Chilly willy mix up

[Magoo]

Ran the chilly willy half today. This year I'm attempting to keep some fitness after my fall marathon. I wasn't sure what to expect today since I have not run a half this year. Got to the race just in time, well caffinated with some nervous energy from just making it to the race(8:50). Ran the first few miles in fourth place. After miles 2 and 3 really slowed down we realized the guy in second wasn't going anywhere. Just before 5k we passed him and passed by 2 girls clapping at the 5k marker.

At 7k the leader was coming towards us shaking his head. He asked if we knew where to go. We ran another half k looking for somebody or a marker. The guy I was following turned to me yelled bullsheet. He took off in the direction the leader went while I just kind of tried to gather my thoughts. Found out the 5k was a turn around . When we came back to it I was measuring almost 5 miles. The middle of the race was just kind of a tempo run after this. I was very relaxed though which always helps. I kept the guy who was in second within sight the whole race. That was the only thing that kept me from getting lost. There was alot of turn arounds and forks along the path which made for a crappy course.

With 500 metres left I passed the last guy who didn't run the wrong the way although I didn't know it at the time. I thought that was a better finish than some of the people who just threw the race after the mix up.
Finished in third with a time of 1:32:xx for a 14.8 mile run according to my Garmin. Pretty good chilli after the race but the XL running room shirts for third place kinda sucked. After the mix up the top three stayed the same but overall this race was bullsheet. In the end a good training run.

[La]

Yeah, I don't know that I'd call the Chilly Willy a "race" so much as an "organized run". I've done it a few times, but always just for fun.

Good for you on finishing 3rd, though! Congrats!

[Ed Fizz]

That sucks...

[Portentous]

Wow, my first reaction to the thread title, was "Damn, It was today? I should've run it". After reading the thread glad I didn't. I would still be lost out there! Sorry about the aggravation, but to still come in 3rd place is fantastic! Congrats.

[flexrun]

You must have been very frustrated with the lack of markers on the course ! Its good to see that you still managed to finish in 3rd place and kept a postitive attitude .

[UltraQueenga]

Congrats on a solid effort and on finishing third! You got a good run in.
I've run this race a couple of times, and like La, I'd be inclined to call it a very informal race with chip timing and a great post-race chili lunch. The course marking was pretty dodgy when I ran it, too, but the post-race lunch kinda makes up for it.

[La]

I've run this race a couple of times, and like La, I'd be inclined to call it a very informal race with chip timing and a great post-race chili lunch. The course marking was pretty dodgy when I ran it, too, but the post-race lunch kinda makes up for it.

There was chip timing when you did it?? Not the years I ran it!

[Robbie-T]

nice run, crappy race.

[Edward]

Nice run,

Too bad about the course. You have had a great fall, nice run in NY, time to take it easy. See you maybe at Boxing Day if you are running it.

Thanks

[braveheart]

that sounds frustrating! congrats on third.

[shaggytour2005]

Magoo,

That race is always a scramble at best. I remember the 10k race two years ago was the same way as people were turning back all over the place because their Garmins were telling them a different distance. I think they said we ran 10.8k that year. The funny thing is that the winner of your race has won that race before so I am surprised he did not know the route better. I think he has ran the event a few time before and is a great runner that usually studies the courses well. Oh well!

Great race on your behalf! Nice way to lead into the holiday season.

[bicycle.boy]

nice run, crappy race.

Well put, that says it all.

[UltraQueenga]

I've run this race a couple of times, and like La, I'd be inclined to call it a very informal race with chip timing and a great post-race chili lunch. The course marking was pretty dodgy when I ran it, too, but the post-race lunch kinda makes up for it.

There was chip timing when you did it?? Not the years I ran it!

There was chip timing in '06 and '07 when I ran (neoprene band around the ankle type). Last year they only did a 10.5k instead of the half because there was an ice storm the night before the race and the roads were like a skating rink.
The organizers are making it sound like a Real Race, when in fact they put on a relaxed, friendly, informal club run. It's deceiving. People show up all hyper and stuff and then go home disappointed.

[Magoo]

I know this is a small race and I wasn't expecting much. I was mainly looking for a half time (although uncertified to complete 2008) It just seemed too complicated for a small race. There was plenty of volunteers, they just were'nt organized well

The two guys ahead of me said they were going the way of the old route.
The main issue was the girls at the turn around were cheering instead of telling people to turn around. It took them a while to realize the mistake.
People assumed it was a 5k turn around for the 10k because they didn't say anything.

The winner is a great runner and a nice guy, but it kind of irked me that he missed a loop. I don't know if it was to make up for going off course or by accident. He would of won either way. Most runners ran the course as marked afterward but some went further off course than others at the turn around, which made things chaotic and not so fun.

My Garmin gave me some great data look at. If I left it at home the run would have been more of a washout.