Today I ran my 3rd half in 3 months. Nine more in the next nine months.
This one - the inaugural Middle Park Half Marathon in Grandby Colorado was a challenge to put it lightly. The course description says there is over a 500 foot change in elevation from start to finish, but runners actually run up hill much more that 500+ feet due to the "rolling" hills along the course. The good thing is the big hills are at the start of the race and I am happy to report that was not the only one walking up the monster ones. I even managed to pass a woman from Denver, so my little Wisconsin lungs held their own! The majority of the course was on dirt roads which had me a bit worried about getting stones in my shoes, but no worries. The rain the night before settled the small looses stuff so it actually was a nice running surface. The weather was perfect. 50 degrees at start and the cloud cover stayed so no intense high elevation sun. And thankfully a light wind.
I ended up running a 2:18:38 which I am very happy with considering the course. In addition to walking the hills, I also stopped and took couple of pictures. And I didn't come in last! I actually finished 56th out of 85. Usually I am into 50% but I think this course drew more of the serious runners. They said that women out numbered men 3:1 and I am sure most were in my age group!
Overall it was a nice small town half. Cheerful volunteers and fairly well organized.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Half #3 - Middle Park Half Marathon.
Today I ran my 3rd half in 3 months. Nine more in the next nine months.
This one - the inaugural Middle Park Half Marathon in Grandby Colorado was a challenge to put it lightly. The course description says there is over a 500 foot change in elevation from start to finish, but runners actually run up hill much more that 500+ feet due to the "rolling" hills along the course. The good thing is the big hills are at the start of the race and I am happy to report that was not the only one walking up the monster ones. I even managed to pass a woman from Denver, so my little Wisconsin lungs held their own! The majority of the course was on dirt roads which had me a bit worried about getting stones in my shoes, but no worries. The rain the night before settled the small looses stuff so it actually was a nice running surface. The weather was perfect. 50 degrees at start and the cloud cover stayed so no intense high elevation sun. And thankfully a light wind.
I ended up running a 2:18:38 which I am very happy with considering the course. In addition to walking the hills, I also stopped and took couple of pictures. And I didn't come in last! I actually finished 56th out of 85. Usually I am into 50% but I think this course drew more of the serious runners. They said that women out numbered men 3:1 and I am sure most were in my age group!
Overall it was a nice small town half. Cheerful volunteers and fairly well organized.
This one - the inaugural Middle Park Half Marathon in Grandby Colorado was a challenge to put it lightly. The course description says there is over a 500 foot change in elevation from start to finish, but runners actually run up hill much more that 500+ feet due to the "rolling" hills along the course. The good thing is the big hills are at the start of the race and I am happy to report that was not the only one walking up the monster ones. I even managed to pass a woman from Denver, so my little Wisconsin lungs held their own! The majority of the course was on dirt roads which had me a bit worried about getting stones in my shoes, but no worries. The rain the night before settled the small looses stuff so it actually was a nice running surface. The weather was perfect. 50 degrees at start and the cloud cover stayed so no intense high elevation sun. And thankfully a light wind.
I ended up running a 2:18:38 which I am very happy with considering the course. In addition to walking the hills, I also stopped and took couple of pictures. And I didn't come in last! I actually finished 56th out of 85. Usually I am into 50% but I think this course drew more of the serious runners. They said that women out numbered men 3:1 and I am sure most were in my age group!
Overall it was a nice small town half. Cheerful volunteers and fairly well organized.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Is it good or bad?
So, earlier today I got an email from the race director and I am not sure if it is good or bad. See what you think.
The most relevant sentence is, "You are members of a select group because this year's field is looking pretty darn small.". He happened to send out the test email by mistake so I was able to count how many people he sent it to------55. Now, my first thought was, "Cool! I might have a chance to place! (although past experience has shown that my age group usually has the most participants and they are all fast). Then after remembering that I am in Colorado where everyone seems to be either running, road biking or mountain biking and the fact that a half marathon with a starting line at 7900 elevation and the elevation chart for the course looks like a mountain I realized that it probably is not going to be a race that newbies jump at. SO, my second thought was, "Crap! What if I come in last!" So much for the 'fun run' attitude I was going to embody for this race.
The good news is that the email told me I would be getting a hoodie and a hat! A hoodie is a first! However, no finishing medals due to a mix up with the supplier. Probably the real reason is that they only come in quantities of 100!
The most relevant sentence is, "You are members of a select group because this year's field is looking pretty darn small.". He happened to send out the test email by mistake so I was able to count how many people he sent it to------55. Now, my first thought was, "Cool! I might have a chance to place! (although past experience has shown that my age group usually has the most participants and they are all fast). Then after remembering that I am in Colorado where everyone seems to be either running, road biking or mountain biking and the fact that a half marathon with a starting line at 7900 elevation and the elevation chart for the course looks like a mountain I realized that it probably is not going to be a race that newbies jump at. SO, my second thought was, "Crap! What if I come in last!" So much for the 'fun run' attitude I was going to embody for this race.
The good news is that the email told me I would be getting a hoodie and a hat! A hoodie is a first! However, no finishing medals due to a mix up with the supplier. Probably the real reason is that they only come in quantities of 100!
Monday, July 4, 2011
A bit concerned
First - please excuse any typos since I am typing this on my iPad.
On with the post..... As many of you know, I am on a quest to complete 12 half marathons in 12 months. This month will be number 3 and will be in Granby, Colorado. Why Colorado? Well after doing the hilly Minneapolis half marathon in very warm weather, I was not looking forward to my scheduled July half in Black River Falls. That half is known to be very challenging due to hills and any race in Wisconsin in July is destined to be hot and humid.
So, since we were headed to Colorado on a family vacation in July, I thought I would see if there were any halfs in the area we would be in. Sure enough... The inaugural running of the Middle Park Half was within 20 miles of where we were going and half way through the vacation, so hopefully I would have acclimated to the elevation a little bit.
Now why I thought a race in Colorado would not be hilly is beyond me! If you want to see how hilly the course is so you can laugh at my pending misery, you can click here
Believe it or not, the significant change in elevation is not what has me concerned. Instead it is that despite an exhaustive Internet search, I could not find the answers to my basic questions. Those who know me are probably thinking, "Yeah right! Allison's 'basic' questions are probably along the lines of, 'What is the exact elevation change between each mile?' or 'What will the beer selection at the post race party be?". Well, in desperation I finally sent the race organizer an email with my questions (See! I was able to find his email - EASILY). So I am able to show you how BASIC my questions are:
1. Is there race packet pick up on Friday? If so, where? If not, where on Saturday?
2. Where is the start and where should we park? (the parking webpage is blank)
3. Is energy gel being handed out? If so, what kind and at what mile?
4. What miles are the aid/water stations?
Pretty basic - right? Yikes! Now, the next question is whether or not I will get a response! If not, it will make me think I had better come prepared to completely support myself (Gu and H2O) for the entire 13.1 miles - assuming of course the race actually takes place!
Well, I will let you know how it goes!
Update: my questions have been answered!
On with the post..... As many of you know, I am on a quest to complete 12 half marathons in 12 months. This month will be number 3 and will be in Granby, Colorado. Why Colorado? Well after doing the hilly Minneapolis half marathon in very warm weather, I was not looking forward to my scheduled July half in Black River Falls. That half is known to be very challenging due to hills and any race in Wisconsin in July is destined to be hot and humid.
So, since we were headed to Colorado on a family vacation in July, I thought I would see if there were any halfs in the area we would be in. Sure enough... The inaugural running of the Middle Park Half was within 20 miles of where we were going and half way through the vacation, so hopefully I would have acclimated to the elevation a little bit.
Now why I thought a race in Colorado would not be hilly is beyond me! If you want to see how hilly the course is so you can laugh at my pending misery, you can click here
Believe it or not, the significant change in elevation is not what has me concerned. Instead it is that despite an exhaustive Internet search, I could not find the answers to my basic questions. Those who know me are probably thinking, "Yeah right! Allison's 'basic' questions are probably along the lines of, 'What is the exact elevation change between each mile?' or 'What will the beer selection at the post race party be?". Well, in desperation I finally sent the race organizer an email with my questions (See! I was able to find his email - EASILY). So I am able to show you how BASIC my questions are:
1. Is there race packet pick up on Friday? If so, where? If not, where on Saturday?
2. Where is the start and where should we park? (the parking webpage is blank)
3. Is energy gel being handed out? If so, what kind and at what mile?
4. What miles are the aid/water stations?
Pretty basic - right? Yikes! Now, the next question is whether or not I will get a response! If not, it will make me think I had better come prepared to completely support myself (Gu and H2O) for the entire 13.1 miles - assuming of course the race actually takes place!
Well, I will let you know how it goes!
Update: my questions have been answered!
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