Winter/Spring Race Recap

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bright colored Hoka trail shoes covered in mud
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Last August I started a PhD program at NC State University in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Being in graduate school does not leave a much room for substantial extracurriculars; however, getting physical activity is a necessary part of my daily routine. In order to keep a modicum of fitness going other than bike commuting, I took part in a few running races. Race reports fell by the wayside due to other work, so here’s a quick recap of the late fall, winter, and early spring events a bit after the fact.

Dec 3, 2022: Run at the Rock 10k in Cedarock Park in Alamance County, NC:

The top half of the image is a graph with an undulating elevation profile, along with heart rate, cadence, pace, and power data. The bottom half of the image is a map with the race route in the park, with start and finish indicated with a green S and red F.
GPS, power, and heart rate data from the Run the Rock

This race had 5k, 10k, and half-marathon options all on trails. It was a rainy race with highs in the 50s so it got a little sloppy. North Carolina trails are rocky and filled with roots, and add mud into the picture and you don’t get speed, you get into stay upright mode. This was also my first race effort in a while so I was playing the “how uncomfortable can I be” game and trying not to fall. The rolling hills made for over 600 feet of elevation gain and loss.

Jan 1, 2023: Rescue Run 10k at Bear Creek Park, Colorado Springs, CO.

I was back in Colorado Springs over the winter break, so I couldn’t skip this one. I fared pretty well after another COVID case and having acclimated to altitude. This one is mostly on wide, packed-gravel trail so not much technical to slow me down.

The top half of the image is a graph with an undulating elevation profile, along with heart rate, cadence, pace, and power data. The bottom half of the image is a map with the race route in the park, with start and finish indicated with a green S and red F
GPS, power, and heart rate data from the Run the Rock

I knocked out one more trail race before switching over to road running:

Jan 28, 2023: UGTB Grind’n 5 mile Trail Race at Harris Lake County Park, Wake County, NC

This one was a 5-miler on a gentle rolling course that went around Harris Lake. The morning was really chilly in the 30s (humid cold!) so I did my warm-up in my puffy jacket! By the race start the sun was higher and it was a great running temperature. This course was still a bit rocky and rooty, but not as bad as the Run at the Rock.

The top half of the image is a graph with an elevation profile that is somewhat flat with tiny bumps, along with heart rate, cadence, pace, and power data. The bottom half of the image is a map with the race route in the park that is at the edge of a lake, with start and finish indicated with a green S and red F.
GPS and heart rate data from the UGTB Grind’n trail race

March 11, 2023: Run the Peak 10k, Apex, NC

I signed up for the Tar Heel 10-miler on recommendation of a friend, so running continued after I returned to Raleigh for the Spring semester. In March the shift to road running took place. I hopped in a road 10k about 6 weeks out from the 10-miler as a fitness gauge. I did a lot better than I expected, putting in an 8:05 average pace with the slowdown of the last two miles being primarily all uphill.

The top half of the image is a graph with an elevation profile that starts off fairly flat, has a long descent and then a long climb to the finish, along with heart rate, cadence, pace, and power data. The bottom half of the image is a map with the race route in Apex, NC, with start and finish indicated with a green S and red F.
GPS, power, and HR data from the Run the Peak 10k

April 22, 2023, Tar Heel 10 Miler, Chapel Hill, NC

The big finale for my first academic year in North Carolina. My friend, Austin, ran with me and we kept a solid pace. This one was another of the rolling courses with a big hill towards the end that was legit. This was a huge race (thousands) so there were always a lot of people around, which helped to chase them down. 

The top half of the image is a graph with an elevation profile that starts off fairly flat, has a sharp descent to a flat section, and then a climb back to the finish, along with heart rate, cadence, pace, and power data. The bottom half of the image is a map with the race route in Chapel Hill, NC, with start and finish indicated with a green S and red F
GPS, power, and HR data from the Tar Heel 10 Miler.

There it is, folks! Five running races since December 2022. A mix of trail and road. And with all that is why I jumped into the Take 5 in the Garden upon my return to Colorado for the summer.

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