Loch Ness Marathon

26.2

I can officially post the bumper sticker, wear the t-shirt, and bore my friends to death with details.  Hip, hip, hooray!

This was one cool race!  I traveled to Edinburgh Scotland with a friend (her dream trip, my first trip outside the U.S.A) and then on to Drumnadrochit  for the race in Inverness.  The Northern Highlands are beyond words.  Breathtaking to say the least.  The starting point was the middle of nowhere, officially listed as 'between Fort Augustus and Foyers'.  Google it.

View of Highlands and Loch Ness

We were running along the Loch Ness River (No, we didn't see Nessie but we heard someone say someone did at some point during the race).  It's a one direction course meaning the START and FINISH are 26.2 miles apart.  THERE IS NO TURNING BACK. Go strong or Go home.  

Several wound up on the bus before we hit the halfway point.  A charter bus rides the entire route in a more or less 'vulture mode' waiting to pick up the fallen.  I know it's a necessary thing but it's a BUS for crying out loud!  Some ruined their IT bands, others tore muscles on the initial 9 miles of sharp downhills mingled with mild uphills.  I feel sorry for the injured solely because of the injury but they did not miss a thing as far as the views go.  They rode in a very luxurious charter bus for over 6 hrs and got the very best of the scenery.

Just under 2700 runners finished the Marathon.  There were no finishers at or near the 8 hour cutoff including myself. The last runners in were at 7:32:05 with 36 persons listed as DNF (did not finish).  

Results:  Click here

Our goal (my friend paced me) was to finish under 6.5 hours.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.  With an average pace of 14:51 I finished my very first marathon...

CHIP TIME:  06:29:21

Post Race Photo

The course is listed as flat and downhill.  On a graph, it looks extremely downhill.  As far as actual altitude goes I'm sure it is.  Your glutes will sing a different song though.  

The elevation climb for this route is over 1800 feet and you will know it.  The first 9 miles give you your best splits.  The last 4 miles are relatively flat.  What happens in between is a real workout.  I learned a lot about running on this course.  A WHOLE LOT.  The DNF numbers prove this isn't for amateurs.

 Downhill my eye!!

• Always check temps for START location (not finish).  We were not prepared for the colder temperature on the mountain top
•  Always bring your own hydration and fuel.  This course ran out of fuel bars / gel after Mile 6.  It would be Mile 20 before we encountered another supply station that hadn't emptied out.  I hit "the wall" at Mile 9 and begged a gel pack off a DNF runner on the bus.  God bless his generous heart!
• Hydration is only one part of preparedness in a marathon.  At no point during my run was I ever under or over hydrated.  It was fuel that was doing a number on me. KNOW what fuels (electrolytes, etc) work for you and take them along.  Better to have them than not.
•  Always charge your Garmin fully the night before.  Lost battery at mile 21.  I have no accurate splits after that.  This race only puts out mile marker signs, no extra timing mats for splits and no photographers except at the Finish
•  If you're a run/walker and are trying to avoid the 8 hour cutoff, remember that the cutoff is based on GUN TIME not CHIP TIME, meaning if you finish at 7:57:42 you will get a DNF with no official time.  It took us exactly 6 minutes once the gun went off to reach the START line and we were in the 4 Hr group, others were still behind us.
• Know your running shoes.  They will all feel uncomfortable after 3 or 4 hours no matter how much gel or cushion.  If they are undersized, you will know it on the downhills and hate yourself for it.  I wear a Women's size 10 in regular shoes but wear an 11 for running. A local running shop calculated my gait and running style and moved me into a Men's size 10.  I disliked the longer length but loved the width.  Around Mile 10 while running downward and feeling my feet move forward with the decline and NOT hitting the end of the shoe... I just LOVED the little girl that sold me these shoes!  Get fit for your shoes... don't guess.
• Dress for the run.  Wear something that absolutely will not chafe you.  Although my sweat was limited due to the constant breeze, I was moving longer and farther than normal.  Loving my Brooks waffle technical weave shirt (Gasparilla race in Tampa) and well fitting compression shorts, not too tight, not too loose.

The race organizers of this event do an incredible job.  There is an Expo, located at Bught Park in Inverness - same location as the Finish Line and it's all in tents on a grass field.  Ample free parking.  Charter buses to shuttle runners to the Start Line and buses that will drop runners off post race. They offer a free post race meal (keep your tickets) and sell a wonderful carb loading meal pre-race. 

ALL SWAGGER MUST BE EARNED.  These Scots are serious about their races.  The winners, male and female, of this event receive National Titles thus all shirts, medals, goodie bags, etc are given out AFTER you cross the Finish Line. NO EXCEPTIONS.  You must earn it.  Volunteers meet you along the Finish Coral with shirts, bags, bananas and water.  Again, a great setup. Gear Check is handled by truck pre-race at the Start Line, post-race on the park field.  Works quite well, lots of friendly volunteers.

 

 Finish Line Coral during Expo

Speaking of pre-race... I'm going to digress and go "All American" here and talk about the different culture I was in.  I have never ever seen as much public... errrrr... relieving of oneself (both male and female) as I did at the start of this race.  Mind you, there were ample 'Portaloos' and the line moved very quickly but no one thinks much of taking a 'public piss' or walking behind a bush.  Men simply stepped 10 or 15 feet off the roadway, turned their backs to you and rained on the scenery. No one laughed, called out obscenities or took pictures.

We watched hundreds of runners (solely a personal choice) walk behind the nearest tree and 'take care of business'.  There was no 'gents to the right, ladies to the left'.  It was a 'find your own tree' deal and no one minded who passed by whom. The entrance and exit areas were all the same so you know they were passing others as they sought their own 'spot'.  Even the charter bus had a toilet, center of bus, with no enclosure.  Just how it was.  At the Expo, one young man was being measured (and by young I mean 30'ish) for winter leggings and he simply dropped his pants, stood there in his gray boxer style underpants.  No one stared. No one cared.  Just wasn't a big deal to them.  There are public toilets just like in the U.S. everywhere.  Mens. Ladies. With doors and privacy.  This was just in a remote area but it was not by any means 'unusual' to anyone.

Understand, those from the United Kingdom, they are a very civil people, a real joy to meet and their country is truly a pleasure to visit.  This incident just makes me realize how oversexualized America is as a nation. Not that I'm desiring to convert but that I appreciated the general acceptance of human need without anyone thinking to make fun or take too much notice of it.  They have a similar view about cars and driving.  Driving is a privilege.  Cars are a means of transportation not an expression of personal interest or narcissism, thus all cars are functional, conservatively colored and only decorated with license tags and brand names. Period.  We saw no traffic accidents while there and only one car pulled over by police and honestly, we weren't sure if the motorist had violated a traffic law or was simply stranded.  They are very mature about driving, public behavior and physical needs.  It was interesting to see.

Loch Ness

Back to the race.  The shirt and medal were great.  The shirt was a Brooks solid black technical tee made out of the waffle weave material (top notch) and short sleeved.  The expo sold a hoodie version with the same race logo and date.  Limited sponsor info on the back.  The expo sold out of the hoodies and the event organizers hope to restock quickly as many still wanted the hoodies.  The medal is a goldish brass color and has an area on the back for engraving your name and time.  Again, top notch.

Highlands along Course

The course was just amazing.  Even if I had finished at 7:59:59 I would have enjoyed it.  The scenery along what was predominately single tracks (one lane roads) was worth every sore muscle and aching foot!  The Loch Ness, centered amongst the Highlands makes this a destination race, meaning an International event.  The male winner was from Kenya and the female winner was from Edinburgh Scotland.  Lots of top competitors!  

Techie Stuff:  Timing results were text-ed to runners that supplied mobile numbers.  Race Results were available same day via the website.  Finish Line Photos were available same day as well as video Finish clips.  Prices were very reasonable and the photographers took multiple shots hoping to get the best shots for everyone. 

Next year's race is September 28, 2014 - Mark your calendars!

Showmars 5K

301 Enthusiastic Runners / Walkers for the 2nd Annual Showmars Pediatric Hearts 5K.  Right on target with the last years' 299 runners.  Excellent turnout for Mr. C (Couchell, owner and founder of Showmars Restaurant) and Levine Children's Hospital. Mr. C himself was once again present at the race festivities, supporting all and encouraging runners.

This race runs through a very beautiful neighborhood off of Park Rd in Pineville NC.  Lots of trees and well groomed landscaping, gorgeous brick homes and a fully paved route from beginning to end.  

There were moderate hills, the steepest of which seemed to be the final hill to the Finish line as it appeared after a steep decline. 

Shirts improved greatly this year.  A nice dark gray New Apparel shirt made of 50% Polyester, 25% Cotton, and 25% Rayon. Shirt were also available for sale post race for $10.

Timing was off once again by one minute, just as the previous GPX race, Hog Jog, was short by one minute, this one was over by one minute... exactly.  As of right now, all results for both races remain "as is".  It was a chip timed race and it did utilize correct start and stop times (minus the overage).  As per my previous posts related to the GPX series this year, the point system has not been updated and complaints are growing to that end.  Runners did receive an email notification post race (9:28 AM) with finish times, results link and actual points for the GPX (this race only).  It is the total scoring system that has not been updated for participants.

I was truly glad to see a consistent turnout for this race and I very much enjoy the course.  Relaxing.  It's also an easy drive from Charlotte.  I 485 to the Pineville-Matthews Rd Exit and one turn.  'Eazy Peazy' from I 85 or I 77.

Post race amenities included pancakes with butter and syrup, oranges, bananas, Gatorade and bottled water.  The restaurant was closed but the doors were unlocked allowing visitors.  Porta-Jons were available behind the restaurant and a kid's Fun Run began at 9 AM.

I did not linger after crossing the Finish.  Grabbed a Gatorade and a banana and headed out.  I enjoyed a late night with family at Scarowinds the day before and finally went to bed at 3AM.  My goal was to show up this morning.  Mission accomplished.

CHIP TIME:  46:24

OVERALL PLACE:  270/301

OVERALL GENDER:  118/140

PACE:  14:56 per mile

MRT Summer Series 15K

This race is hosted by the McLelland Racing Team (MRT) in Iredell County, managed by Scott McLelland, co-owner of McLelland Family Shoes in Statesville NC.  The series begins with a 5K and ends with an inaugural Iredell County Half Marathon all taking place in beautiful Iredell County. This is the MRT Summer Series (Aug 10 - Sept 28, 2013) and at present, the only one I've been able to attend over the summer.  I truly enjoyed the Spring Series 5Ks on Tuesday nights and am glad they will be returning with the MRT Fall Series, beginning on October 1st.

This race took place in Harmony NC at the Vanhoy Campgrounds.  The campground has a gravel road entrance that was the beginning and ending of the race itself, the remainder of the course was all paved roads touring through the beautiful countryside of Harmony.  If you enjoy nature and sunshine, this race was definitely for you.  Lots of clean air, birds singing, the smell of fresh cut grass and the quiet simplicity of country life.  No red lights, no major traffic, no commercialization, just quiet residential areas on an early Saturday morning.

This was my very first 15K.  I had signed up in year's past for two others but was a RNP (registered non-participant) so this was my first ever timing and competition for this distance. 

A 15K equates to 9.32 miles.  MRT hosted a 5K simultaneously so for the first 1.8 miles all runners were on the same course.  There were 34 runners in the 15K and 23 runners in the 5K. 

For a small local event, it lacks nothing.  The entry fee is $10, even on race day. If you want a t-shirt, they are sold on site for $15 and are optional unlike most races.  The Summer Series shirts are neon yellow with the MRT logo on the front and the Series info on the back. Coincidentally, it matches perfectly with my new Nike Zoom Vomero +7 running shoes!

Each race also has prize drawings in the form of gift certificates which are awarded post race via a random drawing of bib numbers.  Must be present to win. Each race also supports a local community charity of choice for the individual event.  The actual award ceremony follows the drawings and age groups receive a medal designating place. Overall winners typically receive a gift of some sort.  That's a lot of giving for a $10 race.  Kudo's to MRT!!

This is a running group / event host / race series that I would highly recommend to anyone, of any pace and any age group.

Bring on the Fall Series!!

OFFICIAL TIME:  02:11:40
OFFICIAL PACE:  14:09 per mile

Pace Calculator: 

Official Results:  Click here

Hog Jog 5K

I enjoyed this race.

Having said that, I am in the minority.

Only 185 runners crossed the Finish Line this morning.  This is sadly a strong trend for the RFYL Grand Prix Series.  This is the 6th race in the nine race series.  I discovered this morning that the event has changed dramatically since its inception.  It was not aligned with the annual BBQ cook off as in year's before, it no longer has all the festivities post race and obviously, turnout has suffered accordingly.

In 2012 the event was a 5K with 200 runners, 2011 the event was a 10K and it drew 268 runners, 2010 was a 5K with 567 participants, 2009 5K had 767. Again, a very strong decline for this particular race.  I actually ran the 2009 event and if you read my blog from that date, I thoroughly enjoyed it and commented to all the amenities post race.  Amenities which were NOT present at today's race.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this race.  Very friendly volunteers, lots of police presence and the race coincided with a larger event being held for the First Responders (at a nearby location) which meant lots of EMTs and Firemen were also present or near the race course this morning, cheering and smiling at all.

T-shirts for this race were oversized Gildan cotton with the race logo on the front and nothing on the back.  A very nice looking shirt albeit not a performance shirt.  Definitely a keeper simply for the unique logo and the absent sponsor info.

This race was chiptimed and runners quickly pointed out the timing flaw.  All results are short by one minute, meaning the 1st place overall has a posted finish time of 14:01 (awesome!) but it should be 15:01 (still awesome!).  As of 9/11/13, results have not been altered for correction and some runners times are not listed.  I conversed with a runner finishing after me whose time is not listed proving there were multiple timing errors at this event. While I take no joy in pointing out the negatives, my blog is set up for this reason - to review races I participate in from my perspective and to hope that it is useful for both participants and organizers.

The series has a points system to award runners for participation and scoring if they participate in a minimum of 5 events.  Bonus points for running the Double Header - Friday night / Saturday morning races (happens only once) and for running all 9 races.  Again, as of 9/11/13 the Series Scores are only updated through July 1st with some points missing, as in my case.

I did notice the absence of the FINISH and START banners for this race.  Digital clocks were there and at the mile markers.  A loudspeaker was also missing so that we started based on "Hey, those guys are running now".  Music was present and water coolers, bananas post race.  

The START was located at the Wells Fargo Atrium although the flyer states "Levine Avenue of the Arts next to the Duke Energy Center".  This is two blocks away and for native Charlotteans, the Atrium is an easier landmark to find but was not correctly identified.  I suspect last minute changes took place making the start similar to many other RFYL races that begin at the Atrium.  Although it added extra time to correctly find the START, it was a better location as the Atrium has seating and water fountains which allows for easier socializing pre and post race.

While I enjoyed the route and the morning run, with all the changes occurring related to this event, I'm not sure recommending it is a good idea.  At present I could only recommend a nice uptown course and a unique t-shirt.  Let's leave it at that and hope for better things next year.

CHIPTIME:  41:37

VA Beach Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon

Things I Learned At This Half Marathon...

This was the first race that I’ve ever done where I was “in tune” with my body and its needs / challenges / victories.

I’m sitting here writing this and I feel great!  No overwhelming soreness, muscle fatigue or stiffness, so something is working… well!  After 90 days of 'mad dog' workouts, I haven't lost/gained weight.  I've fluctuated on 3 lbs but I've gained muscle.  I may have to take a more drastic measure to address the weight as it is NOT responding to typical diet and exercise.  I have removed caffeine from my diet and  increased fiber; sugar/breads/pastas are next on the chopping block.  The more drastic measure may be a short term liquid diet to kick start the process.

I did a 5K on Saturday then drove up to VA Beach for the Expo / Packet Pickup.  Lovely area, great Expo.  I returned Sunday directly after the race, did not stay for any post race activities so this blog will dwell predominately on what I've learned running-wise from my increased activities and motivation.

On to the personal growth stuff…

• I now know which sports bra is best for the longer distances

• I know I must upgrade my running shoes (feet are fine but felt like hammers had pounded after the race)

• I had NO stomach cramping the entire race, I know now I’m a protein eater (steak) pre-race.  Pasta doesn’t do it for me. I had sirloin and a spinach dip the night before and no ill side effects. Woot!  (pasta is like lead in my stomach for a race… literally!)

• I did the first 8 miles on pace for a sub 3 hr finish… that’s when my “learning” began

• Mile 5 marker – I have Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis (hands, feet, arm swelling).  I’ve always believed it’s tied to weight and hydration.  It used to hit at Mile 2.  Didn’t hit until after Mile 5 today which is GOOD news.  We got GU at Mile 8 and I watched the swelling go up and down from there forward, something from my intake (water, Gatorade, GU) was bringing it back down.  I had hands and feet mostly… Mile 7 it was creeping up my arm (stops at elbow) but it’s not to be ignored if it reaches the elbow.  This is the FIRST time I’ve seen it reverse DURING a race!

• Mile 6 marker – everyone, no exceptions, got hit by hydration… it wasn’t poor pre-hydration, it was the course.  Only .6 mi was on the ‘beachfront boardwalk’ and that was the finish line.  Everything else was roads.  We hit a wooded subdivision at Mile 5 and there was no breeze only very heavy humidity and heat.  This element is the standard for the VA Beach race.  It is a flat course (minus one short bridge) but you pay for it in humidity. Mi 5-9 were the worst, hands down, once you got out of that area, the breezes returned, specifically the ocean breezes which helped. Part of the section actually went thru military housing, that was neat… humid but neat!

• Mile 9 marker – I hit a wall, specifically hydration.  I utilized every water stop (multiple) but could not reach where I needed to be from there to the finish.  Literally hours after the race my tongue was still sticking to the roof of my mouth.  Today I know that it was due to fiber intake pre-race.  My GI doc had put me on Metamucil this prior week and I had no idea until the half (other than the bloating and weight differential) what it would do to my running.  I won’t be doing that again.

• Mile 10 marker – my weight (bloated last 3-5 days) caused lower back pain, the effect you can see in my splits.  Walking that off (11 & 12) took precious time.

• Mile 12 marker - After walking out the lower back pain I took pace with a strong 12 min runner and held on for a good distance… I stopped eventually because of hydration but I knew the muscle and endurance was there. I KNEW I could have kept up that pace if not for the other two obstacles (disproportionate weight, hydration).  I am reminded, once again, of some excellent running advice I got way back in the beginning…  “You don’t run to lose weight, you lose weight to run”.

• Mile 12 marker – my cell phone had been burning my skin the last few miles so I took it out to see where Runkeeper had me and to relieve the burning sensation… screen had died, literally.  Phone functions but no screen so I will be visiting Sprint today.  I could not post for Runkeeper, Gympact, Facebook, Foursquare; could not make phone calls or read texts; could not use the MAP function for directions.  I have no idea what I missed after 7am Sunday morning… it is gone forever… LOL

• Mile 13 marker – I was walking at this point.  I did sprint through the Finish Coral and must say I really like the set up for the R-N-R races.  Their coral start system is very effective and at no point in the race was I ever “alone”… always in a multitude of people on a wide closed course.  I started in coral 7 (hoping for a 2 hr pace) and a running friend from NC (ran into her at the Expo) started in Coral 18 (she admitted a 3+ hr pace) and she never caught up to me and even at my pace I never had that “caboose” crowd.  Kudos to R-N-R!  I had water, chocolate milk, and Gatorade post race and still had dry mouth so I know that hydration MUST be addressed if I’m going to do 26.2 by the end of this month.

• Humorous Moment:  While running, a wonderful spectator cheered for me... "You Go Momma! 7206"  and when I reached the Finish area, a lovely volunteer asked... "Do you want a second medal for "the baby" since he ran it too!  #justsmile  I must say I considered both a compliment even though I am most definitely NOT preggers!  One that they honored me for doing a distance like that while pregnant and two, that they thought I was young enough to actually be pregnant!  Yeah, life is good.

Final Note:  Losing Weight moved to the top of my Health Priority List.  

This course is described as beachfront... it isn't.  It claims 'run on the boardwalk'... don't be deceived.  I don't say this as a criticism but a warning to first timers.  There will be heat.  There will be humidity.  You will suffer... this is August after all.  Outside of that though, you'll absolutely LOVE it!  Lots of fantastic bands along the route.  Even a contemporary christian band, a jazz band and a few country bands were in the mix.   

The "beachfront" is actually the main drag with motels, shops and restaurants.  You will feel the ocean breeze but you really can't absorb its scenery.  This only lasts a mile or so then it's all asphalt jungle until the last 6/10ths of the race.  This is the "Boardwalk".  You will finish directly on the boardwalk (no sand - concrete) and have a lovely view of the VA Beach and pier.  The majority of the course though is street views with the exception of one bridge at Harbor Pointe that you will cross twice.

The course is described as an out and back which it is but it's not a loop per se.  It's a major zig zag which really isn't visible on the map.  It is well marked and closed off so you won't miss any turns whatsoever.  Lots of hydration stops throughout the entire route and even a tour through military housing as part of the course.

The START and FINISH are about two blocks apart (19th St START, 17th St FINISH).  There are shuttles that will take you back and forth to free parking both before and after the race.  Shuttle service to START ends at 6am, Shuttle service from FINISH ends at 1 pm.  I didn't use either.  I parked at a nearby bank (free but asks for donations to TEAM HOYT) less than a quarter mile from the START allowing me to arrive at about 6:30 am.

The actual START is a Wave Start.  Runners align with their pre-selected coral numbers (based on estimated finish times) and start off coral by coral in one minute increments meaning, I was in Coral 7 and I started at 7:07 AM (baby joggers got the first start).  This wave setup is very effective. 

I will also mention that coral assignment is NOT written in stone, no colored bibs for each coral number as in other events.  All bibs are identical in color and runners can move to any coral he/she feels comfortable with provided there is room, and there was - truly.  This was a very well organized race.  I was glad to be in Coral 7 and able to enjoy a larger running group the entire time - an opportunity I am rarely afforded at my current pace.  Since the course was very wide (full road access) and closed, it did not present a problem for those needing to pass, lots of room to move and if you genuinely knew your own pace and started with that group, there was not really a need for constant passing.  Again, great setup by R-N-R.   

I also learned that Blonde Moments can be very taxing...  Since I parked so close to START I assumed it would be easy to return.  Post race, 1 hr 15 min to locate my vehicle ON FOOT.  Won't be doing that again!  Note to self, if you aren't going to remember the street names or address AT LEAST remember the name of the building!  I stopped several strangers / locals and "it's a gray 3 story building near the Convention Center" was totally useless information.  Yes.  I have blonde moments.  #liveandlaugh

While I did not reach a sub 3 hr finish (goal) I did set a new PR.  I lowered my previous record by over 6 min.  I'm happy.  Very happy.  And more motivated than ever!

The R-N-R 'techie' side was phenomenal.  Both my results and race photos were available SAME DAY via the website.  Overall I was greatly impressed with this event and truly look forward to participating in more Rock-N-Roll events in the future!

CHIPTIME:  3:18:47
TEMPS:  75° - 82°
HUMIDITY:  94%