Fog Run 10k (44:26)

The Fog Run 10k in Bakersfield was my first race back since falling in November. My fall led to 4 weeks off from running. I had no goals going into the Fog Run 10k except to start and finish healthy. I was excited to race again and that there was a “local” race only 75 minutes from my house.

About the Fog Run 10k:

The Fog Run takes place just outside of Bakersfield at Lake Ming. There is plenty of parking, and even though we got there at 7:20 (for an 8 am start), we didn’t have any issues finding space. The 10k is challenging and is mainly run on grass and trails. The 5k runs on a paved path that basically goes out and back.

My experience at the Fog Run 10k:

I knew from the website that the 10k went around Lake Ming. I assumed that meant paved path. There wasn’t a lot of information to say otherwise! The Fog Run 5k was on a mostly paved path, but the Fog Run 10k was on grass and dirt. In fact, it was closer to a cross country race than a road race.

There are some trails you can “run fast,” and others have a lot of rocks, mud, and uneven terrain. This was the latter. There were also some challenging hills which made for a tough race back…but I did achieve my goal to start and finish the Fog Run 10k healthy.

Anyway, Bakersfield is about 75 minutes, and the drive was uneventful. In fact, it was actually fairly foggy going up. We got to the race slightly later than I hoped, but I still had time to run about 2 miles to warm up. The warm-up provided me with the insight that the race would be hillier than anticipated.

We stood at the Fog Run 10k, and the race director, out of nowhere, said, “go.” To be honest, it didn’t 100% register with me, and off we went. The first mile was flat and on paved trails. I ran a 6:35. I thought: wow, that was probably way too fast, but I didn’t feel bad. The next few miles got challenging.

Just after the first mile of the Fog Run 10k, we went up to our first hill. It was rough, and I felt out of shape. I wondered how I would be able to make it 5 more miles. I kept hoping for more downhill.

The downhills on the Fog Run 10k were not easy since they went over dirt, and gravel. It meant we needed to watch our footing. I didn’t fall, which seemed like a plus.

During the third mile of the Fog Run 10k, I ran with another male. It was nice not to be alone, and we ran a 7:14.

The second half of the course went on the same route as the Fog Run 5k. We headed down a parallel to the lakefront path. I wouldn’t be surprised if they used that trail for cross country races because the terrain was uneven, and there wasn’t a clear path. There were some parts we were just running on grass. The ground was wet, so I just did my best not to fall. I was tired, which I anticipated after not doing anything hard for six weeks.

At mile four of the Fog Run 10k, we began catching 5kers. I never love when races use the same course because it makes it unpleasant for everyone. I found myself weaving around and using energy I didn’t have.

I hit mile 5 in 7:17 and was tired (seems like a theme). The uneven terrain and just the fact of running hard had gotten to me. I kept telling myself just one mile to go. We were running in a headwind, and we could see the Fog Run 10k finish a mile away. I just kept plugging along.

I crossed the Fog Run 10k finish in 44:26 and as one of my slowest 10ks ever, but I was happy to finish a race healthy. I enjoyed the Fog Run 10k, but it wasn’t what I expected. There is a lot more grass and cross country style course. Plus, it’s not that flat. But it made for a fun first race back.