Race Recap | 2018 The Champion of Trees 10K

The last time I ran this race it was 2015 and it was still called the Arbor Day 10K. This is another race where I took a couple years off. That’s because I had been committed to the Rockdale Ramblin’ Run 10K until it was discontinued last year. I was really surprised to see it had been so long since I’d run this race since I come to the Morton Arboretum almost every year to run the Fall Color 5K, so it seems there’s nearly never a year that goes by where I don’t make it out to the arboretum for an event. It’s a beautiful location.

The Morton Arboretum

As mentioned, the Rockdale Ramblin’ Run no longer exists, so I believe that (aside from obstacle course races) the Champion of Trees 10K may now be the toughest 10K in the Midwest. I know I’d rate it as the toughest that I’m aware of currently. Rolling hills are no joke!

Unlike at the 2018 Shamrock Shuffle 8K a month earlier, the weather on Sunday, April 22nd was practically perfect! It was about 40°F when I woke up, which is a little chilly, but it got up to around 55°F or so during the race. From what I remember, that’s pretty predictable for this time of year and that makes it extra enjoyable since you have a good idea of what to expect and what you should wear. I never felt too hot or too cold and I only needed my bolero jacket to keep me comfortable until I really got moving. I took it off about half way through the course.

I was especially excited to run this race because my Athlinks Ignited tech shirts arrived the week before, so I was able to debut the tee at this event. It also didn’t hurt my ego that I’d ordered a size smaller than I might have normally because I figured I’d be slimmer by the time my apparel arrived. What do you know?! I am literally running smaller these days. It fit! And I think it’s a flattering color. I feel so officially official now.

Athlinks Ignited

Would you believe that I’ve barely been running as part of my training for this season but I still managed to snag a Personal Record for both this course and overall 10K time? Admittedly, this event isn’t necessarily the best way to gauge your speed since there are intense inclines to get past at the beginning and in the middle. Your time can also be thrown off because the downhill portions can really fly by if you hit them just right. For example, I was slowed down to a 12-14 min/mi pace on the uphill but was clocked at about 7-8 minutes per mile on the way down. Still, that’s a 10:08 average pace, which gives me hope that I’ll be able to achieve a sub-30:00 5K in 2018. It’s a goal that’s been just beyond my reach for 7 years or so.

Looking great and feeling great aside, the most important thing about any race is the swag. Some of it, like the race shirt (that I’ll donate) and coupons, was picked up at packet pick-up at Dick Pond Lisle. I really dislike having to drive all the way out there to get my bag, but they’ve started charging $10 for race day pick-up or mailing it out. Maybe it would be worth it just to have them send it to me so I can save the time and wear and tear on my vehicle, but there’s something about seeing a $10 upcharge that really turns me off and makes me come out “for free” on principle. Plus, the shop gives participants 10% off any purchase the Friday and Saturday before the event, which might be a better incentive if you need to stock up on anything.

I dunno about you, but I consider the post-race refreshments to often be the most appealing aspect of the “goody bag.” I’m happy to report that the Morton Arboretum has upped their game! If I recall correctly, they only had water, bananas, bagels (without cream cheese), and Budweiser beer last year. This year they had water, bananas, delicious mini muffins, and tasty Arbor Oak Amber Ale beer from Lake Effect Brewing Company. For full transparency, I’ll mention that I work part-time as a Beer Rep for the company, but I’d have been excited regardless. It’s really good beer! Furthermore, it’s brewed in collaboration with the arboretum, so that makes it extra special and appropriate for these events. I really, really, really hope the arboretum will have a similar setup at the Fall Color 5K later this year.

snack swag

In short, I had a blast! The weather was great, I was outfitted in all the right gear, and the tasty refreshments at the end encouraged me to finish sooner. Seeing so many small, but positive, changes to this event has me looking forward to what’s in store for the Fall Color 5K and I definitely plan on returning for this race next year. I may never be the first to finish this race, but I’ll give it my best if there’s craft beer as a consolation prize at the end.