| Author |
Topic: Mackinac Island 8 mile race |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
 posted Sep-10-2007 01:26 PM
   
This is the fourth time I have done this race. Each time, my wife, Ann, has done the walk. This year, our daughter, Sandy, joined us. Sandy's longest run before this was 7 miles the previous weekend. Her longest race was the Crim 8K two weeks before this race.I had no idea what a reasonable expectation would be. My best time for this race was just under 1:08 for an 8:30 pace. At the time, I was shocked and couldn't believe I'd run that fast. The Crim, two weeks ago was a tough race for me and took away some of my confidence. I figured I should be safely under a 9 minute pace but didn't expect to get near 8:30. It turns out that I flirted with an 8:30 pace but didn't quite get there. My final time was !:08:25 for an 8:34 pace and my second best for this race. Now for the details. Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron just east of the Mackinac bridge which connects Michigan's upper and lower penninsulas. It is a big tourist destination. In addition to being scenic and historic, motor vehicles are not allowed so transportation is by walking, by bicycle, or by horse drawn vehicles. Prominent among the "touristy" type souvenir stores are fudge shops. They make fudge on marble slabs in the front windows and have fans blowing the aroma of freshly made fudge out into the street to help lure in customers. There is a paved road around the perimeter of the island that is used mainly by bicyclists who either bring their own bikes or rent one at one of the many rental shops. The race follows this 8 mile road in a clockwise direction. Other than a short section near the begining that goes through town, you have Lake Huron on your immediate left and woods that rise up on your right for most of the route. At various stages, you can see the lower penninsula, the Mackinac Bridge, and the upper penninsula. It's a real pretty run. It was a good morning for a race, probably about 60 degrees and with just a light breeze. When we got to the package pickup on Saturday morning, we talked with Bob, who we'd met three years ago at the campground we stayed at and who I'd seen in passing at that race and the one two years ago. I wondered if I would see anyone else I knew as we were several hundred miles from home and where I normally race. Shortly after we started, I saw a blond pony tail and pink skirt that looked familiar. As I passed, I greeted Linda who I see at a lot of races. As the mile markers passed, I was generally close to but not at an 8:30 pace and was fairly consistent throughout the race (from 8:16 mile pace to 8:38 mile pace, the 8:16 being the last mile). During the race, I passed more people than passed me, including several in the "sprint" to the finish and a horse drawn delivery wagon during the race. I also successfully dodged all the piles of horse manure on the road. There were several places where the coastline curved so you could see ahead for half a mile or so and, as Sandy commented, it was neat seeing all the runners strung out along the route, even if they were ahead of you. As I headed to the refreshment tables after finishing, I saw Dale, who is another local. A few minutes later, while going back to the finish to watch for Sandy and Ann, I saw Ann G. from our area. After seeing Sandy and Ann finish, we ran into Dale, Ann G., Linda, and her husband, Tim several more times. It turns out they had driven up together. My statistics ended up as 1:08:25 for an 8:34 pace, 335/1010 OA and 10/39 in AG (60-64). Ann finished her walk in 1:52:52 for a 14:07 pace, 86/305 OA and 8/43 in AG (55-60). Sandy finished in 1:26:18 (without walking a single step) for a 10:48 pace, 748/1010 OA and 9/19 in AG (20-24). We were all happy with our races and times. After a bite to eat, purchase of the obligatory fudge, and visiting a few shops, we took the ferry back to the mainland, got showers and naps then went to supper. As fate would have it, the local crew that we'd seen at the race chose the same restaurant and were there with a couple more from our area. Among them, I believe, was a 1st, 3rd, and 4th in AG. It was a great weekend. Here's the three of us before the race with Lake Huron and the lower penninsula in the background. The start and finish of the race are by the grassy area you see behind us.
 Here's the three of us after the race by the rental lockers at the ferry dock.
 Thanks for your patience in reading this long report. TomS ------------------
My Profile [This message has been edited by tselbs (edited Sep-10-2007).]
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 01:48 PM
What a great report to read Tom! All three of you did so well. A special congrats to your daughter on finishing this distance w/o a single walk break! I bet she felt real proud of that accomplishment. Sounds like such a beautiful place for a race! And the pics are great!
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SueT48
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 01:52 PM
Tom - nice race report - I can almost smell the fudge! Nice family pics - thanks for sharing!------------------
Sue
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 02:13 PM
What a great excuse to buy fudge...er...I mean, what a great race.  This sounds like a really nice place to run. Again, your report really gets across the good time you had in addition to running a solid race. And what a wonderful trio of smiles!
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hopeful4ever
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 02:32 PM
Oh, there is nothing better than Mackinac Island fudge! We'll all be watching for our's to arrive in the mail! Great race Tom!! Your time is exceptional - and the weekend weather was exceptional for racing too. Thanks for sharing - and you have a lovely daughter and wife - you are a very lucky man. ~Mary
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 02:34 PM
Fans blowing the fudge aroma out into the street?? That hardly seems fair! Oh well, I guess if you're there you know what you're getting into! Nice report and greta pace, Tom! And you guys all look so fresh and sproinky after the race... well done! Congrats to your wife and daughter too, sounds like everyone had a good day. Thanks for sharing (and it wasn't that long...).------------------
evanflein
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 02:52 PM
Nice race Tom! Nice photos but... where's the sweat? You guys look equally fresh in the before and after pictures 
Thanks for sharing
Steve
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hazelrah
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 02:58 PM
Thanks for the report. I grew up in the Flint area so this race is on my lifetime "to do" list. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you.
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 03:04 PM
The tselbs family lookin' good in their Crim shirts and everything! You make me envious, Tom, since I've been wanting to do that event for a while now. We stayed at Mission Point once and I took an early morning run around the island, but doing a race there would be a real treat.The cooler weather obviously made a difference for you, as an 8:34 pace would have been nice (but difficult) two weeks ago in Flint. Your AG placing in this one is a much better reflection on where you are with your running. It's hard to describe what a beautiful setting that is (weather permitting), but I'm sure all of the Michiganders on the forum here can picture you running past the fudge and t-shirt shops, hurdling the road apples, and taking that shoreline road around our jewel of an island! Kingston's a nice place, but I doubt if the local roads can compare. ------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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pfriese
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 03:27 PM
tselbs,What a great place for a race. DW and I were up there earlier in the year for a conference at the Grand Hotel. I had a 16 mile training run on schedule while we were there. Twice around the island was sure nice with the views and cool temps. I had such a great run, that I went for a lap around the island the next day, even though I had no run planned. The smells of the fudge in town were fantastic and the quiet of the island with no motorized traffic was amazing. Thanks for the wonderful RR and bringing back memories of fudge and the island from earlier in the summer. Paul
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 03:27 PM
What 3 great smiles! Congrats on your races. I'm drooling all over my computer for some of that fudge. "Give my some of your chocolate and nobody gets hurt".ksrunr
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enkephalin
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 04:36 PM
Sounds like all of you had a great day! Looks like a nice place to run. Great pictures and great pace too. Luckily when I read the part about the fudge, I was myself downing a thick chocolatey brownie, or else there would have been trouble!
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 04:55 PM
Tom!Congratulations on a well run race. I loved reading every detail. Your wife and daughter had really good races, too! The r.s. has camped on Mackinac Island and loved it. I think I better get up there some time. Thanks again for the photos and report. ~ rose
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selb3
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 05:31 PM
Way to go!! Great report and pix. You all look so nice. (but then again, I am biased!) You will have to get Ann and Sandy reporting also. I bet the fudge tastes better after a real nice run!dave
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 06:09 PM
Wonderful family race, Tom. I enjoyed the report and the pictures. It made me realize how long it's been since I've been on the island. The kids enjoyed the ferry ride when they were young. Since we now live in the Buckeye state we cross the bridge every time we drive "home" to the Upper Peninsula. One of these times we'll have to stop over at the island for some of that delicious fudge.
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 06:16 PM
As always great running and excellant report Tom.Sounded like a fun family day. You're a lucky man.
jjj
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jeanne1
Member |
posted Sep-10-2007 06:21 PM
Congratulations on your great run, Tom! You forgot to mention that the fans blowing the smell of the fudge out into the streets helps "cover up" the smell of the horsey stuff you were sidestepping during your race! What a great location for a run - glad you did well and had good weather.
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 08:19 PM
I wasn't the least bit impatient reading your report, Tom. In fact, it was a great RR and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Congrats to you, Ann and Sandy on great races! It looks like a fun time was had by all. Btw - thanks for always noticing our runs!
PJ
PS - I like the 'nap' part after a race!
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kameele
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 08:48 PM
Tom, i always love that you know so many people at all your races. that must mean that everyone you meet remembers you in such a good light. you're also a pretty d@m good runner on top of it Kevin
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 09:01 PM
As soon as I saw you were in a race on the island, I was eager to read your RR. You're a great runner Tom. You have a way with words as well. Well done. There's 1/2 marathon and a 5.7 mile run in late October. I don't know if I'll make it this year, but it is a good time. Near the end of the day, kids are trick or treating at the shops. It's quite the sight. ------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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jrtmoore2
Member |
posted Sep-10-2007 09:22 PM
Nice race Tom. I am hoping to do that one sometime. I did the Great Turtle 1/2 marathon last year and itwas a beautiful run.
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Opie
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 10:13 PM
Congrats to all three of you and what a great experience! Your mention of Lake Huron took me on a trip down memory lane. A few years ago we were in Michigan for summer vacation, and when we went swimming in the lake, the kids couldn't believe how freezing cold the water was.
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La Tortuga
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 10:22 PM
"...purchase of the obligatory fudge,"Who knew??? Nice race and post-race photos - thanks for the report!
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Jim24315
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 10:43 PM
Way to go Tom,You are the rock. I've told you this after reading several of your reports, and it is so true. I can actually smell the water and feel the breeze coming of the lake after reading them. Surprisingly, I only made it to Mackinac Island once in all the years I lived in Michigan, but I'll always remember it. I'd really like to run that race some day before I get too old. I didn't take up running until I moved west. Making it back there again is probably a longshot, but I wouldn't rule it out. Reading your story has started the wheels turning. Congratulations on another solid race, and thanks for sharing the photos too. I liked them a lot. Jim
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-10-2007 11:12 PM
Though I've been on the bridge, I never even thought about the island namesake but if I ever get to run in Michigan, this is the race I'd like to do with you. Thanks for making it like I did.
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