Race Report - 12/15/2013 - Runners Den Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon

Location: Scottsdale, AZ - Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza

Race Type: Run
Participants: 1051
Overall Place: 89th
Age Group Place: 12th
Time: 1:37:07

Pace: 7:25/mile

This was my first half marathon in a race environment and I was excited to do this distance. 

I was a little late getting to the event so felt a bit rushed for parking. I found a decent spot and headed to registration packet pickup. The area was well organized, I received my bib, grabbed my shirt from a different booth, and hopped in line for the bathroom. The lines were long due to an overall lack of porta johns but that gave me time to strip my warm clothes, put on my bib, and drop off my checked bag while one of my fellow racers held my spot. 

I made the start line with two minutes to spare and headed to the 1:40 pace group. My goal time was 1:38 but I would have been happy with 1:40. The horn sounded and we were off. I maintained a 7:30 average pace for the first 6 miles and bumped up to a 7:25 for the next 4. I was feeling good and stepped it up again to a 7:00 pace for the last 3 miles. It was tough to maintain but I was happy to be able to pull off a reverse split. 

I ran into the chute with the knowledge that there would be a video of my finish so I gave the obligatory raised arms and was happy that I finished at 1:37:17 clock time.

I had to head to work so I didn't stay for the post race fun. Maybe next year...

I'll do this race again. It was well managed, had a nice long sleeve running shirt, and a high quality finishers medal.

                                            5K, 10K, and Finish Line Video (I'm on the right)

Race Report - 12/08/2013 - Hot Chocolate Run Phoenix 15K

Location: Scottsdale, AZ - Salt River Fields

Race Type: Run
Participants: 1768
Overall Place: 43rd
Age Group Place: 5th
Time: 1:07:26

Pace: 7:15/mile

This race was large enough that there was no packet pickup on race day. My wife and I were going together so she picked up our packets on Friday. She felt that the pickup was well organized and a simple in and out. They also had a nice expo with lots of vendors. 

The race consisted of a 5K and 15K run. There were 1774 participants in the 15K and 3390 participants in the 5K. The allure of the race is the high quality pullover jacket provided at race pickup and the hot chocolate, fruit, and fondue at the finish. 

I have to say, this was one of the best organized events that I have attended. The parking was free and well organized with lots of volunteers and police directing traffic. Once we reached the venue there were an abundance of port-a-johns and a large checked bag area. The race bib included a tear off for your bag and the attendant placed your items in the appropriate container broken down by 50 number groups. 

I was placed in corral H (the 1st corral) based on my predicted race time. The race started on time and I was off. I stuck with the same group of people throughout the run with the occasional back and forth between myself and a few other participants. 

The course was flat and well marked with mile markers and timers every mile and two additional markers and timers at the 5K and 10K intervals. Aid stations were fully stocked every two miles. I grabbed water at mile 6 and 8 but didn't stop to enjoy it as the person I was trailing didn't slow down either. 

At mile 8 I decided to pick up my pace and pass a few people. One of them sprinted by me at the end but overall I was happy with my finish and pacing. This was the 1st time that I had raced this distance and wasn't sure how I should pace it. 

After the race I met with my wife and picked up my hot chocolate kit. The drink was good but the chocolate was a bit much immediately after a hard run. Rockin Refuel was also in attendance and giving out 12 packs of their recovery drink to anyone that would "like" them on facebook. Needless to say, I picked up my free samples. 

This was a fun and well organized event. I'll do this one again next year.