Sunday, April 22, 2012

Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race Recap

I dont think I hardly slept at all the night before, I was so nervous about getting up on time and out the door by 4:30 am. I got out the door exactly on time after obsessing over the weather and trying to figure out why my laptop was giving me the black screen of death. Not good. I will have to take it in tomorrow and hopefully it is fixable, but it does not look good.... Anyway...there are worse things.

 It was a little chilly when I got to Red Lodge where the shuttle would take us to the start line, I was about half a hour early so I hung out in my car for awhile and then wandered around until I found some people I knew and before I knew it we were loading the bus to the start.

 It was cold up at the start. I stood around for shivering and finally took off for a warm up run. The sun came it and I stripped down to my tank. I was later very glad I did, a lot of others kept on their long sleeve shirts and I think we're sorry later. I also wore my fuel belt, there was mention of a water stop halfway through, but I never did see one. I ate a chocolate gu ten minutes before the start and finally it was time to go!

 I was unsure of how to pace myself for a 9.3 mile race, so I was thinking just faster than half marathon pace, about 7.20ish. My first mile was fast and I wondered if I should slow down, but I was running with another girl whose name I never got and she was setting a fast pace. It felt good though so I decided to stay with her as long as I could. Four miles in we were still running sub seven miles and I ate a Roctane, and drank some nuun. I was worried doing this would throw off my pace and I would lose pacer girl, but I actually sped up as I did so. We made great time and passed a number of people.

 Just after 4 miles in I noticed she started slowing a bit. This bummed me out a little as I really felt like she was helping push me, I stayed with her for a bit hoping she would rally and stay with me, but she kept fading.

 I didn't. I kept going pushing the pace as much as I dared.

 I had no iPod with me and was worried I would lose focus or motivation, but I never did. I kept repeating my mantras and focused on the guy in neon yellow in front of me, slowly, slowly I reeled him until with one mile to go I was on his heels. I passed him several times and was really hurting the last mile, I don't think he liked getting passed by a girl in a skirt. He would speed up and pass me back. I was also getting hot. It was now 55 degrees and sunny.

The course was downhill, but with lots of rolling hills and I was told once I hit town it would be all downhill, so imagine my disappointment when I noticed a slight up hill once I got halfway through town!  I do recommend this run though.  Beautiful scenic views from the Beartooth Highway.

 Funny thing is I think I beat him at the end, but I couldn't tell you that for a fact. I got over the timing matt and sprinted to my biker Troy, handed him the timing chip and he was off. I had a great time hanging out at the finish cheering on the other runners.

 My favorite mantra for this race was:  Make this moment count.

 Others I used:  Be you bravely, soldier on. This is what I do. And I can do another mile, what is another mile, nothing to me.

 But mostly "make this moment count", kept me focused and motivated. I felt great and was glad I decided to rest Friday and Saturday even though I hadn't planned to.

9.3 miles in 1 hour 5 minutes and 16 seconds, per my Garmin.  I don't have the official time yet.  I didn't hang around for the festivities or the rest of the bike or paddle portions.  I had to come home to take care of two little people  :)  Automatic race distance PR since it is the first time I have raced a 9.3 mile race.
They made me chase them with a water gun when I got home.  I was already worn out from the race, but how could I say no?!

I will post the final placing for my team as soon as I find out, but I wanted to get my part down while it was fresh in my head.  I know I was the second girl in, but that is all I know at this point.  So excited to find out how my team mates did!










33 comments:

  1. Damn you're speedy!

    That race sounds like fun. Congrats on the PR!! :)

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  2. Wow, Christy, you were flying!! Congrats to you- sounds like an awesome race!

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  3. WOW that is fast :) I love the last pic, you look like you're going to a concert, not back from a race :)

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  4. Congrats Christy! That is a speedy pace and nice job getting second female!!!
    :)

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  5. Wow! Great time! And I really like that mantra...may have to borrow it :)

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  6. Great job! My favorite race distance is 15k!

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  7. Wow that is fast!!! Great job you!!!!!!!

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  8. WOW! Congrats. Look at you :) Cant wait to hear more!!

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  9. so awesome, so speedy, and I LOVE those mantras! Definitely a hardcore race for you, congrats!

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  10. Nice job Speedy!!! I love automatic PR's!!

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  11. Congrats on another great race for you!! love the outfit!!!

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  12. Congrats, super speedy! Love that you beat the dude that didn't like you passing him...that feels so good! :)

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  13. Congrats on an awesome race!!!! GREAT job! :)

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  14. Great job, Christy! I love reading about your races. I hope your whole team did as well.

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  15. Wow, great job. Sounds like you kicked some serious butt today!

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  16. Wow, what an awesome race effort! I bet that dude pushed himself so much harder than normal because he didn't want to let you pass him. :)

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  17. That is SO amazing! I love that distance, because it totally pushes you. You rocked it!!!!!

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  18. Great job, Christy! WOWZERS I am proud of your for listening to yourself and pushing it. It paid off!!

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  19. Seriously, I can't wait to see what your marathon time is. You're so fast!

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  20. Way to go quick chick!! I love that you got that guy all frustrated...he did not want to get beat by you!!

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  21. You completely smashed this race and I am so incredibly proud of you Christy! Major congratulations!! Very exciting things to come for you this year. Way to go!!

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  22. Sounds like a blast. Way to keep your mantra going. Live it

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  23. Awesome! What a weird distance! You totally rocked it. I think you are going to do so well in the marathon! Your pace is great!

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  24. awesome job, can't wait to hear about the whole event. Sounds like a blast.

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  25. WOWWWWWWW!!!!! you dominated this Christy!!! congrats!!!!

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  26. Congratulations! I was thinking of you when we were in Great Falls. I knew you would do great. Your dad & I are proud of you. :)

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  27. And you ran so fast. Holy Moley. That is just so incredible. Cannot wait to hear how it all panned out... Great, Christy!

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  28. Great job! And then you ran some more at home! :) You inspire me to no end!! And I love looking at your landscape in the background. Country all the way!

    Shannon
    http://www.everystepcounts365.wordpress.com

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  29. Well done. Sounds like a nice race.

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  30. Great job!! Check out the running skirt you're rocking! I love it! Pretty soon I'll be in Montana! I miss it!

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  31. Great job! Sounds like this was a good race for you and your team!

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