Date/Location: | 1/1/20, Railhead Park, Auburn |
Distance: | 9.7 mi (new course with short turn-around) |
Time: | 1:19:40 (8:13 pace) |
Place: | 3rd (16th o/a) |
Teammates: | 10Mile: Robin Soares, Anna Soares, Manouch Shirvanioun, Wyatt Hamilton |
Assuming it started at 1pm like last year, we almost missed the 12pm start of our favorite local race, the Auburn Resolution Run!
It’s at the Railhead Park instead because of a larger field. The weather is great. We see a bunch of friends, while rushing to get through registration and to the start line. Robin, Anna, Ariel (doing the 5k 30min later) and I pray together. That really calms me down and reminds me the great opportunity we have. As long as we put Christ first, it will all work out for His good.
It’s a “cupless” race. Robin has a water bottle. Anna has a collapsible bottle. And I have a paper cup stuffed in my pocket. Along with 2 Hammer Gels.
Go!
We’re about 20 back as we go through the gate onto the Dam Overlook Rd. It’s a 2mi gradual downhill towards China Bar. Robin, Anna and I are matched pace! How cool to be running in a race with most of my family around me. I can’t help but dole out suggestions to Anna as we go. “Breathe relaxed and deep”, “shoot for 8:15-8:30 pace”, “use the downhills to gain time”, “run the tangents, but not off the road”. It also keeps my mind off my own concerns for getting through this tough course.
Mile 1. 7:12. Such a fun downhill!
Mile 2. 7:05. “Relax and get ready, Anna”, I tell her as I shake out my arms and begin the Cardiac Bypass climb. Anna and I have done this many times. I try to pick good lines through the loose rocks to make it easier for Anna. We pass a lot of runners, encouraging them as we go. I can hear Anna breathing 50ft behind me and it’s exciting that she’s able to stay so close. She’s really getting strong. Robin is probably 50 ft behind Anna. Robin loves the steep climbs and is probably having a blast while also excited for Anna keeping up with us.
Mile 3. 9:02. Good pace up the hill! At the beginning we saw what looked like a young woman way ahead and by now I thought we’d catch up but there’s no sign of her. I let Anna know about the steep decline coming and not to get out of control and hurt her knees. But the course, instead of dropping down the connector road, continues towards the start where we merge with the 5k runners starting.
Mile 4. 8:25. This is great seeing some of our 5k friends. I get on the left side and gently call “on your left” down the steep Dam Rd. I see Caryn Galekas (recovering from being sick), then Ardelle and her daughter Alice and then Lauren, from track, spectating, and then, farther down, Elizabeth from track, and then I run the final descent with Jon and his daughter, Adalynn. Adalynn picks it up and stays with me. She’s a great little runner.
Mile 5. 6:51. Steep and fast. Running across the bottom, I see Ariel up ahead! I love how this race is laid out so I can see all my family! She’s running good and I catch up to her as we start climbing again. She’s cheerful and excited to see me, too. I say goodbye and then hear Anna behind us yelling, “Hey, Ariel!” At the same time I see Debbie Booth ahead and think about her big news recently being accepted into the Western States 100! With so many highlights around me, this extremely steep section goes by fast!
Mile 6. 9:01. I see 10k’ers coming back allready. I cheer for Hunter Glass (1st in his age group), he looks great. I get more water, my cup is working good. I round Robie Pt and see “Kepfer’s Rock” and a 10k’er looking exhausted resting on it. It’s a rock right at the point with a beautiful view of the canyon. I pass good friend, Susanne Harley, which also gives me a boost
Mile 7. 8:13. I see the turn-around right at 7mi which seems too early. Thinking it’s for the 10k only I continue by it a little ways and ask some hikers if any runners came that way. They say no and another runner says, “turn for everyone!”. Ok we’re heading back, great! I see Anna just 1min behind me now. And Robin 1 more min behind her. I tell them both the turn is soon. I hope I’m right about that.
Climbing up to Robie Pt is really hard for me. Energy seems depleted and foot feels fragile. But I’ll make it and deep down it feels like a blessing to be able to push hard and breath hard. Down the steep back-side I try to maximize stride without jarring the landings. I do pretty good, get a cup refill at the aid station and now it’s back on the fireroads
Mile 8. 8:21. I catch a guy with “The Sock Guy” on his shirt that I saw early on. This encourages me to push it to stay ahead. And now the steep single-track trail towards the Overlook. I get pumped up and charge it. There are a lot of 5k walkers but I keep gently repeating “on your left” and it goes real well. It becomes a little game to try to pick out a narrow edge to skirt by along a drop-off. I’m breathing super hard, as I often am climbing hills, and that helps alert people – I sound like a gasping runner or a wheezing horse – either way, I’m just glad the path is opening up. A little girl with a hydration pack is resting on the side of the trail but races me as I come by. She goes quite a ways before deciding to rest again. “You are a strong runner!” I love seeing kids giving it their all.
Mile 9. 9:13. This is supper hard now! I can barely keep running up the trail, let alone call out “on your left. Thank you.” Heel hurts, lungs hurt. But I keep thinking of the Lord knowing I’m running for Him and fatigue is not an excuse. Fortunately another course change bypasses the steep climb and goes along my favorite trail behind the Overlook Park. Finally flat! “Almost there!” I encourage the other runners. I think I’m more exicted about that then they are. One thing about hard runs, it makes it more exciting to be done!
Mile 9.7. 8:58. Thank you, Lord! I finished 3rd in my age and just under 1:20. Ariel is there to welcome me. We both cheer Anna and Robin in close bhind me. Thank you, Lord for a great day and letting us all have successful races.