Well...it's been a while since I've posted but I ran one of my bucket list races this weekend and it did not disappoint. I only wish I had some one here to share it with! We recently moved back to Alaska and I signed up for the Her Tern Half last week. I really only wanted to run the 1/4 marathon but decided that since there are rumors floating around that Her Tern (a store) is closing I had better run the 1/2 just in case it goes away next year. I hope not!!! This race (my 26th half) was just my style. They day before the race, I was able to make it to the Expotique, even though they do have race day packet pick up. I am glad that I went, but I wish I'd gotten there sooner. (I was a late day arrival because of the Bear Paw parade and a job expo---no new job yet, prayers appreciated) Lines at the Expotique when I was there were short for bib pick up and a little longer for check out. Quick easy and efficient. Oh and parking is free at meters on Saturday (I learned this only after I fed the meter a nonrefundable $1.50). Your race entry fee includes coupons that you can use at the Skinny Raven running store or the Her Tern Boutique. Armed with these coupons for $10 off Nathan Hydration, $25 off Brooks shoes or apparel, and $50 off a bag or shoes at Her Tern. Since our household goods have not arrived yet in Alaska I splurged on a new water bottle (ok not a splurge b/c reg price $15 take away the coupon and it was $5) and a lightweight race t-shirt because it's been "hot" here in Alaska (meaning 70s). The coupons were neatly tucked into a BAGGU reusable shopping bag. The race shirt was a nice wicking Brooks shirt that seemed to be true to sizing. This is a ladies only races so women's sizes only for the shirt....ok well there is one guy who gets selected to run with the women. His race number is 1...and he was outstanding at cheering us ladies on throughout the race! Race day morning proved to be typical Alaska summer weather (low 50s and overcast). I was a bit chilly while I waited on the race to start. I got there early and took the first photo of the inlet, which we didn't run by on the course. I did the early start and at my pace I'm glad I did. If you run a half in 2:30 or less you are encouraged to compete in the normal start, otherwise the aid stations aren't necessarily open for you. If you are like me (around the 3:00 mark +/- 10 min~or more or less that's just me), then the early start is for you. I hung out near the back of the start as I gave myself a low goal of 3:15 and a high goal of 3:00, this was due to an insane amount to calories and yummy camp food as well as little sleep and no recent training due to Midnight Sun Bible Camp, the week before, fishing on the Kenai, the week before that and the move in the preceding weeks. The early start began with a fancy schmancy Chevy vehicle leading the way (I'd say what it was but I'd get it wrong). You follow the vehicle for a lap around Delaney Park before heading down Happy Hill. The hill is a nice glide to start the race, until you remember you have to run back UP the hill at the very end. Once down the hill you run to a park and onto the Campbell Creek Trail. Since I don't live in Anchorage, I didn't know what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. The trail is paved with a few small hills here and there where the route crosses a road. Gravel strips about two feet wide line the trail on both sides so if you want to get off the pavement you can. The trail is well marked and race organizers also put motivation signs along the road that were just my style, of course there were the cute spectator signs. Water and refueling stops were well run with two gel locations. Water stops were also marked by arches and banners. The organizers and fans used chalk to write additional messages on the trail. The course itself is beautiful and a reminder that in Anchorage, wildlife cautions are always needed. I was really impressed with this kind of race support. We spotted two more moose later on the trail. One on the way out, which I watched as the runners ahead of me veered to the left, and followed suit as another lone cow moose was eating. The second moose was the young bull pictured above which I actually stopped and took a picture of. Racers worked well together to alert each other to the wildlife. This is how I find that Alaskans take care of each other. While running in the valley, I often have motorists stop and tell me if there are moose ahead, especially if it's a mother and calf. Luckily, we did not see any bear on the course! This race was so different than crossing road, after road, in the DC/Baltimore races that I am use to. It was so peaceful I just let myself relax and reflect on all that has happened the last few weeks. Crowd support was scattered throughout the trail in little pockets of cheer....if you are someone who loves to run through the neighborhood block party you might be disappointed. If you are like me and you run to cleanse your mind and reflect on God's Holy creation you will love this race. The number of non-racers on the trail did progress as the race went on, but everyone was mindful of each other. The racers who started on-time started to catch me around mile 7.5-8. Some of these ladies were flying, but there only seemed to be a few places where the race bottlenecked with runners two abreast on both sides. I am sure it's frustrating for these ladies to have to skirt around the likes of me but I appreciate the chance to watch them run, and to finish with a group and enjoy the post race party together. I'd love one of my faster friends to run this with me and see if they could catch me with the head start. Around mile 8 my lost toe nail and the beginnings of plantar fasciitis caught up with me and I had to push through them with some slow walking. I'd never had PF before but by the time I got home, I knew that was what was happening. Therefore, the reason for the grimace in the image below. Just before the mile 13 marker, you run up Happy Hill....or in my case hobble, before a nice flat .1 mile finish. After the finish, men dressed in suits hand you the bracelet (no medal---see first picture). I don't mind not getting a medal and am happy for something different, since my medals are in ziplock bags and not hanging on the wall...yet. The post race party is just plain classy. A rose garden (don't forget your ID) with a custom champagne glass filled with a mimosa and a bag of kettle corn. Outside the rose garden, there is a stage with a band playing and socks and other prizes literally being thrown into the audience. There is also a food booth with wonderful baked goods and fruit (who catered this? I need to frequent their business). I nabbed a delicious carrot cake cupcake. There are vendors with prize wills and door prizes as well as the Kaladi Bros coffee truck. Did I mention there were free massages? Oh and baby pools filled with water to soak those tired toes in. Alaska builds a strong since of community and the local news published every racers name in the paper; including my slow 3:11:02. Thoroughly impressed with Skinny Raven's job putting on this race and I hope I can make it again next year. I can't wait to experience their other races in the months to come....now to lose that moving stress weight and prep for my next long race and the little ones in between: Anchorage RunFest - Skinny Raven 1/2 Marathon.
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JK McDowellLong time back of the pack runner, science lover, Christian, educator, and mom. Archives
July 2019
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