Lake Run
Shell Lake, WI
- 9 Miler, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Lake Run consists of a 5K run/walk or 9 mile run around beautiful Shell Lake to benefit the Lakeland Family Resource Center. The course is a scenic loop around Shell Lake on a flat paved surface for fast running! The center’s mission is to serve parents, children, and families … MORE
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Lake Run 5K 2017 (Three Sea-migos)
As you know, I have run the Shell Lake "Lake Run" 5K for several years now. My first run was in 2011 ... followed by another go in 2012. Then, … MORE
As you know, I have run the Shell Lake “Lake Run” 5K for several years now. My first run was in 2011 … followed by another go in 2012. Then, my first recap was in 2013, followed by more recaps in years 2014, 2015, and 2016.
So you may ask … after two weeks of procrastinating … what’s with the delay in writing the 2017 recap?
I guess you can already sense my “enthusiasm” for this year’s race … no?
… Since this race is not likely to change, I’ve decided to do is ask myself: why is it that I keep coming back to this race?
Here’s the answer to that question, in three parts.
#1 … this race is a built in workout on a holiday weekend, where I’m likely to overeat anyway, and could use the extra help.
#2 … my husband is fairly willing to run this with me, and it’s fun to have a family 5K event to do at least once a year anyway.
And new in 2017, reason #3 …. drum roll … family costume contest!!
Lake Run 5K 2016 (Racing Cars)
The year 2016 marks my 6th year competing in the Shell Lake "Lake Run" 5K. My history with this race started back in 2011 (when I placed first in my … MORE
The year 2016 marks my 6th year competing in the Shell Lake “Lake Run” 5K. My history with this race started back in 2011 (when I placed first in my age category), continued on in 2012, and then began being featured on this blog with reports in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
And – FUN FACT: if you revisit my 2015 post, you may see a hint of me saying I was pregnant at this race and knew it … without officially saying I was pregnant. If you’ve ever experienced morning sickness, go back and re-read that blog – you’ll know what I’m talking about. Officially, though, I didn’t announce my pregnancy until some weeks later. Sneaky, right?
Ooof. I DO NOT miss morning sickness …
Lake Run 5K 2015 (Burpin' Up)
Truly, this isn't a BAD race, it's just not particularly exciting or interesting. My only real reason for running it again this year was the fact that signing up for … MORE
Truly, this isn’t a BAD race, it’s just not particularly exciting or interesting. My only real reason for running it again this year was the fact that signing up for this race would force me to get in some sort of workout over labor day weekend. Otherwise, I’d be sitting at the cabin getting fat. So as I hit about mile 0.5 or 0.75ish and burped … a bit more than a burp … I was not loving life. And was REALLY wishing for some on course distractions. Which unfortunately never came.
2014 - Just Sorta Blah
Knowing that I had no opportunity to medal in 2014, something changed for me on course this year. I think my heart just wasn't in this race. Don't get me … MORE
Knowing that I had no opportunity to medal in 2014, something changed for me on course this year. I think my heart just wasn’t in this race. Don’t get me wrong, I had a fine performance, but I wasn’t LOVING every second of the run.
Aside from a well managed water stop at the turn around point, overall this race left me feeling a little blah… I really don’t recall much of anything worth reporting. The only thing I can say is that in the last 1/4 of a mile, there were three women ahead of me that could have been in my age category. So, as I turned the final corner and started the last straight stretch to the finish line, I decided to try to sprint and beat them to the finish.
I hate to say it, but the age placement awards ceremony made me even more disappointed in this race. Unlike years previous, this year there was only a medal offered to the first place runner in each age category. While I can understand wanting to do that from a cost perspective, to me it seemed that this change took away the one last thing that made this race fun. With top 3, I knew I’d at least have a chance to bring home a medal. With only 1st place… it’s not likely that I will ever medal again.
With my goal of 2014 to register for more meaningful races, the above recap makes me realize – maybe this race isn’t for me anymore? I need some time to think on it… let’s see where 2015 takes me.
Fun Repeat
Since this was the third time for me on this course, once we started running, I didn't really care much about the sites. I'm already familiar with the modest lake … MORE
Since this was the third time for me on this course, once we started running, I didn’t really care much about the sites. I’m already familiar with the modest lake homes amongst the trees and shoreline of Shell Lake, so I spent most of my race focusing on my music and checking my pace on my watch.
Beginners Luck
Of course, the first year I run this, I medal. I haven't been able to repeat it since. Figures!! Yeah, that's right. In 2011, placed 2nd in my age category. … MORE
Of course, the first year I run this, I medal. I haven’t been able to repeat it since. Figures!!
Yeah, that’s right. In 2011, placed 2nd in my age category. And I’ve been chasing the dream ever since. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Running this race in 2012 and 2013 was fine and all. But I’ve been wanting to take home a medal ever since I got my first taste of it way back when.