2009 Midnight Streak 5K

I didn't like this race. Not at all. But all morning, as i've pondered this blog post, i've been trying to figure out how I can spin it as a positive experience. Well, I couldn't figure out how to do that. I just really, really didn't like this event.

Let's start at the beginning.

Bib and Packet Pick-Up
I preregistered for the event but decided not to go pick up my packet early. I figured the 25 minute drive just to get the shirt and bag wasn't worth it. You see, they decided not to include bib's in the race packets. So, even if you chose to pick-up your packet early, you would still have to get your bib and timing chip when you got to the race. I don't think I have ever seen it done like that before. Sure, the timing chip usually gets picked up race day, but typically the bib is included. No big deal you say?

I got to the race way early. I never like to feel rushed; I would rather sit around and wait for a while than to be running late and rushed to the starting line. Anyway, I knew my first order of business was to find the pre-registered line and get my bag and bib. It wasn't hard to find...because there was only one line. One MASSIVE line for pre-registered people, those that hadn't yet registered and those that just needed their bib. I waited in that line for over an hour. It was awful. In fact I got my bib and chip 5 minutes before the race was to start. Because of that, I decided not to take a shirt and race bag. Even if I had, I wouldn't have had time to make it back to the car to drop the stuff off. Whatever.

The Race
It was about 90 degrees when the race started. I was actually hoping it would rain to cool us off. No such luck. It was nasty out there. Race started without a hitch. There were a bunch of people--at least 600 or so. I didn't expect such a turn out since the race began at 11 PM. Whatever the final count, there was enough people so that I was in a pack the entire race. There were also a lot of walkers. What is it about the walkers that makes them think it is ok to start in the middle of the pack and walk 4 and 5 people across? Do they not see the runners trying to get around them? Do they not care? I hate to say it, but the walkers drive me crazy.

The course took us around the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. The course was mostly broken concrete parking lots and side roads. I saw 2 people go down and you really had to watch where your feet landed so you didn't trip and fall. The running surface was just plain nasty. Oh, I forgot to mention that the course took us over 3 sets of railroad tracks. Real fun.

I decided to leave the iPod at home for this race. With it being my first night race, I really wanted to enjoy the sounds and feel of the event. I enjoyed not having it for the first half of the race. The second half of the race wasn't as enjoyable. I had this dude behind me panting and gasping like we was about to die. I wished I had some tunes with me to drown out his nauseating noises.

The End
Bananas, oranges and cookies! A very nice spread indeed.

There was more nonsense I was going to write about but it would be bordering on nitpicking.

Anyway, I am glad I got the experience of running at night. I will certainly need to do more of it later this year as I begin to prepare for Ragnar Del Sol. I just wish this event was put together a little better. They've been doing it for years so you figure they would have it down by now. Obviously not. I can't say I will be doing the Midnight Streak again.