Saturday, July 27, 2013

Dirty Dozen 12 Hour Race (July 6th 2013)

This is my second attempt at writing this blog.  Somewhere between posting the final version, and then deciding to make one quick change using my phone app, the blog was somehow deleted.  So... here is the fast version.




On the 6th of July I ran my first ever timed event.  It was the Dirty Dozen 12 hour race put on by Brazen Races in Point Pinole, Ca.  I did this race with my ultra running Leigh Moser.  The course consisted of a 3.37 mile loop that we ran around for 11 hours.  The last hour of the event we ran around a .67 mile loop.  The course was mainly fire road with a very short section of single track.  The elevation on the course was very modest.  The course was very fast and runnable

The event was ran very smoothly.  There was an aid station at the start/finish area, along with one around the 2 mile marker.  With aid stations so close I didn't feel the need to carry more than a small water bottle and and a Nathan racing vest.

Leigh and I ran most of the race together.  Around 7 hours and 50 mins into the event I was taking a long time getting food and water at the aid station.  I told Leigh to go ahead of me and that I would catch up to her.  

I took way too long at the aid station and I knew I was going to have to put in a strong effort to catch up to Leigh.  So, I pulled out my mp3 player and turned on some Slipknot.  The album Iowa is favorite to run to.

After 2 miles I finally caught up to Leigh.  She could see that I was running pretty well, and she insisted that I keep up my pace and run ahead of her.

Around 9 hours and 40 mins into the race I was starting to feel a little tired, then the staff at the start/finish area informed me that I was currently in 3rd place.  This was all I needed for a little extra boost!!!

After running for 12 hours I had accomplished 64.68 miles.  That distance was good enough to put me as the 2nd overall male finisher for the day.

Overall the event was ran really well.  The aid stations were well stocked, the event staff were always helpful and friendly, and the event was full of nice and friendly people.  This is defiantly an event I plan on running again next year.

We also received a very nice hoodie for entering the race.  I plan on getting a lot of use out of it once the weather cools down.


Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!!