Peavine Falls Run is 8.2 miles which include a straight uphill climb with, what felt like, very few respites of flatness and then a slingshot at the top to blow you right back down that hill you just conquered (that's if you have a liberal definition of that word). And just for funsies, they throw in a 1.2-mile patch of trail at the end in case all the downhill didn't make you wet your pants bad enough already.
Being new to the area, I haven't heard of this race before, but it's been around for over 30 years. Apparently, our people, meaning runners, enjoy torture. And the cheaper the torture, the better. From the results online, it looks like around 500 people registered. For an offbeat race distance on a pretty hellish route, that's a heck of a lot of folks, especially if they already know what they are getting themselves into with this race.
I was one of the lucky clueless ones. I had read online that it was uphill and then down and then something about single-track trails at the end. You can tell I'm pretty attentive when I'm reading, right? Mostly, I focused on the $10-race-entry information -- cheap enough that you could even treat your friends to race entries.
So I signed up myself and my brother the day before and laid out my Oiselle racing team outfit, my first run for the lady birds (exclamation point to the power of five), that night. When picking out shoes, I decided to go with my most minimal trail shoes because we would be on soft, lovingly gentle trails in the state park. Right? Turns out that I also missed the info that we would be running on roads the first 7 of those 8.2 miles, and half of those 7 miles would be spent pounding your brains out on a downhill chute to either the finish or your face on the asphalt from legs moving out-of-your-control fast.
Seriously, I have a hard time maintaining any kind of form or control on any downhill steeper and longer than a park slide. Just ask my mom bladder. It'll tell you the same.
Yup, I wish I had worn some cushiony shoes. The balls of my feet complained for at least four days afterwards, and my calves were also giving me the silent (but deadly sore) treatment. My first thought after the race was, why the h did I not wear one of the millions of pairs of compression socks that are all clean and neatly (sort of) folded in my drawer right now?
So if you are reading this for 2013 (or 2063, cause I'm sure people will still be into self-torture in the future), this is a road race. I repeat, this is a road race with a dash of trail. Wear your cushiony shoes, if you're into that, and wear your compression socks, if you're also into that.
When we arrived at the site that morning, the line to get into the park was backed up so far with cars that we couldn't see the entrance hut. Unusually long line for Oak Mountain. Last time I went to a race at the park, I zipped through the same entrance. Once we finally made it to the gate that morning, we figured out that the problem was that July 4th is half-off park entry. So people got up to the gate thinking that they had correct change for the park entry fee of $3/person, and then they had to regroup or fidget around and figure out what to do now that it was only $1.50/person. That's just our theory, but we're really awesome with theories. So go with it.
Keepin' it cool before the start. |
The race director, shout out to Rick Melanson, made a great choice to delay the 7 a.m. start to let as many people get through that crazy entrance line as possible. At around 7:20 a.m., we all lined up. Someone said a short prayer (please bless the crazy runners), and the horn blew.
Within the first mile, both of my shoes came untied (they were double knotted, so that should have been impossible), and I had to stop on the side of the road to tie them. My brother patiently waited for my slowness at that point, but I was really glad when a bit later, when I was struggling on the hills, he took off to push himself for the rest of the race. He usually holds back and runs with me during races we enter together, but I was really happy that he pushed it that day.
My single thought on the uphill, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop. That deep thought process continued to the very top, after which my downhill thoughts turned to, don't fall, don't pee my pants, don't fall, don't pee my pants. Because I had basically zero cushion for my feet on the downhill, I tried to step as lightly as possible. This may have even helped my speed, but pretty much this whole race was about self-preservation. Get to the end alive and/or get back to the toilets as fast as possible.
On my way down, Michele Parr, who was looking strong on her climb (and who you might know from the Birmingham Track Club Newsletter), yelled to me that I was in the top ten ladies. Top ten ladies get a cash prize, so I thought I would push myself a little harder.
In summary, either Peavine is a harder run than Statue to Statue, or someone slipped some crack into the Gatorade.
Here are the final numbers for the splits. Wow, someone was optimistic that first mile, which included two shoe-tying stops.
The official stats for me were 1:05:46, 8th place lady, 71st overall. Looking back at the heart-rate chart, I'm just lucky I didn't require a gurney at the end.
Also while waiting, I met fellow Birmingham blogger Melissa from My Running Journey ... for better or worse. Unfortunately, my camera wouldn't work because water found its way under the Otter Box cover. There is no photo evidence, which in blog world sort of means it didn't happen, but it was great to meet a local blogger!
Oh, and I know you're waiting to hear about that sweet prize money. Don't be jealous, but here are my earnings.
When I opened the envelope, I said with a twangy Southern accent, "Well, isn't that precious?" But seriously, for a $10 race, I'm surprised they had water cups. So five bones was an unexpected bonus.
Rick the race director and Yo Momma |
Will I do this race again? Heck yes! For your money, you get plenty of snacks and drinks, a tough-as-nails course, a smidge of trail racing, a shirt (see it on Rick above) to prove you did it, and great fraternizing with the locals. Love, love, love. What better way would there be to say "I love America" on Independence Day than by busting your buttsauce at Peavine Falls? None.
That race sounds awesome! And you kicked ass!!!! What an impressive time lady...impressed! And yay for cheap entries! You look great in your outfit btw! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
DeleteHey thanks for the shout out. Loved the report. Your brother and I were together on the trail too, which was really cool. FYI- the race announcer is Johnny Montgomery, who coaches a speed session at Vestavia HS on Tues @ 5:15 PM. I'm there about half the time.
ReplyDeleteThat guy is hilarious! I wish I could make that time!
DeleteDont spend that in one place!!! Awesome job and look at your times. You heart rate did get up there didnt it! Awesome job~~ Erica
ReplyDeleteI think it took me ten seconds to spend it after the race. Lunch!
DeleteYou rock. No questions - hands down... you're amazing.
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks, girl!
DeleteWhooooeeee cash prize! Nice job. Looking good in the orange!
ReplyDeleteI'll probably use it to bling out my next race. Diamond encrusted New Balance sneakers.
DeleteI love love love this!!! Hilarious. The race looks AMAZING, I would love it. I love you and your brother running together.I love your outfit. I giggled at the bad shoe choice, I giggled at the bladder jokes. I'm impressed with your time and I love how you got proper smiley photos taken (they looks great). But my favourite bit was you winning five dollars!! Fabulous! Five dollars! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteIf you lived closer, you would HAVE to run it!
DeleteFor a blogger who writes chick-style, you do a fabulous job. Loved it! BTW, Michele is Parr. This is actually 2012, tho it duz not surprise me that you think you are from the future.
ReplyDeleteGood catches! I should be paying you for editing! I'm seriously grateful because I hate having mistakes in there. Changed both.:)
DeleteIf you did not spend the fiver at a thrift store yest, I'll take it for my 1st editing gig. :-)
DeleteNice... very nice... wish I wrote as well and ran as fast...
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHooray for a $10 race with a $5 prize. You can't beat that for a race anywhere!
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever close by on July 4th, you guys should come run it!
DeleteThat is hilarious that you won FIVE BUCKS!!! Amazing. How fun! Congrats on the placement! Fun recap too!
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat $10 for a race with a stick!
ReplyDeleteNice job! I just missed this one. We were at the beach but hopefully we can do it next year. Feel free to follow my running at www.jimpattillo.com
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely come out next year. It's really a great time with the locals! Headed over now to check out your site!
DeleteNice job! I just missed this one. We were at the beach but hopefully we can do it next year. Feel free to follow my running at www.jimpattillo.com
ReplyDelete