As the middle race in my 3-in-2 day weekend, the hot front that moved in coupled with the fact I was wearing body armor made this race punishing and slow, … MORE
As the middle race in my 3-in-2 day weekend, the hot front that moved in coupled with the fact I was wearing body armor made this race punishing and slow, and one I can’t wait to sign up for next year. Starting by the train station in the town of Weston this 10k bad boy goes up a short steep hill, around a corner then pretty much uphill for the next 4.5k. The shorter 5k is the same start with an earlier turn around point and remains all on asphalt, while the 10k extends on to hard packed pea gravel. If I remember correctly there was one water point at the 5k turn around and another at the 10k turn around. I don’t remember if there was a third. It was so muggy, I carry 3 liters of water and drank it all on the way out in addition to some gatorade, so I used the 10k turn around to refil my camelback. Did that significantly eat in to my time? Yeah. Would it have made a difference? Nope. I developed a blister at mile 3 because I forgot to powder my feet for some reason I still cannot comprehend considering the weather so my time was already shot. The water point volunteers were amazing though and really celebrated everyone who made it by. I was lucky enough to have met a guy at the end who was hating life as much as me at that point, and we took turns reeling the other in for a while. With a mile left I noticed 5 baby raccoons (late for this time of year) on the side of the road debating whether they should wait on me to pass so they could join their mama on the other side of the road. One ran out and stood watch while the others crossed and they reformed on the other side and watched me pass. Best. Cheering. Station. Ever.
Despite finishing third to last, the finish line cheered me in and hung a finisher medal around my neck like they weren’t waiting on me to finish so they could start packing up. I really appreciated that they were still motivated when the weather had sucked out so much of mine even before the blister.
It was my worst performance of the year on a 10k but I couldn’t even beat myself up about it with everyone in such a good mood. I waited on the last two to come in and the MC cheered them in just as well as the first. Truly a top notch production. I haven’t wanted to get body armor off that badly on this side of the Atlantic, and I was truly soaked when I dropped it. I would have registered for 2024 at the finish line if I could. I’ll be properly powdered and have better insoles, and well, this is the kind of hill training that will put 98% of other races in the area to shame. Any serious racer should be out here doing this one. I firmly believe it’s one of the reasons I did so well (for me) at Garmin KC. Any half serious racer should be out here doing this one because it’s a great town and a great energy. Any “well this is my first race” racer…well…God bless ya’…but you should be out there too because once you do that one you’ll blow through all the others knowing that you’ve already done harder! There’s no excuse to NOT be there, so wave and say hi when you’re passing me next year.
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Punishing weather on a fabulous race
As the middle race in my 3-in-2 day weekend, the hot front that moved in coupled with the fact I was wearing body armor made this race punishing and slow, … MORE
As the middle race in my 3-in-2 day weekend, the hot front that moved in coupled with the fact I was wearing body armor made this race punishing and slow, and one I can’t wait to sign up for next year. Starting by the train station in the town of Weston this 10k bad boy goes up a short steep hill, around a corner then pretty much uphill for the next 4.5k. The shorter 5k is the same start with an earlier turn around point and remains all on asphalt, while the 10k extends on to hard packed pea gravel. If I remember correctly there was one water point at the 5k turn around and another at the 10k turn around. I don’t remember if there was a third. It was so muggy, I carry 3 liters of water and drank it all on the way out in addition to some gatorade, so I used the 10k turn around to refil my camelback. Did that significantly eat in to my time? Yeah. Would it have made a difference? Nope. I developed a blister at mile 3 because I forgot to powder my feet for some reason I still cannot comprehend considering the weather so my time was already shot. The water point volunteers were amazing though and really celebrated everyone who made it by. I was lucky enough to have met a guy at the end who was hating life as much as me at that point, and we took turns reeling the other in for a while. With a mile left I noticed 5 baby raccoons (late for this time of year) on the side of the road debating whether they should wait on me to pass so they could join their mama on the other side of the road. One ran out and stood watch while the others crossed and they reformed on the other side and watched me pass. Best. Cheering. Station. Ever.
Despite finishing third to last, the finish line cheered me in and hung a finisher medal around my neck like they weren’t waiting on me to finish so they could start packing up. I really appreciated that they were still motivated when the weather had sucked out so much of mine even before the blister.
It was my worst performance of the year on a 10k but I couldn’t even beat myself up about it with everyone in such a good mood. I waited on the last two to come in and the MC cheered them in just as well as the first. Truly a top notch production. I haven’t wanted to get body armor off that badly on this side of the Atlantic, and I was truly soaked when I dropped it. I would have registered for 2024 at the finish line if I could. I’ll be properly powdered and have better insoles, and well, this is the kind of hill training that will put 98% of other races in the area to shame. Any serious racer should be out here doing this one. I firmly believe it’s one of the reasons I did so well (for me) at Garmin KC. Any half serious racer should be out here doing this one because it’s a great town and a great energy. Any “well this is my first race” racer…well…God bless ya’…but you should be out there too because once you do that one you’ll blow through all the others knowing that you’ve already done harder! There’s no excuse to NOT be there, so wave and say hi when you’re passing me next year.
It's an afternoon race
Because of other events, they hold this race in the afternoon which can be very warm. it's easy to get to and park. there are a lot of walkers you … MORE
Because of other events, they hold this race in the afternoon which can be very warm. it’s easy to get to and park. there are a lot of walkers you have to dodge at first but once you get going it’s a beautiful course. not super hilly but pleanty of long inclines.