Alpine Classic Half Review

"Departure from traditional down hill... fun but challenging experience."

The Course:
This video was a great preview of the race. They had 2 goals in mind. 1- Highlight the city of Alpine 2- Provide a unique and challenging course.  I'd say they did both.

Support: There was sufficient support for a smaller race. (Five aid stations and 4 bathrooms along the course) The aid stations offered GU (even the delicious Salted Caramel flavor). The course was well marked, with "race course" signs every couple hundred yards, and "arrow" signs indicating turns. Alpine police drove the course reminding runners to stay on the right side of the road.
Extras: They advertised free race day photos, but I didn't see photographers out. It was drizzling during the race and raining hard at the finish line, so that may be why.  The medal was simple and attractive. The race packet was a draw string backpack and included a free haircut coupon, Alpine Half sticker and race shirt. They had the cutest race shirts that weren't covered in a bunch of sponsors' names.

 (source- Alpine Half Facebook)

  (source- Alpine Half Facebook)
The female pacers had tank tops, but runners had t-shirts.

An hour before the race started there was a steady rain coming down, but by the start it was only lightly drizzling. The overcast skies and light rain actually made for perfect running conditions. The cooler conditions were appreciated on all of those Alpine hills. :)

Runners: There were about 169 half marathon finishers.

Bottom-line: I would definitely run this race again. I love the fast downhill courses here in Utah, but I appreciated the variety this course had to offer. It really was fun to have all of those challenging hills thrown in throughout the race. Runners were able to enjoy great scenery without having to deal with being bussed to the top of a canyon.

Running Nightmares

So you know those awful nightmares you have before a big life event. Like the ones where you go to work naked or you get up to give a speech and you can't find your notes. I've had a few running nightmares, like the one where I was walking to the starting line and realized I was wearing jeans and flip flops. So traumatic. Well I just had a new running related nightmare this last weekend.

I dreamed that I was pacing the Alpine Half, and then at mile 12.5 I realized I was completely off course and lost. Then the dream just got totally crazy because I hitch hiked ----twice---- trying to find where I got off course. Then I finally found where the end of the race was, just to start running to the finish line from the wrong direction.

You know in dreams where you're thinking...this can not really be happening, but you just can't seem to wake up?? Well that's totally how I felt as I tried to circle around and "sneak" back onto the actual course only to finish in the pouring down rain 8 minutes past my assigned finish time.
Well, it's been over 74 hours and I still haven't woken up. Yes all of that actually happened to me on Saturday. Best and worst running story ever! :)

I may have paced those first 12 miles perfectly, but I'll forever remember the Alpine Half as the race where I missed a turn and hitchhiked----twice. :)

This was me the moment I got out of the first car I hitch hiked in, and realized I still wasn't on the course.

 

 This gif pretty much sums up my desperation those last 10 minutes of the race. Longest 10 minutes of my life! I was like a little determined running psycho. I was going to get that blasted chip across the finish line.

  

My family and I have had some good laughs retelling this story over the weekend. The good news is that I ran 13.9 miles at the Alpine Half and then ran 8.53 on the treadmill after (it was raining and after all those Alpine hills I thought the flat would be good for my knee), for a total of 22.43 miles. Now I begin the taper until Utah Valley.

The Alpine Half was actually a wonderful race (and the course was well marked unless you were me). I'll post a full review soon!

Have you ever had a running nightmare?

What about a dream where you can fly?

Those were my favorite dreams when I was a kid, but I don't have them anymore.

Any one ever missed a turn during a race? I can't be the only one? Anyone? Anyone?

What was the best part of your Memorial Day weekend?

Pace me, maybe.

I just laugh every time I read this. Tomorrow morning is the Alpine Half Marathon, and I get the opportunity to pace the 2:20 group. I'm really excited to run in a new place and to experience a challenging course. It's also my 20 mile run day, so I'll get to run 7 more miles after the race. :)

 

With any new distance I get a little nervous, but honestly with the way the week has gone, I'm kind of in a "Just bring it!" mode. I need a confidence booster and running 20 miles is a sure fire way to get it.

The pacers get to wear these cute tanks.

 Started today off with boot camp. If you're local, Kick Your Trash Bootcamp is taking new people for June. The trainer who does it is great and you will most definitely get your trash kicked in a good way. ;)

These 3 yahoos kept me entertained this afternoon. 

Just look at this little face.