Running Lessons Learned in 2013

Alright so I might be a little behind with this post and reveal what a novice runner I really am, but here are the lessons I learned from 2013!

• Don’t forget to strength train!
• Hills show you what you are really made of.
• Some people’s idea of a flat, is not really flat.
• You may have a lot of friends who run, but it’s hard to find one who you can train with.
• It is possible to feel like your face is going to freeze off and three miles later, you are peeling off the layers.
• Run in the cold!
• Yes, you will eventually warm up after running in less than 30 degree weather
• Running a marathon in the rain is really not that bad.
• Running your first marathon and having no one to cheer you on at the finish line SUCKS!
• Not all downhill races are created equally.
• There can be TOO much of a decline.
• It’s true what they say about a PR, when you get one you feel amazing!
• 5k races feel more like a training run then a race (or maybe I am doing that wrong too and it will be on my list of things I learned in 2014).
• Compete against yourself and not others.
• Don’t miss a chance to run in the sun, because it will be winter again before you know it!

I am looking forward to the new year with new races on the schedule. If you have any races that you want us to review, please let us know and we’ll see if we can get some of our team there!

Thankful13 Half Marathon

 

It was a blustery day in Lehi, Utah for the Thankful 13 Half Marathon! I am not a huge cold weather fan so I was a bit worried about signing up for this race. But I knew I needed something before I could eat Thanksgiving dinner. 

Thankful 13 Half Marathon

This was a well put together race. Emails were received before the race that detailed what we needed to do and where to park. The parking lot was small but right by the start/finish line, after the race it was perfect! Their website has all the information you need for the race and packet pick up. The hubby did packet pick up for me on this one, but he reported that the line was small and he got through quickly. And yes, my bag had everything I needed for the race the next morning.

If you have read my reviews before, you know I am not a big fan of hills. I guess when the race director said it was a flat course what he meant was, there are some small hills here and there. He also probably should have said, when you are just about done, you will encounter the biggest hill on the course. In retrospect, the hill was not that bad, but at mile 12.82 making me go uphill is like asking me to run another mile! I started talking to myself to get up that hill, and yes I was talking out loud! The runners passing me probably thought I was having mental issues (which wouldn’t have been far off).

I loved the medal and t-shirt! The shirt is unlike any other race shirt I have. It’s a tech hoodie and the turkey on the front, very cute. The medal was, of course, a turkey and makes a great addition to my collection. By far the best part of this half marathon were the signs put up along the course of things people were thankful for. They were funny, heartfelt, encouraging, and powerful!

The down side was the after race support. There was no bottled water! They had water in big jugs, but that water tasted funny! (I know I am picky about everything.)They offered hot chocolate and pumpkin pie. Nothing beyond that. I thought that because of my love of chocolate and desserts that I would love that after a race. But I wasn’t feeling it!

Overall it was a good race, but just was not exceptional. It was a great way to spend my Thanksgiving morning and as far as races on that day, there are not a lot of options. So do it for the shirt and the medal and the calories that you burn! But if you are limiting your races for the year (injury, funds, whatever else), there are better races out there. Thankful13 gets 3 shoes.

SoJo Half Marathon 2013

What can I say, it was a beautiful fall run in my own backyard!

I will start with race packet pickup. You had two options before race day. First at the Run Gr8 store in Riverton. I opted for the Friday pickup at the U of U Health Center in Daybreak. There were no lines when I arrived. The staff was great. The pack consisted of a bib and a wrist band for a sandwich from Chick-fil-A at the end of the race. (You had to show wristband to get a sandwich). The rest of our swag was virtual coupons which we had to log into the internet to get. While cool in technology it was a little disheartening to not receive any in hand swag, but that isn't the primary reason we sign up, right? The shirts were great this year though!

The race started at the U of U in Daybreak. You had the option of riding a bus or having someone drop you off at the start line. I opted for getting dropped off. At the start it was chilly, mixed with race day jitters I decided to stop one last time at the Porta Potty station. Well after standing in a line for an eternity, a race director came to announce there was only 5 min before gun time and to hurry. Hardly anyone budged! Quickly deciding mine was more just jitters than actually having to go I left and headed toward the start line. 

The race started and we were off. The race starts heading east on 114^th South, you run through Daybreak past the lake and up "temple hill"; it’s a good little climb. You then continue to head east on about 3200 west. Make sure when you do this, you better have sunglasses because you are running directly towards the sun. While running in the sunrise is wonderful and it helped to warm us up quickly. Once you reach 104th south, you hit another hill. This is around mile 8. Reserve some energy for this hill; it differentiates between the well trained and the not well trained.

The aid stations along the way were wonderful; although lacked volunteer support. Some had just one person sitting at a table. Most offered a choice of water or Gatorade. I believe it was at mile 6 and 8 they also had Gu and some additional supplements like banana’s and apples. Once you get to mile 11 you head north on the Jordan River trail. It was beautiful with the fall foliage around you. It was easy to forget it was a race. At the finish the time clock was over by about 2 minutes. Which was a great surprise the day they posted the results on their page.

At the finish it was very organized, they had a drop bag pickup, Chick-fil-a, Dr Pepper (which I thought was funny) and bananas. I didn't get a chance to hang around long after to enjoy what else they had to offer. If you are wanting to PR this is not the race for you, but if are wanting a bit of a challenge and a fun course then give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

Overall I would give this race 3 shoes. The reason for not scoring it a full 5 would be lack of swag, traffic on roads was frustrating, as much as cops would hold traffic but there were times when have to wait for a car to go. Not a lot of volunteer support on aid stations. But that wouldn't stop me from wanting to do it again next year to try and beat my time!