Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Race Report: Summer Solstice 10K

I signed up for this race about two weeks prior (Side note this race took place on Friday 6/21). I wasn’t too keen on it at first because it was a Friday night race. Once I figured out I already had a tempo run that day I decided to register and use the race as a workout.

The morning of the race I decided to switch things up and use the race as my long run. I had a busy weekend ahead of me and would be out in CDA on Sunday to watch Ironman. I didn’t think I would want to run 11 (ish) miles after sitting out in the sun all day.

I love the red Brooks podium tee!

I got home from work and ran 3.5 miles and did some core work and stretching. I grabbed a light snack and then headed out the door to drive to the race. I originally thought I would run from my house to the race (3 miles) and then run back home after the race, but I wasn’t sure how comfortable I would feel running through certain neighborhoods between 8:00- 9:00 pm.  I parked by Gonzaga University and ran another 1.75 miles to the race start. With about 10 minutes to spare I did some additional stretching before it was GO TIME.

The course wasn’t what I had anticipated. I honestly don’t know what I expected, but this course didn’t match what I had envisioned. We ran a small loop through the park and then did an out & back longer loop. I guess I was anticipating the big loop to be first and to not have the weird out and back. 

It felt like somebody had poured cement in my running shoes. I don’t know if it was the combination of running before hand, the heat + humidity, the time of day, or it just being Friday. Seriously, good lord! 10Ks freaking hurt!

I crossed the finish line and you know what was missing? Guess. WATER. There was no water at the finish line. Seriously. NO WATER. Who does that? I have never, ever, ever finished a race and not had water at the finish line. I was parched. I wanted water. My car was at least 1 mile away if I took the short cut back. I was getting ready to run back to my car when I realized I placed so I stuck around for awards.

5th female OA/3rd place AG

By the time I did run back to my car, taking the shorter 1 mile route, I felt yucky because I was dehydrated. I was also famished. IF there would have been fast food close, I might have been tempted to stop at a drive thru. Instead I was good and went home and eat turkey and broccoli. I know, yummy. Happy Friday night to me!

What I liked about this race:
Fun atmosphere
GREAT race shirts
Course was well marked
The water stations were great cheer stations
It was different- a race on Friday night
Coupons were in my goody bag to my favorite frozen yogurt shop
They had good raffle drawings
Chip timed
Easy packet pick up

What could be improved upon:
Add some mile markers
Have WATER at the finish line
They said that there were going to be frozen yogurt cupcakes at the finish line, but there were none to be found. That made me pretty sad.

Obviously I really liked this race. I would probably run it again next year if it works with my schedule.

Let's chat:
Have you ever been to a race where they didn't have water at the finish line? Even during a hot summer night?
What is your favorite race color tee shirt?

--Tasha

26 comments:

  1. Did they just have no water, or did they have no beverage (no electrolytes, no protein shakes, nothing)? Yes, they should have water, but having no beverages of all is a whole lot worse than no water at all! I cant imagine finishing a race and having no water available. That is just strange.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, no nothing at the finish line. They did have two water stations on the course that you went by twice. That was it. My friends that also ran looked for water at the finish and didn't see it either.

      Delete
  2. Wow, never been to a race that didn't have water in the very least at the end. Fave race shirt is a toss up between my teal long sleeve 2012 Gasparilla half tech shirt, or the 2012 WRS half short sleeve white v-neck tech.

    I wear them both!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love tech shirts the best. I am surprised at how many of mine are v necks. That must be what they consider a women's cut?

      Delete
  3. I don't think I've ever done a race that hasn't had water at the end. That is weird. Almost like they forgot to set that station up or something.

    Favorite race color t-shirt? Probably my green Eugene one, oh no wait, I really like my H2C shirt from a few years back. It is an electric blue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that it was entirely overlooked. Next year I will my won water if I run.

      I love my Eugene shirt from last year. I have even gotten compliments on it.

      Delete
  4. Friday night race sounds fun! But NO WATER?! What the heck?! I have an orange shirt that I really like!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was fun, but I was thirsty. Lol. I have two orange race shirts. One is bright pumpkin orange so I can be seen at least a mile away.

      Delete
  5. No water? How is that even possible?! But congrats on your race, and age group placing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, no water to be found at the finish. There were two water stations that we passed twice out on the course. Thanks too :-)

      Delete
  6. NO water, oh my gosh!!! They definitely need to fix that for next year!

    You placed 3rd - no surprise there :) Yay!!!!!

    I love coming by your blog and reading your race recaps!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karina! :-)

      I was hoping we would get an email survey so I could suggest the water at the finish line. Honestly it was probably just overlooked by them.

      Delete
  7. Um...NO WATER?! I would've died...I always hold out in a 5k or 10k for water at the end. Sad face! But way to kick butt!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I almost died, LOL. Thankfully I did stop for water twice just because it was hot and I had already been running before the race.

      Delete
  8. I ran a race where it was a 10k and it was hot and humid. They had one water stop the whole entire time. It wasn't a big race and I didn't think I would need to bring my own. This was a major mistake and I was parched by the end! Nice work though and I love the Gonzaga mention :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yikes! I would have been parched too! The heat and humidity do me in big time. I just bought a hand held tonight so I might be bringing that with me more frequently. Less hassle than my fuel belt.

      Delete
  9. Wow that's crazy!! No water!! WHAT!!!! Way to go though on the race, awesome job!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! I've never been to a race without water at the finish line! Crazy!! I thought that was a requirement for permits! Cute race gear though!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that it just got overlooked. A crazy thing to overlook, but I guess it happens. There was two water stops on the course that we passed twice. I guess we could have ran back to the first water stop. LOL.

      Delete
  11. Great race and congrats on placing! Such a bummer (and shame) that there wasn't water at the finish. Hard to believe - was there an apology at all? Anyway, great work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Melody!!!! I haven't heard anything from the race directors about the race. I might email them and see what they say. I don't know if it was overlooked or not. I was with three additional people who didn't see it anywhere either. :(

      Delete
  12. I can't believe they didn't have water! Especially in summer! Thank goodness you did drive - running home would have been extra hard if you'd been parched too. And congratulations on placing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kari! I am so glad I had water that was at least only a mile away. I was so thirsty when I got back to my car. I was hungry too!

      Delete
  13. favorite race shirt color-usually something bright! blue, green, yellow. also-not related to this post but trying to catch up on reading/commenting...excited about your triathalon-i have no desire-terrible swimmer and biker! but i know you will do great!! i would've died at this race. i don't think i've done a race without hydration at the end-but my bro-in-law did. no water at a half marathon in ga in AUGUST. HOT.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like bright race shirts too. I think my least favorite shirt to date that was a technical fabric was from Missoula this last weekend. It was bright blue and had a yellow logo of runners chasing after a cowboy on a horse. Very "Montana", but I didn't care for it. Did your brother in law complain?! I would have flipped out! No water at the end of a half? That is just plain dangerous!

      Delete

I love your comments & inspiration