My race report on the Goldilocks Fun Run 2011 held on May 15, 2011. I did the 10K distance. The report has a similar format as my Perfect Race blog post.
I joined this race as scheduled in my marathon training plan. New PR at 1:16! I shaved around 3 minutes off from my previous PR!
The PR surprised me a bit because I didn't run the whole week prior to race week and on the week of the race, I just ran twice for 30-45 minutes at a very easy pace. Speed work is still not for me. I developed heel pain again, so before it became a full blown plantar fasciitis injury, I decided to stop running for a week to let it heal and run really easy the following week. To prevent further injuries, I also decided to revert back to Galloway's marathon training plan instead of Pat Carroll's.
My plan for this race was to do a 1 minute walk break at each water station. After the first water station and on the first hill, I decided to do a 4:1 run-walk ratio instead because it was so hot. There were a lot of 10K runners - around 2,000, but the course was not crowded. I didn't have to weave left and right which used to be my typical experience for RunRio organized races. And it helped that this time the 5K and 10K runners didn't merge in the course. RunRio did a good job of plotting out the different race routes.
At the finish line, I noticed that this time I wasn't almost alone. There were a lot of other 10K runners crossing the finish line with me. I guess for the 10K I got upgraded from the back of the pack to somewhere in the middle of the pack :)
- Water Stations: Many and well stocked. One had sponges. I didn't bring my hydration belt and didn't regret it. Only the last water station served Powerade, the rest just served water. The first water station was only after around 2.5 km, unlike previous Runrio races I joined where the first one was at around 1.5 km. After the first water station the intervals were shorter, one was even less than a kilometer apart.
- Cheering: There was a drum band at the start and finish lines (the start and finish lines are different). I appreciated the one at the finish line. The sounds of the drums helped.
- Route: The route was OK. It wasn't crowded. The different race distances didn't merge (at least at my pace). It was also challenging because there were a few hills. But I still didn't like the many U-turns.
- Traffic management: Very good. There were no cars on the route. And I didn't hear angry motorists.
- Kilometer Markers: There were markers almost at every kilometer.
- Weather: Very hot.
- Marshals: There were enough and they knew what they were doing.
- Singlets: Yes. I didn't use this in the run.
- Timing chip: Yes.
- Race Results: Were already out that afternoon.
- Photos: Yes. They used BazuSports. I miss Photovendo.
- A run for charity: I didn't notice it in the announcements, so I guess it's for the benefit of Goldilocks.
- Finisher's shirt: None.
- Finisher's medal: None.
- Injuries: None. Thank God! My heel pain didn't worsen.
- Personal Best: Yes! By 3 minutes.
PERFECT Race Experience Index: PERFEC
Things I really liked:
- PR!
- Results were out that afternoon.
- Hassle free claiming of loot bags.
- There was no congestion - at least at my pace. The 5K didn't merge with the 10K.
Things that they can improve on:
- Use Photovendo.
- There were too many U-turns.
- Run for charity.
- No Goldilocks goodie in the goodie bag?
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