My Life on the Run: The Army 5klicks Run, 03/02/2014, Temple, TX

This was the second year for the Army Marathon here at Ft. Hood, Texas. They added a half marathon and a 5k this time, so I thought I might as well try it out since they were offering a finisher's shirt, a jacket, and a medal! The 5klicks was my race of choice for the day.

Texas weather can be totally crazy, and it is not uncommon to have a 40 degree temperature difference in just a few days. The day of this race was no different, and when I pulled out of my driveway at 5 AM to head toward the starting line, my car temperature gauge registered about 60 degrees. I had heard that there was a cold front coming in, so I ran back into my house to grab a hoodie just in case. Later I would be VERY glad for that decision!

By the time I reached the parking lot where the shuttle busses were loading up people to get them to the start line, the temperature had dropped to about 30 degrees and the rain hit. The temperature just kept dropping, and by the time the starting gun went off, the wind chill was 17 degrees accompanied by sleet and lightning! Thank goodness I had my sweatshirt, but I had not thought to bring gloves, and I had worn shorts instead of long pants fearing that I would overheat if the cold front didn't hit as predicted. We froze our assets off, but I am so glad I signed up for and completed this event!

I have to say that this is one of the best organized races I have ever participated in. The organizers thought of everything to make this race run as smoothly as possible. All runners (about 1200 of them) were provided with jackets at the start of the course, and they provided heat tents at the finish line as well. The course was very well marked, police officers or volunteers were at every intersection, medical personnel were on hand, water stations every two miles with a couple of gel stations as well, and the few spectators along the route were amazing.

I will be doing this one again next year!