Updated 3/1/14
2013
The GPS data from the run
Although it looks like all down hill,
the trip down toward Biosphere in the middle
is rolling steep hills. After mile 20 there are
some very steep short hills which sap your
strength. The key on this run is to be ready
for this set of wicked hills.
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Finishers Medals:
Half
Full
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The Tucson Marathon
Events
Tucson, Arizona
December 8, 2013
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Finishers Shirts
from the Event
- Both half and full
(Click to Enlarge)
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This was our first
run at this long time event, and certainly one of the coldest
- if not THE coldest race I have ever ran in! 890 marathoners
and 1200 Half marathoners came together for this December 6th
event, which was held down near Oracle and Mount Lemon near Tucson.
Dawn did very well, blowing past her times from her two previous
half marathons for a new all time PR. I met my goal of running
this event for the first time at a moderate pace, and took careful
notes on the terrain, hills and road types to be able to plan
for next years run at a faster pace. Despite the cold snowy and
rainy weather, we both had a great time before the race visiting
friends and spending time at the natural history desert museum
and taking in the Tucson scenery. I found many similarities between
this one and the Lost Dutchman race which we have run many times
before with back roads, lots of desert scenery and more long
hills than you ever thought possible!
Before the Races
We took Friday
off from work, and headed out toward Tucson in the late morning.
After a packet pick up which had a nice sized smaller Expo to
walk through, we drove the route from start to finish so we could
get a good handle on what was the situation on the down hills,
and the all too numerous up hills after mile 20 or so. Then off
to dinner and back to the motel, the Fairfield.
Saturday morning
we headed over to the Desert Sonoran Museum. We had not been
there in decades and it was great to see it again, and go through
the natural history exhibits which included numerous fossils
and mineral specimens. The desert scenery and botanical garden
in the back was perfect because both of us would be racing through
this type of ecology on Sunday. After lunch on this sunny but
cold and blustery day, we drove all across town to visit our
astronomy and fossil friends Rik Hill and his wife. Then it was
time to head back to the motel and get ready for the next mornings
race!
Race Morning and
During the Race
The motel was awesome
- they not only offered breakfast to runners at 4:30am, but a
bunch of huge buses to the race starts for both half and full.
The clouds had rolled in, and it was somewhere near 45 degrees
out. At least it wasn't raining, which was predicted later that
day as a big cold front moved in. At 5am, I got on my bus to
the Marathon start and Dawn got on the one to the half starting
line. The race was to start for both at 7am sharp. Getting on
the first bus was a good bet we would be there when that happened!
It took a long 45 minutes to get there, and we were to start
on the top of a tall hill in the middle of the desert woods type
environment on a narrow road. When the buss stopped, it was some
where around freezing and the trees were blowing around a lot.
Most of us stayed on the buss in the warm until around 6:30am,
when we bundled up and headed up the hill to the race staging
area. It was 29 degrees on my digital thermometer and the wind
was gusting feeling like icicle knives stabbing you. They had
these huge bright construction site lamps going at the top of
the hill, and it was still quite dark out. every time the wind
would gust, the crowd would cry out in shivering pain! Oh my,
then it started snowing on us. The big portable lamps pointing
down on us had tens of thousands of snow flakes in their beams.
Finally, around
6:45 they told us over a PA system it was time to dump our warm
ups and get ready to race. So there we were, ripping our clothes
off down to mostly T-shirts, shorts and the smart ones had a
running sweat shirt on. What I finally decided on wearing was
the basic running outfit plus some arm sleeves, my lightweight
running sweatshirt and over that the rain bag I brought with
arm holes cut in to block the wind gusts and keep my self from
getting soaked in snow, rain and sleet.
When the staring
horns went off, it was a relief that we would be going down hill
in altitude quickly and within hopefully 10 miles would be out
of this cold and snowy start. I kept a fast sub 9 pace and we
all spread out over the next miles and were running our own race.
It was so much like running the Lost Dutchman, I had to keep
reminding myself that this was an all new race! But instead of
ending the good down hill at mile 6, it kept going strong for
another 6 miles until we got to the entrance road to the Biosphere
tourist trap. Then lots of steep rolling hills for 3 miles. We
exited back on the freeway and it was more sedate for hills after
that. Fortunately, the wind which we had been running directly
into for 12 miles was starting to abate, and the snow finally
stopped around mile 10. The race between Biosphere and mile 19
was un eventful, lots of desert scenery and everyone was having
an improving attitude as the bad weather seemed to be lessening.
It was still in the low 40s however, and still a very cold race.
A long steep hill starting round mile 19 or so was the start
of many steep up and downs. From there on, to the finish it was
rolling hills and far less down hills. You cant see the finish
line very well until your really right on top of it, and it was
one long final mile! After finishing, I had plenty of notes for
next year. Dawn had finished before me and this was her fastest
half she had ever race walked! We collected our gear and took
the bus back to the hotel, cleaned up and had arranged a late
check out which worked great. Off to lunch after that, and then
the long drive home.
Final notes and
thoughts for next year
1. Try to keep
a more constant pace on the hills
2. Practice on more downhill runs at race pace to build quads
- this race is a quads buster!
3. A huge problem this year was the extremely poor weather we've
had for the past two months, making critical training runs all
but impossible. I did the best I could, but hopefully next year
I can fit in the right number of long runs prior to the race.
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Images of before and during the Race
At the Expo and Packet Pickup
Inside the Expo, the bib pickup and shirts on the right
Behind the store rock cliff scenery
Driving the Route
The top of the small hill at the starting line for the Marathon
it is in the middle of nowhere!
Below: Race Morning with the cell phone cam - Full Marathon
At the staging area on top of a small hill, temps were around 29F and it was lightly snowing
15 minutes before start, they told us to all strip off our warm clothes and get ready to run! Brrrrrrr.
The flag is raised and the National Anthem is played
That is not the sun coming up, its the high powered halogen lamps...
Looking behind me during the Anthem
After a few miles it is light enough out to see the dense heavy clouds around mile 5
Mile 11, down the road to Biosphere and back
Dawns shots of the Half Marathon, including the second half of the Marathon Route
Bus drop off of runners
Lining up at the starting line for the Half close to our Mile 13
Sun rays at starting time
Heading out at race start
There is considerable up hills too
Quad buster hill!
Nearing the last few miles, plenty of hills
Coming in the finishing chute after one long
windy cold day!
Finish shot
Dawn at finish line
And so ends this year one of the coldest races I have ever run! Next year will be warmer....
| After
a cold 45F start, this day ended up with clear blue skies and
perfect racing temps. Both of us did fantastic this year, Dawn
broke her all time PR for her 10k, and I tied my all time fastest
time I have ever run here at this event! Here is the photo pictorial. |
Images of before and during the Race
Below: Getting close to race start at 8:00am
Below: Age group medals waiting to be handed out
Below: First the marathoners go out, doing the half loops twice...
Below: Tim giving last minute information just before the start of the Half
Below: Winning awards on display
Below: Logo at the race starting/finish line
Below: Lining up for the start of the Half
Below: Race start! Im in yellow to the left of center
Below: Away we go!
Below: After the race, and tieing my fastest PR set years ago!
Below: Dawn sets a new PR too!
Below: After the race, runners mulling around the field
Below: Flagstaff mountian vista
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would rate this race as one of our favorites for sure. I would
say this is the closest thing to a race we run annually with
an astronomy based theme. You can see the world famous Lowell
Observatory right over the starting line from a certain spot
in Wheeler park where we stage the race. Also we are racing right
on the top of Lowell Mesa, right past the telescope dome. And
at about the half way point one aid station has two wastebaskets
after the tables which this year one had "Pluto is a planet"
and the other "Pluto in NOT a planet". You throw your
cup into your vote as you go by! This challenging trail run takes
you through back roads, the deep woods, rough rocky trails and
high altitudes, all with exceptional views of the forest and
surrounding mountains. Once again Neil did a great job at orchestrating
this event, and with the great weather this year - starting temps
in low 50s, efficient aid stations and plenty of help made for
an outstanding trail run and we both had a fantastic time! This
was my second fastest time for this race ever, finishing in 2:07
this year and for Dawn one of her fastest too coming in the 5k
race walk at 42:07 minutes, only seconds off her fastest ever!
For the Half Marathon the first half is very difficult with long
steep uphills and very rugged rocky trails full of roots and
"trip vines". As I passed the 6 mile mark, my pace
was only 10.0 mins / mile but after that it becomes much more
downhill and you blaze through the woods at top speed. I averaged
around an 8 min pace on the second half bringing the total average
down, and almost making up for the laborious first half. This
was a great training "tempo" run for the upcoming Flagastaff
Half marathon next month, and then beyond to my 50 mile Grand
Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim adventure we are planning in October.
It will be all trail runs for us until December when Im going
to try to set a marathon PR in Tucson, which has a 2500 drop
from start to finish. |
Images of before and during the Race
Below: Huge storm cloud formation over Flagstaff before race. It was not a problem...
Below: Packet pickup before the race
Below: Around the starting line before the race. Runners are just arriving.
Below: Over the starting line you can see the Lowell Observatory! (Cirled in red)
Below: Food setup at the finish area
Below:
Me before the race start. This run and the next (Flagstaff Half
Marathon) are the final test runs for the Nike Zoom Trail shoes
Im wearing here. The big 50 mile Grand Canyon run is in October.
Below: Another view over the starting line of the Lowell Observatory!
Below: Neil getting ready to start the race. I am in green on the left side.
Below: David Bluestein warming up - a friend at many races!
Below: At the starting line seconds before race start. I am circled.
Below: Race Start Images
Below: The winner of the half marathon -
Below: Female winner of the Half Marathon -
Below: Here I come a short time later - Im in green in the far distance
Below: Last quarter mile to the finish is up hill!
Below: Last hundred yards, I am racing the guy to my left.... (I beat him)
Below: Crossing the finish line!
Below: Winners and fast runners at the finish line, just after I came in.
Below: Finish line shot, my second fastest run here ever!
Below: Dawn at the finish line, here second fastest here too!
Below: Finishing area, time to feast and drink!
Below: Massive field of sun flowers on the way home at Lake Mary.
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A new PR this year
for both of us on this short but grueling trail run. Clear skies,
temperatures in the low 50s, and dry conditions made for a perfect
day up in the deep woods at over 8000 feet elevation. No major
injuries to report for this year, only a few bloodied bodies
came over the finish line, and I only saw two runners trip and
fall on this moderately treacherous route in the high country.
For us, the rest of the year will be a series of mostly trail
runs, culminating with the 50 mile Grand Canyon run in October.
This year again I wore my Nike zoom trail shoes, and even though
I had them quite tightly tied, they feel unstable to me on the
rocky trails and so I continue to search for a better shoe for
future races. They are fast though, and do very well on the road
as well as off making it good for combination races with mixed
terrains. I came in this year the fastest finish for this race
ever, with a 1:26 time. This would have been probably a minute
faster had I not stopped to check on a fallen female runner who
tripped right in front of me. Dawn also did very well, coming
in on 45 minutes, her fastest 5k trail race walk ever.
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Images of before and during the Race
The early morning Packet Pickup
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Food Table packed with goodies!
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Race Registration
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Neil examines the start/finish line
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Starting line
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Here I am warming up before
the race start
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Neil giving last minute directions
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Bike lead vehicle
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15k runners are off and heading
up the hill!
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The 5k prepares to start
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After the Race everyone
socializes
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Dawn coming in!
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For 2013, a huge
amount of the route for the Marathon was completely changed.
For my race times, this would be a new start as far as a new
marathon and new age group. While some parts of the route were
run backwards, they omitted Fiesta Island, had no part of the
run past sailing ships, and we had to run a terrible hill for
miles and miles starting at mile 20! While the race staged from
the same Balboa Park location, we all ended up at the parking
area near Petco Stadium. While the run was still looped through
the main parts of the city, many of the out of town areas were
changed as well. I ran this one then at a good hard pace and
until the big hill, held a 9 minute pace. After that, running
up a long freeway entrance ramp backwards for over 2 miles damped
my pace by about 12 minutes off on the finish time.
The rest of the story We arrived on the usual Friday afternoon,
and after lunch headed over to the expo. This year was perhaps
the largest yet, I have never seen so many displays and tables!
Some new running clothes, plenty of free taste samples, and my
first pair of Sketchers mid foot striker shoes, which we have
been looking for almost six months now. After the Expo, got our
motel which was about a mile from the finish line, and dinner
at a pasta place. Saturday we drove the areas beaches, hit the
huge running store along the freeway and the big hiking store
REI across the street. A big carbo loading dinner followed and
we were ready to take on the race Sunday.Sunday morning I was
downstairs to get on the shuttle offered by the hotel to take
you to the race start. This was very convenient to say the least,
and I got there early enough to see a mostly empty field and
the vendors still setting up.
The starting line
was still in pieces too. After an hour, thousands came in by
shuttle and the totals for both the Half and Full Marathons exceeded
30, 000 runners - the biggest ever due to the huge popularity
of the half marathon. There were 8000 of us running the Full.
Temps were ideal for racing, upper 50s, no sun with a cloudy
sky. This year I wore my Pegasus 29s which were bright lime colored,
which makes me faster I believe. The race started at 6:15 and
I was in coral 3 with a planned average pace near 9:30 to 10
mins per mile depending on how bad that huge hill was at mile
20.
Everything went
well as far as pace, I settled in once the race started to a
9:00 pace and held that until mile 20. When the gigantic hill
started, everyone slowed down so much, many of them were walking.
I was able to run all the way to the finish so did well here.
My final time was off by around 12 minutes to a 4:12 finish,
so next time we may have to hit the bottom of the hill a bit
faster! I saw Dawn quite a few times on the side lines during
the race. she was able to get from one part of the route to another
just at the right time and cheer me on. She put in quite a few
miles herself just keeping tabs on me! Despite my slower time,
I was still within the top 25% of marathoners coming across the
line. If they keep this nasty hill,
I may have to try
a different strategy next year. Sunday evening we joined Dawns
sister and her husband at their house for a late dinner. Then
Monday back on the plane back to Arizona! Next years Notes:-
Hit the bottom of the hill with a 8:30 - 8:45 pace average.-
Pegasus 29 worked great, no blisters or pain at all- more hill
training!
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Images of before and during the Race
Tidal Cave with visitors on top
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Before the Race we visited
the ocean and saw some seals on the rocks
below.
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Catching the waves
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Beautiful sand bar scene
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Shooting the flora
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Along the ocean walk (Dawn ahead)
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Reflecting on the ocean before me...
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Race Morning, Dawn walked over from the
hotel and took some photos of me
getting ready to race!
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Ready to race
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The staging park where we gathered
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In my coral with minutes to go...
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The starting line is readied
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And OFF WE GO!
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Runners streaming past the starting
gate
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Some of the elites going through
"Little Italy" (we had pasta there)
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Running by at mile 7
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Then again at mile 9
Nice even mid foot strike...
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Going past mile 9
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Running past mile 12. Notice how the
runner on the left runs - heel strike first.
Mid foot is 30% more efficient.
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Towards down town
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Going by at mile 22
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Race Finished!
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The aerial display over the race
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Street signs along the route
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This years event
had the promise of clear blue skies, perfect running temperatures
and literally ideal conditions. I nearly didn't race this one
this year because I felt queasy just before the 5am early start,
but recovered enough by the normal 6am start to do the race,
although at a much more relaxed pace to not make the situation
worse. The final result was I came in around a mid packer for
my age group and did surprising fairly well even for not pushing
it hard. Here is our story.
We arrived on Friday
just past noon in Prescott to pick up our race packets at the
Community center. There were a few tables with shirts and such
for sale, but no Expo. Normally most trail runs like this are
rather sparse on such amenities. We do about 1/3 our racing on
trails or back woods roads, and this connects well with the training
I do in Payson, which is very hilly at altitude. And you need
that hill training for this race! It is ranked as one of the
most challenging marathons in the country. We stayed that night
at the Precottonian Hotel on the edge of town, and within 10
minutes drive to the starting line in central Prescott (Dawn's
home town). The alarm went off at 3:30 Saturday morning and we
got ready to head over to the starting line. I was starting to
feel unsettled at this point, but hoped it would fade by race
start. It was dark and around 47 degrees, no wind. As 5am approached
I felt really bad and we decided I would wait an hour for the
normal 6am race start and see how I felt. 10 minutes before the
race start, I felt a bit better and ran a big circle around the
Courthouse on the sidewalk. I did fine, and although still slightly
queasy. I gave it a go. I have never done the normal marathon
start before! I like the early start because there is only a
few dozen of us, and its is much cooler near the end of the race.
But as I was about to find out, there was one other difference
which shocked me.
The race starts
just after sun up and heads out of town towards Copper Basin
road. It is steep up hill on pavement and winds around a lot.
Then, just after we turn toward the road, it becomes dirt. That
marks the start of one massive hill climb which is why it is
one of the most challenging marathons. You go from 5000 feet
up wards to nearly 8000 feet in around 11 miles. This is the
point where all the marathoners spread out over the course and
most of the time you only saw one or two in front of you. I met
some great people on this race. One did lots of Rim to Rims in
the Grand canyon, and another raced Boston. I did not push, and
ran a moderately good pace reaching the 13 mile turn around with
about an 11 minute pace. From there you climb back up to two
peaks and then down hill mile after mile on a dirt road filled
with pot holes, loose gravel and ripples. And the big surprise
- I never saw any half marathoners! In fact, not one 10k or half
runner the entire rest of the race. No one to cheer me on, it
was lonely out there. I only saw one or two runners all the way
down to town. It was like I was just out for a weekend run. When
you do the early start - you see thousands of runners going the
other way and with you. What a shock to be all alone. Would there
be anyone at the finish line when I came in? I crossed the finish
line and was relived that I had taken it easy enough to be able
to complete the race in a reasonable time. I came in 4th place
in my age division, about half way in the age group. Not bad
for a slow fun run! I have hopes for next year now, do the early
start, and actually have a chance for a 3rd place medal!
Food was slim pickings
at the finish as I had expected, but there was still a lot of
time to walk around and see the events before they rolled up
the carpets and put away the finish line. Would I have run the
race if there was no early start? I dont know. The next day I
felt fine and look forward to next years race.
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Images of the Race
Getting ready inside the Motel
lobby / Bar for the race
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Ready to race ( I hope)
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The starting line for the Marathon
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Ready to start the race
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Police escort
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The race begins!
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Saloon on Whiskey Row
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Dawns photo of the 10k race starting
line
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Ready to go!
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The finish line for the Marathon
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Police presence
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Band at the finish line
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Remembering
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Here I come on the last leg of the race
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I did not think I would make it this far
the way I felt in the morning
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Finishing the race
this was one long day!
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Re energizing after the race
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Dawn after her fast 10k
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Professional race set 1
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Race set 2
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Race set 3
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Race set 4
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Above: Medal for
the Half Marathon
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Above: GPS profile
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The Brian MicKelson
Half Marathon
April 20th, 2013
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Finishers Shirt
from the Event
(Click to Enlarge)
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This year, we had
nearly ideal conditions. Clear and crisp in the morning, with
an azure blue sky overhead. We both raced again this year, while
I did the half marathon, Dawn race walked the 10k. We both did
great this year, I came in within seconds of last years time,
and again - fourth place in my age division.
We arrived at 6am and headed over to the ball field to pick up
our race packets. The full marathon - Second time for this year
- was starting at 7:20, and the half marathon at 7:30, then the
10k group at 7:40. The half winds through back streets, downtown
Cottonwood, and twice onto some scenic challenging trails. Lots
of steep hill climbs, rocks and gopher holes too! I came in at
1:54, and Dawn came it on 1:33. After the race, we had plenty
of food and drinks at the finishing area. This might be an interesting
marathon to do sometime, however with the intense trail running
at the end, it might be really hard too!
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Images of the Race
(no Stealth Cam for fast races)
Runners and their families gathering
at the ball field packet pickup in the
morning sunrise light
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Packet Pickup tables
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Runners standing for the
Pledge of Allegiance
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Waiting for half marathon start
Im in yellow with matching
blue shorts
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Race start. The guy in red next to me is
a Boston qualifier runner.
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Nearing the last few miles of the race
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Last mile coming in!
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Heading for the finish line
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Post race shot
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Dawn Post race shot
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Medals being handed out for the
very first time ever at this race!
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With the weekend
before and after filled with clouds, wind and rain, we once again
had great luck on a race this year. (Its pouring rain as I write
this!) This was a brand new route on the second running of this
new event. Recall last year, the re-birth of the old "Valley
of the Sun" Half marathon was initiated, with the last years
race starting at the point that this years full started off at
a location on a remote location at the Rio Salado Sportsman club
on Usery Road. There was no full last year. This second year
it all changed. The full started the same spot as we did last
year for the half, then passes the Half marathon starting line
at mile 13 on McDowell road next to a store called "Waxie",
onto the finish line 13 miles later. I ran the half marathon
this year, which now is the second half of the full. Confusing,
right? The slope was very steep down hill for last years run,
and this year the slope is like 1/3 for the new half. Not anywhere
near as fast. And oh man, that hill at mile 11....
We arrived the
night before the race on Friday at the Best Western Hotel down
in Tempe. This saved us the very early morning drive down from
Payson. This race starts very early - at 6:30 am, and you must
catch the bus to the starting line at 4am! So the Motel Idea
worked out well. Saturday morning, Dawn dropped me off at the
buses which went to the starting lines of all races at the Mesa
Riverview shopping center.. We were all half asleep on the long
ride to the race start, and were dropped off at a point next
to a school campus on a street that was blocked off on both ends.
Rows of dozens of propane heaters greeted us and there was some
food and water offered. It was 43 degrees out at this time of
the morning, and the heaters worked out great. Over 2700 half
marathoners piled in on the buses. They told us that 1200 were
running the Marathon, and 800 the 10k at this point. When 6:30
neared, we all walked down the adjacent road to the big inflated
starting line hoop. There was not enough light yet to see well,
but they had flood lights. Then just as the race started - lots
of fire works! how cool was that. We raced off the starting line
with giant explosions and colored sparklers. A police escort
to boot. my goal was to hold a fast even pace and push fairly
hard to see how it compared to the Fiesta Bowl half I run in
December which is a bit flatter but more contorted.
For the first three
miles I kept pace with the 1:40 group, which is a 7:30 pace.
Then after the long up hills started I backed off to an 8 minute
pace, which was my goal pace. The route was through some decent
parts of town, leading through commercial areas and residential
subdivisions as well. The big surprise came at mile 10 - 12.
Really long fairly steep up hill. The initial faster pace was
certainly what made up for this slow trek at this point. The
best I could do at that point was around an 8:30 pace. Finally,
the last mile is more flat making for a faster finish, ending
at a huge shopping center - the Riverview Shopping Center. Now
I know the route better, I can plan for that big hill at mile
10 next time! I came in with a 1:47 finish time, a great effort
for the first running of this new route. The food at the finish
line was amazing. One of the best I have ever seen for variety
and amounts. Its possible that being the first running of the
Marathon, they went all out. Maybe next year will be different.
never know!
After the race,
we went back to the Hotel, I showered and left Dawn there where
she had to be on a work related trip the next morning down there.
I went home, and still had most of the day to do things. I really
like Saturday races! Next year if we get our registration in
early, both of us can participate. I am pretty sure now that
this is one of the fastest marathons in the state and might be
a good choice to set a PR next year.
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Images of the Race
(no Stealth Cam for fast races)
Bus pickup shot, the road racer
is ready for battle!
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Waiting at the finish line, Dawn took
lots of shots while I was running. Here is
the rack of all the finishers medals. One
of them is mine..
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The photographers set up at the finishing
line.
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The Sun finally rises, and I would be about
half way to the finish.
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Palms and the moon
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The finishing chutes
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Here I come in yellow on the left
the last quarter mile push!
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I MUST beat the 28 year old guy
in the crash dummy suit
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Passing crash dummy guy...
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Blasting to the finish at an 8 min
pace
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Passing runners to the finish
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The final seconds of the race, I am in the
center in yellow coming in at a very
respectable 1:47, 10th in my age
division.
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Post race festivities and food~
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Winning plaques for runners of all races
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Post race area at the finish line
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A great sunny, clear, blue skies day
with a fast race behind me!
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The following Saturday looked like this in
Payson, with massive rain all over
Phoenix.
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Above: Medals
Left is the 10k, right
is the Marathon
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The Lost Dutchman
Marathon
February 17th, 2013
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|
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Finishers Shirt
from the Event
(Click to Enlarge)
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The weather for
this year so far has been totally crazy! One weekend of rain,
snow or high winds, and the next totally clear and sunny. Fortunately
for our racing, the first three races of this year happened on
the sunny weekends! And unfortunately for my training - my training
log book shows that I have missed many critical 20 milers and
long tempo runs because of the bad weekend weather and I ended
up doing 6 milers on the indoor treadmill while looking out the
window watching the downpour outside. This has had its impact
on my races this year so far, and this Marathon was no exception.
Hopefully, the cycle will break soon, and my training for upcoming
events will be more typical.
For this years
Lost Dutchman Marathon events, the temperatures slightly warm,
but fortunatley there was a good breeze blowing - Days peaking
in the mid 70's and mornings mid to upper 40s. While I did the
full marathon which started at Peralta Trail head in Apache Junction,
Dawn race walked the 10k event, which started and ended at the
finish line at the Rodeo Grounds. While neither of us broke any
new PR's this year, we both had a great time and enjoyed this
event immensely as usual. And the weather for the week after
the event? Snow storms and dumping 8 inches on us during the
week, and on Sunday one week after the race - Another snow storm!
This year, we stayed
at a Best Western motel in Mesa the night before the race. At
3: 15 the alarm went off and we headed out the door by 4am to
catch the first shuttles to the marathon starting line. When
we got there, only a few dozen runners were there and the camp
fires were just started. What an amazing desert experience, with
the campfires, stars and nearby Superstition mountains less than
a quarter mile away. There was little wind at that point, and
temperatures were around 48 degrees. At 6:50 we all started to
line up behind the starting banner, with each pace category marked
with flags. The race started at 7am with a gun shot, and we were
off in the morning twilight down the dirt Peralta road. The scenery
is breathtaking at this point, surrounded by desert plants and
serene silence - except for the hundreds running marathoners.
Around 6.5 miles of this and your down at the paved road. From
then on its through rural subdivisions, onto the main highway
twice and long stretches of rolling hills with long steep inclines
in the last 5 miles. And after all those wicked hills, that finish
line never looked so good!
The new Swan Spy
cam I took along did not fare well. Only 8 shots were on the
card from the dozens I shot, and I may have to do a lot more
testing on this new stealth cam before its ready for full time
use.
Here is the photo
pictorial of our race day.
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Images of the Race
Before Race Start...
Being dropped off at the Marathon
bus pick up point. Im not sure I am
really awake at this point!
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Waiting for race start at Peralta
trail head. The interpretive sign. It is
very dark out...
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The steep cliffs of The
Superstitions
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Campfires and services at the race
start staging area
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In the starting coral at race start.
No, Im not running at an 8 min pace...
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Cactus and sky along Peralta road
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Still on Peralta road, mountains view
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Finally hit the pavement at 6.5 miles
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Heading down the freeway...
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The race mascott at the finish line
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"Old Timer"
Diemonds?
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Runners getting ready for 10k
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Waiting for the racers to
come over the finish line
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The empty finish line awaits...
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Bag pickup. When you are at the starting line
you can drop off your warm ups on a bus
to pick up later at the finish line
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Aid station at the food tables
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The winners announcements
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Announcements after the winners come in
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The fastest racers coming in
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And the rest of us! Here I am in yellow
working my way to the finish line
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Heading for the finish line
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After the race!
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Dawn after her 10k
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Balloon at finish line
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Above: Medals for all
the races was the same,
part 2 of a four part
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The Sedona 10k
February 2nd, 2013
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The Starting line before race start
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Finishers Shirt
from the Event
(Click to Enlarge)
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Once again we lucked
out in the weather department on this highly scenic race. The
weekend before was a total disaster for the weather. 2 3/4 inches
of cold rain, clouds and no sunshine. During the week it cleared
and finally, on Saturday - the skies were clear, sunny and the
temperatures back up in the 70s for this part of Arizona. We
both did the 10k again this year, and attendance was very good
for all races. We had a great time and even got in some fossil
hunting in Sedona afterwards. The next day it was cloudy, rained
and back to cold! Here is the story of our adventures that day.
We left Payson
that morning around 4:45 and arrived in Sedona around 6:30 am.
This was essential to get a good parking spot, even though it
was still dark out at the top of the hill from where the race
was held. From there, you walk down half a mile or ride the shuttle
part way to the start/finish line area. It was around upper 40s
at that point and when the sun rose, warmed up a bit. I was fine
with a cotton long sleeve shirt for the race, and for such a
short race, it worked fine. The race time was moved later an
hour to just after 9:00 this year. I think this made more runners
show up and attendance was a record 2500 for all races which
include a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon (21K) and Full Marathon (42K).
I use the run for an intense training run for the Lost Dutchman
Full which Ill be running in two weeks. Intense indeed! With
the steep up and down hills that are always long and challenging,
you wont break any 10k records on this one. I came in at 4th
place in my division this year, one minute short of a 3rd place
medal that I took last year. Dawn race walked a new PR for this
event, and we both came away with some fast times, and had a
lot of fun.
After the race,
we watched the runners coming in, had some food and went off
to the restaurant to have a late lunch. Afterwards, we drove
back to the area and on a side road to Dry Creek Canyon road
did a bit of fossil hunting in the brownish red shales. You can
read about some of the fossils we found here:
http://schursastrophotography.com/paleo/latest/sedona020313.html
The sky slowly
clouded up with a haze and we drove back home. The next day was
cold, cloudy and around noon started to rain for the rest of
the day. Couldnt have asked for a better day!
Notes for Next
Year:
- More Hill training
for that last minute!
- Dont wear a slippery
shirt
- No need for hydration
belt
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Images of the Race
Before Race Start...
The stunning sunrise
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Booths set up before sunrise
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The moon in the pre dawn sky
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Looking down the main road through Sedona
before the race
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Police escorts getting ready for race start
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The starting line
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Walking down to the starting line
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The bottom of the hill is the starting area
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On display - allfour medals including
the next two years
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Images of the Race
Start of the 10K (Dawns Shots on her Race Walk)
The runners gather in the start
area before the race
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Dawns photo log - standing at the
starting line
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The 10k has begun!
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Heading for town along the main road
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Racers coming from the other direction
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Scenic views
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Here I come from the other
direction heading back
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Passing and heading for the finish
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Police escort
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Dawn coming in at the finish line!
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Heading in to the finish
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Finish line shot
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Finish line shot
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After the race heading back
up the hill
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The road sign showing a runner!
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Professional photos 1
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Professional photos 2
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Above: Marathon and
Mini Marathon Medals
(Click to Enlarge)
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The PF Chang
Arizona Rock and Roll
Marathon / Mini Marathon
January 20th, 2013
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|
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Finishers Shirts
from the Event
(Click to Enlarge)
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After what can
be best described polar temperatures the previous weekend, we
lucked out again this year for the running of the PF Chang Rock
and Roll Marathon. Highs in the low 70s, and lows at a perfect
upper 40s meant superb temperatures for the entire run. This
year, while I was running the full, Dawn did the new "Mini
Marathon" which was 5 miles, and ended at the same finish
line as I did. The marathon is essentially mostly up hill running.
Some times steep, sometimes just mile after mile of up slow going.
I started out with my planned pace, however by mile 15 found
that the pace was too fast for the constant up hill. I backed
off a bit, and came in about 10 minutes later than last year.
I also had some problems with my fuel belt giving me bad side
cramps, blisters on one foot, and trashed quads from going this
distance with my new Nike Zoom Elites. While these are lightweight
mid-foot strikers racing shoes, they are too brutal on runs over
a half marathon in length. I will most certainly be making some
changes for the running of next years race! Hopefully this will
be one of the last races that will be without a Stealth Cam.
We recently purchased a new ultra tiny high resolution "spy
camera" for running, and it is currently in evaluation.
Dawn however did get some remarkably good shots of the Mini Marathon
she took part in this year, so there is plenty to show you here.
I also did get a few shots prior to race start at the starting
line with my cell phone camera. And some good news to report
- we just purchased a brand new mini professional grade spy camera,
which we plan to use as the new running "Stealth Cam".
First race will be probably at Lost Dutchman in 3 weeks...
Notes for Next
Year:
- Wear more cushioned Nike 29's
- Less slippery running shirt (belt slides around)
- Less weight on fuel belt (Bottles half full?)
- Set pace for 9:30
- More Carbo Loading?
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The race course through the
Valley. The bottom of the elevation profile
for all 26 miles. Start is on the left.
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You can see in this elevation profile that
this was an uphill battle for much of the race.
The steepest was around mile 12, then
it was a roller coaster after that.
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It is essentially up hill till about mile 18,
and after mile 22 is has some brutal steep grades.
The last spike near mile 25 is the Mill
Avenue bridge, not a kind thing to do at
this point in the race!
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Images of the Race
Going to the Expo in Down town Phoenix
Entering the Civic Center
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The entrance to the Expo
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First you check in, and collect
your bib and race packet
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Here I am in line (white shirt) getting
my race bib and timing chip
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Next your rather anemic swag bag
of mostly papers, and your race shirt
you DONT wear your race shirt for the Event,
its a memento of the Race.
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Then go through the isles for shopping for
running goodies and clothing.
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Before the Race - At the Marathon Starting Line
The view from the starting line area,
a news helicopter was there to capture the
start of the race. There were about
5000 marathoners
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Here I am, waiting for the time to take my
coat off and get ready to race!
(about 15 mins before start you do this)
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Runners gathering around the start line
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My corral 2, starts right away
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Finally - in line ready to hear the horn
that starts the race!
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Before, Start, and during the Race
- Mini Marathon (5 miles)
Still dark out, around 5:30am
signs on the lamp posts along the route
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The "Dragon" Beat it across the finish
line and you get a coupon for a dessert
at PF Chang restaraunts.
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Water Station at the starting
line
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the famous banana tables at the start
line for some last minute carbs!
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Typical scene at the start line, runners getting
their photos as they prepare to race!
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Getting lighter out, and the starting
line is now easy to see
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Runners and walkers gather at the
mini and half marathon start.
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Nearing race start
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Near the Dragon
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The Race has started!
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Heading down McClintock and Hayden Rd.
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Along the Tempe Town lake
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Down the ramp to the Tempe
Town Lake.
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The marathoners NEVER got to do this
part of the route. Ahead is the
Stadium where we all will be finishing.
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Finished - and waiting in the finish corral
for the runners and marathoners to come in
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The huge parking area turned into finishers
area
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Here comes the Dragon!
What is it we win again?
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Runner coming in, one with an
American Flag
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End of the Race - The Marathon
The long wait is over - here I am
finally coming in!
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That last mile was a killer!
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The victorious Marathoner
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Dawn after her Mini Marathon too!
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HOME
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Flagstaff, Arizona
Sept. 21, 2013
Flagstaff, Arizona
June 15, 2013
