This week’s theme for the Friday Five is “Race Day Surprises”. Have you ever been caught off-guard (in a good or a bad way) before, during, or after a race? I thought I would reminisce about a few of those moments that come to mind.
1. The perfect finish line treat
I remember that after the first time I ran the Baltimore 10 miler I crossed the finish line and was immediately given a cold towel. This was greatly appreciated on such a hot day! To make things even better, there was also watermelon at the finish. These are now some of my favorite things after a hot run!
2. Surprises in elevation
I usually check out an elevation map before a race, but sometimes I feel like the courses don’t resemble the map at all. The worst thing is thinking “it’s all downhill to the finish” and then being faced with another hill to climb.
3. Beer on the course
I’ve yet to try this, but I have certainly been tempted. One day (probably when I’m not having a good race) I will probably go for it, just to say I did!
4. An unexpected win/placing
There have been a few times when I thought there was no way that I have placed but somehow ended up with an award. There was even a time when I saw another female finish before me, and then found out I got the first female award. I was really confused, but later found out the other girl was disqualified.
5. A planned detour
So this isn’t something I have yet to experience, but I read about it for the Tulsa marathon. Apparently there is a Center of the Universe detour which adds an extra .3 miles to the race! This makes it known as being the shortest ultra-marathon, because it’s actually 26.5 miles with the detour. It’s free and optional, and the decision to take the detour can be made while you are running the race. I probably won’t do it if I’m on track for a PR, but it does sound like a great experience!
What are some surprises you have encountered on race day?
Would you do the Center of the Universe detour?
Have you ever had beer during a race?
Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar!
I haven’t had beer during a race but I am thinking about the Hershey Park half when they three chocolate to us at mile 12 at the Chocolate Aid Station. It wasn’t a total surprise, I knew something about it but when it happened, I was still pleasantly surprised!
Not sure how I would feel about chocolate during a race, but I would imagine that it would be a fun surprise!
I agree the surprise placing is nice! That happened to me once at my mother’s day 10k, I thought there was no way I’d place for anything but managed 3rd AG. Bad race day surprise would be my Garmin not working and having to scrounge for a stopwatch! That happened at last Sept’s half.
I remember when you posted about that! A few years ago my garmin band broke off and I had to mail it back to get fixed. I ended up running a 10 miler without it and wore a stopwatch.
Ooooo changes in elevation or different expectations of elevation are a great example of a race day surprise. Like how much less down hill Phoenix was for the second half of the course! I don’t think that Erica will ever get over that, lol.
Those maps can be deceiving! Now I have been reading race reviews to get a better idea of what courses are really like.
It is always a nice surprise when you end up winning in your age group. Always so unexpected!
Yes, definitely!
Yes to watermelon! Your elevation one reminded me of the race I thought was uphill on the way out and downhill on the way back, but it was just the opposite and that sucked!
Oh that would really bother me!
I’ve never heard of the center of the universe detour, that’s funny and awesome! I would totally do it!
Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
I think if I give up on a PR that day I would do it. It is very tempting though!
Different elevation than anticipated is a huge race day surprise! And certainly not my favorite. Finding out friends are also running during the race is a fun surprise!
Yes friends at the race would definitely be a good surprise!
I’m not a beer person, but I have had a mimosa along the course during the Gate River Run 15k. There’s a whole strip of houses along the course handing out treats!
Ooh that sounds like an interesting drink to have during a race! Not sure how I would feel but it sounds like it could be good!
I didn’t know that about the Tulsa marathon. I don’t run the tangents so my half marathons are always longer than 13.1. I’m sure other runners do the same in fulls.
Definitely! I would probably make it at least a 27 mile race!
During the Philly marathon they were handing out shots in Manyunk… I really wondered if anyone took them…
Im sure people did! I can’t even handle shots when I’m not running so theres no way I would do that during a marathon!
The craziest race surprise I have ever experienced was a tunnel being flooded, so the racers started going across the road instead. That road happened to be Lake Shore Drive in Chicago which is 6 lanes wide and very busy!
Wow that sounds really crazy!! Definitely a major race day surprise!
The B10 cold towels were the best!! I drank beer during a “beer run 5K” during Annapolis Beer Week. That was my slowest 5K EVER! I can’t think of too many race surprises that I’ve seen/experienced besides the cold towels.
I think its good that we can’t think of too many big race day surprises…a surprise on race day is usually not a good thing:)
I’ve never had beer during a race but yes, if I ever have a crappy run I’ll definitely grab one just to cross it off my bucket list! Sometimes if I start behind in the pack I’ll win an award even though I finish behind another woman just because the chip times have me finishing first. That cold towel and watermelon sounds DIVINE.
The cold towel and watermelon were perfect. And one of these days I am sure I will have a bad race and end up drinking a beer while running!
I think watermelon is the best surprise, racing or not! I used to help run a bike race, and we always tried to have fun treats at the rest stops. One was known for soft pretzels, another had pie, and another had meatballs. it’s fun to surprise participants!
Those are some great surprises!
WHOA! I had no idea they did this at the Route 66 race! That is SO cool, Lisa! So…are you going to do it? 😉 Hope you have a great weekend!!
I’m not sure! I wouldn’t want to mess up my chance for a PR if I was close. But maybe if I’m running slower than planned I wouldnt mind adding on the extra time.
Watermelon is the best refreshing treat at the end of a race! At the Pride 5M in NYC this June they had Popsicles at the end which were also a great treat, but a November Project friend had given me the heads up so they weren’t really a surprise 😉
Now that I know there is watermelon its no longer a surprise, but its still just as good!
I think my biggest race-day surprise was at the 2014 Raleigh Rock’N’Roll half… I checked the elevation profile beforehand, but I think they had to change the course (or else the map was just wrong) because there were SO many more hills than I was ready for! The detour looks fun – I think I’d do it just to say I ran an ultra. ; )
I definitely agree with your assessment of Raleigh! They totally lied to us!!
A cold towel at the end of a race sounds amazing! No beer yet during a race, but we were offered hot chocolate during the Ugly Sweater Run (where runners were also drinking beer BEFORE the race) but we stuck with water.
I love your blog and wanted to let you know I’ve mentioned it in a Liebster Award post on our blog today at http://runningfifty.com/2015/07/31/liebster-award/.
Happy Friday!
Hm not sure how I would feel about hot chocolate during a race, but who knows- if I was cold it might be just what I need!
And thanks again for nominating me!
That is so cool the marathon offers a detour to make it the shortest ultra. 🙂 When I ran the Cincinnatti Flying Pig Marathon, there was an unplanned detour- a fire broke out on part of the marathon route early in the morning and they had to reroute us. This was the days before Garmins… or at least the days before everyone had Garmins and I was wondering why Mile 22 felt like it lasted FOREVER. Well, it turns out Mile 22 was actually Mile 22.25! They adjusted our times, which was nice. This was a long time ago. My most recent race day surprise was getting my period THE MORNING I was set to try to BQ!
Wow that is pretty crazy about the race detour! But at least they adjusted your times. I would have been so confused!
YES to beer on the course! I have never stopped either, but it’s SO tempting. Maybe I will next race… 🙂
One of these days! It can’t be that bad, right?
A cold towel at the Finish Line is so sweet! I’m so impressed. Changes in elevation were definitely on my list, as well. Congrats on your award!
The cold towel is so perfect after a hot race…so simple, but definitely appreciated!
A bowl of cold, sliced, freshly picked strawberries at an aid station, near the end of a 100 km race.
Mmm that sounds like another nice race day surprise!
That cold towel after the Baltimore 10 miler is possibly one of the best post race surprises ever!
I was pleasantly surprised when the DC Rock ‘n’ Roll race this past March had chocolate milk at the finish line. Chocolate milk is my recovery drink of choice, and I’ve never seen it after another race.
I’d have to say one of the worst surprises is probably feeling like the elevation chart doesn’t match the actual course – an unexpected hill really puts a damper in my mental focus.
I also really like chocolate milk after a race! I am usually happy to see anything with protein:)
I have yet to try the beer while running but I saw some people doing it when I ran the Walt Disney World marathon in January! I will have to try it one day!
I hope to try it one day as well!