Monday, 25 May 2009

• Race Report: Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race

  This post could also be called Race Report:  Mackinaw FAILURE.

  Before I get into all the complaining and wrath I have for this race, I'll tell you the good stuff. I had a great time with Hubby, lil sis and her BF and my Dad and Stepmom. This is the third year my Stepmom and I have ran this race and the second for my sister. It's more about hanging out together than the actual race.

  But...

  This year we were sorely disappointed with the race. This is the bridge for which the race gets its name:

  

  Nice, right?

  This year, instead of waking up early to be shuttled across the bridge we got an email on Friday (the day before the race) stating the race would not be on the bridge due to road construction. That was my first beef. What is the point of running the "bridge race" if you're not running across the bridge? Also, this is Michigan, road construction doesn't just "happen" it's planned months, if not years, in advance. I think the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau knew about it and kept it under wraps so that people would still run the race.

  If that weren't enough (because it definitely was enough), here's what else happened:

  First, we were told that the new course would be the same length as the bridge course (5.4 miles) but run through the city and along the lake shore.

  Second, we were told to arrive at 5:30am, race beings at 6:00am in waves of 100 runners.

  Not only was the race cut short to only 3.8 miles, it started at 6:30am, which left us to sit in the cold for over an hour before running, in a building which didn't have adequate electrical power to house the event and the lights kept shutting off. And we DID NOT run on the lake shore. I did catch a small glimpse of it along the way, but definitely not running on it.

  

  Here we are, pre-race, sitting around complaining.

  Here's where the complaining stops and I get to be happy again. Because I had not expectations for the race at this point, I totally exceeded my running expectations. Overall, running-wise, I had an awesome race. I finished the 3.8 miles in 34:01 minutes. Not too shabby, but I was highly impressed with myself when Garmin told me my splits:

  • Mile 1-8:39
  • Mile 2-9:09
  • Mile 3-9:02
  • Last 0.8-7:09 (9:15 pace)

  That is FAST for me! I was thrilled with the results! I finished between Super Speedy Little Sister and Speedy Stepmom.

  

  Around mile 2, still smiling

  

  Working hard as the finish line is in sight.

  And that is where the fun stopped. Normally as you finish you are handed a pretty cool finishers medal. They decided not to do it this year.

  Also, after the race a breakfast is hosted. Last year the breakfast was amazing-bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes, coffee, juice, etc. This year it was OJ and muffins. Fail. We skipped it and got some BK on the way back to the hotel.

  The three of us unanimously decided not to run this race next year. The race fell so far below our expectations and we got the feeling that it was on purpose, that it totally ruined it for us. So, I am in search of it's replacement.

  But, I did learn something from this race-I am doing something right. I'm getting faster and stronger, and I like it.

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