Kooky Spooky 10K (Race Recap)

Sunday, October 26

Golden, CO

Weather - Sunny and warm

Ariel had been asking to run a 10K for years. I had been very hesitant to let her sign up for one since she doesn't do much, if any, recreational running. She joined me a few times for run club over the last few months, but other than that, no "training" for this race at all.

She was very excited to go to packet pick-up and get her bib, but was a bit disappointed that there was no "expo" to attend. We picked up our stuff the Friday before at a busy Italian restaurant. Not a great choice for dinner time.

Saturday night she got her clothes ready - Flat Ariel is ready to run!

Race Day

My friends Heather and Dan were super excited for Ariel's race and offered to run with us so we could all motivate her. We didn't get up super early since the race was only about 20 minutes from the house and didn't start until 9:30. We got there with about 45 minutes to spare and got some pictures and used the bathroom.

I knew Ariel was nervous about the distance, and to be honest, so was I. The course is a loop course and it is NOT a flat course. It was unseasonably warm and the sun was beating down on us before we even started running. We lined up just in front of all the strollers and I hoped for the best.

The first mile was a gradual downhill, and was the only mile where A was "happy" and feeling well.

Dan and A

I love Heather's "Top Gun" costume!

Not being a seasoned runner, Ariel was drinking a TON of water because it was so hot. This caught up to her as the miles went on and she got a stomach ache, which made for an unpleasant few miles. Her legs were tired, she was getting discouraged, but we did our best to make it fun for her.

Once we got to some downhill, it was a bit easier to motivate her - mainly, because she wanted to pass people. She did really great the last mile or so - even managed a few smiles for the photographer:

When she could finally see the finish line, she was a bit more motivated. She ran most of the last half mile, and the adults held back so that she could cross the finish line ahead of us. L and Hannah came to the finish line, which made A really happy.

I was pretty disappointed that the announcer screwed up Ariel's finish line announcement. All-Out allows you (when registering) to include a "tidbit" for the announcer to say when you cross the line. He was supposed to say Ariel was finishing her first 10K, but didn't announce it. Kind of a bummer! 

Ariel's Officials

Overall - 223/245

Gender - 153/170

Garmin Time - 1:33:32

Garmin Distance - 6.24 miles

Garmin Pace - 14:59

Mile 1 - 10:37

Mile 2 - 13:43

Mile 3 - 18:49

Mile 4 - 17:20

Mile 5 - 15:14

Mile 6 - 14:53

Mile 6.24 - 12:06

We collected our medals and it was already time to head over to the awards and raffles.

I think Dee, the race director (who knows Ariel pretty well), created the special age group just for her. Regardless, she was pumped to win first place (out of one, she says) in her division. Dee made a really big deal out of the award, which was neat.

Thoughts:

• All-Out really puts on a good event. Ariel has volunteered at 4 races and earned a free entry for a race, and picked this one - which turned out to be a pretty good choice.
• Very clear communication - both in writing before the event and on the event website,
• The courses are very well marked. She runs multiple distances and there is pretty much no way you could screw it up. Plenty of aid stations, all well stocked with water, "electrolyte drink" and 2 of the aid stations had Clif gels (although those were probably intended for the half marathoners).
• The race offers FREE race pictures!! I love free race pictures, and I'm happy that we got a few really good ones.
• All her races now offer separate medals for all three distances, which is also really cool.
• As for Ariel and the race itself, I think she was in over her head for the distance. She normally is fine for the first mile or two, so a 5K with minimal to no training is probably her max for now.
• Overall, it was a pretty fun day, and huge thanks to Dan and Heather for sticking with us on a sunny, hot day. It really made the experience fun for Ariel that her "big friends" were willing to stick with her.

Sand Creek Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Denver, CO
Saturday, July 13
Half Marathon #89
Colorado Half #29
Weather - Warm, Overcast

If you read my recap of the Sand Creek half marathon from last year, you are probably wondering why on earth I signed up for it again. Well, they ran a lot of specials for this race, and L talked me into registering when it was about $35.

I was DREADING this race. If you've been following my races, I have not been enjoying myself, and the only thing that makes running even LESS fun is running alone on a terrible course in the blazing hot. We had been checking the forecast, hoping for a miracle that it would NOT be sunny and in the 90's. All week long, temperatures were already in the 70's by 7:00 am, so we weren't too optimistic.

L had to head to the race straight from work, so I was on my own to get to the start. Reading my recap from last year, I remembered that there wasn't a ton of parking, so even though I wasn't expecting a super crowded event, I didn't want to have to park too far away. I left the house at 5:40, getting there just after 6 to find the lot was already full, however, there was some street parking really close.

Pickup was a breeze, all I had to do was grab the shirt, timing chip and bib. Well I was getting everything ready at the car, L texted to let me know that she was there. The first time we went through the bathroom lines we used the port-o-potties in the parking lot. There were only 3 of them and the line was not moving very fast. After we dropped off L's stuff in my car, we still had almost 20 minutes so we waited in the line for the "real" bathroom. We finished just as the gun was going off, so I started in the very back.

I remember the beginning of the course being a slight uphill and very crowded. I usually need a reminder to start out super slow so that my legs don't cramp up, so that was fine with me. I could only remember where the first few aid stations were, and my goal (as usual) was to try to not walk anything but the aid stations.

I felt pretty decent, and got to the first aid station just before mile 2 without walking. I had taped my IT band, but the tape was already sweating off, so I ripped it off there so it wouldn't annoy me for the rest of the race. It was getting pretty warm already and I kept looking at the sky, hoping the cloud cover would stay.

Between miles 2-3

Made it to the second aid station at mile 3.25 without walking. HURRAY!! I saw L just after the turnaround, which meant she was already pretty far ahead of me. The course was already marked WAY better than last year, so I was happy to see that they had listened and put out really good markers. Thanks!

Around mile 5

Made it through the next couple aid stations without walking, I was feeling decent and it still wasn't super hot. When we headed out around the halfway point, it seemed like the course was different, like we were going backwards from the year before. I had been expecting to head into the shaded area, where the aid station was last year, yet we went to the left instead. Had I looked at the course information, I would have known that we would only be doing one loop around the lake this year and that it would be the opposite direction. I was getting tired and hot and my legs felt heavy. I took my first unplanned walk break of the day, but was pleased I had made it to about mile 7.5 before doing so. Then of course, I saw that the aid station was right at the other side of the lake. Womp. I walked a bit through the aid station, then we ran up on the plateau.

Between miles 7-8

We headed into what was my favorite section of the course last year, the only shaded section of the course!

The only shaded section of the course - around mile 8.5

Photo courtesy of Jason K. Powers Photography

 We left the "lake/tree" area and then headed back out along the street, where I assumed we would be doing another loop. The course changed to have an aid station just past mile 9 (?) and then an out and back section on the sidewalk instead of going back in the reserve. I got to the turnaround point and had been chasing this group of women for miles... someone they had been running with earlier was coming up the hill right as we were coming up on the aid station again. Instead of continuing on, she turned around and ran with them.

WHAT.

I caught up to her and said "You know the turnaround is about a half mile the other way." She smirked and said "oh, really" and just kept running with her friends. Now I know it doesn't "really matter" but I got to the aid station and mentioned to the volunteer that she had cut the course and his comment was "she is only hurting herself." Nice. I made sure to note her bib number.

The rest of the course was heading back through the area we had already run. It was starting to heat up a bit, but it was still gloriously overcast. I made it to just past mile 11 before I took another walk break. My legs were definitely getting tired and I was ready to be done. I took another (lame) walk break less than a half mile before the finish... I did pass a few people in the chute and I was really happy to be done.

Crossed the line and the first thing I did was tell the woman doing the timing about the girl (bib #9515) that cut the course. She said she would let the RD know. If nothing else, she should be disqualified. Apparently, they do not care about cheating as she is still listed in the official results.

I didn't see the medals and had to ask at the finish line where they were. Smallest medal I have ever gotten EVER.

About the size of a quarter! lol

Official Time - 2:35:38
Overall Place - 381/453
Gender Place - 218/276
Division Place - 80/102
MMR Time - 2:35:38
MMR Distance - 13.35 miles
MMR Pace - 11:39
Mile 1 - 11:05
Mile 2 - 11:09
Mile 3 - 11:07
Mile 4 - 11:30
Mile 5 - 10:57
Mile 6 - 11:23
Mile 7 - 11:25
Mile 8 - 12:51
Mile 9 - 11:09
Mile 10 - 12:34
Mile 11 - 11:42
Mile 12 - 12:26
Mile 13 - 11:27
Mile 13.35  - 11:47

There was nothing of interest at the finish area, so we found someone to get our picture (sorry, L, I didn't realize your eyes were closed until after I already cropped/posted).

Thoughts:

• So happy I went into this race with ZERO expectations. The second half didn't go as well as I hoped, but overall it was a fairly solid race for me. 
• The signage was INFINITELY better than last year. Every turn was well-marked and in many cases, there were even signs letting us know which way we would be going ahead. Thumbs up on the change!
• The course change was pretty good too. It was WAY less confusing.
• The shirt is still a cheap unisex shirt. I will not wear it again. 57% of the half marathon finishers were female, which I think justifies gender specific shirts.
• Teeny tiny medal...
• TOO LATE OF A START. 7:00 is way too late. This race should start no later than 6:00. Also, the 10k should not start at the same time, it was way too crowded in the beginning miles. They should start 15-30 minutes later to ease congestion on the course.
• Not enough bathrooms at the start - should have had at least another 2-3 port-o-potties. There were almost 500 half marathoners, plus there were a ton of 10k and 5k participants as well.
• It really is a shame that this event is in the sweltering month of July... if they were able to run it in the fall I think it would be a much better event.

Giving Back - Volunteering at the Spring Fling Half Marathon

L was supposed to be running the Spring Fling half marathon the day I was in Moab. However, due to a foot of snow, the race was postponed. The organizers put out a frantic request on Facebook for volunteers. Due to the rescheduling, spring break AND Easter weekend, they were experiencing a major shortage in help. For a brief moment, I thought about racing. Then changed my mind and signed A and I up to help out instead.

My dad and H decided to join us, and the four of us added to the giant total of 22 volunteers for the race. We arrived at 7:30 and were greeted with donuts and coffee. My dad and H were assigned to the first aid station and A and I were helping with packet pick-up. There were three distances available - 5k, 10k and half marathon. And they all started at different times. Luckily, this eased the congestion of handing out packets.

Due to the shortage of volunteers, it was a bit frustrating when we came across "problems" and there was no one of authority to help. People who say they registered online but they were not on my list was an issue for a few runners. Also, this race required a photo ID to pick up, and probably half the people didn't have one. Then there were all the people that wanted to change distances or use someone else's bib. All issues I have never really thought about when I race. No one got too upset, and everything went pretty smoothly.

Due to the lack of volunteers, there were multiple cautions given to the runners about following the course markings as there were not enough volunteers to be at every possible location - only at places where runner safety might be in jeopardy. Remember, only 22 volunteers, and most of them were at the aid stations or the start/finish line.

The half marathon started at 9:00, the 10K at 9:30 and the 5K at 9:45. This staggered start I'm sure eased congestion on the course, and had people pretty much finishing at the same time.

I was GLAD I had decided not to run. It was the WINDIEST ever. A lot of time was spent trying to make sure things didn't blow away. However, a lot of the canopies had to be taken down because even sand bags zip tied to the legs wouldn't keep them from blowing away. Even the finish line blew down a few times before they finally gave up putting it back up.

We had about 20 minutes of prep time before the runners started finishing. A and I were also in charge of handing out finisher medals:

All runners would get a medal, regardless of the distance they were running. This was a smaller race, and for most of the runners, they did special announcements (I'm assuming there was a section for "about me" information during the registration process). For many, this was their first race. Awesome to see so many "first timers."

A few runners claimed they "didn't know it was the finish line." Well, I know the finish line sign blew down, but the neon green chute and canopy at the end should have been a hint.

Most runners do NOT want you to put the medal around your neck. Probably helpful to A since she is so small. Also, runners are sweaty, sweaty, sweaty. Further amazement at the Disney characters that ACTUALLY TOUCH RUNNERS. ON PURPOSE. Ew.

A few runners refused their medal. Adamantly. Interesting.

And, a few runners were MAD. I got screamed at by a decent number of half marathoners that got lost on the course and ended up running extra distances. I know I was the first person they saw across the line, but it was frustrating for me. By this time, I had already been out there for HOURS. Gives a whole new appreciation to runners, especially those at the bigger events that deal with WAY more runners. So, just try to be nice to volunteers, remember, they are doing this for FREE.

Overall, I had a pretty fun day, and I will of course volunteer again when I have the opportunity. If you haven't had a chance to do so yet, please do, most runners are very appreciative of the efforts you put in! I enjoyed my free burritos, coffee, donuts AND, thanks to the postponement, all bananas from the prior week became the most delicious banana bread EVER.

(This race offered FREE race pictures, which is how I have so many of me and A to share. There are probably 30 more of us that I'm not posting. Running Guru is the BEST!!)