My Profile

@cenevoldsen

San Mateo, CA Raving since 2014 Active 5 years, 4 months ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:
  • I run because:

    Makes me feel gooood.

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Half Marathon Woodside, CA Feb 28, 2015 1:33:00
10K Pacifica, CA Jan 17, 2015 44:40

Future Races (1)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
10K San Rafael, CA TBD

Past Races (10)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Relay Homewood, CA Oct 14, 2018
Half Marathon San Francisco, CA Feb 10, 2018 2:02:45
10K Pacifica, CA Jan 13, 2018 46:24
10K Belvedere Tiburon, CA Dec 9, 2017 50:15
10K Woodside, CA Nov 18, 2017 51:10
10K Saratoga, CA Dec 10, 2016 1:04:26
10K San Francisco, CA Dec 6, 2015 49:07
Half Marathon Woodside, CA Feb 28, 2015 1:33:00
10K Pacifica, CA Jan 17, 2015 44:40
10K Redwood City, CA Dec 14, 2014 48:47

My Raves

If it wasn't for the fact that I was gasping for air, I would really have enjoyed the spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. It was so beautiful! I participated in … MORE

If it wasn’t for the fact that I was gasping for air, I would really have enjoyed the spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. It was so beautiful!
I participated in the Marathon Relay starting Sunday morning. The previous day it was a nice Fall day with temps in the 60s, but we woke up to 34 degrees at the starting line. I had the honor of leading my team out, so layers were my friend. Luckily it warmed up as the sun rose higher and higher.
First leg was fairly straight with an uphill at the end, second leg was a brutal combination of two climbs, third leg was downhill and the final leg was flat to the finish. We all enjoyed this race, the vibe, the camaraderie, the medals (we won!), and did I mention, the scenery?

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4
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If you've been to the Marin Headlands, you know you're in for the most stunning views. The half marathon route provides a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean, then Tiburon … MORE

If you’ve been to the Marin Headlands, you know you’re in for the most stunning views. The half marathon route provides a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean, then Tiburon and the Bay, then the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s simply breathtaking. You know what else is breathtaking? The relentless climbs. The first one is the steepest, and you’ll have to walk up some really steep stairs. But the hardest are the last couple of climbs, when you can smell the beach, and think you’ve almost made it back to the finish line, just to realize there’s yet another left turn up a hill. It’s all very much worth it. With the sun shining, dogs and surfers playing on the beach, you can enjoy the moment at the finish line, as you drink that well deserved, complimentary Headlands Brew IPA. Cheers!

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

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This 10K is slightly short. Officials say it's 5.9 miles, but my tracker punched in at 5.5 miles. At any rate, it's a pleasure to run this trail. You get … MORE

This 10K is slightly short. Officials say it’s 5.9 miles, but my tracker punched in at 5.5 miles. At any rate, it’s a pleasure to run this trail. You get hit in the gut immediately with a 1 mile climb, then it’s flat for a minute before you start climbing for another 2 miles. I’ve done this trail once before, but apparently I forgot how long that second climb actually is. It hurts. But brace yourself, the final descent to the finish line is lightning fast. It’s beautiful out there in San Pedro Valley Park, the sun was shining, the snacks and swag was top notch. What more do you want? Definitely recommend it. Next year, I’ll have to sign up for the HM and see if I can conquer Montara Mountain North Peak!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

What a beautiful gem of a race this is. For the uninitiated, Angel Island, where the race is held, is located in the San Francisco Bay overlooking both the Golden … MORE

What a beautiful gem of a race this is. For the uninitiated, Angel Island, where the race is held, is located in the San Francisco Bay overlooking both the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and San Francisco. Unfortunately, there is little time (or breath) to enjoy the sweeping views as you’re running. That’s because halfway through the loop (10K’ers do one, HM’ers do two loops), you’re climbing Sunset Trail, also known as DUD hill (“damn u Dave”, named after Enviro founder Dave Horning), which is as nasty a climb as they come.

Other than DUD hill, this trail race is all pleasure. The experience starts with a chartered ferry trip from Tiburon bright and early. After arrival at the island and quick setup of the start and finish lines, the half marathoners are off, with the 10K group following 10 minutes later. The loop is almost entirely on single track or fire road except for the last quarter mile on asphalt. It’s up up up, flat, DUD hill (sweeping views), down, flat, down down down.

Envirosports has never prided themselves on having great swag. The winners get a rubber chicken, and everyone gets a cotton t-shirt. But who signs up for the swag? Most likely you sign up for the challenge, the experience, the scenery, and the camaraderie. On those parameters, Hark the Herald delivers in spades!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I love Huddart Park. What better way to start off the year in the most beautiful settings surrounded by fellow running lunatics. The race starts in an open grassy field, … MORE

I love Huddart Park. What better way to start off the year in the most beautiful settings surrounded by fellow running lunatics.
The race starts in an open grassy field, but quickly turns into downhill single track. If you’re going for a personal best, stay at the front out-the-gate, as there’s a bottleneck almost immediately. After a quick descent on single track, it flattens out and you gradually start climbing on a fire road. At around the 1 mile mark, you hit the steepest part. Pace yourself through it. Afterwards, the climb continues till around the 4 mile mark. After that it’s all downhill to the finish line.
Production was just fine, nothing fancy, but exactly what you’d expect. Choice between Sport Tek or soft tee for all registrants and everyone received a finisher medallion. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age group received an additional bottle opener medallion. (I won one for 2nd place and had no problem opening that finisher beer!)
Probably the best part is the post-finish bbq sliders and beer, but since the 10K finished first, I didn’t stick around to get a taste.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

It got really steep really fast and there was no letting up till you reached the top. And that's how I like it. Wet, wild and wonderful. Don't expect to … MORE

It got really steep really fast and there was no letting up till you reached the top. And that’s how I like it. Wet, wild and wonderful. Don’t expect to beat any PR on this course.
You run on a narrow single track most of the way and you had to pay attention every second, looking out for roots, slippery mud and of course your fellow runners. As you sprinted down the mountain, calling out to other runners was a must, as there was no way you could stop in time in if someone came in your way.
Needless to say, the setting in Sanborn is gorgeous. The rain made the experience that much better actually.
Production was top notch, and I ended up winning some extra swag in addition to the medals. I’ll be wearing my brand new Brazen Racing soft tee with pride 🙂
Definitely recommend this race, and I’ll be back!

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I signed up for the North Face race based on Mike Sohaskey's review (he is the founder of this site after all, so he must know what he's talking about). … MORE

I signed up for the North Face race based on Mike Sohaskey’s review (he is the founder of this site after all, so he must know what he’s talking about). The race also marked the beginning of my running season, so I was pumped to get going. Never mind the Christmas party the night before.

Whatever fog I had left in my head disappeared instantly, the moment I stepped out of the shuttle bus in the heart of the Marin Headlands surrounded by hundreds of like minded runners. Must say right off the bat that North Face puts on a great production. Everything went really smooth from shuttle ride to check in to bag check. Great festival with free massages, treats and drinks. Lots of porta potties on hand too. The gun went at 9am for the 10K right when it started to drizzle. As we went up the Bobcat fire road, we were engulfed by a thick fog. Loved it! The 10k is basically 3 miles up and 3 miles down, all on fire road, plus the finishing stretch on asphalt. It was scenic for sure (although nothing beats Woodside in my book). Despite my poor preparation the night before, I ended up in third place in my age group. I’ll take it! I definitely recommend North Face. Worth it for the scenery, challenge and the high production value.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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This was the 25th annual Woodside King's Mountain Half Marathon and hats off to the founder David Horning, a trail running legend in his own right. (Bonus, check out Dave … MORE

This was the 25th annual Woodside King’s Mountain Half Marathon and hats off to the founder David Horning, a trail running legend in his own right. (Bonus, check out Dave on the cover of Runner’s World in 1982: https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2BEBrk%2BBHL._SY445_.jpg). This was an out-and-back race that consisted of 1,800 feet of climbing and then descending. The scenery in Huddart Park is always humbling with its lush hiking trails and towering redwoods and oak trees. It’s just gorgeous.

Your GPS will deceive you. Mine showed that the run was 10.5 miles, but I was informed it was actually just shy of 12 miles. Still not a true half marathon, but then again, there was the 1,800 feet of climbing to contend with.

The production was no frills. Horning’s pre-race speech was a highlight – that guy is funny. As he put it, no chip to time you, except for Chip & Chip at the finish line. Each participant received a t-shirt and the winner received a… rubber chicken. So, if the swag is important to you, you won’t find it here. Instead, you’ll find a well marked course, beautiful nature and hundreds of like minded trail runners. Oh, and a free massage after the race.

You’ll leave with a smile. Guaranteed.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
5
SWAG
2

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Once again Inside Trail put on a great race, this time in the scenic San Pedro Valley Park in the Pacifica Foothills. (Seriously, how many incredible parks are there in … MORE

Once again Inside Trail put on a great race, this time in the scenic San Pedro Valley Park in the Pacifica Foothills. (Seriously, how many incredible parks are there in San Mateo County?). I went for the 10K, which takes you straight into San Pedro Valley Park, unlike the HM and the 30K, which first takes you the opposite way into McNee Ranch State Park and up Montara Mountain. You hit single track immediately, and then it goes up. With adrenaline pumping, be careful not to hit it too hard out the gate. You reach the top just short of a mile in, and then it’s back to the bottom again. And that’s when the fun begins. Now, for the next two miles you just have to climb another 800 feet. Countless switchbacks later you reach the top and then it’s a sprint down to the finish. But be careful on the downhill. Lots of small acorns and branches to roll your ankles on.
At the finish line, volunteers were ready with warm pancakes, lots of fruit and other goodies (thank you!) Everyone received a participation medal and a nice running tee.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5
My Media

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The air was crisp, there were no clouds in sight and the trail was soft (but not too soft). A storm had passed two days prior to the race, leaving … MORE

The air was crisp, there were no clouds in sight and the trail was soft (but not too soft). A storm had passed two days prior to the race, leaving Huddart Park at its most beautiful. If you’ve ever been there, you know what I’m talking about. Narrow, twisting single-track trails, slopes under towering redwoods, breathtaking views. Quite the scenery for my first ever trail race, an appropriate 10K (half marathon, 35K and 50K also available).
When the gun went off it was a mad dash to get to the first narrow turn onto the trail. Those who didn’t get there first had to wait their turn in a bit of a bottleneck. After that it went downhill for a mile on a narrow trail with lots of turns, rocks, ruts and three wooden and slippery bridges. That was the easy part.
Next mile started up a fire road. Halfway through it got really steep. At the top, it was back in under the canopy of redwoods and then another climb for the next two miles. If you had gunned it too much on mile 2, you would be in trouble at this point.
After surviving 3 miles of climbing, the rest was basically a sprint downhill on a bit of fire road and lots of single-track, jumping over fallen branches and a tree, making several sharp turns before flying over a playground to the finish line.
This was my first race ever, and I think I might already be spoiled. Huddart Park is simply a runner’s paradise. I’ll be back for sure.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3
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