This race was TRIPLE digits HOT!
Hello everyone, the past few weeks have been a blur, so I wanted to get this recap out without further adieu.
About a week and a half ago I participated in Calico Racing's Running With the Devil. This is an extreme heat event that takes place in Lovell Canyon in the Mojave Desert.
The event has multiple distances ranging from 5k to 100k in the morning, and 5k to half marathon in the evening.
I opted to run a double — I ran the half marathon in the morning and the 10k in the evening. (The hubby joined me for the evening race)!
Packet pickup began at 6 a.m. race morning. Due to pre-race nerves, I woke up around around 4:30 a.m.
I wanted extra time for the hour-long drive to Lovell Canyon and ended up arriving nearly 45-minutes early... Aw man! I could have slept in!
My race didn't start until 7:30 a.m., so I checked social media from the comfort of my car to pass some time.
After I went to packet pickup, chatted with a few other runners, and slathered on another layer of sunscreen, it was time for the pre-race announcements.
Since the event took place in extreme heat the announcements were focused around how to keep cool and stay safe!
The temperature was supposed to rise an average of 5 degrees per hour and it was already hot by 7:30 a.m.
By the time I finished the race it was nearly 101 degrees Fahrenheit. My goal was to finish the race before the heat of the day and thankfully I did because I'm fairly sure it got much hotter.
The temps have been nothing short of smoldering this summer!
Racing values the safety of their race participants so you know it's going to be hot when there's a disclaimer on the race website about the many dangers of heat training, including death! Yikes!
Everything was well organized in preparation to aid the runners, should any emergencies arise — from fully stocked aid stations with ice buckets, to wet towels, food, water, and electrolyte beverages, and emergency medical personnel on standby.
During the race announcements I became pretty nervous when the director stated that whenever they had to airlift a runner who had succumbed to the heat, it was always during the half marathon — even though there were marathoners and ultramarathoners on the course — I suppose the shorter distance gave the half marathoners a false of security.
So, I was planning to take it slow and steady since I usually run before temperatures reach 100 degrees.
This half marathon was the most difficult one I've done so far!
The half marathon course was an out-and-back with elevation starting off around 4,500 feet then climbing another 978 feet.
The reason the race was so difficult for me was not just due to the heat, it was also due in part to the climb.
The first 3 miles of the race were on an upward incline, then around mile 5 you reach a steep downhill, and I mean STEEP! It felt like the majority of the elevation was on this hill.
I gained a lot of ground running quickly down the hill, but the climb back up zapped me! (Even the race photographer said he's only seen a couple people ever run up this hill)!
This is the second race I've run in Lovell Canyon and that hill, the the one I renamed "the Hell" in my 50k race recap, (click the link if you'd like to read it) slows me to a crawl every time! Also, I'm fairly sure it's close to a mile-long uphill battle.
During the race I was so nervous that I'd be the one to succumb to the heat, but this was no time for free a helicopter ride!
Thankfully I played it safe and used the wet towels provided at the aid station. I wrung the cold water out of the towel and all over my clothes, neck, and legs.
I also carried sunscreen with me since there was no shade. By the time I finished the race I was a wet mess of salty sweat and gritty, peeling sunscreen, but thankfully I never overheated. I made sure to replenish my electrolytes ASAP!
Congrats to everyone who participated in this race, especially since race day conditions were just as hot as predicted!
Due to the triple digit temps, carrying proper hydration was required for the event even with the aid stations.
I stopped at each aid station and still drank the entire contents of my Camelbak.
Thankfully I finished safely and somehow came in 2nd place in my age group. Then, after completing the half marathon, it was time to come home and take a nap!
On to the 10k
The 10k was run on the same course as the half marathon, so I knew what to expect.
The evening event held a half marathon, 10k, and 5k. I chose to run the evening 10k, which was a lot of fun because not only did the hubby join me, but I got to try out my new light up safety gear!
Since the 10k began at 8 p.m., shortly before sunset, participants were required to wear a 360 degree reflective vest and use a headlamp or flashlight for visibility on the road.
You can't tell by the picture, but the vests had battery operated LED lights down the middle. I was easily excited by that!
Once again packet pickup was just before the race. I can't recall the temperature for the 10k, but since it was dark out it felt much more hospitable than the morning race.
One great thing about the 10k was that even though it was on the same course that I'd run in the morning the turnaround point was well before the hill... ahem! the "Hell!"
The first 3 miles of the 10k were slightly uphill, so naturally after the turnaround point the second half was slightly downhill, then it was smooth sailing! Though, I did worry a bit about watching my step since nightfall came early on in the race.
The night event drew a smaller crowd than the morning event, but for me it was even more fun.
I enjoyed the intimate setting and I came in second place overall female, which surprised me since I was still pretty tired from the morning. Also, the hubby took third place overall male; I know he was proud!
I'll certainly be participating in this race again. Next up, the ET Full Moon 51k in August.
Thanks for reading! What is your next race?
How do you handle running in the heat?
I hope you have a great week of training.
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