Playing Favorites

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but Chrysa and I run a lot of races. We have done half marathons, full marathons, 5K’s, 10K’s, and all sorts of K’s in between. We have also run trails on all sorts of terrain in any number of states. When you run as many races as we have, in as many places as we have, you often get asked to name your favorite. Well…I may have a contender. I give you – Bloomsday!

What can put a race at the top of the list for me?

1. Distance-half marathons and under for me, please.
2. Terrain-road… I’ll happily run on trails, but Chrysa is the expert.
3. Interesting location
4. Festive atmosphere
5. Community involvement

How does the Bloomsday Run stack up? This is a 12K road race through the city streets of Spokane, featuring bands and manned water stations by volunteer organizations. When signing up for the race I was particularly happy with the distance. 12K is about 7.5 miles. This is a perfect distance for me. I have friends who have similar criteria for their ideal race. They just sub out shorter distances for full marathons (I’m looking at you Todd). To each their own. I’m happy banging out a quick race and skipping the slightly barfy, wobbly leg after effects.

Bloomsday also had the benefit of being well organized. This was the 40^th running of the race and the city had the logistics down pat. The bus ride to the starting line was efficient, the corrals were set up, and the course was well marked. The race even started on time!

Since I didn’t have any history with the race, I was placed in the green corral, although my projected time would have me placed in the yellow corral. I didn’t really have a problem with this. I kinda like passing people. It’s a nice ego boost while you are sweating it out on the course.

The starting corrals were in full party mode just prior to the race start. Beach balls were flying, runners were getting to know one another, and outer layers of clothing were being tossed into trees. It was cool while waiting for the start, but the temperature was rising fast. People decided that they didn’t need sweatshirts and jackets while running, so they just tossed them into the tree branches. I’m not sure I get this, but it made for a neat picture.

As the race started my corral inched forward. Music was playing and the party mood started to fade as the runners realized that it was time to get to work. Suddenly we were off. Road races are often spread out, but this was a race of 45,000 people. Passing was a little trickier than expected, but it was all good. I was enjoying myself, soaking up the cheers from the spectators lined up by the starting area.

It wasn’t long before we were out of downtown. Along the course were more spectators, bands playing, and folks handing out water (and beer). As the course weaved through town, the temperature started to climb, reaching its most detrimental at Doomsday Hill.

Doomsday Hill is about a half mile long climb located 2/3 of the way through the course. I didn’t find it too bad, but the heat really did sap my energy. At the top of the hill is a buzzard just waiting to pick people off. Relief came in the form of residents with hoses just after Doomsday. A bracingly cold blast of water from a garden hose really kick started me toward the finish.

The final leg of the race was mostly flat and fast. People cheered the whole way to the finish line. I even saw (and heard) Chrysa near the end. Seeing her gave me the final boost I needed to finish strong. I made my way through the finish area and collected my swag and reunited with my wife. She was so proud of me and I was thrilled to have finished as strong as I did. We finished race day in the typical fashion, with day drinking, BBQ, and roaming the crowd while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

All told, this race was pretty much perfect. It had all the atmosphere and music of a Rock and Roll Marathon, without all that pesky distance running. At 45,000 people strong, it still had the feel of a small local race, and the organizational structure needed to pull it off. This one definitely goes near the top of the list. I guess I have an answer the next time somebody asks me to name a favorite.

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