5/7/2022

Indy Mini Marathon 5K

Indianapolis, Indiana

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  22:35

Overall Place 70th Place / 2,594

Division Place:  5th Place / 93

Race Review By Scott Orlando:

This was my first time racing at the Indy Mini Marathon.  I was originally registered for the half marathon, but my calf tightened up on my very last training run a week before the race.   Heading to Indianapolis I wasn’t sure if I would drop out of the race completely, risk further injury by attempting the half marathon, or drop down to the 5K knowing at the very least I could walk the course.   I spent all week rehabbing my calf and resting it.  The night before the race I made the decision to run the 5K.  My plan was to run as long as my calf would hold and to walk at the first sign of any tightness.   The 5K started at 7:00 am and had a field of almost 3,000 runners.   My first mile I was a little hesitant not knowing what to expect from my calf.  It felt okay but not great.  Each stride I was expecting it to get worse but it never did.  Mile 2 my calf stretched out a little and felt better so I pushed the pace a little faster.  By the third mile I felt like it was stable so I continued at the faster pace.  I finished with a time of 22:35.  I finished 70th overall and 5th in my age division.  Certainly not my best but under the circumstances I was pleased with the result.  The best part of the race experience was watching my niece complete her first half marathon.   The race was very well organized and was probably the largest race I have ever been a part of with over 20,000 runners in the half marathon field and almost 3,000 in the 5K.  I hope to return next year and compete in the half marathon.