Race 13.1 caught our attention for two reasons: 1.) Packet pick-up was available on race day, meaning Justin didn’t have to take the day off so we could run this race, and 2.) The host city was my former place of residence, Greensboro, NC. Because the race was relatively small (compared to our last three) and because our hill training wasn’t as intense as it was two months ago, we had low expectations of ourselves, and essentially no expectations of the race series. Fortunately, Race 13.1 was a delightful surprise, AND we surprised ourselves in terms of our race performance.
Race 13.1 Greensboro tech shirts Because Justin worked on Saturday until 3pm, we didn’t arrive in Greensboro until 10 pm on the night before the race. Though hotel rooms were available at the O Henry hotel, practically right across the street from the race start, we opted to stay the night at one of our favorite Choice Hotels, Comfort Suites. We knew it would be an easy 10 minute drive to the race start at the Friendly Center (a Greensboro shopping center) and that parking would be plentiful. We also knew Comfort Suites Four Seasons would provide us with a much coveted refrigerator and a most likely a clean, quiet room for a modest price. We were not disappointed and would recommend anyone stay the night here- just know that when you GPS this hotel, search for Isler Ct. instead of Isler St. (GPS, for some reason, doesn’t recognize the actual title of this street, and you must call it a court to actually find where you need to go.)
In spite of our quiet room and comfortable bed, neither of us got many hours of restorative sleep, though fortunately, that hadn’t stopped us before from PR'ing. We hoped the same would hold true on this race morning. Bleary eyed and practically delusional, we were awoken by the alarm at 5:20, and were dressed and out the door by 6 am. Justin was conscious enough to drive, and we made it to the Friendly Center well before the 6:30 am packet pick-up deadline. After providing the volunteers with ID’s, they handed us our race t-shirts and bibs, and we breezed through the line with plenty of time to visit the port-a-lets and return to the car for further race preparation. My favorite pre-race anthem (Party in the USA) was blaring over the loudspeaker by the time we returned to the race start. It was a perfect 55 degrees outside, so we hung our throw-away shirts in a tree and joined other runners at the start, positioning ourselves before or after the appropriate pacers. The race began on time, and we were off, running the rolling hills of Greensboro.
In spite of our quiet room and comfortable bed, neither of us got many hours of restorative sleep, though fortunately, that hadn’t stopped us before from PR'ing. We hoped the same would hold true on this race morning. Bleary eyed and practically delusional, we were awoken by the alarm at 5:20, and were dressed and out the door by 6 am. Justin was conscious enough to drive, and we made it to the Friendly Center well before the 6:30 am packet pick-up deadline. After providing the volunteers with ID’s, they handed us our race t-shirts and bibs, and we breezed through the line with plenty of time to visit the port-a-lets and return to the car for further race preparation. My favorite pre-race anthem (Party in the USA) was blaring over the loudspeaker by the time we returned to the race start. It was a perfect 55 degrees outside, so we hung our throw-away shirts in a tree and joined other runners at the start, positioning ourselves before or after the appropriate pacers. The race began on time, and we were off, running the rolling hills of Greensboro.
The finish line at Race 13.1. The course was a true out and back, run mostly on Hobbs Road, though it did venture onto a paved running path for about 2 miles. Just past mile 6.5, we turned around and ran back on the exact route on which we had come. Justin and I were both mildly concerned the further we ran, as it seemed like there were slightly more downhills during the race’s first half, meaning there would be slightly more uphills for the race’s second half. Though we were both challenged by the hill at mile 11, we enjoyed the entire course, which was both scenic and well-manned by friendly race volunteers. The true out and back nature of this course meant that the three water stations actually acted as six. Ideal weather conditions meant both Justin and I only needed to grab water twice. Mile 13 was my fastest, and with Justin meeting up with me for the final quarter mile, we raced together towards the finish line. I crossed in just under 1 hour and 50 minutes, coming close to a PR, as Justin had 22 minutes earlier.
The Race 13.1 Greensboro finisher medal. Race volunteers handed out medals and waters at the finish. I spotted my throwaway shirt in the tree I had hung it in 1 hour and 53 minutes earlier, so I grabbed it before partaking in all that the post-race festivities had to offer. Justin had already consumed a banana, water, and bottle of Sambazon, all provided by Whole Foods, and had been eyeing up the bagels being slathered in cream cheese by race volunteers. We proceeded onward towards more food, where Justin ate multiple sandwiches and some pasta salad, provided by Newk, a local catering company. I enjoyed an extremely generous serving of Di’Lishi Mango Tango frozen yogurt (which I hearby declare as the perfect, immediate post-race food). Non-food vendors had plenty of freebies to give away, but we spent the most time at the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina booth. There we answered some trivia questions, checked our race results, shared a “Live Fearless” story, snapped a photo in the photo booth, and scored some free car chargers for our fun. I begged a free “Live to Run, Live Fearless” running hat, which was being provided to first time half marathoners, but was given to me after I shared my 12 half marathons in 12 months goal.
At the post-race festivities we visited the Blue Cross Blue Shield booth to check our race results and share our "Live Fearless" stories.
$10,000 drawing at Race 13.1. We wandered around until 10:30 for two reasons: 1.) Race results indicated that Justin was fifth overall and first place in his age group. He could expect an award. 2.) The Race 13.1 series does something really cool at the end of their races. At this particular race there was a drawing selecting one lucky runner as a potential winner of $10,000. Runners had to be present to win, and since we could use an extra $10,000 to fund our half marathoning quest, we stayed. About seven runners were called before someone present was finally selected, though that someone was not a Bullard. The lucky runner was directed to choose one of ten envelopes. Two envelopes contained the $10,000 prize, while the others contained a consolation prize, which was a generous $500 in cash. The audience was super excited as the chosen runner selected and opened his envelope, and though he didn’t win the big cash prize, this fun little contest was something that made Race 13.1 Greensboro a unique event.
It was announced that age group awards (gift cards to Omega Sports) would be mailed, rather than presented at the race. Race organizers were extra accommodating after we sought someone out to tell them we were from out-of-town. Justin instead received an instant and alternate award to the one that would have been mailed, and from there we left as two very satisfied runners.
Medal Count: 1 age group award for Justin, 1 finisher medal for each of us
Final Verdict: This race was a delightful surprise. For a smaller race, it was extremely generous to runners as the post-race festivities had tons of food and freebies to give away. (646 people finished the half marathon, and a 5K and 10K were also run.) Like Raleigh, Greensboro residents were friendly and welcoming, and the race volunteers were a true testament to this. We are already wondering if any more Race 13.1 events will fit into our racing schedule.
Tips for a successful Race 13.1 Greensboro:
1. Do some hill training. The course is almost entirely composed of rolling hills. Be ready for them!
2. Don't worry about staying at a hotel close to the finish line for this race. There are many outlets in and out of the Friendly Center and parking is plentiful.
For more information visit http://race131.com/
Medal Count: 1 age group award for Justin, 1 finisher medal for each of us
Final Verdict: This race was a delightful surprise. For a smaller race, it was extremely generous to runners as the post-race festivities had tons of food and freebies to give away. (646 people finished the half marathon, and a 5K and 10K were also run.) Like Raleigh, Greensboro residents were friendly and welcoming, and the race volunteers were a true testament to this. We are already wondering if any more Race 13.1 events will fit into our racing schedule.
Tips for a successful Race 13.1 Greensboro:
1. Do some hill training. The course is almost entirely composed of rolling hills. Be ready for them!
2. Don't worry about staying at a hotel close to the finish line for this race. There are many outlets in and out of the Friendly Center and parking is plentiful.
For more information visit http://race131.com/
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