Jackrabbit community
After picking up our shirts and bibs, we decided to stop at the IHOP for a pancake dinner before the race start. We finished eating around 5:30, went back to the hotel, changed, rested, and left for the race by 6:30. When we got to the start area, it was obvious that organization for this race left quite a bit to be desired. It wasn't clear who should line up for which race at what time or where. Many smaller races tend to be disorganized though, so this wasn't completely unexpected and wasn't an issue.
Alek, Wendy, & Ed pre-race: bright eyed and bushy tailed, just like the hares!
The 5k and 10k started roughly 10 minutes before the half marathon. Ed and I saw Alek off and then went to find our places in the chaos of the corrals. I lined up near the 1:55 pacer, hoping to finally break a 2 hour half marathon. I started strong staying with the pacer and taking in the course. Around the 1 mile marker, we caught up with some of the slower 5k and 10k runners. Fortunately, our courses diverged quickly after that so they didn't hinder anyone's speed too much. After the split, the half marathon path became too narrow for the number of runners still clustered together. Much of the race was through parks, and while they were quite scenic for the first half of the race the paths just weren't wide enough. When it did open we were running along semi-busy streets with only the bike path closed off to runners.
Normally for a half marathon I would wear a fuel belt, but for this one I did not because I didn't have a bottle of water to fill it with. Besides, the race advertised water stops at all the even miles. The water stops were there, but the volunteers at miles 4 and 6 had trouble keeping up with demand as I passed. Around the 7th mile there were some children handing out cold bottles of water and energy drinks to runners. Best. Spectators. Ever! People like this are really what make the smaller races awesome!
By the 6th mile, I was starting to regret the pancakes. I decided that a gel was not what I needed, although this is when I'd usually have one. Around the 7th mile, I started to feel dizzy. I kept pressing on thinking that it must be due to jet-lag. By the 8 mile mark I realized how salty my skin felt and it dawned on me that I'd been running hard, in the heat, for over an hour, without replenishing salts (only drinking water and skipping gels). I decided to have a gel and hoped to feel better in 20 minutes once my body processed the nutrients.
By the 10th mile I was feeling much better and back to really enjoying the course and the cooler temperature (now that the sun had set). Throughout the course there were supporters cheering and incredibly enthusiastic volunteers. Their spirit was great at getting me through to the finish. There was also a police officer monitoring the course who was shouting encouraging words over his loud speaker.
Toward the end of the race, the sun had set and we found ourselves running on the shoulder of a dark, busy street. When the race organizers sent emails suggesting that runners wear headlamps and reflective gear, they were serious!
As I approached the finish line my name was called I mustered the power to sprint and cheer for the last bit of the race. I hoped to PR on this flat course but I came up 31 seconds short with a time of 2:03:57. Not a bad time considering my heavy dinner too close to the race but I'm left chasing a sub 2 hour half marathon. Ed and Alek both PR'd in their races (congrats guys)! Full results can be found here.
Participant medal, participant t-shirt, and half marathon finisher medal
The post race festival was fun, with a live band, beer garden, plenty of food and lots of glow necklaces!
Finished with our glow in the dark medals!
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