I'm going to try and be succinct and to the point and not overload on the race strategy minutia... which sometimes I don't have much of a race strategy anyway, so that takes care of that!
WHAT:
2011 Groundhog Run
WHERE:
Hunt Midwest Subtropolis, Kansas City, MO
DISTANCE:
10k
EXPERIENCE AT THIS EVENT:
Ran the 10k for the past 4 years, this would be year 5.
PAST PERFORMANCE BEST:
10k - 2009 - 47:45
PERSONAL RECAP:
I had every intention of going out easy the first two miles, around an 8 min/mile pace and then turn it up. The goal was to warm up the first 2 miles (not much needed since it was all underground in temp controlled 68 degrees with no hills!) and finish strong.
Well, underground = no GPS to get instant pace. EVERYONE has footpods so there is no point in using one to keep pace. I just kind of ran by feel and lapped the Garmin at every mile. Lap 1, 7:24... oops. It was too easy since it wasn't a treadmill run or out in the cold. Problem was I paid for it in mile 5 and 6. They were not comfortable and I felt like I spent my mojo in the first 4 miles.
Lap 1 - 7:24
Lap 2 - 7:15
Lap 3 - 7:10
Lap 4 - 7:25
Lap 5 - 7:35
Lap 6 - 8:10 - water stop
Lap 7 - 1:00
Finish time = 46:02
THE GOOD
- Personal 10k PR by 1:45 set in 2009. So new PR and I can't be mad about that. I was thinking at first since the miles seem to be easy, I was going to kill it, but finished a little weak.
- You can't beat running in 68 degrees on FLAT pavement in January in Kansas City.
- The race is always well organized. 3000+ racers can't be wrong.
- Cool t-shirts for the event.
- For $30 early entry, cost is very affordable.
- They had PLENTY of water on the course and at the finish line. CRATES of bottled water.
- Packet picket 2 days prior to race and ON RACE DAY! I wasn't able to make it before the race, so I could pick it up when I got there which was sweet.
- Children's TLC is a good cause.
- Chip timing. The chips were a part of the bib and there was no shoe insert or waiting while someone cut the tag off your shoe. You got done, kept your bib, and went about your post race.
- Fruit left for the 10k finishers! You have to have a good supply to make it through 2000+ 5k runners and have enough to feed the 10k'ers after the 5k'ers have been grazing post race.
- 3000 racers trying to find a port-a-potty when there are only 20ish set up in the caves. I understand the space they have to work with, but they did have more room but in the 5 years I have raced the event, they have never added more john's so I guess they figure it works.
- Race day packet pickup did not supply any goodies except bib and t-shirt.
- Norfolk Southern train tracks are right outside the "cave" entrance. Where they had us park, you had to cross the tracks. Norfolk Southern stationed railroad police to advise participants they were trespassing if they did not cross at the long way around. The point was correct, the approach was wrong. It bordered harassment instead of a public service.
- VIP's now park at the closer lot and all else must park across the highway and walk across to the event. Wish I knew how and who got VIP parking.
- Their website isn't easy to obtain race times. They run the 5k and then the 10k since it's all on the same underground roads and could get congested if everyone ran at once. Usually every year has been 9am and 10am start time, but I forget from a year ago for sure and you have to kind of hunt for the start times on their site.
- It's always nerve racking to leave personal belongings alone while you run. You have to dress to make it to the cave and usually you aren't going to run with that gear. You just leave your stuff in the start area and come and get it afterwards. I have had no problems to date but always nervous.
1 comment:
Congratulations on your PR!
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