Monday's Featured 5k of the Week - Muddy Monk's I Heart Momma

The weekend after Mother's Day, Muddy Monk hosts the "I Heart Momma" Trail Races.  The logo is that Mother's are so great, why only appreciate them for one week - but rather, keep celebrating them!

The event consists of 3 races.

1) A 5-mile trail race.  Typical of Muddy Monk these are fun trails (which translates into challenging).  But the cool thing about a Muddy Monk event, even though the trails are difficult, it's all about having fun at every skill level  Novice or pro, fast or slow, this run is for anybody.
2) A 5k paved bike trail race.  This is 95% on paved bike trails through the woods.  Though not filled with roots and logs and streams and sticks to deal with, it is a trail in a forest - which means lots of elevation changes.  This is the race I ran and will be covering in this article.
3) A 1-mile kids race.  This is one-mile primarily through the trails.  This event occurs after the conclusion of other races and is always quite a contested event by the runners.  Also a great photo-op for the parents.

The 5k paved bike trail race is 95% - maybe 99% on a paved bike trail which winds through the woods.  It has at least 3 hills and is an out-and-back course, so that becomes 6 hills.  With the final hill leading up to and across the finish line.  Nothing like finishing a race with a relatively steep incline to give that "I'm working hard" finish line photo.  Of course that does mean the race starts on a rather steep downhill.

The finish line is right near the parking lot/pavilion and is actually on the grass.  Runners start with a downhill run which immediately funnels into a single-wide prairie trail with a 90-degree turn into another single-wide prairie trail.  This is not for very long, it can be measured in yards.  But, for those running for placement and time - a good jump here is critical.  Being a single-wide this can slow the start significantly - lots of early passes in this short section to give some runners a lead that would be difficult to catch.  After this very short time on prairie grass, the course enters a paved bike path with plenty of room for passing (and side-by-side running for those who run together).  The path continues downhill for a while before it starts heading back uphill - and it seems as though it heads uphill forever.  Some courses have uphill/downhill uphill/downhill.  This uphill seemed to be a 1/2 mile long.  It flattens out, and then approaching the turnaround - it's back uphill again.

After the turnaround it's a downhill - and this adds to the fun, as runners on the way back, cruising a downhill are free to give encouragement to those still climbing to the turnaround.  A little "almost there" and "you got this" from the leaders is always welcome and provides that needed boost.  Now, that 1/2 mile uphill becomes the 1/2 mile downhill - which is also thoroughly enjoyed.  At some point there is a wooden plank bridge that is crossed too, just to add to the scenery.  The race finishes uphill and the final few yards uphill on prairie grass.  Near the end of the race, that grass is more difficult than it might look!

As always, the Muddy Monk races are fun - and they do end with optional beer provided by Pipeworks Brewery.   There is also an optional Chicago Dog (or Vegan Dog) at the end served from an actual food truck.

And, as always, Muddy Monk photos are usually posted within a few days and are free of charge for downloading.   Race Results are also posted within a day or two as well.

Proceeds benefit the Illinois Chapter of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association.

Official Website : www.muddymonk.com