When my friend Tom first talked me into signing up for this race, I heard "10.5 mile trail run," and said, "... uh, no thanks." But the allure of a medal and wine and a post-race party lured me in, as well as the $45 price tag and the cap of 300 runners. So I signed up.
A few weeks later Tom sent me a link to this:
A few weeks later Tom sent me a link to this:
That's the elevation. We're running up a mountain, and then back down it.
I thought about backing out. I didn't. Now, a day after the race, my legs are making me regret that decision.
So the morning of the race, I carpooled with Den and we headed northwards to Moulton Falls Winery, which is 45 minutes away--further than we usually drive for races. Then we waited around under some heating lamps for the train to pick us up and take us to the starting line. There was some confusion as there would be two trainloads of people, but the race wasn't chip timed, but since I just wanted to finish I wasn't too concerned about it.
I thought about backing out. I didn't. Now, a day after the race, my legs are making me regret that decision.
So the morning of the race, I carpooled with Den and we headed northwards to Moulton Falls Winery, which is 45 minutes away--further than we usually drive for races. Then we waited around under some heating lamps for the train to pick us up and take us to the starting line. There was some confusion as there would be two trainloads of people, but the race wasn't chip timed, but since I just wanted to finish I wasn't too concerned about it.
Image source for all pictures: Get Bold
We started off on an asphalt road for about a mile or so until we got to the gravel logging trail that would lead us to the ascent. It was brutal. It was tiring. I wanted to run to the top, no matter how slow my pace was, but eventually somewhere between mile 4 and 5 I gave up and just had to hike it. The view was beautiful but I was panting and couldn't wait to head back down. I made up for a lot of lost time on the downhill, but the "trail" was rough--lots of loose gravel. I was very relieved when I finally crossed the finish line.
We started off on an asphalt road for about a mile or so until we got to the gravel logging trail that would lead us to the ascent. It was brutal. It was tiring. I wanted to run to the top, no matter how slow my pace was, but eventually somewhere between mile 4 and 5 I gave up and just had to hike it. The view was beautiful but I was panting and couldn't wait to head back down. I made up for a lot of lost time on the downhill, but the "trail" was rough--lots of loose gravel. I was very relieved when I finally crossed the finish line.
We took shuttle buses back to the winery (my knees started to hurt a little) and got food and teeny tiny pours of wine. The Get Bold staff and volunteers were great but the winery didn't seem too happy to have all the runners there :( I'm kinda on the fence about whether I'd do this race again.
What I liked:
What I wished were different:
My legs are pretty sore today--I didn't take enough time yesterday to roll them out or ice them, and didn't start taking Advil or wearing my calf sleeves til today. That race kicked my butt!
What I liked:
- Free race pictures and lots of them! A little blurry but I'm super grateful that they're free and they're plentiful.
- Post-race soup (chicken noodle and vegetarian chili) and bread really hit the spot, as well as hot cocoa!
- The view was beautiful at times.
- Lots of parking and no need for bag check.
- Price was okay.
What I wished were different:
- Different course and/or more accurate description. Up and down a mountain on a gravel logging road isn't the same as "trail run."
- No train ride. It was cute but kind of odd. And then we had to shuttle back to the winery. A little too much waiting around in the cold for me personally!
- The people pouring the two free tastings for each runner were SUPER STINGY with the pours. I would honestly estimate that each pour was less than a tablespoon.
- Shirts were additional $$ (which was fine) but tech shirts would have been nice instead of cotton.
My legs are pretty sore today--I didn't take enough time yesterday to roll them out or ice them, and didn't start taking Advil or wearing my calf sleeves til today. That race kicked my butt!
