An Ri Ra Race Review
I end up being forced to deal with
getting my mom registered for this one, along with my own
registration. Yes, nothing gets me riled up like people who expect
me not only to pay for things that they do, but also to make sure
that they get done, but I didn't do enough of a job to get out of
this one. So, I get there nice and early, pick up packet (shirts
aren't as cool as last year's, weaker design and fabric) and ask when
the buses to the starting line leave. I'm told 8:30, so I don't take
the time to take personal break and get otherwise prepared. We roll
out at 9:00. No big deal.
The straight line from Emma Park to
the starting line is less than a mile away. Unlike last year, we
start a bit further back on the road, and get to hit the trail,
rather than deal with a strange loop out. I like this aspect of the
course, although it is a bit strange to start with an uphill. The
course starts above Butte, goes past three or four headers along
asphalt trail looping toward MT Tech, and actually jaunts around town
and through downtown at the end. I talk with a guy about the Memphis
Marathon (sounds cool, but it sells out way too early, since it's a
wintertime marathon and registration was full when I checked) and
settle myself near the back of the pack.
I had absolutely no idea how to
situate myself for this race. I usually do well on downhill, but
still had all the tired legs and sore feet from having done the 50k a
week before. On the other hand, I always like getting races done
with. I end up going hard on the initial downhill, and passing a
bunch of people along the way. It ends up being tricky, just because
the course is narrow and there is enough weave to make racing lines
matter. I'm still feeling awesome when we hit Tech's campus, which
is where the downhill really starts to level out.
I'm suffering the great problem of
most races on tired legs, which is that I've got no power on the
uphill sections. So, I'm really struggling to get uphill. On the
other hand, I'm inspired by running alongside a cool guy with a
double baby jogger. He's got bigger uphill / downhill swings than I
do. We hit a huge uphill in downtown Butte, and I manage to crest it
while still being alive. After that, the race course gets a bit
tricky to follow (lots of turns at the last part, and traffic to deal
with), and I end up getting passed by someone who looks young enough
to be in my age group. I end up getting passed by a fresh legged
Kenny Romaine, which does bother me. Punk youth and their fresh
legs.
So, at the award ceremony, I get
announced as finishing second overall, in the women's division.
Yeah, something strange happened there. I check the final, final
results, and see I managed to take second in my division, which
probably won't be happening again for a long time, since I'm moving
in the guys who know what they are doing, but still have to work age
group. And, despite the great overall descent, it isn't enough to
make this a fast course, just the easiest possible course in hilly
Butte.
Garmin Stats: 6.11 mi, 46:05, ascent
404, descent 954 August 11, 2012
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