Kentucky Derby Mini-Apr 30, 2016



Ever contemplate a Back to Back Race Weekend? Well, this is the one to consider! The Kentucky Derby Mini (or marathon) and the Cincinnati Flying Pig (half or full). I completed both half marathons and had a blast doing so! 

For the past 5 years I have been running a half marathon a month as well as trying to complete a half marathon in each of the 50 states. When I realized Apr 30 and May 1 fell on the same weekend, I knew I had to find 2 states close together for a back to back race weekend (aka only one airplane ticket!!) The Kentucky Derby Mini and Flying Pig worked out perfectly being only an easy hour and half drive apart! 


ABOUT
This was the 43rd Annual Kentucky Derby Mini and Marathon with approximately 15,000 total runners. The race is put on by the Kentucky Derby Festival which also hosts 2 weeks worth of events leading up to Derby Day at Churchill Downs (that is the creme de la creme of horse races for those like me who are not familiar). So if you are looking for an extended trip with a race tied into it, this is the one. There are concerts, food festivals, ballooning, all kinds of entertainment to keep you busy! Most of this can be found on the very same website as the race!

COMMUNICATION
There were lots of emails sent with race information the weeks leading up the race. Their Facebook page is also quite active to keep you pumped up for race day. When the weather was calling for 100% rain, strong wind and hail, the emails kept coming letting us know they were in constant communication with the weather service to make sure we would all be safe. When the severity moved along, but we were still at about 100% chance of rain, they even gave tips of how to run in the rain. Kudos to KDF to all the communication leading to race time!

HOTEL
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency basically because it offered me a travel agent rate (rarity during prime weeks). It was located right next to the Convention Center where the Expo was held, and about half a mile walk to the Start/Finish Line, which is also where the KDF events took place as well. I was able to walk to all the major attractions comfortably in 2 days without need for an Uber. (later to find out the city has a 'free' bus system!)

For a basic room, it was quite large, clean, and comfy. The hotel is shaped like a tower, so make sure to request a high floor as the noise from below (inside and out) travels up easily. And if you require a soak after a tough race and the pool just wont suffice, make sure to ask about a bathtub. My room was only equipped with a stand up shower.


Kentucky Derby Festivals
Arriving 2 days before race day, I felt I had plenty of time to check out the city and events without rushing. If you plan to attend the events with KDF, then purchase your Pegasus Pin for entry. ($5 at several merchants throughout the city). This also makes a cute inexpensive souvenir! I picked up mine at the Visitors Center which was right next door to the Hyatt Regency and actually won the Golden Pegasus. (only 1 in 20, which also gives you a chance to win a car!) Friday night started the Chow Wagon and Fest-a-ville on the Waterfront. It was a gorgeous night with a perfect sunset, a country band playing, and after the sun set the hot air balloons lit up the sky!

Friday night Easton Corbin was set to play. However, prepare yourself as its a late concert before
race morning!



EXPO
The Expo was open both Thursday and Friday. I went right at opening and it was a breeze. I liked how they had an option to see/purchase all the previous years shirts. Unfortunately this years was a bust (as most publicly agreed on Facebook especially those coming from out of town for the first time)


MEDAL AND SHIRT
Disappointingly the shirt and medal really do not reflect anything with the Derby. The map itself is very hard to even tell what it is. If they wanted to do a map of the city/course, they shouldn't have used the city map with so much detail. Maybe just the course and pin marked the highlights of the city on the course. You know, like the Churchill Downs we ran through??!

The shirt will be perfect for midnight runs, as its blinding to look at during the day.

SWAG
One cool thing the race did right, was partner with Jim Beam which gave complimentary engraving on a bottle. Unfortunately, it took over an hour for mine to be completed, so plan to drop it off and come back later in the day!  They also gave us Buy 1 Get One Free Entry into the Opening Night of the Derby Week!


COURSE
The course is a flat course that runs through downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, passing by some of the citys landmarks such as the Slugger Museum (largest bat in the US), Slugger Stadium, the YUM arena, University of Louisville, and of course Churchill Downs. The marathon and half marathon run the same course until after the Churchill Downs.

RACE MORNING
The race started at the Slugger Field and finished at the Waterfront, just blocks from each other. There seemed to be enough porta patties, but the Gear Check was ridiculously backed up. We were provided the traditional tab on our bib that you are supposed to put on your clear bag that they provided. However, for some reason, they were zip tying every bag and writing the bib number on each bag. This slowed the process entirely too long. I do like the zip tie idea for security, but they should have had one person passing out zip ties and markers to those in line. I still don't understand the markers when we had the tab with bib number already, but who knows. They loaded the bags into trash cans (I'm sure they were clean, but gross??) and delivered them to the Finish......in the rain!! The Finish line had a huge covering, so I am not sure why they were just sitting in the rain instead. Luckily my belongings were only damp and not damaged.

RESULTS
I went into the race wanting to take it easy because I knew I had the Flying Pig half marathon the next day. Despite me having my Garmin plugged in for at least 24 hours, it was almost dead at the Starting Line, so I just didn't even start it. I did wear my Pacer so my plan was to go for a 1x1 wog (walk/jog).

 I started with and followed these 2 girls for a good portion of the race wearing shirts that read 'Decide. Commit. Succeed.' I laughed to myself when I read it, because that is exactly what this weekend was all about. I had gone into the Back to Back race weekend without having run further than 13 miles TOTAL in the past month. I was completely burnt out after the DONNA Marathon, then the Gasparilla ULTRA Challenge the week after, and then the Treasure Coast half marathon two weeks after that. I just did not want to run anymore. I needed a break. But, I had decided on this back to back race weekend before all of that, so I had to keep my commitment, and I told myself I will succeed in finishing both!  And I did!

After a mile warm up, I started the 1x1, however, I felt like that was entirely too easy, so I ran 3-5 minutes then walked a minute. I felt good the entire time. I had no idea how fast (or slow) I was going, but I was having fun. It was perfect temperatures for running. The rain came about M3-4, but even that didn't bother me. It was almost welcoming because it was a light sprinkle and I knew it was keeping the heat away. I never felt exhausted, but I did get extremely cold once the rain completely soaked me to the core. Thankfully this wasn't until the last few miles. I finished much slower than I thought, but knew it was for the best so I would feel great going into my second half marathon The Flying Pig!

Running through Churchill Downs was definitely a race experience I won't forget! I had no idea where we were, when I looked up and suddenly we were there! We ran through the tunnel (reminded me of Talladega) and there we were in the middle of the track. I looked over and the jockeys were running the horses warming up for that nights Derby Opening Night! It was really fun to run along side them.

SPECTATORS/CROWD SUPPORT
Despite the rain, there was a good amount of spectators cheering us on especially in the downtown areas! Early on before the rain, there was a little kid giving Ninja Power high fives wearing his teenage mutant ninja turtle pjs! Later on, there were drummers and dance team performing as well as cheerleaders cheering.


FINISH
With it still raining and my fingers starting to turn white from being cold, it was hard to stay and enjoy the after party. You were provided 1 beer and the usual race snacks (bagel, banana, chips, etc). All I wanted was something warm! Thankfully they were handing out mylar blankets and I had a jacket, gloves, and another mylar in my bag. I felt sorry for the band that was playing in the rain. They put the beer tent that most people were huddled under so far away from the stage. I was so cold I couldn't even stay long enough to enjoy the beer, I took it with me for my walk back to the hotel.

AFTER
After the race I finally got my Hot Brown at Bristol Bar and Derby cake at The Galt Hotel (both must haves while in Louisville). I had decided that I was going to stay for the Opening Night of the Derby. I purchased a fascinator at the Visitors Center (the least expensive one I could find in the city!), put on a dress, and made my way to the Derby! I had never been to a race track before, and with all the states I still have left to do, I don't know when I will be back to Kentucky. Despite having to still drive to Cincinnati and run at 630a, I knew this was something I had to experience! It was fun to see the others dressed up in fancy hats, see the horses and jockeys up close and personal, and witness the fastest 2 minutes of your life! I stayed for 3 races, just enough time to have my first mint julep, and then headed back to Ohio.


MUST DO
I'm sure you have heard of the Bourbon Trail before, but did you know Louisville has their own Urban Bourbon Trail? Pick up a passport at the Visitors Center (or any bar on the trail). The book lists the bars that qualify, give a little history/info on the bar, and even gives a bourbon drink suggestion. The passport also advises the price range for each stop. Once you get 6 stamps, you turn your passport in to the Visitors Center and you receive you free Finish(er) tshirt! It was a fun way to explore the city!

Also...
-Check out the Country only Underground Zip line course at Mega Caverns, located just minutes outside the city!
-Explore the free artwork at 21cMuseum Hotel
-stand next to the worlds largest baseball bat


OVERALL THOUGHTS
KDF and the Visitors Center made Louisville a blast! I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the city and would highly recommend visiting! Regarding the race, the only thing that makes this race above average is the actual running through Churchill Downs. Besides that, this really is just your typical average race. Enhancements on the shirt/medal, organization on the gear check, and better quality post race food, would make this race stellar.  

13.1-2:32
State #26
HM #61

I am currently running a half marathon a month and also running a half marathon in each state all to show support and raise awareness for breast cancer via The Donna. Please consider showing your support by making a donation today! DONATE