers are friendly and the course is different. 10K runners get water three times on the course, while 5K runners get hydration twice, and bananas and snacks are plentiful.
The Bad: Obviously, construction isn’t ideal, but it’s not the race’s fault, and things will be different next year. They did the best they could in a tough situation, and I appreciate that.
The Ugly: The trek to parking also wasn’t ideal, but again, it’s a temporary situation.
Final Thoughts
While I’m super disappointed about what could be my favorite event, it’s still a great one. Sometimes we don’t have great runs or races, and that’s just a part of the sport. The next one will be better, and I’ll learn from the mistakes, and I’ll be in a better head space. Til next time!
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