Hot Chocolate 15K

This is a race we love to race.  There is chocolate... lots of chocolate!  At the halfway point, volunteers hand out liberal amounts of dark chocolate bites instead of the traditional gel. I personally carried a handful back to share with a friends children.  Good stuff!

This is a race we love to race.  There is a tech hoodie... a high quality tech hoodie for all runners in both Male and Female styles!! His and Hers Fleece in black with a shirt tail hem, quarter zip, wicking exterior, fleece interior, reflective logo and rear zip pocket!

This is a race we love to race.  There is a dipping bowl for each runner at the finish line loaded with chocolate fondue, pretzels, bananas, marshmallows, hot chocolate, and other goodies for dipping.  Organizers refer to it as the Finisher's Mug. Definitely a favorite for many!

24° when we left our cozy motel room this morning.  ATL race organizers asked runners to arrive by 6:30 AM so that parking / crowd control would allow enough time for the scheduled events to flow properly.  We parked 1.25 miles away from the START so for the day, I collected 12 miles overall.  The race route was also slightly longer than a 15K - coming in at 9.56 miles total.  Quite the workout and lots of wind to lower the temps as well.  First time I've ever wanted a bandit mask for a race (Eddie Bauer has a version that is non bank robber - not a ski mask - really wishing I had purchased it the day before with my ear muffs and magnetic finger mittens - yes, this is a non paid Eddie Bauer Promo - love their quality!).

As you can see in the graphs, there is no flat in this race.  Non stop hills, most moderate and thankfully a downward slope for the finish.  Route has ample turns, all is asphalt and is well monitored by police presence.

This race hosts two events - a 5K and a 15K - both start in one minute waves to manage crowd control on the course.  Runners are given an alphabetical corral assignment but the assignment is not written in stone.  Runners can pace themselves as they see fit. I ran with two friends and we chose to stand in the final corral. The 5K had 11,622 finishers with the finalist coming in at 1:30:53. The 15K had 5,361 runners with the finalist coming in at 2:36:56.  Sixteen persons were listed as DNF in those numbers.  Huge turnout for this event. There is a forty-five minute difference in start times for these races which also helps in the overall parking effort. 

Speaking of parking...  at least two vendors provided porta-toilets for the race. For the record, Pit Stop is the better vendor.  The other vendor (Blue John) which dominated the parking lots, failed to adequately supply their units.  We got there around 7:15 AM and most units had no toilet paper and none had hand sanitizer.  And it wasn't a matter of crowd usage, the units are built to hold ample supplies for these type of events.  Someone simply chose NOT to fully stock the units.  Pit Stop did a much better job and needless to say, I've made a mental note for the future.  It is ridiculous to expect runners to "bring their own" to an event like this.  Yet, many did just that, having had this issue in prior years. I hope organizers listen to feedback and address this for future events.  Even if volunteers are needed for restocking, it is not acceptable to have non working units with a crowd that size.  It's TURNER FIELD for crying out loud, not like they haven't had a crowd before! *end of rant*  For the record though, I saw at least four areas to accommodate the crowd, it wasn't a lack of units, simply a lack of properly stocking and/or restocking the units present.

Hot Chocolate currently hosts events in 14 different major cities.  I am a huge fan of the shirts, can take it or leave it with the chocolate (yes, I am female and I do like chocolate, just not what I'm craving after 9.3 miles).  I truly hope to participate in a few other cities in the future as the "bling" is more than worth it!

Run Happy!

Results Here:

Yes, it was cold !

CRC Trail Race 4 Miles

27°

Windy.

Hills.  Hills.  Hills.

Joanna (9 mi) and Tracy (4 mi) photo courtesy of TapSnap

Fantastic day for a race!  It was sunny and crowds were cheerful in spite of the $5 parking fee charged by the U.S. National Whitewater Center for this event. (NOTE:  Not all race events at USNWC incur a parking fee and many runners are vocal about the fee). The entry/exit was streamlined though. At least 6 parking attendants collecting fees to move the line quickly into the parking lot.  The lot was never completely full although it looked really close there around 9 AM.

It had been several years since I had participated in a trail race on the USNWC course.  Many improvements have been made since then. Bridges, wider paths, better signage and lots of trail activity sites to mark your point along the route and a water stop close to mile 2, for those of us doing the 4 mile race.  

One of the main attractions (other than location, trail race) for this event is the shirt.  It's actually a hoodie sweatshirt, as seen in the picture above on the left.  This year's color was royal blue and it's definitely a keeper.  My previous hoodie was black and I believe the original (2011) color was light gray - still the favorite of all amongst CRC Trail Race fans, and I also believe there is a charcoal gray in there, since this is the race's 4th year in Charlotte.

The event includes three different race distances - 4 mi, 9 mi and 13 mi.  I opted for the 4 mi while my running buddy headed out for the 9 mi.  The two longer distances started one hour earlier (8:30 AM) simultaneously, while the 4 mi race started at 9:30 AM.  418 runners for the 4 mi, 153 for the 9 mi and 207 for the 13 mi race.  I do not envy those that hit the trails for 13 miles.  New for 2014 - a finisher's medal for the 13 milers and they earned it, they truly earned it.

The route is quite hilly, definitely a challenge for any level runner but doable by all means. And as you can see, it is not the most direct path, lots of turns and alternate paths so signage is critical. USNWC did an awesome job keeping runners on route, regardless of their race distance.

I do not have any other race to date with an elevation graph like this one. As you can plainly see there is no "flat" in this race.  Just doesn't happen.

My timing was not stellar but then my goal was simply to complete the course. Trail races are a different breed as far as I'm concerned.  I don't know that I've ever participated in one with the goal of competing, it's always completing for me personally.  This was no exception.

The post race is a mixture for seasoned runners.  Water was provided in two hydro coolers with the little 6 oz cups, same as the water station on route. No bottled water or Gatorade / Powerade.  Plenty of coffee, however, pre-race due to the temps and the start times.  Bagels and bananas were provided, although cut into quarter pieces for both and some sort of cookies, looked like chocolate chip.

There were a few vendors on site - Charlotte Running Company, a massage group, TapSnap (provided free photos with instant print and email) and the ever fantastic Start2Finish with digital timing results with printouts.  Awards were broken up into two sessions.  The 4 mi awards were given out at 10:30 AM with the longer race awards following sometime after, based on the number of runners still on the course.  We stayed for a photo afterwards then headed out.  I truly hope to do this course again next year as I was very pleasantly surprised at the changes to the trails within the U.S. National Whitewater Center. 

RACE RESULTS:

Ocean Isle Bridge Run Half Marathon

67°

Windy, Foggy, Overcast.

Race Announcer:  Good News!  The storm has turned and it won't rain until the afternoon. Praise the Lord!

Gotta love a church sponsored event!

The threat of rain was predicted at 80% the day before.  It dropped to 30% the morning of the race and increased at 1 PM race day to 100%.  The rain eventually came but the race was run and done when it came.  

The surrounding area at 3 PM got a severe thunderstorm warning with winds of 60 mph and tornado watches for several counties.

Prayer works.

250 runners in the Half Marathon, 253 in the 5K.  Large crowd for the OIB Bridge - Run For Food Race.  This was also their 10th annual event, somewhat of a celebration for the organizers.

The course is oceanfront, or as oceanfront as you can get at OIB.  Gorgeous beach houses line all the streets and all are seated well above ground blocking the street view of the water but not the sounds, the breezes or the effects.  Great area for a run.  

The town has one main bridge which is the only elevation throughout the entire route, everything else is flat making for a fantastic course.

The bridge is the only spot in the course that is above sea level.  It runs over the channel and is relatively short.  Runners cross it twice during the first two miles of the race (only section where 5K and Half participants remain together).  After returning back across, the Half Marathon participants continue further to run the coastline while the 5K runners head back to the FINISH line.

This is my 3rd time attending the OIB run, previously the shirts were long sleeve white cotton.  This year, same design but long sleeve black tech with sponsor info on the back and neon colors used in the design.  Definitely a keeper.  Entry fee was only $45 which changes solely on race day.  Post race amenities included bottled water, bananas, pizza, music and large video screen showing finish line footage.  Race packet included a brochure for another local race and a coupon for a local restaurant - not much open in January at Myrtle Beach.

I originally ran this race in 2010. Only 271 runners total (both races) that year and I personally ran the 5K meaning I didn't get to see the oceanfront version of the course. It was 26° that morning as well, typical weather for January.  I ran the 5K again in 2011 (406 runners total) with temps in the low 40's. Today's temps were just another added blessing for this event.

Speaking of blessings...

I set a new Half PR today.  Shaved off over 4 min from my prior PR.  Yes, a blessing indeed!

If you're ever looking for an enjoyable January race in the NC beach area - this is it. Lots of hometown folks and this year's turnout proves it's worth the drive.  Just check out the Locations on the Results Page.

Rural Hill First Footin' 5 Miler

The Tradition

Following the Protestant Reformation in Scotland in the latter half of the sixteenth century, it was considered irreverent to celebrate dates of religious importance. Thus, merriment and celebrations were reserved for Hogmanay (pronounced Hog-muh-nay,) this important part of the year combined both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with a celebration of good will and good fortune. The use of the term “first footin’,” according to legend, is as follows:

Fortune would smile on the household if the first person to set foot in the doorway on the New Year was a young man; presumably tall, handsome, healthy, dark haired, dark eyed, and bearing gifts (such as a lump of coal for the fire.) Today it does no harm if the first footer carries a bottle of his best and favorite beverage to offer his host a drink and a toast, stating “Lang may your lum reek.” This traditional Scottish salutation wishes its recipient long life and prosperity. It literally means “long may your chimney smoke.” 

Several towns throughout the hillsides of Scotland continue an age old annual ritual of walking the town limits to restate or reclaim the boundaries of the township. 

These traditions have been adopted as part of the Rural Hill Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) celebration, known simply as “First Footin’”. Traditionally, the fulfillments of Hogmanay’s rituals and folklore have assured good crops, good health, and good fortune in the coming year.

History of Rural Hill and the First Footin’ Five Miler:
Rural Hill’s property dates back to 1765 when John Davidson, the son of Scottish Immigrants, first settled on land he had purchased from his father in law. Eventually John would become a Major in the Mecklenburg County Militia, sign the May 20, 1775 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and serve in the Cherokee Campaigns of the American Revolution. After the war Major John would become a wealthy planter and pioneer in the Lincoln County Iron Industry. Rural Hill continued forward in history as one of the most profitable plantations in Mecklenburg County until after the Civil War. At that point it transitioned to a family farm, remaining in the same Davidson family line until 1992, when the last surviving members of this line sold the property to Mecklenburg County. Today Rural Hill is one of the largest pieces of public property in the county and is managed by Historic Rural Hill, a nonprofit organization. Rural Hill continues to be utilized as a working farm, center for educational programming, and cultural events site.

The First Footin’ Five Miler is held in conjunction with the First Footin’ walk, a free family event held every year at Rural Hill as an observance of Hogmanay, or Scottish New Years. The walk is led by Rural Hill staff and circles around the property, ending at the cabin site with a free meal of soup, fresh bread, baked goods, and much more.

The Race

As so often happens with me, I get completely and pleasantly surprised by many races that I sign up for last minute.  This was no exception.  I will say without hesitation, this is a race I hope to run yearly.  Lots of fun and a really great way to start off a healthy New Year!

Things to remember about this race:

1. 5 Miles is relative... if you only get that far, you didn't reach the finish
2. You will smell sewage (START only - next door to Wastewater Treatment)
3. You MUST wear trail running shoes (feet twisting 4 miles)
4. There will be hills en route
5. There will be mud en route
6. There will be rocks en route
7. There will be roots en route
8. There will be fallen trees en route
9. Great views filled with history
10. You will listen for the distant sound of banjos
11. You will cross three wooden bridges twice
12. You will enter the START area three times (unique course)
13. You will LOVE and EARN the t-shirt
14. You will wear the smallest running bib I've ever seen

Happy 2014 to all !

I confess the hills are short but they feel incredibly steep, perhaps due to the mud that makes you climb with more exertion. From START we headed due South, circling back to START where we turned around and headed due North, circling back to START for the FINISH.  Unique route!

 The START / FINISH is a single location.  This is also where the dinner is served once the 11 AM walk has concluded.  About 200 folks enjoyed a traditional Scottish bowl of 'stone soup' today and it was delish! 

Although the Elevation map says "only" 325 ft. your body will tell another version of this story.  This is a true trail run and fortunately, the trail is wide enough in all places to easily accommodate two runners side-by-side (for passing) and in many places wide as an open field (with flag markers to keep you on course).  You will cross over two streets (not at an intersection) and both points are manned by volunteers. No one I spoke to measured a completed distance of 5 miles.  All Garmin / phone app / GPS trackers got a minimum of 5.2 miles.  I got 5.29 with Runkeeper, my running mate got 5.79 with Runkeeper, and a wonderful, single, handsome, Army Drone Instructor (yes, running has its perks!) got 5.2 with his GPS watch.

The t-shirts were black unisex New Balance Performance Tees with white lettering, wicking / waffle weave texture, and sponsor info on back.  Great shirt for such a small race.  Only 44 registrants this morning.  44 last year as well, although 2 were listed as DNF. Only 41 of the registrants actually ran this morning.  Very impressed that race organizers chose a high quality shirt for this size event!

I was the final finisher, behind a very brave young man running with a metallic prosthetic left leg.  All who saw his determination were so very proud of him. His Dad ran with him on the first half of the route and I believe his younger brother ran the second half.  One thing I did not see on this route was small children (with this one exception, and he looked to be about 8 yrs old).  The young man I ran behind was early teens and the only youth runner present for the entire race.

Final results and photos have not yet been posted.  Will update later. At this point, my Runkeeper app has a personal finish time of 1:23:51 for 5.29 miles.

UPDATE 1/3/2014:

Official Time:  1:23:50

Results Here: