Race Review: Derby Festival miniMarthon: What's Hot and What's Not

The Derby Festival miniMarathon is held in Louisville, KY the weekend before the Kentucky Derby. Here's a breakdown of the race.


What's Hot:


*The Derby Festivial miniMarathon in Louisville, KY had one of the best courses I've ever seen. It was very flat. The only "hills" were entering and exiting Churchill Downs, under one overpass just past the University of Louisville, and under two overpasses on the way back from Churchill Downs, also near the University.

*The course was well shaded. Open streets were early in the race. With a 7:30 start, those open roads were not a concern. The weather was great today, but had it not been, the shade would have helped tremendously.

*Oranges were handed out somewhere between miles seven and ten. This is only the second race I've ever seen do this. Oranges are better than any energy drink or gel. Big kuddos on this one.

*There was more than enough food at the finish line. The workers were great. If someone requested a second banana or bag of chips, they happily obliged.

*BlueMile running store had a lounge at the expo (though it's not hot that it wasn't with the rest of the expo) with music, food, and discount coupons for their store. This was the best part of the expo by far.

*Running through Churchill Downs. Historic. Enough said.

What's Not:


*The water stops are my biggest gripe. Almost all of the water stops were bottled water. (For some reason, one or two stops were in plastic cups.) Runners had to open up their own bottles! This is too much effort during a race. It also caused lots of jamming at the water stops because it wasn't as easy to hand out as a cup. To top it off, people were throwing bottles over other runners to dispose of them. It would have been very easy to be hit by a flying bottle. The worst part about the water bottles was the caps. Caps were all over the course and hard to avoid. I have a feeling a few sprained ankles were caused by those caps today.

*Powerade wasn't handed out until mile seven.  For runners that depend on the energy drinks more than water, keep this in mind if you want to sign up for this race.

*It took too long to get to the water at the finish line. Honestly, that's the first thing I want when I finish running.

*For such a big race, the expo was too small and there was nothing there to pump runners up. At a big race, there is usually an atmosphere that gets runners excited about the next day. Not here.

*There wasn't a mile marker at every mile. The mile markers were very low to the ground and hard to see, too. Only about four places on the course had the running time rather than being located at each mile marker. Make sure you have your own Garmin if you want to know where you are at in the race.



What to Watch For:

*At the first overpass, there are a lot of filled potholes. Make sure to take your sunglasses off here because the ground is very uneven.

*Mile 8, at Churchill Downs, has a slight slant in the road. I had ankle pain (that made me wonder if I could finish) for most of that mile. My friend had the same problem here.

*Around 4th and Cardinal, coming past the University of Louisville the second time, has square bricks in the road for a very short while. Some of the bricks are loose. Watch yourself as you go over these.


Final Verdict:


Would I run this race again? Absolutely! I hope they fix the water/energy drink situation, but this race is a new favorite. I think it would be a great place to set a PR. I'm even considering making this my annual semi-local race. Hope to see you there next time!

Derby Time

Tomorrow afternoon I will leave for Louisville. All races are special in their own way, but I believe this weekend's race holds the most sacred place in my heart. For twelve years, I lived in Louisville, KY. I love Louisville and everything about it. My dog is even named Derby after the Kentucky Derby. I refer to him as my little piece of home. Visiting Louisville is always special.

This visit is not just any visit, however. This is for a race. Louisville is the place where running all began for me. During my last year in the 'Ville, a co-worker and I talked about running our first 5K. It seemed like such a difficult task. I couldn't run a 1/2 mile at that point! I laugh when I look back about how little I knew about running. I remember a third co-worker giving us both advice on how to start running: run for time, not miles. That was the first piece of running advice I ever received. It's amazing when I think how knowledgeable I am now!

Finally, my friend, Schlonda,  and I decided to actually sign up for a race in May. It was the Run for the "L" of It race and we decided we were actually going to train. Oh, how little I knew! I remember trying to run two miles one HOT weekend day. I stopped early on into the run. I was so faint and out of shape. I wondered what I had gotten myself into....there was no way I could run a whole THREE miles! Little did I know that it's not the best idea to run in the dead of the heat. At that point, all I really wanted, more than anything in the world, was for Schlonda to decide that she didn't want to run this silly race!

Race day eventually came. I was thrilled that I wasn't there alone. I didn't even know how to pick up my bib-or, how to put it on, for that matter! I giggled with nerves as we waited for the start. I remember not knowing where to start or how to know which way the race was going. Looking back, I laugh over and over about all the things I didn't know about running!

Finally, we started. Let's remember that I hadn't ever made it three miles outside. One time about a month or two prior, I made it three miles once on the treadmill using the Couch Potato to 5K program. (For the record, I wasn't a couch potato. I went to the gym three to four times a week-just not to run.) Having someone to run with was the best thing ever. I wanted to stop so badly and so did my friend, but neither of us wanted to be the one to make the other person stop! We finally did stop once, but not for long. A nice downhill came soon after we started to walk and that was our key to get back running. I even sprinted at the end, just like I still do. I guess some things never change. Finishing strong is definitely my strength!

The two of us looked at our time after we finished. 31:08. Half training...stopping once to walk. At that point, we both realized that if we tried, we might just be good at this running thing. We both left that day thinking that we would continue our running endeavors.

I moved and started a new job so I didn't run a step for over six months. My friend might have run some after that, but not much. However, this is her year. She, also, is running the Derby 1/2 Marathon. As I'm winding down my running "career", it's coming to end where it started and with the same people. So, when I say the Derby 1/2 Marathon has a special place in my heart, I really mean it.

Blame It On the Spray Tan...or the Rain

Yesterday was my normal Tuesday group run. I had every intention of showing up for the run. After work, however, I decided to go for my very first spray tan prior to the run. Turns out that you can't sweat for six hours after a spray tan! Run ruined. (But, wow, my spray tan looks great and I just may have a new addiction!)

I didn't feel too bad about myself because I hadn't slept well the night before and I had a ton of errands to finish. I ran my errands and fell asleep by 8:30. The 8:30 part wasn't actually planned, but it was well-needed. And, most of all, I knew I could make up the run on Wednesday.

Wednesday. That's today. I tried to run today. Gloomy skies lurked so I knew I had to get my run in quickly. As soon as I got home from work, I threw on my running gear and headed out. I raced the storm to get my five miles in. The storm won. Just before two miles, it began to sprinkle. No big deal. The sprinkle then turned into an out and out downpour. Still having a cough from the last time I ran in rain almost three weeks ago, I headed for home. The rain got even worse. By the time I got back to my neighborhood, there were puddles all across the road. Puddles that couldn't be avoided! Puddles so big that I'm hoping my shoes are dry tomorrow. In fact, the puddles were so big that I'm hoping my shoes are dry by Friday!

So, what does any good runner do when the week's mileage isn't completed? Rationalize. I do have a race this weekend. Therefore, I should be tapering. Never mind that this isn't actually the race I'm training for; tapering sounds good. I have a massage tomorrow. That's important. I always run better after a massage. In fact, all of my PR's have come after a good massage. Never mind that I haven't had a PR in over a year even though I still get massages. Friday will be my travel day to the Derby 1/2 Marathon. Never mind that I technically have a little time to run before getting in the car Friday afternoon. A slightly less than 3 mile run is perfect before a 1/2 marathon. Never mind that I'm actually running 18 Saturday.

 Bring it on Louisville. I'm ready for your 13.1 miles!

Serious Part II

Last weekend, I went 14 miles even though I wasn't feeling well. It took 3 hours and a million and one stops. Okay, maybe not quite that many stops, but there were definitely a lot of breaks. The following Tuesday I only ran 5 and still needed to stop a lot of times. Today, on the other hand, was a mental win. I went 14 again and didn't need to stop (except for my normal water and Gu stops). It got me to thinking.

I really think I am a half marathon runner. Being able to look at my watch and know for a fact what the slowest I will possibly run is good for me, mentally. It makes me feel like I can do it; It makes me feel like I can go faster even with my poor training. I also feel like once I get up to around 13 miles I can keep up my training and endurance. The problem is that I am always training for a full and then want a break afterwards!

After I finish my last marathon, I really think I want to focus on the half. I believe that I could actually get my time down if I would just focus on the shorter distance. My problem is that I hear others talking about marathons and it makes me want to sign up. However, once I'm in the training, I don't actually enjoy running the full marathon distance. What I need is 100 people to remind me NOT to sign up for another full until I reach my half marathon goals!

Serious Turns Sick

Last week, I determined that it was time to get serious. Instead, I got sick. A big thank you goes out to the torrential downpour that visited the end of my race last weekend. The first couple days of the week I went straight home after work, took Mucinex and cough syrup, and headed straight to bed. By the middle of the week, I forced two short runs out of me. Not good runs, but I pounded out a few miles no matter what.

By the time I went to bed Friday night, I knew I still wasn't feeling well, but I also knew that I desperately needed to get my miles in. I didn't care if they were slower; I just wanted them finished. What ensued Saturday morning was not pretty, but the miles were accomplished.

At 195 feet, I wanted to stop! That's right. 195 feet. Turns out the Garmin goes in feet prior to it making it to tenths of miles. That's something new I learned today. I don't normally look at my watch that quickly! By mile 2, I was sick to my stomach. Really sick. I had to walk most of that mile and then took a small time-out at mile 3.

Things got slightly better during miles 3-7. I was still struggling to put one foot in front of another. I stopped often to walk. However, I no longer felt sick. Still, I chose not to take any of my Gu's so I wouldn't risk upsetting my stomach further.

 It was also during these miles that the sky turned darker. I knew it was supposed to rain, but I was hoping I could get at least most of my run in prior to the rainstorm. By mile seven, I wasn't sure that was going to happen. However, 7-14 were dreary, but no rain! Tough miles, though. Lots of stopping. Considering how I felt, I didn't mind the stopping. I was happy I finished the miles.

Today was the slowest, hardest, worst run I have ever completed in my four years of running. Completing it, though, feeling as bad I did, meant that I still have that dedication in me.  To celebrate that dedication, I will spend the rest of the day relaxing on the couch!

Time to Get Serious

Race day is nine weeks away. I haven't been running much lately. That is, except for race days. Sprained ankle, vacation, post-vacation attitude all made me not want to run the last few weeks, but yesterday was the point where I realized I have to start getting the miles in.

Yesterday, one week after my half-marathon with little training, I made a repeat training week. Wednesday I ran one mile. Yes, that's right, one mile. Thursday, I ran a good six mile tempo run. Then, I ran a 15K race yesterday. That little training and it wasn't even my worst time. Not being terribly far off my PRs with little training has done nothing but encourage me to continue this half training trend! However, Saturday was the moment I realized that I must get back on track.

In three weeks, I have a half marathon. In four weeks, I have another half marathon. Both of those will be great training runs to get me going. Then, in eight weeks, I have another half marathon where I actually expect to perform well. And, of course, there's that little 26.2 mile deal in Minnesota nine weeks from now. It's time to get serious.

This week I will get my runs finished. Luckily, I found a new running trail near my house. That will help me out a lot. There aren't a lot of great places to run near me unless I travel about 40 minutes which isn't always a possibility during the week. This new trail I found, however, is only  a few minutes from home. Exploring a new area will be really helpful in my "Time to get serious" about running campaign!

Changing Feelings

My alarm buzzed at 5:30 a.m. reminding me that this was not the way I should be spending one of my last days of spring break. My first thought was, "I don't want to do this. I'm not excited about this. And, I want to go back to bed." Only two things made me get moving. One, my friend, Erika, and I were riding down together. Two, even if I didn't run the IU Mini-Marathon, I'd eventually have to get up and go get the same amount of miles in a few hours later. (No medal for that.)

The entire ride down, I could do nothing but dread the race. Luckily, we didn't talk about the race much so I could avoid the inevitable for a bit longer. Then, we arrived. After picking up our packets, we sat in the car and watched the 5K runners. Some looked so excited, others nervous, but all ready to go. How my feelings have changed over the years. I felt no nerves, no excitement, and still didn't want to run. I was fairly positive that the hills in front of me were going to make the next few hours of my life some of the worst I had ever experienced.  I thought long and hard about just walking the entire 13.1 miles.

Then, the race started. I decided I didn't care and that I would just go for a few miles before stopping to walk. But, then, what was that? A smile. I enjoyed myself during the run. The views were beautiful. Running through a campus that had so many memories for me was amazing. Passing the outdoor pool where I dove in high school almost made me cry. Running down Greek row where I visited my best friend during college reminded me of fun times. Passing Assembly Hall and the football field reminded me of the team I grew up loving as a child. Even though I didn't attend IU, it posed a lot of great memories for me.

After barely running the last two weeks, I would almost say the first six miles were easy. Well, easy minus the uphills. Then, mile seven came. I actually experienced a runner's high during the early parts of mile seven! How could that be after my lack of running? Up until nine, my body was okay with logging the miles. Don't get my wrong. I did say out loud, "Are you kidding me?" every time I saw a hill. I even struggled through those, but overall, the race wasn't bad.

Somewhere between eight and nine, I saw what race directors called a hill. I, on the other hand, am certain it was a small mountain. I even stopped and laughed at it before going up the peak. I wasn't the only one stopping at Mount Mile 9. I wondered what Heartbreak Hill is compared to this monster! It couldn't possibly be worse. Once I conquered that, I continued through until mile 12 before I was completely exhausted-and HUNGRY. I've never been so hungry during a race! Eventually, I made it to the finish line.

After the race was over, I couldn't believe my time. Definitely not as good as normal, BUT there were hills and I had barely trained the last few weeks. Only about 10 minutes slower than my average race time. Without hills, it probably would have been right on my average. That made me realize that running more days a week and more miles doesn't even help me!

After every emotion I've experienced with running the last few weeks, my conclusion is the same. I don't think I actually like training. However, I really like races...and medals. All races are special for different reasons, but this race proved to be one of the better memories for me. Not only was it a beautiful view, but also it gave me strength and reminded me that I can run 13.1 no matter what.

Inspiration Gone!

Spraining my ankle was the worst thing that could have ever happened to me. It was just bad timing. Spring break soon after didn't help, either. I have a half marathon this weekend and no desire to run it. I didn't even make it three miles today, nothing yesterday, and a slow six on Tuesday. That's all I've done since the day I left for spring break. I don't even think I'm out of shape. Instead, I think I just don't want to do it! However, I have three half marathons and one full marathon coming up in the next 10 weeks or so. Where did my inspiration go?

While running (if that's what you want to call it) this week, all I could think about is how I would rather be at a class at the gym: Cardio Kickbox, Body Works, Spinning. However, this brings a lot of turmoil to my heart. In reality, it really shouldn't matter what type of cardio fitness I choose as long as I'm working out.

 I've known for a long time that I'm really burned out from running, yet I can't move on.  Runner. That's my identity. It's who I am. No, it's what I am. Before I began running, all I wanted to do was run a 5K. Now, however, that's seems like an inferior task, though I think I would enjoy it a lot more. Not to mention, I would be in a lot less pain. Don't get me wrong. I know I'll run another half again in my life, but I'm really missing choice in my exercise. While training for a marathon, I must do what the schedule says to make it. Call me a rebel, but I'd rather wake up and decide if I'm in the mood to run, spin, or swim. Instead, I feel stuck.

When I signed up for my last marathon, I wanted to lower my time. At this point, I don't even care! I could walk, get my medal and be just fine!! However, I know when race day arrives I won't feel the same way. I'm not sure how to get my inspiration back up during training, but I better figure it out soon.