Today was the fourth annual (Insert race name here) 10K in Oaxaca's Parque Llano. Why don't I know the name of this race??? I ran unofficially to get a workout, as I'm in the early stages of the next Half Marathon buildup. As the Grumpy Runner, do I have to know the name of every damn race?! Heck no.
It's yet another Sunday morning 10K in Parque Llano, Oaxaca's premiere venue for such events. This is a gorgeous park in the Centro neighborhood of my adopted city. I love these Sunday a.m. runs, they are convivial, boisterous and fun. The field is always pretty good, this mile high city is a real running town. An extra strong field is on hand today, with prize money on offer. A couple of the local Kenyans who live and train around here show up, sniffing a payday, and even chubby grandmother runners put their best foot forward when there is prize money on the line.
Me, I'm looking for a workout. I'd had a 24 hour bug earlier this week and I was happy just to be there. I do not pay the 200 peso entry fee so I am not in the money hunt. As an aside, it's perfectly acceptable here to run with no number. No race official or announcer hassles you on the course or at the finish.
I believe this is how it should be! I grew up racing in New England small town runs where this was acceptable. I almost always ran with a number, but no one bothered me when I didn't. Sometimes I just plain could not afford it. No big deal. But back to the subject at hand...
The gun goes off and we settle in. A pretty clean start for a Oaxacan race, things can get messy/chaotic here--runners bunching at the start line, pouring over, group false starts that never come back, but not today.
I settle in at a modest clip and I'm pleased to feel half decent! An honest pace, but not pushing my luck. Maybe 5:00 per kilometer. I'm coming off a PR 1:44:35 half marathon a month back (yup, a sea level race), but I've taken time off. No rush today.
But here's a dude with a shock of wavy gray hair, he wants to race. You go for it pal, I'm just minding my own groove. But every time I inch up on Mr. Hair, he takes off. I guess he figures we're competing for the 50+ division payday, fair enough. I pay no mind, looking to relax and hit a good rhythm.
Now we're rolling pretty good, not great, through 2, 3, 4K. It's an out-and-back course, I'm inching up on hair guy again at the turnaround. My middle distance past pops out of nowhere, I take the turn and put on a burst to get by Mr. Hair and another dude. Why not keep pressing? I like the idea of running a bit faster than my comfort level in a race, and manage a good kilometer surge. Pass a couple-few runners.
Coming back to earth, I hit a mild rough patch as we dip under an overpass and then climb up from it. One or two short, stocky Oaxacans ease by me on the uphill. We run by a big 7K marker (the only distance marker in the race?!) and I see 35:20 on my watch. OK, good workout in hand. Just want to finish in good order.
I'm working a bit to keep pace with the folks around me. We're running city blocks and taking 90 degree turns here and there, we don't run on Calle Calzada de Republica, a diagonal street that would be the quickest return to Parque Llano, gotta get in those 10 kilometers, yes we do!
With maybe 2K to go, two guys come up from behind, going pretty good. Without thought, I settle in with them and hitch a ride. This hurts, but it's do-able. After 5 - 600 meters, I have to let go but now we can sniff the finish.
I'm back to trying to keep pace with runners around me--I look up and to my great surprise... it's Mr. Hair! He's unmistakable, a skinny dude in running tights (amongst stocky Oaxacans in their shorts). When the heck did he pass me??? Answer: He didn't!
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yes! Hair guy is so intent on a run for the prize money, he cut across the course on the diagonal street and shaved off a goodly chunk of meters, emerging in better position. There are very few course monitors out there, so it's do-able. I see it all in a flash, there's no way this guy passed me.
We're 800 meters to go and hair guy is right in front of me. I'm hurting pretty good from my two surges, but I stalk him. Seems I can hold on, working the rhythm. We're around the penultimate bend, and those who have something still in the tank pick it up. I'm next to Hairball now as the pace increases. I think, "I own you, dude". Yes, I was a miler in college, these instincts never go away, really. I'm 58 years old and nowhere's near as fast as I used to be, but I'm a bit pissed just now and I'm thinking, "What would Mo do?".
I'm waiting, I don't go too soon. Lay down your cards hair guy, let's see what your cheating butt has left in it! He tries to take off with about 180 to go and I cover that. OK, my turn, and I'm away. Take the last turn and hit the gas. Take it up to a good middle distance cruise if not an actual sprint. Through the line and I don't look back. I like to chat with fellow runners after the race, but what am I going to say? "Did you plan ahead to cut the course, or was it spur of the moment?"
OK, I freely admit, Mr. Hair might have somehow slipped by unnoticed. It happens. But I was pretty aware over this run, and noticed a couple very stocky Oaxacans in shorts going by in the second half, but nary a skinny dudes in tights. In the end, it pulled me to a 1/2 decent race. I was surprised to check my watch and see 49:57. Not that fast, but for today I'll take it.
Want to schedule a Oaxaca hill/trail running tour? Email Steve
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Monday, August 3, 2015
Summer Breeze Half Marathon, San Leandro CA
Ran the Summer Breeze Half Marathon this past Saturday (Aug. 1), in the "East Bay" right near Oakland, CA, staged by Brazen Racing. What a well-run event it was! Since I'm a grumpy old bastard, I really enjoy a race with a well-marked course, ample porta-potties, an organized start and competent timing/results. All this happened!
And, I got a spectacularly ugly finishers medal, what a score! Note the olde New England type whale in there, hard to beat.
The course is near perfect - a gravel and paved bike/hiking trail along the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. Mostly flat with a few rises and a couple foot bridges. Only one tight turn, not including the hair-pin turnaround on the out and back course.
There are mile markers along the way to gauge your progress if you like that kinda thing. As the race name promises, there is a bit of wind off the bay, but it mostly keeps things pleasant, it's only a minor battle into the wind for a few brief moments on the course.
All this is ideal for me-- this being my second half marathon, on a flat, fast sea-level course. Having run a 1:50:08 over a hilly course at the mile-high altitude of Oaxaca some few months back, I have my eye on improving my time here.
I'd trained decently in the weeks and months prior to this run, and tapered a bit in the days before the race. I have the confidence instilled by running mountainous courses in the altitude of Oaxaca. Feeling good after a couple miles just under 16 minutes, I relax and bend into the run. I am going for it. At first, a good number of runners pass me. The further I run, fewer runners get by, and I start picking people off. I mainly keep my own council on pace.
At 5 miles, I'm full of run, but recognize this is serious work. Again, reflecting on months of preparation, I know I can power through. I ride the rhythm through strong patches alternating with tough patches. I consistently hit mile markers at less than 8 minute pace overall, but my actual pace varies from about 7:45 to 8:15.
Passing the 7 and 8 mile markers, I work hard, it feels like a long way to go. A guy drafts up on me and stays behind me. It's a narrow path with runners in both directions, he's keeping the path clear and pressing me from behind.
Finally he draws even and asks "want to work together?" It takes me a few minutes, but I adjust to the tandem run and we help each other a lot, steadily passing stragglers who fall off the pace. I relax and focus on rhythm.
So this guy Duane and I roll on, battling a bit of wind with a mile to go. A third runner glues himself to us. I kick with 300 to go and Duane is there, we cross the line together in 1:44:35. I am pleased! It is nice to keep my own rhythm most of the way, but the cooperation of the final part of the race is a great positive experience. Thanks Duane!
I win my division (55 - 59) and place 42nd out of just over 407 runners. Last year I think they had 700, participation may have been affected by last weekends San Francisco Marathon. Too soon to race so far again in the local scene, I guess.
Enjoyed some good fruit, water and snacks after the race, and I was on my merry way. My only complaint? Where the hell was the promised technical T-Shirt??? I paid 60 clams and didn't get my damn shirt! Nowhere to be found. Oh well, I still loved the event. Well done, Brazen racing!
The Summer Breeze 1/2 caps off a successful visit to El Norte (aka the U.S. of A.) for me in running terms. As part of my training, I throw in a 5000 on the track (no taper!) in 21:39 back on July 7. Modest by most standards, for this vintage runner it's the fastest in 5 - 6 years.
Oh, and I almost forgot to say Happy Birthday Jerry! The run was on Aug. 1, afterall.
Email Steve -- especially if you'd like to set up a Oaxaca running tour!
And, I got a spectacularly ugly finishers medal, what a score! Note the olde New England type whale in there, hard to beat.
The course is near perfect - a gravel and paved bike/hiking trail along the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. Mostly flat with a few rises and a couple foot bridges. Only one tight turn, not including the hair-pin turnaround on the out and back course.
There are mile markers along the way to gauge your progress if you like that kinda thing. As the race name promises, there is a bit of wind off the bay, but it mostly keeps things pleasant, it's only a minor battle into the wind for a few brief moments on the course.
All this is ideal for me-- this being my second half marathon, on a flat, fast sea-level course. Having run a 1:50:08 over a hilly course at the mile-high altitude of Oaxaca some few months back, I have my eye on improving my time here.
I'd trained decently in the weeks and months prior to this run, and tapered a bit in the days before the race. I have the confidence instilled by running mountainous courses in the altitude of Oaxaca. Feeling good after a couple miles just under 16 minutes, I relax and bend into the run. I am going for it. At first, a good number of runners pass me. The further I run, fewer runners get by, and I start picking people off. I mainly keep my own council on pace.
At 5 miles, I'm full of run, but recognize this is serious work. Again, reflecting on months of preparation, I know I can power through. I ride the rhythm through strong patches alternating with tough patches. I consistently hit mile markers at less than 8 minute pace overall, but my actual pace varies from about 7:45 to 8:15.
Passing the 7 and 8 mile markers, I work hard, it feels like a long way to go. A guy drafts up on me and stays behind me. It's a narrow path with runners in both directions, he's keeping the path clear and pressing me from behind.
Finally he draws even and asks "want to work together?" It takes me a few minutes, but I adjust to the tandem run and we help each other a lot, steadily passing stragglers who fall off the pace. I relax and focus on rhythm.
So this guy Duane and I roll on, battling a bit of wind with a mile to go. A third runner glues himself to us. I kick with 300 to go and Duane is there, we cross the line together in 1:44:35. I am pleased! It is nice to keep my own rhythm most of the way, but the cooperation of the final part of the race is a great positive experience. Thanks Duane!
I win my division (55 - 59) and place 42nd out of just over 407 runners. Last year I think they had 700, participation may have been affected by last weekends San Francisco Marathon. Too soon to race so far again in the local scene, I guess.
Enjoyed some good fruit, water and snacks after the race, and I was on my merry way. My only complaint? Where the hell was the promised technical T-Shirt??? I paid 60 clams and didn't get my damn shirt! Nowhere to be found. Oh well, I still loved the event. Well done, Brazen racing!
The Summer Breeze 1/2 caps off a successful visit to El Norte (aka the U.S. of A.) for me in running terms. As part of my training, I throw in a 5000 on the track (no taper!) in 21:39 back on July 7. Modest by most standards, for this vintage runner it's the fastest in 5 - 6 years.
Oh, and I almost forgot to say Happy Birthday Jerry! The run was on Aug. 1, afterall.
Email Steve -- especially if you'd like to set up a Oaxaca running tour!
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Really Cool Runs at RunGuides
During June I had the pleasure of writing a bunch of articles for the RunGuides distance running site on the subject of Really Cool Runs. The articles are about truly cool and unusual races around the globe.
Here's a sampling links to the Really Cool Runs articles:
Visit the RunGuides Articles page for more Really Cool Runs, and a lot of other great content for runners. This is a great site, a comprehensive guide for the distance running enthusiast.
Here's a sampling links to the Really Cool Runs articles:
Really Cool Runs - Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon
Really Cool Runs - Cappadocia Ultra Trail Turkey
Really Cool Runs - Patagonian International Marathon
Visit the RunGuides Articles page for more Really Cool Runs, and a lot of other great content for runners. This is a great site, a comprehensive guide for the distance running enthusiast.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Anniversary of City of Oaxaca 9.5 K Race Review
May 3, 2015
This morning I ran the Anniversary of the City of Oaxaca 9.5K race, starting at the Plaza de Danza in Oaxaca Centro.
The start was pure vaudeville, and typical for a Oaxaca road race. First the inflatable arc at the start/finish line is blown up. Then it collapses. Then it's up again, reinforced with rope. Collapses again. It's shoved aside, and officials mark the start line with utility tape and runners line up behind it. Over the next few minutes, the unruly mob presses forward. Old ladies, chubbie guys and kids under 10 are all right up front. Some dude appears with a starter pistol, and starts a countdown from ten. The mob has slowly moved about 25 meters onto the course by then, and takes off when the countdown reaches four.
I'd intended to be in about the fourth row of runners, heck I'm fit but I am 58 years old. No need to be right up front. By the time the unruly mob begins to run, I'm back in about the 12th row, behind piles of kids, a stroller, and aforementioned super oldsters and chubby people. I run the first 300 meters or so at maybe a 12 minute mile pace before I settle into my planned sub 8 minute per mile pace.
Why so slow? Well, as said, I'm 58, we are at mile high altitude and I happen to know there is a 2K huge steady uphill at about the 3K mark!
I get to 3K in pretty good order, there's a few ups and downs heading northwest out of town towards the highway to Mexico City, but it's basically flat. I'm setting an honest rhythm, but not killing myself; I'm taking this race as a hard workout, I did not taper for it, I'm at the beginning of training for a Half Marathon in California some 3 months out.
Then the 2K-long hill. I figure I'm gonna buzz by people up this hill by maintaining my rhythm. After all, I train on courses that go from 5000 to 6000 feet and back. But no, we're all training in Oaxaca. I pass maybe 7 people, and about the same number pass me.
We crest the hill a few meters shy of the halfway mark. I'm passing a few, and some smart runners who went out easy are passing me on the down slope. We settle into a groove on the flat, I'm working to relax and get in my flow. Going good, but not racing per se. Some of the people I catch want to race, and I ignore it. Some who go by me are really "making a move", which I also ignore. I'm running near redline but not going into it, working my own rhythm, and I'm not wasting energy varying my pace.
There is a small amount of prize money on the line today, so I guess that ups how competitive people are. I've been racing since age 15 in 1972, I still get competitive, but I see no point in being competitive in the first half of a long distance race! Why waste energy? My ideal these days is to run negative splits, especially if I'm looking to compete. I prefer to run my own pace the first half, establish the right rhythm, then hit the gas in the second half.
Now past halfway, we buzz down the main drag separating the north and south of the city, Ninos Heroes de Chapultepec (aka the Pan American Highway). We hook a right at the baseball stadium, circumnavigating the center of town, heading gently downhill, then take a right on Morelos for a long straight drive to the finish. I'm rolling OK, but it's an effort with a week of workouts in my legs and no race taper.
I'm playing it a bit conservative, who knows how long this course really is, and where it will take us! I'm still passing a few, while some relative kids continue to pass me. Then I notice a shift, people are picking it up. With a bit of surprise, I see that we're maybe 500 meters out, straight down Morelos, so I pick it up too.
Probably pass about 4-6 runners over the last 400, kicking but not killing it. I finish in 45:22, and I'm happy about it, my goal for this workout/race was 47:30. I can't complain!
The route was good, cars we're kept off the course. But as usual in Oaxaca, the start was a bit the mess. There was no running clock at the finish, no kilometer markers either. There were two good water stations. Nice! I usually don't drink water in a 10K, but I woke up feeling dehydrated so I was happy to drink at both today.
There were oranges, bananas, and gatorade at the finish, along with a free water bottle. Well, that's pretty cool cause the race was free! I didn't get a shirt, but I heard there were some.
I had to split right away to rejoin my family for a Sunday morning outing, so I have no idea what place I was. I'm gonna say somewhere between 100 - 150th place out of roughly 1000 participants. The tracking of results tends to be pretty slipshod locally. In 7 plus years here, I've only seen chip timing used once.
The most impressive thing about racing in Oaxaca is the quality of the fields. People here are born to altitude, always a plus in distance running. This is an area of Mexico with a high amount of indigenous people, they are stocky and strong as hell. Even some folks with a few extra pounds do okay running these races, provided they make the effort to get fit. Before living here, I was in Portland Oregon for two years, and I raced a lot. I got used to winning or being in the top 3 in my age category. That has yet to happen in Oaxaca!
This morning I ran the Anniversary of the City of Oaxaca 9.5K race, starting at the Plaza de Danza in Oaxaca Centro.
The start was pure vaudeville, and typical for a Oaxaca road race. First the inflatable arc at the start/finish line is blown up. Then it collapses. Then it's up again, reinforced with rope. Collapses again. It's shoved aside, and officials mark the start line with utility tape and runners line up behind it. Over the next few minutes, the unruly mob presses forward. Old ladies, chubbie guys and kids under 10 are all right up front. Some dude appears with a starter pistol, and starts a countdown from ten. The mob has slowly moved about 25 meters onto the course by then, and takes off when the countdown reaches four.
I'd intended to be in about the fourth row of runners, heck I'm fit but I am 58 years old. No need to be right up front. By the time the unruly mob begins to run, I'm back in about the 12th row, behind piles of kids, a stroller, and aforementioned super oldsters and chubby people. I run the first 300 meters or so at maybe a 12 minute mile pace before I settle into my planned sub 8 minute per mile pace.
Why so slow? Well, as said, I'm 58, we are at mile high altitude and I happen to know there is a 2K huge steady uphill at about the 3K mark!
I get to 3K in pretty good order, there's a few ups and downs heading northwest out of town towards the highway to Mexico City, but it's basically flat. I'm setting an honest rhythm, but not killing myself; I'm taking this race as a hard workout, I did not taper for it, I'm at the beginning of training for a Half Marathon in California some 3 months out.
Then the 2K-long hill. I figure I'm gonna buzz by people up this hill by maintaining my rhythm. After all, I train on courses that go from 5000 to 6000 feet and back. But no, we're all training in Oaxaca. I pass maybe 7 people, and about the same number pass me.
We crest the hill a few meters shy of the halfway mark. I'm passing a few, and some smart runners who went out easy are passing me on the down slope. We settle into a groove on the flat, I'm working to relax and get in my flow. Going good, but not racing per se. Some of the people I catch want to race, and I ignore it. Some who go by me are really "making a move", which I also ignore. I'm running near redline but not going into it, working my own rhythm, and I'm not wasting energy varying my pace.
There is a small amount of prize money on the line today, so I guess that ups how competitive people are. I've been racing since age 15 in 1972, I still get competitive, but I see no point in being competitive in the first half of a long distance race! Why waste energy? My ideal these days is to run negative splits, especially if I'm looking to compete. I prefer to run my own pace the first half, establish the right rhythm, then hit the gas in the second half.
Now past halfway, we buzz down the main drag separating the north and south of the city, Ninos Heroes de Chapultepec (aka the Pan American Highway). We hook a right at the baseball stadium, circumnavigating the center of town, heading gently downhill, then take a right on Morelos for a long straight drive to the finish. I'm rolling OK, but it's an effort with a week of workouts in my legs and no race taper.
I'm playing it a bit conservative, who knows how long this course really is, and where it will take us! I'm still passing a few, while some relative kids continue to pass me. Then I notice a shift, people are picking it up. With a bit of surprise, I see that we're maybe 500 meters out, straight down Morelos, so I pick it up too.
Probably pass about 4-6 runners over the last 400, kicking but not killing it. I finish in 45:22, and I'm happy about it, my goal for this workout/race was 47:30. I can't complain!
The route was good, cars we're kept off the course. But as usual in Oaxaca, the start was a bit the mess. There was no running clock at the finish, no kilometer markers either. There were two good water stations. Nice! I usually don't drink water in a 10K, but I woke up feeling dehydrated so I was happy to drink at both today.
There were oranges, bananas, and gatorade at the finish, along with a free water bottle. Well, that's pretty cool cause the race was free! I didn't get a shirt, but I heard there were some.
I had to split right away to rejoin my family for a Sunday morning outing, so I have no idea what place I was. I'm gonna say somewhere between 100 - 150th place out of roughly 1000 participants. The tracking of results tends to be pretty slipshod locally. In 7 plus years here, I've only seen chip timing used once.
The most impressive thing about racing in Oaxaca is the quality of the fields. People here are born to altitude, always a plus in distance running. This is an area of Mexico with a high amount of indigenous people, they are stocky and strong as hell. Even some folks with a few extra pounds do okay running these races, provided they make the effort to get fit. Before living here, I was in Portland Oregon for two years, and I raced a lot. I got used to winning or being in the top 3 in my age category. That has yet to happen in Oaxaca!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Race Review: Medio Maraton Internacional, Oaxaca, Mexico
Here's a capsule review of the 1st Media Maraton (Half Marathon) Internacional in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The race was today and I want to get down some impressions of it.
It was a big deal for Oaxaca in terms of distance running as nearly 2000 runners took part. The course started at the CASA de Artes in the outlying village of San Agustin Etla, a gorgeous spot nestled in verdant hills. It finished at the IAGO, Institute de Artes Graphicas de Oaxaca in the center of the the city of Oaxaca.
Local big-shot artist Francisco Toledo apparently had something to do with the founding of the race. He's not only an excellent artist, but an altruistic dude. It's cool that he lent his hand, but unfortunately the organization of the event was lacking, probably no fault of our local artistic hero.
The course itself was good, lots of gradual ups and downs. Challenging but not super tough. At about the 16.5 kilometer mark, runners begin a climb up Cerro del Fortin, a 2K hill. It is very rough to run this big, long hill at this stage of the race. It was a fairly hot morning, and that was a factor, at least for a gringo like me.
There were a good five water stations along the way, very well done. This is something they got right. Thanks!
I searched online results, and none are up as of the day after the event. I'm curious as to the winners and age-group leaders.
Sadly, the good news ends there. The first edition of the race was OK on the actual course, but the overall organization was very poor.
I signed up two weeks in advance, which mattered for nothing. Numbers were distributed the evening before the race in a botched 2.75 hour debacle with huge lines and a lack of organization and efficiency.
On race morning, I arrived at the start area, along with nearly 2000 others, and there were NO portable toilets. With a friend, I tried to hit the rest rooms (they are large and very nice) in the CASA de Artes San Agustin, but we were blocked by security. I headed to the woods and conducted my business there.
The start was an unorganized and haphazard.
The impatient mob started to run, unbidden, but the officials managed to call the runners back, reformed the mob about 80 meters onto the course, and restarted about ten very edgy minutes later.
The race started on a narrow lane leading from the CASA de Artes. Lots of crowding and bumping ensued, with tons of very slow runners up front.
Finally, there were absolutely no distance markets anywhere on the course.
I ran the race, and at the end, I was handed a t-shirt and medal, a water bottle and a banana, which I greatly appreciated.
It was an overall good experience for me, indeed it was only the second time I've ever attempted the half marathon distance, and the first time I finished it. I never found that rhythmical groove that I look for in a long run, but paced myself decently and ground out a 1:50:08 performance. My goal was simply to finish, so I'm happy.
I tried once before to do a Half back in '78 when I'd just turned 21. I had no idea how to approach the race, and ran about a 5:35 - 40 per mile pace for 8 miles and then walked the rest of the way. It was not fun, a real lesson in long distance running for a miler.
Later on, at age 32, I finished a 20K race in 1:14:51, but I literally could not have run one more step. Clearly, I'm a middle distance guy at heart, and the 21K distance is a real challenge for me.
In conclusion, this race has a way to go to earn the respect of the local running community. Race organizers, do your research and improve the experience for the Oaxaca running community next time around. It's great to have this event in Oaxaca, just need to tidy up a few key details.
The race was today and I want to get down some impressions of it.
It was a big deal for Oaxaca in terms of distance running as nearly 2000 runners took part. The course started at the CASA de Artes in the outlying village of San Agustin Etla, a gorgeous spot nestled in verdant hills. It finished at the IAGO, Institute de Artes Graphicas de Oaxaca in the center of the the city of Oaxaca.
Local big-shot artist Francisco Toledo apparently had something to do with the founding of the race. He's not only an excellent artist, but an altruistic dude. It's cool that he lent his hand, but unfortunately the organization of the event was lacking, probably no fault of our local artistic hero.
The course itself was good, lots of gradual ups and downs. Challenging but not super tough. At about the 16.5 kilometer mark, runners begin a climb up Cerro del Fortin, a 2K hill. It is very rough to run this big, long hill at this stage of the race. It was a fairly hot morning, and that was a factor, at least for a gringo like me.
There were a good five water stations along the way, very well done. This is something they got right. Thanks!
I searched online results, and none are up as of the day after the event. I'm curious as to the winners and age-group leaders.
Sadly, the good news ends there. The first edition of the race was OK on the actual course, but the overall organization was very poor.
I signed up two weeks in advance, which mattered for nothing. Numbers were distributed the evening before the race in a botched 2.75 hour debacle with huge lines and a lack of organization and efficiency.
On race morning, I arrived at the start area, along with nearly 2000 others, and there were NO portable toilets. With a friend, I tried to hit the rest rooms (they are large and very nice) in the CASA de Artes San Agustin, but we were blocked by security. I headed to the woods and conducted my business there.
The start was an unorganized and haphazard.
The impatient mob started to run, unbidden, but the officials managed to call the runners back, reformed the mob about 80 meters onto the course, and restarted about ten very edgy minutes later.
The race started on a narrow lane leading from the CASA de Artes. Lots of crowding and bumping ensued, with tons of very slow runners up front.
Finally, there were absolutely no distance markets anywhere on the course.
I ran the race, and at the end, I was handed a t-shirt and medal, a water bottle and a banana, which I greatly appreciated.
It was an overall good experience for me, indeed it was only the second time I've ever attempted the half marathon distance, and the first time I finished it. I never found that rhythmical groove that I look for in a long run, but paced myself decently and ground out a 1:50:08 performance. My goal was simply to finish, so I'm happy.
I tried once before to do a Half back in '78 when I'd just turned 21. I had no idea how to approach the race, and ran about a 5:35 - 40 per mile pace for 8 miles and then walked the rest of the way. It was not fun, a real lesson in long distance running for a miler.
Later on, at age 32, I finished a 20K race in 1:14:51, but I literally could not have run one more step. Clearly, I'm a middle distance guy at heart, and the 21K distance is a real challenge for me.
In conclusion, this race has a way to go to earn the respect of the local running community. Race organizers, do your research and improve the experience for the Oaxaca running community next time around. It's great to have this event in Oaxaca, just need to tidy up a few key details.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Caballo Blanco Ultra Cancelled: Bummer
Huge bummer to hear this news.
Here's a NY Times article on it.
My sometimes running mate Richard Stoutner was 23rd last year out of a field of 700+, no mean achievement over 80 kilometers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/sports/caballo-blanco-ultramarathon-is-canceled-over-threat-of-drug-violence.html?emc=eta1&_r=0
Steve
Here's a NY Times article on it.
My sometimes running mate Richard Stoutner was 23rd last year out of a field of 700+, no mean achievement over 80 kilometers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/sports/caballo-blanco-ultramarathon-is-canceled-over-threat-of-drug-violence.html?emc=eta1&_r=0
Steve
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Hey Dallas Running Community
I've been doing some writing for the great distance running site RunGuides, which offers info on races all over the US and Canada, along with a ton of great articles on the sport.
I've recently composed a series of articles on the best 2015 Dallas races in a range of categories from 5K on up to Marathons and Ultras.
Soon I'll put up a link to my next batch of articles, on best Seattle races for 2015.
I've recently composed a series of articles on the best 2015 Dallas races in a range of categories from 5K on up to Marathons and Ultras.
Soon I'll put up a link to my next batch of articles, on best Seattle races for 2015.
Big Cedar Ultra Run
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