I have done this Rim to Rim race a couple of times in the past. Last year I wanted to drop down to the half but I did the full. This year, I decided to do the half.
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I didn’t take ANY pics during the race, but I did take pics after. The pics shown are pics from previous excursions. If you would like to read my race recap from 2014, you can do so here.
I made a skirt the night before. I got a super deal on some sparkly clearance fabric and I made 2 skirts with it. A knee length regular skirt and my running sparkly skirt.
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| Sassy |
The race route – the full – starts at a golf course at the bottom of the Snake River Canyon, goes up the canyon, across it, down it, and over the river back to the golf course start. Its one of the more challenging races I have ever done. The full is just over 7 miles and the half, which is what I did this year, is 3.6 miles.
The half route is starting along the top of the canyon just past where you cross from the other side, down a 10% grade, and over the river to the golf course finish.
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| My Strava map |
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| Near the Start – from 2014 |
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| From 2014 |
That white line across the river, we cross there. Its an irrigation pipe that is only open for us during this race. Otherwise its locked up. I think they take clean water from the springs and use it for the fish farm because the river water is too dirty. The spring water is just as clean as it can get.
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| The big downhill – from 2014 |
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| The downhill – getting ready to hit that 10% grade – in 2014 |
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| Just past that 10% grade – 2014 |
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| Before you cross the river – 2014 |
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| The river crossing – 2014 |
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| Looking Down – 2014 |
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| Then a jaunt UP hill – its a killer – 2014 |
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| Uphill about .50 before the finish – 2014 |
OK This year, as I said above, I did the half and the pictures above are from my race in 2014. My other half kinda ran with me. We were not sure about any parking spots left because things are not very clear on the website about the race. So we parked at the start and he took my phone and played PokemonGo, so my safety blanket was not in my hand running with me. He didn’t run with me per se, but he did make his way to the finish line. He took some path shortcuts and got covered in foxtails and burrs and cut up his leg. So, he wasn’t really having fun trying to catch up with me.
I started out kinda fast for a fast second. The half rim group was about 40ish people. I had to weave around the majority of the group – who were walking. But I just ran by feel and only glanced at my watch occasionally.
I had my race day outfit put out the night before. I didn’t want to wear my normal Pearl Izumi shoes as on the downhill, I like more squish that Hokas provide. I picked the wrong Hokas. They felt stiff on my feet (I’m gonna miss my Pearls in a year or two. I stocked up.) My whole lower leg felt stiff and I had a hard time moving them. The front and back of my calves were crampy and it was miserable. I did take some walk breaks during the course of the race.
I did feel good blasting down the hill. I’m not at my fastest or lightest but seeing my pace go from 11:XX to 6:59 felt good. I really love the downhill. When you go downhill you hit a turn that branches to 2 roads. I didn’t see the arrow directing which way to go so of course I picked the wrong one. The volunteer who let me know was walking around playing Pokemon as there is a gym across the way.
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| Mileage bonus of a few feet |
Stopping suddenly on gravel, skidding and turning around is such a bummer. I yelled at her and another volunteer at the water stop. “There’s no arrows!”
Coming from the hill to flat ground is a killer to my legs. They were full on cramped so I had to walk. I jogged til I got to the pipe where I had to stop and scoot over for the full runners who were the first top people to blast by.
I thought I seen on the website that the top male and female of all the races were to win prizes, and I didn’t recall seeing a lady pass me who started out at the half. I thought I passed everyone at the beginning. So I really wanted to keep plugging away as fast as I could so I could be 1st female. The other half said there were already 2 ladies in front of me but I wasn’t sure. So I just kept going.
I finished. My legs have not been this exhausted in a long azz time. They were shaking. I know I’m dehydrated and my electrolytes are off for sure. I know that’s 90% of the cause of my discomfort.
Even though my race wasn’t the best, I did get 2nd in my AG, 3rd Female, and 6th overall. All the finishers did get medals. BUT the racers who did the full, got plaques and awards for ALL age groups and for male / female. The top 3 males and females for the half got “acknowledged.” I call BS on that. I was a little bit pissed off – and still am. I did write a email to the race director. So we will see what happens.
Why yes, that is a beer in my hand. So classy I am.
OK, I see on the mail in registration where there should have been prizes for us as it does NOT exclude the half runners.
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| There it is 🙁 |
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| Full Registration Form |
The only good thing about this race is the food. And they added 2 kegs instead of the 1 which always runs out with all the runners. Hence the beer in my hand above.
The post race noms are always nom-worthy. The trout it local, its farm raised but its still good. There was a veggie salad which was really good and the fruit was perfect. It all was so good. Its really one of the best post-race meals I have encountered.
What is the best post-race meals you have got to eat? Should I be upset for not getting an award for the race?