| Author |
Topic: Santa Claus Half Marathon RR |
evanflein
Cool Runner |
 posted Jul-07-2007 10:22 PM
  
Well this race is about as "themey" as you could get, in one of the "themeist" towns in this state. North Pole, which is about 14 miles south of Fairbanks, has all sorts of Christmas theme things going, from the street names, to the Santa Claus House tourist shop, the candy cane light posts, you name it. Kinda cheesey, but hey it works for them. This race has cute little wooden Santa figures for the mile markers. Wish I'd had a camera...Let's start this with the poor night's sleep the night before... Bedtime was 10 pm as planned, and my recent sunburn was alive and well and bugging me to no end. Finally got to sleep, then CRACK goes thunder, and we got the biggest electrical storm we'd had all year with lightening feeling so close the thunder shook our windows. Then came the rain. wow, we got deluged... washed out part of our driveway and the garden looks trampled. So, finally got to sleep at about 3 a.m. It rained all night... Morning saw heavy clouds and sprinkles, but the steady rain had stopped. DH drove me out to North Pole a little late, and construction on the highway had me there just in time to get in the Porta Potty line and run to the start. So much for a warm up, but at least it wasn't raining. It was pretty muggy though. We took off and I was trying to stay at 8 minute miles. My goal for this race was to beat last year's time (not hard... a miserable tendonitis induced 1:54:57), and work on pacing, which I'm soooo bad at. First mile was 7:39. Oops. By mile 5 I had 35 seconds "in the bank" and I'd need them soon. Mud wasn't too bad, but I did slip and almost fall going around a large puddle at 3.5 mile. Just after mile 5 we go into a dirt road/trail thru some thick trees and the footing was like oatmeal. Yuk. Glad I wore my old shoes. Hard to get real traction, felt a bit like running in sand and lost some time here. Then at mile 6 we climb up onto the dike (this race is run around a flood control plain with large gravel dikes) and do the next 1.6 miles on gravel with large rocks and a steady headwind. Actually, the headwind was steady for the rest of the race. Lost a bit of time here, all this steady flat running on soft footing with a headwind just really takes it out of me. Saw DH at about 7.6 mile and he cheered me on with "Exactly an hour! Great pace baby!" which made me feel good. Then down off the dike back onto the muddy plain. Ran most of this with a guy from our running group here, we talked a bit and encouraged each other, and he pulled in front of me a bit. On the way back, I really worked on keeping steady pace cuz this is where I tend to fade, and did pretty well. My Garmin isn't accurate with such heavy clouds, but seemed to keep me between 8:05 and 7:45 m/m. At about mile 10, a long-legged woman passed me, and I recognized her from previous races where I'd beaten her but I didn't think she was in my age group. Wrong-o it seems. I didn't worry about catching her because I had my job of pacing to work on, and that's just as well. Got to the last water stop at mile 11 and my friend stopped for water. "Don't do that! Only two miles to go!!" but he didn't listen. I took off and kicked it up a bit but was running pretty much by myself. Passed a lot of walkers (they started an hour earlier) those last few miles, and a couple of runners who'd passed me earlier on, but never caught miss long legs. DH was out on the road at 13 miles to run the last .1 mile with me, which is awful nice of him. Finish time was 1:45.03, almost a 10 minute PR over last year (my only other HM). Miss long legs was about a half minute ahead of me and got first in AG, I got second. So that's cool. I'd have liked to get first, and can't believe I beat her at 10k and 1 mile distance, and she found speed here, but oh well. I ran the race I wanted, got my PR and I'm happy with that. And the race sponsor puts on a nice barbecue lunch afterwards with AG medals. Told DH I bought him lunch  . Wow, this is probably the longest post I've ever done; thanks for reading if you made it this far! Fashion report: well since I was expecting a mud bowl... wore my old beloved dirty grey and lilac Asics 8's, orangey-red shorts with white stripe, white long sleeved tech tee (proved a bit much as it got muggy), Forest green cap. ------------------
evanflein [This message has been edited by evanflein (edited Jul-07-2007).]
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-07-2007 10:29 PM
Very exciting. Sounds like a difficult race with the mud, rocks, water, wind, etc. etc. You did very well and miss long legs will be yours next time. Thanks for sharing an exciting report; I enjoyed it.ksrunr
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-07-2007 10:57 PM
Merry Christmas, erika! New PR and AG2... nice. Nice reading... Leave cookies and milk out tonight... glidegal
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Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 03:32 AM
Wow, evenflein what a good result and a cracking PR too plus 2nd in age group! Nice touch for DH to run in the last mile with you. I'm sure you'll get miss long legs next time. Good going girl!
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euphoric
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 04:19 AM
You made running in mud sound like a walk in the park! Congratulations on the huge PR and an AG place others can only dream of, or, put on their Christmas list.
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 07:12 AM
That's pretty darn quick!!!! Having support from loved ones rocks!!! Thanks for the RR.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 08:42 AM
Quite an improvement despite the tendinitis in the first half marathon you did, but now you are getting closer to what you can really do at this distance. If you can beat long legs at tenK, you can beat her at the half. The course conditions were not ideal for you to run on pace easily, with all that mud. You did very well under those circumstances. Nice win. Spareribs
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 08:58 AM
evanflein,That would be a respectable time on a flat course with good footing, but is a fine time on the course you described. Don't worry about Ms. Long Legs. Your goal was to maintain your pace and you did that. Maybe I am in the minority, but when I race I usually have a goal time and am not much concerned about what anyone else is doing. Nice job. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 10:19 AM
Excellent race under less than optimum conditions and a huge PR - well done Erika! You are running great! Sounds like you have the pacing down fairly well to me. I'm sure your hubby is quite proud of his speedy partner. On the 22nd, miss long legs will write "then at mile 12, that beautiful blonde gal I beat last time blew past me like I was standing still - never saw her again til the awards ceremony - she took 1st". You go grrl!Skip
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 12:44 PM
Skip's right -- revenge will be yours! Very interesting there. Excellent time (but by now, I expect times like these from you!). Yugogirl!
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 12:46 PM
Woohooo! Hugh new PR! Congratulations, you are getting faster and more beautiful every day!
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 12:58 PM
Evan, when I saw "Santa Claus" in the title, I wondered what was going on but you explained it. In spite of a poor night's sleep and tough conditions, you sure did well. Congrats on the big PR and AG award.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 02:57 PM
Good job and an entertaining read.I KNEW you wearing a bikini would have consequences...lol You will know what Miss Longlegged looks like to snipe her next time around. That will be the fun you have for that time around. To PR by 10 minutes is definitely nothing to sneeze at. You have ruined my young impression of the North Pole, however. What do you mean LIGHTNING? I expect snow and sleds and cold and Santa. Thanks again for sharing. ------------------
vista129
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 03:41 PM
Erika – congratulations on your PR and 2nd AG win! Great job! And with not-so-great conditions, too. You are a fast one!So, just how far is North Pole from THE north Pole? Do they really "do it up" there in November and December? Did they serve fruitcake after the race? You should bring a camera next time and post a couple of shots. You live so far away, I’d love to see a little glimpse into your world. Oh yeah, and shots of you are good, too….
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Holly
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Nordic Berserker
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 04:12 PM
Erika, you're a Rock Star! Nice running through the mud and gravel. Keep up with all those PRs.
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breger1
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 04:47 PM
Excellent HM Erika. You are running great (as others have noted). Next year, Long Legs is toast!I'll be vacationing in AK early next month. Unfortunately I don't think we're making it as far inland as Fairbanks. It would have been great to meet and maybe take a run with you and your DH.
Bill
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Bill's Profile
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La Tortuga
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:20 PM
Happy New Years!!!Nice way to stick to your plan and run a strong race. Thanks for sharing!
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:48 PM
You smashed your old PR in style. Congratulations. It was nice that DH was so supportive. Miss long legs had better watch out.------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 09:41 PM
Wow, you are a speedster! I have a feeling more of your PR's are going to crumble in the near future. Very excellent racing in less than ideal conditions. Congratulations!
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 10:08 PM
Obviously 1:45 is more your territory than 1:54. Glad you were happy with your pacing and the 2nd place AG finish. I'm also glad you didn't get hurt in the mud and the muck. Nice race and great report.
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Bugs34
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 04:27 PM
Very impressive! Good work! They sure seem to have a lot of creative races in Alaska.Bugs
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 05:13 PM
Erika,
What I get from your report is your ability to maintain your composure. You didn't let things like a poor night's sleep, rush to the start line, mud, and Miss Long Leg's upset your game plan. That's an awesome PR -- congrats to you and a big "atta boy" to DH for being on the course for you! Does he do much running?------------------
choover
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 08:54 PM
Erika, congratulations on the major PR. You did a fine job maintaining your goal pace over some difficult (and bizarre) terrain. Nicely done.Time to update that profile!
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spankee
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:44 PM
HOHOHO Merry Race Report. I love the reports from out of the ordinary. Sure there is Boston, New York and Chicago, but there is only one Santa Claus and one North Pole.....er, okay so maybe there is no Santa Claus and there are two North Poles...but this was great report on what sounded like a really fun race.
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:51 PM
Erika,
You sure ran well and ran smart. The r.s.'s sister used to live in Delta Junction, is this near there?Congratulations on a great personal best and AG place!
Did you get candy canes in your socks?
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