Pounding the Pavement: 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