Sunnybrook Stomp 5K Race Recap- June 16, 2017
It rained...we ran...and we had fun! The Sunnybrook Stomp was held on Friday evening in Wadena, MN. The race was scheduled to start at 6:30 pm and the rain started at about 6:00 pm. It was just rain... no thunder or lightening. Once you decided that you will be getting wet, it was really not a big problem. It was a steady rain shower without wind and the temperature was high enough so that we were not cold.
My family of four, along with my mom entered the race. We had a blast! It was a fun race with a kazoo band around mile 2.5 and plenty of enthusiasm from the race organizers. In addition to a fun time, we ended up with great race shirts and prizes.
For winning my age group, I got $10 in Wadena Chamber Bucks (money to be spent at a Wadena business). I redeemed my Chamber Bucks that very evening at The Fresh Freeze, an awesome burger and ice cream shop in town. They also had random drawings for prizes. I was lucky to be drawn for car coasters. These cute ceramic coasters go in your car's cup holders. They are absorbent so that your on-the-go drinks don't leave rings in your cup holders. Awesome!
Earth Day Half Marathon Recap runearthday.com
First of all, let me preface this race report with reminding our blog readers that I had tried a completely new style of training for this half marathon. All my runs over the last 21 weeks were completed using heart rate and time as a guide instead of pace and/or distance. Some of the speed workouts incorporated pace, but the majority were heart rate only and at very low controlled heart rates. I decided to go into this different style for a few reasons...I was pretty burned out on my running and looking for a change and also that I had some minor aches and pains. The heart rate training was supposed to alleviate those.
Secondly, I have run Earth Day many times and most of the past 8 years or so, Earth Day was a longer, faster marathon training run. It was not the end goal. This year, I do not have a marathon on my calendar so this was my goal race. I'm suspecting this fact played into the problems I encountered today.
On Thursday, I'd blogged that nerves had set in and seemed to be getting the best of me. I believe that is a big part of why my race went poorly today. I had worked myself into such a frenzy that I spent most of the morning in the bathroom before the race with tummy troubles. Then, when the race began, my race plan had me trying to keep my heart rate under 165 for the first hour. When I couldn't seem to accomplish that, even with slowing down a little, that made me more nervous. By mile 6, I would have been happy to drop out. I did get to mile 7 in approx one hour which was close to where I was supposed to be, but the plan was I supposed to be raring to go from holding back in hour one and ready to kick up the pace. That was not happening. I actually continued to slow through the entire race. I did finish in 2:01. It was my worst finish in probably 10 years, but I did not quit. Since everything was such a struggle today, I failed to take any photos...I'm sure they wouldn't have looked too good anyway.
We have been promising reviews of races that would help readers determine if they'd ever care to do the same race. Please disregard my actual race recap for that. Scheels Earth Day Half Marathon is a quality event. Here are some of the particulars you may like to know if you'd like to join me next year...(see, it was bad, but not so bad I've sworn off racing entirely):
1. Date: The race is generally the 3rd Saturday in April or on Earth Day, April 22, if that falls on a Saturday. A few times, the race has fallen on the Saturday before Easter which might be good or not good for some people. A couple years ago, Stephanie and her husband ran, too; Mom and Dad came to watch the race; and I hosted Easter at our house. It was really fun.
2. Time: Start time is 8:30 am. I'd prefer earlier, but that's a pretty reasonable start time.
3. Weather: They have had literally EVERY type of weather...gorgeous, windy, snow, rain, heat. It was pretty nice today, although a little warmer than we've been used to this spring. Weather was not a huge factor today.
4. # of competitors: This year's race had 1052 finishers plus about 200 relay teams. You never run alone, but it's not crowded. They do also have pacers to help you get to the finish in a certain time.
5. Course: The course is easy to navigate. There are some rolling hills but nothing too steep. The uphill into mile 10 feels horrible, but it's really not bad. The one thing that surprises people is that going into mile 3, the course turns onto a grass downhill, across a grassy park and then onto the park road. If it's dry, it's not an issue. The year there was snow, people had to slow down and use caution. The park makes a great spot for the first water stop.
6. Water stops: About every 2 miles beginning at mile 3. They are adequate with Powerade also offered at each stop and Gu at mile 7. Plenty of cheerful volunteers at each stop.
7. Fan support: It's very good except for the 2 miles the course takes along a trail beside the Mississippi River. Otherwise, there are fans along most of the course and neighbors gather on lawns to cheer. Many High Five opportunities from kids along the route. My favorite sign today was: Great Job, Melissa! in someone's yard. Perhaps there was a second Melissa in the race as I don't know the people who live at that house, but maybe they read our blog???
8. Shirts: The shirt is a blue half zip with the race logo on the upper chest. The fit was pretty good which over the years has been my chief complaint with shirts at many races, the color was nice, but overall the shirt was nothing too special...kind of like my performance today, so it's ok if the shirt is not my favorite :-)
9. Finish line: The race finishes on the SCSU football field, so it's colorful and noisy. I was so glad to get there! Also, there is plenty of room to hang around and watch other finishers when the weather is nice or head straight under the stadium to the post race food if it's cold outdoors.
10. Post race food: Another thumbs-up for the snacks. Coborns provides the refueling snacks. This is one race that gives you a paper plate to carry the food. Nice! The selection was predictable...bananas, oranges, string cheese, pretzels, bagels, chocolate milk and sports drink. The Coborns employees serve the food onto your plate, so no worries on food safety as we know many of the runners have been to the porta potties along the way without handwashing :-( I don't want those guys touching my fruit! I didn't have the pretzels or bagels due to the gluten, but the other items were fresh and yummy. Runners could also have one beer, but again, I couldn't partake. My running friend's sister-in-law cheered us in and enjoyed my beer.
11. Cost: There is a big benefit to signing up early for Earth Day. The price when I signed up in November was $45 and they run specials a few times through their Facebook page for free credit card fees or additional discounts. Definitely like them on Facebook for the best deal. I believe the price goes as high as $65 if you wait to register. For a half marathon that is well run, lively and fun, the price seems very reasonable. This summer I'll be running the half at Grandma's Marathon, and the price was much higher.
12. Parking and Packet Pickup: Parking is free and easy along the residential streets nearby. Packet pickup is Friday evening, so I was lucky that my running friend D could pick mine up for me while I was watching track. If you cannot pick up your packet on Friday night, one of the local track teams picks up all unclaimed packets and for $5, you can get it from them Saturday morning as a proxy pickup option. It's a good fundraiser for them and still allows the Earth Day organizers to focus solely on the race Saturday morning.
Overall recommendations: I would absolutely recommend Earth Day to other runners looking for a nice half marathon that isn't too big or too small. The logistics are fantastic with the start and finish nearby one another and lots of spots along the course for spectators without moving their cars. The price is reasonable for the amenities offered. I'll try for a better result next year!
This race didn't go my way and not all of them will. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Happy running--Missee
It rained...we ran...and we had fun! The Sunnybrook Stomp was held on Friday evening in Wadena, MN. The race was scheduled to start at 6:30 pm and the rain started at about 6:00 pm. It was just rain... no thunder or lightening. Once you decided that you will be getting wet, it was really not a big problem. It was a steady rain shower without wind and the temperature was high enough so that we were not cold.
My family of four, along with my mom entered the race. We had a blast! It was a fun race with a kazoo band around mile 2.5 and plenty of enthusiasm from the race organizers. In addition to a fun time, we ended up with great race shirts and prizes.
For winning my age group, I got $10 in Wadena Chamber Bucks (money to be spent at a Wadena business). I redeemed my Chamber Bucks that very evening at The Fresh Freeze, an awesome burger and ice cream shop in town. They also had random drawings for prizes. I was lucky to be drawn for car coasters. These cute ceramic coasters go in your car's cup holders. They are absorbent so that your on-the-go drinks don't leave rings in your cup holders. Awesome!
Earth Day Half Marathon Recap runearthday.com
First of all, let me preface this race report with reminding our blog readers that I had tried a completely new style of training for this half marathon. All my runs over the last 21 weeks were completed using heart rate and time as a guide instead of pace and/or distance. Some of the speed workouts incorporated pace, but the majority were heart rate only and at very low controlled heart rates. I decided to go into this different style for a few reasons...I was pretty burned out on my running and looking for a change and also that I had some minor aches and pains. The heart rate training was supposed to alleviate those.
Secondly, I have run Earth Day many times and most of the past 8 years or so, Earth Day was a longer, faster marathon training run. It was not the end goal. This year, I do not have a marathon on my calendar so this was my goal race. I'm suspecting this fact played into the problems I encountered today.
On Thursday, I'd blogged that nerves had set in and seemed to be getting the best of me. I believe that is a big part of why my race went poorly today. I had worked myself into such a frenzy that I spent most of the morning in the bathroom before the race with tummy troubles. Then, when the race began, my race plan had me trying to keep my heart rate under 165 for the first hour. When I couldn't seem to accomplish that, even with slowing down a little, that made me more nervous. By mile 6, I would have been happy to drop out. I did get to mile 7 in approx one hour which was close to where I was supposed to be, but the plan was I supposed to be raring to go from holding back in hour one and ready to kick up the pace. That was not happening. I actually continued to slow through the entire race. I did finish in 2:01. It was my worst finish in probably 10 years, but I did not quit. Since everything was such a struggle today, I failed to take any photos...I'm sure they wouldn't have looked too good anyway.
We have been promising reviews of races that would help readers determine if they'd ever care to do the same race. Please disregard my actual race recap for that. Scheels Earth Day Half Marathon is a quality event. Here are some of the particulars you may like to know if you'd like to join me next year...(see, it was bad, but not so bad I've sworn off racing entirely):
1. Date: The race is generally the 3rd Saturday in April or on Earth Day, April 22, if that falls on a Saturday. A few times, the race has fallen on the Saturday before Easter which might be good or not good for some people. A couple years ago, Stephanie and her husband ran, too; Mom and Dad came to watch the race; and I hosted Easter at our house. It was really fun.
2. Time: Start time is 8:30 am. I'd prefer earlier, but that's a pretty reasonable start time.
3. Weather: They have had literally EVERY type of weather...gorgeous, windy, snow, rain, heat. It was pretty nice today, although a little warmer than we've been used to this spring. Weather was not a huge factor today.
4. # of competitors: This year's race had 1052 finishers plus about 200 relay teams. You never run alone, but it's not crowded. They do also have pacers to help you get to the finish in a certain time.
5. Course: The course is easy to navigate. There are some rolling hills but nothing too steep. The uphill into mile 10 feels horrible, but it's really not bad. The one thing that surprises people is that going into mile 3, the course turns onto a grass downhill, across a grassy park and then onto the park road. If it's dry, it's not an issue. The year there was snow, people had to slow down and use caution. The park makes a great spot for the first water stop.
6. Water stops: About every 2 miles beginning at mile 3. They are adequate with Powerade also offered at each stop and Gu at mile 7. Plenty of cheerful volunteers at each stop.
7. Fan support: It's very good except for the 2 miles the course takes along a trail beside the Mississippi River. Otherwise, there are fans along most of the course and neighbors gather on lawns to cheer. Many High Five opportunities from kids along the route. My favorite sign today was: Great Job, Melissa! in someone's yard. Perhaps there was a second Melissa in the race as I don't know the people who live at that house, but maybe they read our blog???
8. Shirts: The shirt is a blue half zip with the race logo on the upper chest. The fit was pretty good which over the years has been my chief complaint with shirts at many races, the color was nice, but overall the shirt was nothing too special...kind of like my performance today, so it's ok if the shirt is not my favorite :-)
9. Finish line: The race finishes on the SCSU football field, so it's colorful and noisy. I was so glad to get there! Also, there is plenty of room to hang around and watch other finishers when the weather is nice or head straight under the stadium to the post race food if it's cold outdoors.
10. Post race food: Another thumbs-up for the snacks. Coborns provides the refueling snacks. This is one race that gives you a paper plate to carry the food. Nice! The selection was predictable...bananas, oranges, string cheese, pretzels, bagels, chocolate milk and sports drink. The Coborns employees serve the food onto your plate, so no worries on food safety as we know many of the runners have been to the porta potties along the way without handwashing :-( I don't want those guys touching my fruit! I didn't have the pretzels or bagels due to the gluten, but the other items were fresh and yummy. Runners could also have one beer, but again, I couldn't partake. My running friend's sister-in-law cheered us in and enjoyed my beer.
11. Cost: There is a big benefit to signing up early for Earth Day. The price when I signed up in November was $45 and they run specials a few times through their Facebook page for free credit card fees or additional discounts. Definitely like them on Facebook for the best deal. I believe the price goes as high as $65 if you wait to register. For a half marathon that is well run, lively and fun, the price seems very reasonable. This summer I'll be running the half at Grandma's Marathon, and the price was much higher.
12. Parking and Packet Pickup: Parking is free and easy along the residential streets nearby. Packet pickup is Friday evening, so I was lucky that my running friend D could pick mine up for me while I was watching track. If you cannot pick up your packet on Friday night, one of the local track teams picks up all unclaimed packets and for $5, you can get it from them Saturday morning as a proxy pickup option. It's a good fundraiser for them and still allows the Earth Day organizers to focus solely on the race Saturday morning.
Overall recommendations: I would absolutely recommend Earth Day to other runners looking for a nice half marathon that isn't too big or too small. The logistics are fantastic with the start and finish nearby one another and lots of spots along the course for spectators without moving their cars. The price is reasonable for the amenities offered. I'll try for a better result next year!
This race didn't go my way and not all of them will. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Happy running--Missee