Ran my first 5k in almost 7 months yesterday down in Pawnee City, NE.  For those that are new to the site I have been dealing with a very weird fatigue issue over the last 20 months or so.  I am close to having it knocked out, but still not there yet.  But, I wanted to get out and test myself in a low stress race (other events in the area included Havelock Run, Kearney Half-Marathon, Warrior Dash, and some other races). The 27th Annual Pawnee City Classic fit the bill.

Regardless, the start/finish line is located at Schilling Bridge Winery/Microbrewery.  It is one of the few combo vineyards/beer makers in the country and a place my wife and I had planned on visiting for awhile.  Just shy of 90 minutes SE of Lincoln (it is actually a few miles from the Kansas border) it required an early start.  But the bright side is that it had all of the amenities of a classic small-town race.

-Simple packet pick-up

-Great shirt/schwag bag combo

-Friendly people

-Low key environment (even if I was going for a hard effort)

-Hilly, clean, quiet course despite the specter of a double railroad crossing

-Fantastic post race breakfast

-Awards/door prizes that got people pretty jacked up to run

My race was nothing to brag about. There is no cool story about a finishing kick or hurdling some cattle or racing the train to the crossing. But running a 17:43 pretty much solo on a hard course is something to be proud of.  Especially considering my recent troubles.  I had a good time, I ran hard, I am cautiously optimistic.  I also came home with a bottle of their seasonal “13 Saison”. It was an all-around solid Saturday morning.

Next featured post will be on why the Warrior Dash, et al. are good, but mostly bad for the running community.