MRT Fall Series 5K Race #5

Tuesday nights belong to  the Iredell County Fall Race Series hosted by McLelland Racing Team (MRT). The Series began October 1st and will end on November 28th with a Thanksgiving Day 10K and each race is only $10 with an option to buy a series shirt if interested.  Short sleeved shirts are $15 (from previous race series) and long sleeved are $25.

All races support a community cause, each unique to the race itself.  MRT supports local charities and resources so it's money well spent. Each race takes place in beautiful Iredell County at various community sites.  

Locations are listed on the Fall Flyer (Facebook) or in the race listing (RacesOnline).

This race location was at the Vanhoy Campground in Harmony NC.  The course was an out and back beginning on the gravel entrance to the campground then entering the local roads.  Police protection was present at the major intersection and they remained until the final runner (myself) returned to the Finish Line.

This was not my best race... not my worst but definitely not my best.  I had gotten a stomach virus over the weekend and did not realize until the race that I had remained dehydrated.  Both lower legs cramped up so I walked the entire course and am quite grateful for the volunteer that returned to finish with me.  Again, MRT is truly a supportive club.

OFFICIAL TIME:  44:26

MRT Fall Series 5K Race #4

Tuesday nights belong to  the Iredell County Fall Race Series hosted by McLelland Racing Team (MRT). The Series began October 1st and will end on November 28th with a Thanksgiving Day 10K and each race is only $10 with an option to buy a series shirt if interested.  Short sleeved shirts are $15 (from previous race series) and long sleeved are $25.

All races support a community cause, each unique to the race itself.  MRT supports local charities and resources so it's money well spent. Each race takes place in beautiful Iredell County at various community sites.  

Locations are listed on the Fall Flyer (Facebook) or in the race listing (RacesOnline).

This race location was Lakewood Park, 800 Lakewood Drive, Statesville, NC and proved to be the setting for quite a few new PRs tonight (myself included!). 

 The route was a continual series of inclines and declines making it a full challenge to PR here.  The Finish Line was at the far end of the park as you can see on the map leaving the last .15 mile completely in the dark this time of year.  A headlamp is next on my running gear list.

The water stop for this race was at the Finish Line.  The course was well marked and the Club leader continually rode through on his bicycle to ensure safety and course directions.  I suspect a few more volunteers were needed tonight but nothing lacked in spite of their absence.

I now have 5 shirts: Spring Series (gray tech SS unisex) Summer Series (neon yellow tech SS, men's and women's), Breast Cancer Awareness (neon pink tech LS) and my newest purchase, Fall Series (neon green tech LS).  

Hi.  My name is Tracy.  I am a shirtaholic.

See ya at the races!

OFFICIAL TIME:  39:22  

Hopebuilders 5K **

Final race in the RFYL GPX Series. 

820 runners and walkers with a final finisher crossing the line at 1:15:07.  Lots of enthusiasm for this cause!

The course was a straight out and back with only a 187 ft total climb. It looked much worse in person but the hills were all gradual rather than steep.

 

Vendor turnout was strong for this event - something I've noticed as more sporadic in this year's GPX.  I realize the new Signature Series is being promoted but part of the motivation for entering a series is/are the perks.  

My fingers are crossed for a more enticing GPX series in 2014, realizing this series is more for beginners, trainers, re-trainers and those whose only goal (or preference) is to remain physically active and injury free with the shorter distances.

I am a fan of the GPX Series because I prefer the shorter distances, the larger crowds, the runner friendly atmosphere and the continual challenge of a 5 min mile.  Giving up 8 Saturday mornings and 1 Friday night is no small thing, thus I would hope the incentives make the effort worthwhile.

This morning, once again, I was glad to see RFYL staff at the Finish Line monitoring bib numbers and timing results against the computerized results.  If I'm not mistaken, Tim Rhodes (Founder, Owner of Dilworth location) was out there personally checking bibs and timing efficiency.  

That's the Run For Your Life we know and love - stepping up to keep things as they should be and restoring consumer confidence after a temporary lapse. Another great reason to support small business.

I'm awaiting the overall results for the GPX series. As of their last update, I was 3rd place for my age group, not because of spectacular timing but for consistency. 

Only a handful of women in my age group completed enough races in this series to compete for a place.  I was one of them.  There are bonus points for running all nine races (which I did) and for doing both the Friday night/Saturday morning events back-to-back so I am just a tad excited about the completion of this Series. 

♫ Anticipation... it's making me wait ♫ 

CHIP TIME:  41:50

Click for Results:

UPDATE 11/26/2013:
The GPX Banquet hosted by RFYL was held tonight at a cost of $12 per person.  I was unable to attend but picked up my award later the following week.  I won 3rd place for my age group and received a medal for my efforts. 

UPDATE 12/27/2013:

On Friday I went to pick up my bib & t-shirt for a Saturday race and got a most pleasant surprise. I had picked up the award (a runner's medal) a few weeks ago and unbeknownst to myself or the person who handed out the medal - a prize should have been included. An employee recognized me Friday and made sure I received the box - they had held it over a month for me. I got a set of 4 RFYL glasses (16 oz) and anyone that knows me knows my first addiction is t-shirts followed closely by glasses/coffee mugs. Very happy runner this weekend! 

 

MRT Fall Series 5K Race #3

Tuesday nights belong to  the Iredell County Fall Race Series hosted by McLelland Racing Team (MRT). The Series began October 1st and will end on November 28th with a Thanksgiving Day 10K and each race is only $10 with an option to buy a series shirt for $15 (SS), $25 (LS), if interested.  

All races support a community cause, each unique to the race itself.  MRT supports local charities and resources so it's money well spent. Each race takes place in beautiful Iredell County at various community sites.  

Locations are listed on the Fall Flyer (Facebook) or in the race listing (RacesOnline). 

This race location was the Allison Woods Reenactment Site at 244 Church Lake Rd, Statesville NC.  It was a combo trail run / dog run and the terrain was completely grass, gravel and dirt.

Ready, Run, Race!

The course began and ended on a tiny airstrip which is part of the Allison Woods site.  It ventured into the wooded area passing two historic buildings, a pond, and a most lovely evening view.

The Tuesday night runs are part of my goal towards a sub 30:00 5K (no walking) and personal overall fitness. I didn't set a PR last night as admittedly I'm not a big fan of trail races and wore my ill fitting shoes as proof (you know, the ones you're willing to get really dirty and not cry about). Trail running is better for agility, reverberation and focus but it's not for amateurs.  A wrong step can be serious.

I have learned with MRT there is no such thing as a flat race, LOL, this was no exception.  The inclines were slow and low, as can be seen by the overall footage climbed but they were inclines nonetheless.  A volunteer greeted us at the halfway point with water bottles just before heading back up that final hill.

The MRT Tuesday night runs meet the basic needs for a 5K and are inexpensive.  Age group awards are included, results are posted online.

At present I belong to two other running clubs (NC, FL) and am considering joining this one as it is by far my favorite for support and a strong running commitment.  MRT rallies for all participants regardless of speed, performance or expertise, which is really what it's all about for most of us.

Run Happy! 

Official Time:  42:46


Results Click Here:

Kahne 5K

Drizzly, quiet Sunday in Charlotte.  Nice turnout for Kasey Kahne's NASCAR Hall of Fame 5K today.  This is the only Sunday race in the Run For Your Life GPX Series and as such, the crowd was enthusiastic and slightly varied in that lots of participants weren't necessarily runners as much as they were NASCAR fans.

The first place runner finished in 14:20 and the last runner crossed the finish line at 55:59.  526 participants, most in running gear, most sober but some in jeans and casual clothing and some slightly inebriated, albeit harmless.  One enthusiastic walker belched every half mile.. not the polite-pardon-me type but the mega-fog-horn blast.  Hard to miss, entertaining himself while he finished.

The course finished on an incline.  Splits for this race will be erratic, just as the hills and declines are random. I overheard many say the course was the same as the previous year.  Kasey introduced himself just before the start gun went off and thanked the runners for supporting a good cause, making mention of enjoying the increased turnout this year.

Only one race left in the GPX series and I am pleased to say that RFYL was taking extra measures today to ensure that chips were working, times were accurate and that EVERYONE got proper credit for their Finish Time.  The Event Management Group was actually standing at the Finish Line, reading bib numbers and watching the computer screen simultaneously to make sure that the chip registered properly.  If a bib, as in my case, was not visible they immediately notified you "BIB! BIB!" so that it could be checked before you left the Finish Line area.

This action is very much appreciated.  After several consistent timing errors (since early July) I'm hoping this is a permanent fix for the situation.  I also learned, at a different event last weekend, that many of the former GPX supporters (runners) have switched over to the Signature Series and are enjoying the more challenging, longer distance races.  Hope to see newer runners embrace GPX next year and very glad the two series are separated by skill / challenge levels.

See ya at the races! 

Results:  Click Here

MRT Fall Series 5K Race #2

Tuesday nights belong to  the Iredell County Fall Race Series hosted by McLelland Racing Team (MRT). The Series began October 1st and will end on November 28th with a Thanksgiving Day 10K and each race is only $10 with an option to buy a series shirt for $15 if interested.  

At present I have 4 shirts: Spring Series (gray tech SS), Summer Series (neon yellow tech SS, men's & women's), Breast Cancer Awareness (neon pink tech LS).  I'm working on a fifth shirt for fall. All races support a community cause, each unique to the race itself.  MRT supports local charities and resources so it's money well spent.

Each race takes place in beautiful Iredell County at various community sites.  Locations are listed on the Fall Flyer (Facebook) or in the race listing (RacesOnline). This race location was the LKN High School (Lake Norman) in Mooresville, just outside the Charlotte city limits.

The course began and ended on the school track, all terrain was paved and results were manually timed. I managed to be back at the High School before it was fully dark and stayed for the awards ceremony. I purchased a reflective vest on my way home (Home Depot, $9.97) to keep it safe going forward.

This was my best time yet on an MRT course.  The Tuesday night runs are doing me good in working towards my goal of a sub 30:00 5K (no walking) and personal overall fitness. My running buddy placed 2nd in her age group, being ousted only by a few seconds.  She will be back and hopes to set a new PR (sub 25:00) in the very near future.  She'll have to if she wants to pass her age group winner.  

Small races. Serious competition.

At present I belong to two other running clubs (NC, FL) and am considering joining this one as it is by far my favorite for support and a strong running commitment.  MRT rallies for all participants regardless of speed, performance or expertise. The group is also very family oriented, lots of regular runners under 18 as well as seniors.  This is a critical component for new runners or for runners whose pace is not "Olympic status" or "elite".  

All clubs operate with general strengths and focus.  My FL group is very social; running complements it's activity calendar and thus members tend to be close knit and very active in group events.  My NC group is highly competitive and the majority are within a specific age range and demographic.  All members are welcome but events and recognition lean towards results and age group preferences.  

The MRT Tuesday night runs meet the basic needs for a 5K and are inexpensive.  Door prizes and age group awards are included.  Looking forward to next week!

Official Time:  41:27

CRC Uptown Throwdown 12 Hr Relay

Saturday's weather was perfect for a 12 hour relay!  Lots of sunshine and an energetic group of Charlotte Running Club members made for a wonderful day in the Queen City.

Each runner did a 4 mile lap that began at Midtown Park on S Kings Drive, Charlotte NC.  The route was a loop that reversed around the pond at Freedom Park.  Very flat course on the Sugar Creek Greenway and an easy run thru Freedom Park.  The club supplied more than enough food, drinks and snack items, pop up canopies and chairs for the crowd.

I ran with team HAPPY FEET and our group placed 4th overall.  Admittedly, the run was more about getting in miles on a Saturday but it was nice to know we put forth a strong effort.  Congrats to Jaime, Iztok, Lino, Tinh and myself (Team Happy Feet) for logging lots of fun miles on a warm Saturday.

This was an un-timed event.  Laps were recorded on a board as runners returned from their laps.  Timing was up to the individuals... I timed both my laps and was happy to have done my first lap with an average pace of 13:54 per mile. I also did a 5K prior to showing up for the relay so for the day, I had a total of 13 miles (parking for the 5K added miles).  All in all a really good day for running.

Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure 5K

The crowd for Saturday's race, according to the Charlotte Observer, was over 24,000.  The Komen website listed less than 14,000 registered to run, the remainder were there to support and cheer for others or to volunteer their time to promote the event.

I have participated in this race in previous years (2008-2011) and opted out for 2012 due to the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and the executives' of Komen's resignation over the same issues.  I am still uncertain of the organizations overall integrity but I do know, from personal acquaintance, the organization offers substantial help to women diagnosed with breast cancer - at any stage or any diagnosis (terminal or non-terminal).  I ran in honor of a survivor (now deceased, lived 30 years after recovery) and a current warrior (her diagnosis is terminal at present).  

I mention this because it became very apparent that I was not alone in this mindset.  Many major vendors were NOT present this year that had been present in prior years (Yoplait, Edy's Ice Cream, Starbucks, UPS, etc).  Their absence was noticed and as such, other than a large crowd, the event was not as fun as in year's past.  The vendors that did support were overwhelmed by the crowd and ran out of many promotions long before the race ended.

My running buddy and I were both part of a team - Williams Warriors (in honor of Carolina Panther DiAngelo Williams and his mother / aunts who have been diagnosed with breast cancer) - and again, I was sorely disappointed as compared to years past.  Fundraisers are promised a "jersey" if they reach a certain $ goal.  I have two jerseys from previous years.  This year's (and apparently last year's as well) shirt was just a t-shirt with DiAngelo's number and autograph on the back.  

Yes, I vented to race organizers about the wording... "don't promise a jersery and deliver a t-shirt" and pointed out that it simply added to the stigma now attached to Komen regarding use of funds and the profitability that seems to overtake the cause nowadays.  The organization had a tremendous amount of "for sale" items on the field of Marshall Park and a rather small designated area for survivors (as compared to previous years).  

This organization is still reeling from their choices regarding Planned Parenthood and other issues within the corporation.  Kudos to the executives that took a stand and held their ground.  Komen has had to cancel events in some cities due to 'not enough funding to support the event' which again proves that many still question Komen, even in silence.  I don't know a resolution for this - restoring public faith is not easy. I do hope at some point, the organization returns to its foundation.

Back to racing... I ran with a friend - she signed up for the non-competitive, myself for the competitive so we wound up walking the non-compete race at 8 AM at a pace approximately 20 min per mile.  No way around it.  Crowd was just too large for anything else. We were glad we came, we trust our support is put to good use and we pray for those who suffer, those who love them and the battle that lies before them.

Charlotte Observer article: Click Here

Race Results:  Click Here

NOT!!  My official time is listed as 1:45:20.41 which means the timing chips we paid for were useless... this time is based on a 7:15 AM start time (for EVERYONE) and is gun time only.  Ptttthhhhh... again, it lessens the overall confidence in Komen and their ability to deliver on commitments to the public.  

My .02.

GUN TIME:  1:45:20.41