Review 2001
I arrived at the Rock Creek PCC Campus with just enough time to put my post-race clothes into a bag for transport to the finish, use the porta-john (lots of those available, no line) and hook my MP3 earplugs into my ears. I positioned myself at the front of the walkers and we were off, I started my Mio wrist heart rate monitor chronometer and took my pulse.We passed through the PCC Campus and out onto Springville Road. I was shocked when I passed the Mile 1 marker at only 12:30 - my legs were going for speed! But my heart rate was in a good zone and I was breathing fine, so I didn't slow my pace.
By this point I was passed by a few joggers who had signed up as walkers. There were 4-5 faster walking women ahead of me, and that held through most of the rest of the event. A few more slipped past me when I used the porta-john around Mile 3. I completed Mile 2 in 13:15 and Mile 3 in about 13:30.
The day was pleasantly cool - 50F when we started. I shed my jacket after Mile 2. There were several walk/runners who would jog for awhile, then slow to a walk as I caught up to them, then break into a jog before I passed them. One trio of running women were faster than me on the uphills, but I quickly distanced myself from them on the downhills and flats.
I kept my pulse between 138 - 144 whenever I took it, and likely more on the uphills. The course was through rolling countryside on two-lane roads. We walked on the right side of the road, which was disconcerting. Traffic was not a problem - the Washington County Sheriff provided cars and support at all intersections. The road did not appear to be closed to traffic, though, and we almost had a wreck as a support vehicle stopped at the crest of a blind hill on the left side of the road and a local came zooming over the blind hill. That woke us ALL up!
Water and Ultima Replenisher were provided every 1.5 miles, with a single porta-john at most of these stops as well. That was adequate at my position in the pack - never a line the two times I decided to use the john. Each mile was marked with a sign with attached balloons.
I felt strong throughout the walk, and the miles really did seem to fly by. The first real runners passed me at 1:58 - and he was well ahead of the rest of the runners. I was perturbed that the jogging trio remained strung out across our lane, blocking the faster runners - they should have gotten over into a duo to allow the faster runners to pass easily without getting out into the left lane. Runners don't have a good sense of body space when passing - I kept way over to the right but several barely brushed past me. Good thing I keep my arms tucked in instead of chicken-winging!
The local radio station KUIK had their van and cheering team along the route. I enjoyed the route - this was where my first boyfriend and I used to come to neck. Ah, those old innocent days! I identified our usual parking spot. We got into some pretty steep hills after 10 miles, a real challenge to the runners - many became walkers on those hills. I had to break my racewalk stride on a couple of them.
The finish line loomed - yippee! I finished with just under 3:05 for an average of 14 minute miles. I picked up my award t-shirt and headed straight to the hamburger line. Good thing, too! I've had the famous Helvetia Burger several times - it comes in a giant variety that is about 4 burgers together. But today they were serving up single burgers, grilled on a smoky outdoors grill. You had a choice of hamburger, cheeseburger, or gardenburger. The assembly line hadn't cranked up to speed (and appeared inadequate for the crowd anyway). There were only about 25 people ahead of me in line and it took at least 10 minutes. As I stood there the line of hundreds formed behind me - 10 minutes made a huge difference! I got my burger and bought a $2 beer (Fat Tire microbrew for me) and sat down to enjoy it. Ah - it was GREAT! They had a big tent with tons of tables for relaxing. Massage was also available.
