Monday, November 12, 2012

Hoofin it For Hunger 5k Race Recap

I could see all week that Sunday was going to be cold. Luckily the race was at 1:30 in the afternoon, so the temps for the race would be about as warm as we could hope for, and they were.  I wasn't about to skip my first race since Hood to Coast in August!

It was in the mid to high twenties, with only a slight bone chilling breeze and best of all sunny.  The sun really makes all the difference at those temps.

The race was held at Riverfront Park in Billings so I knew it would probably be a trail run of sorts, but with the snow it was a whole other matter.  I brought my Yak Tracks just in case but as the course was mostly just snow covered grass and trails with a very small portion of it cleared, I didn't feel like I needed them.

It was a loop with an out and back in the first loop and then another loop. 

My sister and I ran the loop as a warmup and to see how the running would be.  I could tell right away this would be no PR attempt.  (not to mention no speedwork lately anyway, but with all the loose snow it was a lot of work running!)  We took a pause for a photo shoot.


so tough I don't need my ear warmer on my ears, I wear it on my neck
It was a beautiful place to run, but here is what our running paths looked like.   Snow covered!
Unfortunately there was not a great turn out for the race only 66 brave people showed up.  There were a number of Team Beef Montana runners including Amber from my Hood to Coast team. 
yay Team Beef!

The first part of the run was through loose snow on the grass and I though "this is going to feel like a long 5k"  It was hard to get good traction! At least we had lots of pretty scenery. 


Finally we hit some cleared trail and it felt good to shake all the weight of the snow off my shoes and run.  A guy dressed in a cow costume passed me about a mile in and I spent the rest of the race trying to catch him again. 

I never did, but I think we really pushed each other as at the end of the race he commented on how hard I pushed him as he could always hear me right behind him.
Splits were
Mile 1    7:12
Mile 2    7:16
Mile 3    7:05
last .15   7:54 pace (don't judge I tried to kick but the snow here was really hard to run through.

Final time 22:38 with a 7:13 pace according to my Garmin.  I was shooting for a 7:12 pace since I haven't done any speedwork in months.  Taking the running conditions into consideration I was more than pleased with my time and think I would have smashed my goal had they been more ideal.

Here is the "cow" I was trying so hard to beat and me of course.  I did win top female overall and a gift certificate to Scheels as well as a fleece lined running pullover jacket. They are going to send me the jacket and have it embroidered with top female finsiher type stuff.  YAY!  (it even has thumbholes)
My sister ended up being third in our age group. Yay little sis!

Here is what Rocky thinks of it all.

Did you race this weekend? How did you do?

31 comments:

  1. Running in the SNOW at under a 8-minute pace?? Umm...no one's judging, I promise! You kick butt.

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  2. My Sunday was more like Rocky's (just kidding--I had church and work).

    Wow, you are awesome!! Way to go chasing the cow through all that snow--no judging....running in snow is like running in sand. Congrats on the big win and the jacket. And I bet it was just so nice to get back to racing--I know that feeling.

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  3. Nice job. Such beautiful scenery! It's in the 30's in Texas this morning so I'm pretty excited for my 9 miles, but this is about my threshold for cold, LOL.

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  4. Congrats! I think running through snow like that would be like running through sand--not so easy! You did a great job.

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  5. Great race Christy! Running in the snow is tough! I almost think yaktrax make it even more difficult when you wear them because they are so bulky. Glad you didn't need them, but it was good to have them just in case.
    I am running a 5K on December 1st and I have a feeling there will be snow. It is snowing right now--so much for that mild winter we were expecting!

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  6. Snow already??? Looks like it was a fun challenge!

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  7. Congrats Christy, I can't even imagine running on snow!!

    1st woman overall, pretty sweet swag there, so proud of you :)

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  8. I love that you didn't push yourself and even stopped to take pictures and you came in first! You're speedy without even trying!

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  9. Congrats to you AND your sister! Your times were especially impressive given the condition and lack of speedwork. Signs of good things to come, for you, for sure!!
    Very cool prizes, too!!

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  10. A winter wonderland - so pretty! Obviously snow can't slow you down! Congrats on 1st! And what a great prize!

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  11. Congrats on a fun race! We have lots of snow too. :) And what fun prizes for a small race. Awesome!

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  12. Congratulations on a great run! I am not sure how you did that with the snow on the ground! I can't even run that fast less the snow! Nice prizes too!

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  13. Congrats - that sounds so hard!!

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  14. man alive, lady- that is an awesome 5k time- especially running in the snow! Loose snow is NOT easy to run in. Great racing!

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  15. Congrats on being top female! YAY

    LOL 66 runners. That's funny. You guys are brave. The scenery looks amazing. Your'e pretty awesome for running in all the snow. Great run!!

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  16. You are AMAZING and that does look like a nice place to run. You guys are awesome. I want to be there with you :)

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  17. That is a very impressive pace - on an easy course! Add in the snow, and, wow. Way to go!

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  18. Congratulations! It looks freeeezing out there - won't elaborate on how summer is just starting for us... :)

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  19. I can't wait to see our first snowfall, even though it will probably be a few weeks for us yet. It's so pretty to run in, but VERY difficult. Congrats on such a great pace considering the footing and awesome prizes!

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  20. You live in such an amazingly beautiful place!

    Congrats on the win, that's super awesome. Looks like I don't have an excuse to not run outside anymore when it's cold. I'll just remember you running 7 minute miles in the freaking snow and cold!

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  21. wow look at that snow, what a beautiful run!!

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  22. Judging a sub-8 in the snow??? That's crazy.

    That looks gorgeous! Congrats on the awesome finish. I wanna see the completed jacket!

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  23. I can't get over how much snow you have already! Way to go on your 5k-- that's a fantastic time, snow or not. :)

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  24. wowwww! in those conditions I am definitely thinking you DOMINATED!!!! love it! great work friend! what a fun race to run...you are definitely brave and strong for getting out there and making the best of it!

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  25. Nice work and congrats! I love that you were chasing a cow-- for some reason, that totally made me laugh :)

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  26. That sprint is faster than I've ever run on a treadmill, so no judging here!

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  27. I can't believe you're running in the snow and I went for a walk in a tank top today haha. Great job on the 5K!

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  28. very impressive, especially in the snow!!

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  29. Great job on the race and congrats on your award for first female overall!

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  30. Congrats to you and I cannot wait to see the cool jacket... and congrats to your sister too. I think Rocky loves the sunshine as much as you do!

    Your pictures are so beautiful... ALMOST makes me miss the powder!

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  31. Congratulations!!! Looks like a challenging course with the snow and you did amazing. I love the guy in the cow costume.

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