More Streaking

I felt compelled to drop a few words about my rant concerning the 2009 Midnight Streak 5K. Today I had a wonderful conversation via e-mail with Kristin Richter, Public Relations Manager for the City Arts Center. She was also one of two main people that put this race together . First I should say that it was a pleasure talking with her. And second, the job they did--especially considering it was only a couple of people driving this thing--and the fact that they pretty much had to start from scratch, was phenomenal.

As Kristin pointed out, our participation in this race helps fund the exhibits and keeps them free to the public year round. Without us runners running the Midnight Streak, that may not be possible. On that note, I WILL be back next year to participate as a runner or a volunteer. I expect you to be there too. Well, if you're local of course.

Final thought: I am in Salt Lake City this week on business. I forgot how much my lungs hurt when I run in this elevation. Get me home, please!

2009 Midnight Streak 5K

I didn't like this race. Not at all. But all morning, as i've pondered this blog post, i've been trying to figure out how I can spin it as a positive experience. Well, I couldn't figure out how to do that. I just really, really didn't like this event.

Let's start at the beginning.

Bib and Packet Pick-Up
I preregistered for the event but decided not to go pick up my packet early. I figured the 25 minute drive just to get the shirt and bag wasn't worth it. You see, they decided not to include bib's in the race packets. So, even if you chose to pick-up your packet early, you would still have to get your bib and timing chip when you got to the race. I don't think I have ever seen it done like that before. Sure, the timing chip usually gets picked up race day, but typically the bib is included. No big deal you say?

I got to the race way early. I never like to feel rushed; I would rather sit around and wait for a while than to be running late and rushed to the starting line. Anyway, I knew my first order of business was to find the pre-registered line and get my bag and bib. It wasn't hard to find...because there was only one line. One MASSIVE line for pre-registered people, those that hadn't yet registered and those that just needed their bib. I waited in that line for over an hour. It was awful. In fact I got my bib and chip 5 minutes before the race was to start. Because of that, I decided not to take a shirt and race bag. Even if I had, I wouldn't have had time to make it back to the car to drop the stuff off. Whatever.

The Race
It was about 90 degrees when the race started. I was actually hoping it would rain to cool us off. No such luck. It was nasty out there. Race started without a hitch. There were a bunch of people--at least 600 or so. I didn't expect such a turn out since the race began at 11 PM. Whatever the final count, there was enough people so that I was in a pack the entire race. There were also a lot of walkers. What is it about the walkers that makes them think it is ok to start in the middle of the pack and walk 4 and 5 people across? Do they not see the runners trying to get around them? Do they not care? I hate to say it, but the walkers drive me crazy.

The course took us around the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. The course was mostly broken concrete parking lots and side roads. I saw 2 people go down and you really had to watch where your feet landed so you didn't trip and fall. The running surface was just plain nasty. Oh, I forgot to mention that the course took us over 3 sets of railroad tracks. Real fun.

I decided to leave the iPod at home for this race. With it being my first night race, I really wanted to enjoy the sounds and feel of the event. I enjoyed not having it for the first half of the race. The second half of the race wasn't as enjoyable. I had this dude behind me panting and gasping like we was about to die. I wished I had some tunes with me to drown out his nauseating noises.

The End
Bananas, oranges and cookies! A very nice spread indeed.

There was more nonsense I was going to write about but it would be bordering on nitpicking.

Anyway, I am glad I got the experience of running at night. I will certainly need to do more of it later this year as I begin to prepare for Ragnar Del Sol. I just wish this event was put together a little better. They've been doing it for years so you figure they would have it down by now. Obviously not. I can't say I will be doing the Midnight Streak again.

Evolution of my Hydration

With the summer on us, and record-breaking temperatures enhanced with some really ugly humidity, i've quickly come to the realization that my hydration, or lack of, is hurting my running.

Maybe i'm a weirdo that requires a lot of water while I run because I have seen plenty of people out in this nasty weather running 9+ miles (that's the length around the local lake) without a drop of water. How do they do that? I know it's not good to do and it amazes me.

Before my last long run this past weekend, I wanted more fluids. More more more. That got me thinking about the water bottles and belts I had gone through over the last couple of years. Here for your viewing pleasure is a look at methods tried and money wasted.

1. Nothing

When I first started running a few years ago, I worked my way up to 3 miles and stopped. Well, I kept running but I never did more than 3 miles. Usually on the treadmill, but sometimes I would head outside. Who needed a water bottle for 3 miles? Besides, if it was too hot, I would head to the gym and hop on the treadmill. Get up at 5 AM for a run? Are you nuts? It was just running. It's not that important that I get it done.

2. Amphipod RunLite Snapflask 3 Hydration

At the beginning of last year, I really got in to running. I started following some running blogs, opened on one myself, began doing some 5K's and really became part of the community. One of the blog I read talked about this hydration belt and how wonderful it was. I figured I would give it a shot. I REALLY liked it at first. I needed water and there was water. What's not to love? But after a while, it started rubbing me the wrong way. Literally and figuratively. Plus it was a pain to pack it in my suitcase. It was time to move on.

3. Amphipod Hydraform Handheld

Another blogger mentioned a handheld. I had noticed a few people with these things but it didn't seem like it would be comfortable. But, in typical money wasting fashion, I figured what the heck, let's give it a go. Instant love affair. It took a couple of weeks to truly get use to it on my hand but I thought it was wonderful. I used this up until about 2 months ago. If you are looking for a handheld bottle, this is the way to go. To be honest, i'm not sure how people can carry regular water bottles around as they run. Seems like it would be really annoying. Also, this bottle is pretty easy to slip in to the suitcase.

4. Amphipod Full-Tilt Velocity Ultra Low Profile Bottle Pack

I purchased this product because of stupidity on my part. Meaning, I left my water bottle at home while on a business trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan a couple of months ago. It was so freakin humid and I knew I would never be able to complete my 5 mile runs without water (like I said, I need my water). I stopped in to a local running store and they didn't have any handhelds. I settled on this bad boy. Sure, another belt, but I love it. I love having the same size water bottle that I have with my handheld, but I don't have to hold it. Plus, my hand doesn't get frozen at the beginning of the run from the cold fluids in the handheld bottle. Seriously! That was always a bit of a pain.

As I mentioned, it's been really, really hot. Two weeks ago, as I was running 9 miles, I started craving water. In my bottle I had a Gu sports drink, but I was dying for some water so I had to stop a few times at a water fountain. This problem got me thinking and lead me to what I now use for my long runs.

5. Amphipod Full-Tilt Velocity Ultra Low Profile Bottle Pack + Little Water Bottles from the Snapflask

Tell me you didn't see that one coming! I added the little water bottles to my Velocity belt and it was super. Big bottle with sports fluid, little bottles with water. I was in heaven. For long runs this summer, this will be the only way to go.

You notice a theme? I really like the Amphipod products. Great construction--you can't go wrong with these guys.

What about you? What do you use for your hydration needs?

I Have a Running Blog?

Has it really been 2 weeks since I last posted? In my defense, I have been crazy busy with work, running, life and most importantly, getting the Ragnar team together. And we are so close! To be honest, when I first looked at putting a team together, I thought it would be difficult to get people to commit. Just the opposite. Within days, I had 17 people (for 12 openings) interested in the race. I figured the fairest way to do it was first to pay was on the team. That, and some serious peer pressure, worked. The team is almost complete, and I can't wait to announce the superstar line-up.

I actually have one slot open. To be honest, I have a certain person in mind to round out the team. I won't name names, but just so she is aware, I really hope she says yes.

Switching topics, my running is going well. I feel good during my speed workouts and I am getting ready to start increasing my long run miles in prep for my half marathon training. I have set a goal for this half that I don't think I will be able to hit, but I will certainly try.

I was in Boston this week and got to have dinner with Middle of the Pack Girl, Terri. That was the one bright spot of an otherwise stressful business trip. Next time, we run. Oh, and that is looking to be sooner than I originally thought. I could be back in a month, so be ready, Terri!