Hobbler Half 2015
Slow, Lonely, and Lost
I decided to run this race as my
July race as Reid Axman, my brother in law, was doing it. I had last run this
one in 2011. I usually use the July 4th 10k as my monthly allotment.
I was looking forward to this one as it had been so long since I had done it.
The week before, Reid and I re-familiarized
ourselves with the course. We ran the section from the canyon split down to
almost the finish. We also rode up the canyon on bikes and then rode down the complete
course. This was really helpful to find the ups and downs in elevation change.
We did the course as it was in 2011, going down 4th south and then
back up to the high school. We figured that the change last year had been for
the construction and that they would go back to the old course.
I had an unsettled stomach all week.
I also was still having reactions to the withdrawal from the sleep medication.
It was an interesting week leading up to the race.
I got up early enough to catch the
first buses. As I was driving over I saw Reid and gave him a ride. We ended up
on the 2nd bus up. I was able to kind of sleep most of the way up.
We unloaded and went up to the
gathering area. I went to the porta’s a few times. As we were waiting we saw Wan
Ho Jerry Kou. I put a ‘4’ on each calf, but no one seemed to notice. I looked
for Joshua O. Snow Hansen but couldn’t find him before the start. Brandon
Borget showed up. We had a good time talking before the race.
We dumped our drop bags and did some
warmup before the start. Reid, Brandon and I lined up near the front. I don’t
like to get stuck behind other at the starts. Bang the race started and we were
off. A group of 5 or so took off and I went with them for a bit. I then let
them go and got into a comfortable rhythm. My stomach was doing flip flops right from the
start.
Brandon caught up to me at about
mile 2.5. It was good to have him there. We ran together for the next few
miles. I had been hoping for a good result for the day. By mile 3 I knew it
wasn’t going to happen today. By mile five I was really starting to feel sick.
Brandon was looking really strong. I kept telling him to not let me hold him
back and that he should just GO. I fell back at about mile 7. As we passed the old
power house I counted a 20 second lead for Brandon. By mile 8 I was feeling
very dizzy. I also had very closed tunnel vision. I lost sight of Brandon at
the retention dam. I also could really see anyone behind me.
At the mouth of the canyon I
continued on straight. I did not at all see the course turn. I was just
following the old course. As I got down canyon road I suddenly saw the 5k
racers coming up the road. I thought it a bit strange that they would have the
2 races run against each other. I continued on. After the roundabout and ½ way
down 4th south I saw Greg Low headed up on his bike. He yelled
encouragement to me.
I got down to Averet Ave and looked
back. I couldn’t see any one in front or behind me. As I headed through the
church parking lot I started to get concerned as I saw no cones or course
markings. I dropped to a walk momentarily. I then continued on the ‘old’
course. At the swimming pool I once again walked and looked ahead and behind. I
got back to it and made it to the corner at the high school. I saw all of the
5k participants and joined them to the finish. I didn’t have a lot left and my
finish sprint was weak. I saw 1:20 on the clock. DANG!
After I crossed one of the other
runners told me I had left the course. I was confused as my Garmin showed 13.15
miles. He told me that I had missed the turn at the mouth of the canyon. He had
actually followed me for a bit and then turned back. I was really mad. There
must have been some cones at the turn, but there hadn’t been anyone there to
direct us! At least I didn’t short the course. I knew I hadn’t cheated because
I had run the full distance. I am mad as I checked Strava and saw that at least
2 people finished in front who had been behind me.
I ended up with official time of
1:20:13. I placed 11th overall and first in my age group. They didn’t
do the Master’s division, but I would had won that and been the fastest ‘old’
guy also.
The 3 of us did good, 3 friends, 6
medals, 3 winners. Brandon got 8th overall and 2nd in AG,
Reid placed 15th and 3rd in AG.
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