Sunday, August 15, 2010

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.

14 comments:

ajh said...

Congrats! You did quite well on a hard course. I love finding scenic races! If I ever get to MDI Marathon I will be running that for the scenery, not the time. Sounds like you met a lot of your goals.

Adrienne said...

Oh my goodness. You are such a superstar of running. That run looks really beautiful. Good work.

Lindsay said...

i love that finisher's-board! such a good idea. if only all small(er) races would get the results over with that quickly :)

congrats on 2nd in your ag! sounds like it'd be a gorgeous run.

Natalia said...

Fabulous run Christina! Congrats on placing 2nd, and on running in such a gorgeous place. I am glad that you achieved so many of your goals - nice job!

The Green Girl said...

Congratulations, girl! That is so awesome that you placed.

Thanks for also sparking my interest in this race - I'm from Oregon and I still have family there so I just might try to do this race one of these days.

misszippy said...

That LOOKS hard! Congrats on your placement--awesome work!

Mark said...

Great report....congrats on reaching all your goals. I have been to Crater Lake, once. A beautiful place...I'm intrigued about this race!

joyRuN said...

Looks like a beautiful setting for a tough race. Congrats on the AG!

Anonymous said...

Felling a little jealous - that's one of the races I want to run. Some day!

Great run on your part.

J said...

Wow! Looks like an amazing race!! Congrats on second in your age group!! Well done!

Katie A. said...

Congrats!!! You did great! That course sounds brutal and beautiful! I remember visiting Crater Lake a little girl and can still remember how big it was. How fun!

Johann said...

Wow, you did great! Congratulations! Nothing wrong with walking if the last three miles are like that. I can see why you would like to go back for this race.

The Boring Runner said...

WOW. Looking at that first picture probably makes up for MOST of the hills. No wonder it fills up so fast!

Glenn Jones said...

WOW! This is an actual race? I'm looking that one up for next year! Way to push and AG finish! Congrats.