This past weekend was the 3rd Annual Palm Coast Half Marathon ‘at’ the Hammock Beach Resort. The course this year started and finished at the Conservatory Golf Course and spent the majority of time in Princess Park.
The race weekend went completely opposite of everything I had planned. Out of 23+ races in the past 2 years (most out of town), I had yet to experience anything of the sort…..a little bit humorous, a little bit frustrating, but all in all I survived and managed to find a silver lining of each situations.
First off, this was a very small, very local race with only 152 half marathoners and fifty 5kers, so you have a very good chance of placing in your age division if you are looking for that sort of accomplishment. (I placed 8 out of 12 and I am a very slow runner). This is also a very ‘beginner’ friendly race with lots of ‘Galloway’ woggers so if you are new to running, you will feel right at home.
Now to get to the juicy stuff.
The Background:
I went into this race because it was close to home (Jacksonville), yet still far enough out of town to create a mini vacation, especially being located 'at' Hammock Beach Resort. The course online showed it ran along the intracoastal, which would fit nicely into my theme of a ‘coastal’race year for 2013.
When a Groupon came out for an awesome discount, I jumped on it. However, it took over a month of several emails sent to the race organizers (USRA) without reply until I finally received any confirmation that I was actually registered (the week before the race).
The Plan
Stay at Hammock Beach Resort, the ‘sponsor’ hotel of the race, to have a nice scenic restful day/night before the race, and be close to the starting line.
What actually happened
The sponsor hotel ended up being 18miles away with a $2 toll. Apparently the days leading up to the race, the course had been moved, which also included moving the Start/Finish….NOT at Hammock Beach Resort.
The Silver Lining
I still got some well needed rest! =) Plus, packet pick up was still located on property of the hotel, which actually ended up being just downstairs from my room!
The Plan
watch the Vikings win against the Packers in the Playoffs
What actually happened
they lost
The Silver Lining
I fell asleep at half time, so I didn’t have to sit through all the torture! =)
The Plan
use Google Maps to map out the drive to the race start ahead of time. Leave 45minutes before start.
What actually happened
Google Maps sent me in completely the wrong direction.
The Back up Plan
use GPS on my phone
What actually happened
apparently Palm Coast is in the middle of nowhere, so my phone barely had a signal, and the GPS told me there was no routing to my destination! After several turn arounds, stopping and asking for directions, and still getting nowhere, I finally stumbled upon the start location and pulled into the parking lot at 3 minutes before start time!
The Silver Lining
I have excellent eavesdropping ears when I travel alone, so when I heard someone at pick up tell a runner the start would be across from Mantanzas High, I knew I had to be somewhere in the vicinity of the start when I saw it. I also now know that I can walk straight up to a race and start running immediately, without all that waiting around. The added stress of running late only helps me in the first few miles (although I did have to make a porta potty stop!)
The Plan
The weather forecast predicted a good chance of heavy rains all week, so I didnt bring the pink ribbon tutu. I have yet to race in rain, so I brought all my gear and was ready to take the beating.
What actually happened
It was a GORGEOUS race day! The morning forecast was still predicting cool and cloudy, however unpredictable Florida ‘winter’weather proved all the weathermen wrong and the sun made its appearance raising the temps to the upper 60s. I totally should have brought my Pink Ribbon Tutu!
The Silver Lining
The temps rose just enough to make it a beautiful day to lounge in the sun after the race! I will forever now always travell with the Tutu! =)
The Plan
PR. I once read somewhere that ‘every race doesn’t have to be a PR. And I almost started to believe it….but why?! If you are not a runner that will ‘win’ in any division, then why not ‘try’ to PR every race. You are in a race against yourself.... your best self... to try to make yourself better.
What actually happened
The race course was changed to include 6 miles that were on a soft dirt road. And because I arrived late, I had a porta potty stop at M2ish.
The Silver Lining
It was a nice change of scenery for a ‘race’. We spent the majority of time in the quiet ‘nature’. I would have made a PR if it werent for the Porty Potty stop. Ill take it. :)
Cons
-The race promotes being located at Hammock Beach Resort. This is a very nice property on the oceanfront, so why not take advantage of it and be able to walk to start, one would think?! Even the resort property’s name is on the race ribbon! There should have been some sort of communication for the out of towners that Hammock Beach Resort is huge, and their golf course (where start/finish was) is about 20 minutes and a $2 toll away, and any changes to the course should have been posted weeks, not days ahead of time!
-Speaking of communication, USRA has very little communication on their Facebook page, and does not stay up to date on their emails. Yet, they are Very quick to send you out several email/junk mails.
-To get to the Finish line, you had to run past it first, make another mile loop around the golf course and then cross the finish line. This was very confusing for first timers and slow runners. There were no volunteers directing the runners to keep going and pass this area. I even witnessed a runner cross the Finish without even doing the last mile. I also was pacing with a girl on her first half marathon that started crying when she realized there was another mile. She had changed her music, picked up her pace, and was mentally prepared to cross that Finish line when she saw it in the distance. Once she knew she had another mile, she was mentally breaking down. I had to help build her confidence back up and give her some encouragement.
-The cups were huge, with way too much fluid in them. Such a waste on the environment.
Pros
-This race has a lot of potential. It’s a great destination and would be wonderful if they would partner properly with the resort, have rooms on discount there (the resort is empty this time of year anyways) and provide a shuttle, if not going to start/finish there.
-Weather is awesome in Florida for running in January
-Very flat course, very quiet/peaceful, easy to win age division since so small
-Very beginner friendly
-Late start (8am) allows you to sleep in and enjoy the sunrise before the race!
