Race Review - Ole Bohn's Viking Winter Dash

I was pretty excited for this race.  Not only because it was going to be my attempt at the longest distance to date but that is was going to be 65 degrees - in February!

The race was a trail run at a state park over 2 hours away.  We headed out early.  It was already a nice day and we were excited.

Once there, we got our packets and took them back to the vehicle.  We waited with our group and soon it was time to line up.  Matt and I were doing the 15k (a little over 9 miles) and our friend, Missy, was doing the 5K (3.1 miles).  She was just getting over pneumonia but she ran the race like a trooper!

We climbed a monster hill to start and all I could think was we would have to go UP that hill at the end!  It was a cannon start - again, these startle the snot out of me.  And we were off!  It was a rutty trail due to horses and it was muddy.  But I was prepared with my mud shoes.

I really enjoy trail runs, more so than pavement.  The scenery is nice and I can just get lost in my own thoughts.  I was plugging along at a good pace and felt pretty good.  We got to the 5K turn around and the volunteer said everyone had to go around the turnaround.  So I did. Then I was confused.  There was a sign for the 10K but not 15.  So I asked the volunteer which directions I needed to go for the 15K and he pointed back the way I had came.  So I took off, still feeling like a rockstar.

I passed Matt and Missy.  I figured there was a turn off somewhere for the 15K.  It was when I didn't see anyone in front of me that I realized there had been a big mistake.  I was going back as if I was running the 5K.  I quickly turned around and ran BACK.  Once I got to the 5k turnaround again....they said I had to go around it in which I replied (in rather irritable tone) I already ran it and you told me to go the wrong way!

I caught up to Matt and looked at my running watch and realized I had ran almost a mile and a half MORE than I should have.  I was so upset.  I had a moment that I just wanted to quit.  I with unashamedly admit that I cried once I was walking by myself.  I wanted to quit....I walked....I had no desire to run any more.  Seems silly to some, I am sure.  But I had a goal to run my first 15k in under 2 hours.  I wanted to just be a beast and smash the 9 miles.  I was so upset that I had been turned around and that goal wasn't going to happen.

I was making such good time and now I was almost last.  Then when other 10k and 15k runners were coming back (it was an out and back) they would say encouragement like - good job, or keep going.  While I tried to be positive, it just made me even more upset.  This wasn't me.  I was better than this.  I am not saying there is anything wrong with being the back of the pack...or walking.  But, for me, that isn't who I am and I was so angry.

After shooting myself in the foot, so to speak, and walking about a mile in anger and self-pity, I sucked it up and got my feet moving.  I ran and continued to the 15k turn around and then ran back.  One the way back, the course was not marked clearly and, again, I passed a turn and ran about 100 yards and realized quickly I was not going the right way!  I kept going.  My feet were hurting due to blisters and my legs were jell-o.  But the sun was shining and the weather was PERFECT.

I reached the monster hill and pushed myself and made it up it and across the finish line.  I ended up running 10.5 miles instead of the 9.  While I am bitter about it (because I am pretty sure I would have placed), I can't help but be proud of myself for running 10.5 miles!!!  I couldn't even run for a minute straight less than 2 years ago! 

Our group got the award for largest group (80 of us there) and several of them won awards.  I waited for Matt and then we took off shortly after to get some food.


So, the review of the event Ole Bohn's Viking Winter Dash:
Terrain - trails, muddy with ruts, some pavement and gravel
Organization - Organized nicely but volunteers were horrible, several people got turned around or told the wrong directions, numerous people (including Matt) weren't even on the results page.
Cost - not sure
Time of Race - 11:00am
Overall - it was a nice trail but not pleased with volunteers
Award - participation medal shaped like a sword, drinking glass
My Time 2 hours, 20 seconds (15K)
Race #7

Earned this medal

Cornfed won largest group!

Mark and Matt crossing the finish line!

Crossing the finish line

Race Review - Sweetheart Scoot

It was Valentine's weekend so Matt and I did two races.  We did the Run 4 Love (in another post) and then we did this one the next day.

It was cold, but not nearly as cold as the previous day!  We got there and it was in a park area.  Parking was fairly easy.  We got our packets and went back to the vehicle to sit in the warm for a little bit.

Once it was race time, we headed to the start line.  They explained the entire course, which was very confusing.  Thankfully they had the course marked and volunteers along the way.

It was a canon start, which scared the crud out of me. And we were off.  My legs were protesting.  I would rather run two races in the same day than run one on one day and one on the following.  I was slow and sluggish.

There were some hills that I just had to stop and walk up then start running again.  My legs felt like jell-o for some reason.  It was probably due to, not only running the day before, but the cold as well.  The race was through a park so it was a nice run. 

At the end, women got a rose and men got a carnation; everyone got a medal  and Gigi's cupcakes!  Yup!  They were delicious and I ate mine in record time!

I headed back to the vehicle to start it and take my stuff there and by the time I got back, Matt was already crossing the finish line!  Way to go, Matt!  He was only about 5 minutes behind me!  Great job!

So, the review of the event Sweetheart Scoot 5k Run:
Terrain - predominately pavement through a park, some hills
Organization - Nothing to really brag about, typical 5k
Cost - $25 per person
Time of Race - 9:00am
Overall - it was okay, normal 5k, loved the cupcake at the end
Award - participation medal
My Time 31 min and 40 seconds
Race #6

My favorite running buddy

Race swag

Race Review - Run 4 Love

Aw man was it COLD!   The wind chills registered at 12 below.  Why do we do this, again?

This was a typical 5K.  At least this one had a warm building we could wait in with bathrooms and no porta-pots!  Yay!

Our group picked up our packets for us, so once we found them we put on our bibs and waited for the race to start.  It was so cold my face hurt.

The race started and off we went.  No bells and whistles, really.  It was a nice, fairly flat course.  About half way through, I caught another Cornfed out of the corner of my eye (my running group).  I was determined not to let him pass me.  I kept pushing and, sure enough, I crossed the line before he did.  At the finish line, they were giving out chocolate (yum) and we got a participation medal.  They also had water, fruit, granola bars and yummy brownies on a stick. 

The guys I wouldn't let pass me came up to me and thanked me for making him push himself harder.  He had surgery last summer and this was his first race since.  While I was just trying to be competitive and not have him pass me, he was using me as motivation.  That made me feel pretty good.  He asked if he could get a picture with me...how could I say no?

Matt walked with the group so I waited for about 30 minutes at the finish line.  Did I mention it was cold?  My thighs were so cold I was pretty sure they were going to get frostbite.  It was to the point they hurt.  And after several minutes, I started to get chilled from the sweat and my body regulating back to it's temperature.  But I waited for them.  I was never so happy to see Matt in my life, I don't think!

So, the review of the event Run 4 Love 5k Run:
Terrain - predominately road, flat and easy
Organization - Organized fairly well
Cost - $25 per person
Time of Race - 10:00am
Overall - it was good, typically 5k, great snacks and nice shirt - cold!
Award - participation medal
My Time 28min 34sec
Race #5

The group who braved the cold

Frozen

My motivation for this race

Race Review - Abominable Snow Race

An obstacle run in the cold and snow?  And we pay for this?

We decided to drive up Friday night and spend the night since it was about 2 hours away and the race was early in the morning. 

We had no idea what to expect.  It was cold but not brutally so.  I layered up with my underarmor and top layers - 4 layers in all.  Laced up my mud shoes and we were off.  We had to pay $10 for parking and take a bus to the location. With the cost of the race, which was higher than most races, I thought paying for parking as over kill.  Regardless, we paid and hopped on the bus.

We got there, got our packet and bag checked it which was nice that we didn't have to carry it around.  Meeting up with some of our group, we waited for our time.  Soon, we headed into the corral and we were soon off. 

It didn't take long to realize this race was NOT going to be for time.  The trail was nothing but a sheet of ice and the mud shoes might be perfect for mud but didn't do squat for the snow and ice.

We ran up a bank of snow then headed towards tires.  There were numerous obstacles but most seemed clustered in an open area.  Which is okay but we walked a long time on a trail that had nothing.  Apparently it was a park and they didn't want any obstacles on the trails. 

Many people ran past us and I had no idea how that was even possible!  It was then that I wished I had worn my yak traks!  We slipped and slid our way along.  I prayed I just didn't wipe out!

Some obstacles were easy and there were some that were new, that I had never seen before.  Then there were a couple that I looked at and said "nope".  I know my limits and I wasn't going to prove anything to anyone by hurting myself.

My favorite was the inner tube that you got on and went down a hill.  Childish, yes.  Challenging, no....but fun!

Then we crossed the finish line, grabbed a medal, snagged some fruit and gave our beer tickets away (we don't drink).

This was the first race they had done like this.  And while it was different, I am not sure the price was worth it.  The race director did stop and chat with us and ask for some feedback, which we honestly gave.

On our way back to the bus, we saw the abominable so of course we had to get a pic!

So, the review of the event Abominable Snow Run:
Terrain - some trails, some open area - very VERY icy!
Organization - Organized fairly well for a first race
Cost - $50 per person/ early bird price
Time of Race - 10:00am
Overall - it was okay, I wasn't too impressed but good for a first time. 
Award -cool  participation medal
My Time Not sure, didn't run for time
Race # 4

The Abominable and us

Cold and Icy

Obstacle