Because I’ve been bad about keeping up with my races, here’s two to catch me up.
Turkey Trot
This one is one of the largest Thanksgiving Day races in the nation (so I’m told). This year was no different with approximately 4,000 folks braving the cold for a 5 mile(ish) race. It’s an out and back and the last ¾ of a mile is uphill and typically into a brisk November wind! The race never really starts on time so it’s a 9ish beginning. The interesting thing about this event is nobody really lines up properly so you’ll have some of the faster runners in the back and some walker in the front. We started about mid-pack and found ourselves dodging people for most of the first few miles. Early on, I realized the colder weather gear I had on was too much and I peeled off the top layer at the first water stop. I immediately felt more comfortable and once I hit the halfway point, I increased my pace. I hit the final water stop and made the right hand turn to home where I was greeted by that wonderful headwind. Because I’m not the most wind resistant person, I struggled up the hill and actually stopped to put on the layer I’d taken off some 2 miles ago. I crossed the tape (I think) yet again without winning a pie. I checked the watch and I ran about 10 seconds slower than I wanted to but based on the maneuvering around the walkers and having to stop for equipment issues, I was pretty pleased.
…and then I ate turkey!
Tour de Ashland Half Marathon
Jim Miller and I drove up to Ashland the morning of the race and were greeted by a windy mid-teens degree overcast day. I had been sick most of the week but decided to go for it anyway. About 130 or so runners braved the cold for this jaunt through the streets of Ashland. The course and weather made for a challenging day! The 5k started just in front of the half marathon and it wasn’t long until we were passing some of the 5k racers. At the first water stop I didn’t feel that cold anymore and continued cranking at a relatively consistent pace. When the 5k racers peeled off at mile 3 I began to feel pretty alone. As we made a turn I looked back and didn’t see anyone so I assumed there were people way behind. The 10k mark was met by me having to stop for a traffic light and lose about 60-90 seconds while I waited. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever had to wait for a traffic light while in a race. I wasn’t too concerned because my pace wasn’t that slow (for me anyway). I hit the relay transition made a right turn and began to wonder if there actually was anyone behind me. By the 15k mark, I felt completely alone except to see a few people what seemed to be 3 or so minutes ahead of me. I hit the 10 mile mark about 2-3 minutes behind where I expected but wasn’t too terribly disappointed due to the weather and hills on the course. It was about this time the police truck pulled up beside me. I asked if I was last and he replied with a yes. I couldn’t actually believe it because at most races of that length, there would be quite a few people behind me. I actually laughed and he said he’d be my escort through any stop signs, traffic signals and anything else for the rest of the way. Unfortunately the hills took a toll on my legs and I got my first cramp around mile 11. Then it started to snow pretty hard. The people who were in front of me started to get bigger so I knew despite being a little chilly and cramped, I was catching them. I had closed to about 200 yards by the finish and decided I could sprint and hope to catch them or just ease in and relax. Because I wasn’t really racing this one, I chose the latter and finished about a minute or so behind the person in front of me. Fortunately I still got a medal!!
The trip home was very eventful due to the deteriorating conditions from the snow. We saw a few semi’s and 5th wheel campers upside down due to the slippery roads. Fortunately we slowed down even more and made it home safely.
All in all, this one wasn’t a bad race but if you’re 2:20 or so half marathoner, be prepared to spend quite a bit of time alone. Definitely a good race if you’re looking for hills!
Turkey Trot
This one is one of the largest Thanksgiving Day races in the nation (so I’m told). This year was no different with approximately 4,000 folks braving the cold for a 5 mile(ish) race. It’s an out and back and the last ¾ of a mile is uphill and typically into a brisk November wind! The race never really starts on time so it’s a 9ish beginning. The interesting thing about this event is nobody really lines up properly so you’ll have some of the faster runners in the back and some walker in the front. We started about mid-pack and found ourselves dodging people for most of the first few miles. Early on, I realized the colder weather gear I had on was too much and I peeled off the top layer at the first water stop. I immediately felt more comfortable and once I hit the halfway point, I increased my pace. I hit the final water stop and made the right hand turn to home where I was greeted by that wonderful headwind. Because I’m not the most wind resistant person, I struggled up the hill and actually stopped to put on the layer I’d taken off some 2 miles ago. I crossed the tape (I think) yet again without winning a pie. I checked the watch and I ran about 10 seconds slower than I wanted to but based on the maneuvering around the walkers and having to stop for equipment issues, I was pretty pleased.
…and then I ate turkey!
Tour de Ashland Half Marathon
Jim Miller and I drove up to Ashland the morning of the race and were greeted by a windy mid-teens degree overcast day. I had been sick most of the week but decided to go for it anyway. About 130 or so runners braved the cold for this jaunt through the streets of Ashland. The course and weather made for a challenging day! The 5k started just in front of the half marathon and it wasn’t long until we were passing some of the 5k racers. At the first water stop I didn’t feel that cold anymore and continued cranking at a relatively consistent pace. When the 5k racers peeled off at mile 3 I began to feel pretty alone. As we made a turn I looked back and didn’t see anyone so I assumed there were people way behind. The 10k mark was met by me having to stop for a traffic light and lose about 60-90 seconds while I waited. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever had to wait for a traffic light while in a race. I wasn’t too concerned because my pace wasn’t that slow (for me anyway). I hit the relay transition made a right turn and began to wonder if there actually was anyone behind me. By the 15k mark, I felt completely alone except to see a few people what seemed to be 3 or so minutes ahead of me. I hit the 10 mile mark about 2-3 minutes behind where I expected but wasn’t too terribly disappointed due to the weather and hills on the course. It was about this time the police truck pulled up beside me. I asked if I was last and he replied with a yes. I couldn’t actually believe it because at most races of that length, there would be quite a few people behind me. I actually laughed and he said he’d be my escort through any stop signs, traffic signals and anything else for the rest of the way. Unfortunately the hills took a toll on my legs and I got my first cramp around mile 11. Then it started to snow pretty hard. The people who were in front of me started to get bigger so I knew despite being a little chilly and cramped, I was catching them. I had closed to about 200 yards by the finish and decided I could sprint and hope to catch them or just ease in and relax. Because I wasn’t really racing this one, I chose the latter and finished about a minute or so behind the person in front of me. Fortunately I still got a medal!!
The trip home was very eventful due to the deteriorating conditions from the snow. We saw a few semi’s and 5th wheel campers upside down due to the slippery roads. Fortunately we slowed down even more and made it home safely.
All in all, this one wasn’t a bad race but if you’re 2:20 or so half marathoner, be prepared to spend quite a bit of time alone. Definitely a good race if you’re looking for hills!
Up next…. White Rock Half Marathon in Dallas
