Crater Lake Rim Run Race

When John's parents moved to Southern Oregon I checked out the races and found the Crater Lake run, which was sold out last year.  This year I signed us up as soon as registration opened.  Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful places and I knew that it would be a gorgeous run.  We ran the 13 mile run (not a true half) and while I knew that it was hilly, I had no idea just how tough it would be.  I had done some hill training before the race, but the brief, short hills I had run was no match for the last 3 miles of uphill. It was a truly beautiful race and I since I know what to expect, I want to come back next year and do even better.

RACE HIGHS

• Probably the most beautiful course that I have been on.
• The water support was every two miles and they were very friendly.

RACE LOWS

• Feeling tired on the last 3 miles.  The hill just kept going. I ran/walked up the hill and wonder if I hadn't stopped to walk would I not have walked any of it?  Its not that I don't believe in walking I just know that since I stopped once, I then gave myself an opening to stop again.
• Needing to make a bush stop at mile 7.

RACE STATS

• 1:58:21
• 22nd out of 100 runners
• 2nd in my age group; The winner of the race was in my age group.
• 4th female overall

GOALS

• I will finish strong
• I will go out slow
• I will fly down the hills
• I will try and pass  runners the last three miles
• I will run in 2 hours
• I will come in top 5 of my age group
  

MENTAL GAME

• I wrote down the above goals (1-4) during running camp and came up with the other two before the race. I wish I would have reviewed the goals before the race.  I did manage to meet all the goals but a refreshed would have been good.
• On one of my walk breaks on the hill I called myself stupid and told myself to get going.  Not the positive affirmations I should have been saying but it got me moving again.

FUN MOMENTS

• I chit chatted some along the way, which is something I usually don't do.  It does make it more fun though.  I met a guy running his 152nd marathon, someone running his first 1/2 and another guy that had run 32 of the 35 races of that race.
• At the beginning a guy ran off for a potty stop.  Another runner calls out to him, Watch out for the squirrels.  I  hear they like nuts. That cracked me up. 

It was cold and windy at the start but perfect running weather.

John at the finish line.

Me and my finisher medal

The results board. As each person came in the bib strip was placed on the board.

Me getting my age group ribbon.