My husband Norm is signed up to run all the middle distance races at the Aravaipa Running series. Today was Coldwater Rumble and he was running the 20K. I took my running stuff so I could run while he was racing. My intention was to just stick to road or trails not being used so that I wouldn’t get in the way of the runners. As Norm was getting ready to race I told him that I would give him 10 minutes and then I was coming after him. If I caught him he was in trouble as I planned to ridicule him publicly. He was really thrilled about this. But, I was just joking. I had not intention of actually going through with this silly plan.
Driving up to Coldwater Rumble
Best RD and really awesome friend Jamil Coury working hard!
Norm (and a bunch of other people) getting ready to start the 20K
Norm takes off and I started stripping down to go off for my run. He had been gone about ten minutes when I started running. I headed out on the road in Estrella Park. The whole time I was on the road I could see the runners on the trail to my right. I ran about 2.5 to 3 miles when I came to an aid station and I was on the course with the runners. My original plan was to turn around, but I decided to continue on the trail. I came up behind two friends and walked with them a bit to chat then back to running. It was about this time I decided to try to catch Norm after all. I am ridiculously competitive and I just thought it would be fun to see if I could actually do it.
I tried really hard not to be a giant asshole. If I couldn’t get around people easily I patiently waited. Since I wasn’t really racing it seemed crappy of me to force people out of my way. I also tried to let people know I wasn’t racing when I passed. I don’t know – maybe that made me sound like a jerk, but I didn’t want people feeling pressure by me passing them.
The course was amazing! It was really runnable! There was a mile from about 5.8 to 6.8 that was super rocky, but other than that the rocky sections where really small. This was a nice surprise because I have run races at Estrella before and they are so rocky that I cognitively get sick of it. I no longer want to think about the rocks, it’s exhausting! But this was a totally different course. There was some down into washes and climbing out, but at mile 7 it seemed like it was pretty constant until mile 10 where we just started climbing.
Mile 10 I see Norm! I threw my hands in the air and yelled HAHA! I DID IT! I CAUGHT YOU! He briefly turned to see me and then snapped his head back around and kept walking. I immediately knew he was NOT happy to see me. Oops! I ran up to him and asked if he was feeling bad. He grumbled about how he just started walking and he just didn’t have legs for this any more. We walked and chatted and eventually he started running again. Lots of climbing on this section. I love climbing so I was a little sad inside to be going so slow, but racing off would really have not been nice. I let him go in front and the set the pace.
We saw cars in a parking lot and got excited, but before long realized that it was not the parking lot for the race and we had a bit to go still. Bummer for Norm. Finally we made the turn that took us down to the road and to the finish. I pulled off before the last sprint to the finish. I could see a female runner from the race and yelled at Norm, “She’s right behind you, don’t let her catch you!” The finish is sweet because you hit road and then a small bit on dead grass to the finish line. You can really get some speed going to the finish.
I wanted to see Norm’s finish time so I sprinted to the finish through the tents along the side of the finish shoot. I got some crazy looks, I think people were worried I was of course!
I tried really hard not to be a giant asshole. If I couldn’t get around people easily I patiently waited. Since I wasn’t really racing it seemed crappy of me to force people out of my way. I also tried to let people know I wasn’t racing when I passed. I don’t know – maybe that made me sound like a jerk, but I didn’t want people feeling pressure by me passing them.
The course was amazing! It was really runnable! There was a mile from about 5.8 to 6.8 that was super rocky, but other than that the rocky sections where really small. This was a nice surprise because I have run races at Estrella before and they are so rocky that I cognitively get sick of it. I no longer want to think about the rocks, it’s exhausting! But this was a totally different course. There was some down into washes and climbing out, but at mile 7 it seemed like it was pretty constant until mile 10 where we just started climbing.
Mile 10 I see Norm! I threw my hands in the air and yelled HAHA! I DID IT! I CAUGHT YOU! He briefly turned to see me and then snapped his head back around and kept walking. I immediately knew he was NOT happy to see me. Oops! I ran up to him and asked if he was feeling bad. He grumbled about how he just started walking and he just didn’t have legs for this any more. We walked and chatted and eventually he started running again. Lots of climbing on this section. I love climbing so I was a little sad inside to be going so slow, but racing off would really have not been nice. I let him go in front and the set the pace.
We saw cars in a parking lot and got excited, but before long realized that it was not the parking lot for the race and we had a bit to go still. Bummer for Norm. Finally we made the turn that took us down to the road and to the finish. I pulled off before the last sprint to the finish. I could see a female runner from the race and yelled at Norm, “She’s right behind you, don’t let her catch you!” The finish is sweet because you hit road and then a small bit on dead grass to the finish line. You can really get some speed going to the finish.
I wanted to see Norm’s finish time so I sprinted to the finish through the tents along the side of the finish shoot. I got some crazy looks, I think people were worried I was of course!
Norm finishes the race!
Once everything was done Norm told me he was having a dark moment when I showed up and it pissed him off, but in the end he was really glad I caught up to him and it was helpful to have me. Feeling bad for him I bought him a pizza from Freak Brothers Pizza. I ordered mine without cheese (and hopefully the gluten won’t kill me too much). It was really delish! I highly recommend the pizza!
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YUMMY!!!
We had a great morning. It was a beautiful morning, a little warm, but I like that better than cold. We saw a lot of our friends. I got to pick the brain of Bret Sarnquist about the Kahtoola Agassiz Uphill race I’m doing in a few weeks.
Because I wasn’t planning on running on trail I didn’t wear my Pearl Izumi trail shoes (my most favorite shoes ever!). Instead I had on my Adidas Supernova Sequence 7. I just got them about a month ago. Since Mizuno discontinued my shoes I have been struggling to find a road shoe that I love or even like. The Adidas are pretty nice. My only complaint is that I have bunions and the shoe is a little narrow in the toe box so it rubs my bunion. The Adidas did great on the trail! I never once wished I had my trail shoes on, even on the rocky parts. Only once did my foot slip on a climb, but I think if I had been running and not walking behind people on the climb I would have been fine. Where I live I often mix trail and road. It’s nice to know that these shoes can totally handle it.
Because I wasn’t planning on running on trail I didn’t wear my Pearl Izumi trail shoes (my most favorite shoes ever!). Instead I had on my Adidas Supernova Sequence 7. I just got them about a month ago. Since Mizuno discontinued my shoes I have been struggling to find a road shoe that I love or even like. The Adidas are pretty nice. My only complaint is that I have bunions and the shoe is a little narrow in the toe box so it rubs my bunion. The Adidas did great on the trail! I never once wished I had my trail shoes on, even on the rocky parts. Only once did my foot slip on a climb, but I think if I had been running and not walking behind people on the climb I would have been fine. Where I live I often mix trail and road. It’s nice to know that these shoes can totally handle it.
Adidas Sueprnova Sequence with my Xtenex laces
I am also super stoked to announce that I will be a Skratch Labs Ambassador again for 2015! I can’t tell you how much I love Skratch Labs! For my long races its the only thing my stomach will tolerate. I always drink a full water bottle mixed with Skratch post race to get rid of the post race headache I always get. Should you accidentally have a hangover – it’s a miracle worker. We even used it to keep everyone hydrated as we acclimated to the altitude while staying in Colorado last summer. My teenage son rides BMX (street) and he is in love with the product too. It’s awesome because you can buy single serve packages that make it easier to use when you are racing or out riding (road, tri or BMX). It’s the only product that I have no interest in trying to replace. I don’t think I could find anything better.
Getting my Scratch ready before La Maratona
Great product, cute bottle!
