Yesterday has been Race Day for me! And after all those virtual Runs, it finally was a real Race Day! Real Bib (with a real Timing Chip), real (wooden) Medal right after the Finish Line and real Runners around you.
But first things first. I described the Races Concept in my
last post. When I first saw their website and told a couple of Running Buddies about that Race, Marco asked me if we can team up. So we were in for the Double Run, which is allowed in Germany, two households are allowed to meet!
Last week I finally had a letter in my Postbox. They send me both BIBs, and it was a great feeling. Holding those real BIBs in my hands, real Timing Chips, so awesome!
A few days before yesterday, we both got an E-Mail with our official Starting Time! 9:34 pm! A little bit late, was my first reaction. But it was just perfect; we just hit the "blue hour"!
Race Day
We met at Marcos and made the 25 Minutes drive to the Race. At the Parking Lot, we met a Coach of ours. We had a small talk, and he had to go to the Check-In because he was running around 40 minutes before us.
We fixed our Gear, checked our BIBs and other Stuff and made our way to the Check-In. But they did not let us in, because we have been 20 Minutes too early. They let you in 10 Minutes before your official Start, which is perfect for social distancing. So I took the chance for a last pee, which costs me 50 Cent and a run back to my car, getting those 50 Cents.
We met our Coach again, and Mr. Rocketman finished that hilly Course in 16 Minutes something and, after the first day, he is sitting in first place with that time.
At the Check-In, you get a funny Buff and the next few minutes we were taking Selfies.
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Within perfect social distance, we stood before the Starting Line and were waiting for our own Start. Every Minute you could here the Countdown "5-4-3-2-1 Goooooo, ..... have fun".
When we were first in line, a photographer took a photo, and then we heart our Countdown "5-4-3-2-1".
The first KM was a long downhill stretch. We knew from our Coach that this Course was hilly. Spectators were not allowed, and because of our late Start Time, the Park, which the Course runs through, was also closed for regular visitors. We were passed quickly by the Guys starting behind us. They looked very ambitious from the beginning.
Every few meters, some "Castmember" from the Runorganiser showed us the way and cheered us on. As we passed the second group of Castmembers, the Course made a sharp left turn and we saw the first Uphill section. Our pace dropped.
Now it was our turn to pass other Runners. Social distancing was no problem at any time. The Course led us through a beautiful Park. Without the regular Visitors and only a few Castmembers cheering us on, it felt like the 10K at
Disneyland Paris. I always cheered back and thanked everyone for being there and cheering us on.
We finished the first loop and enjoyed the setting sun and "blue hour". Most of the time we run on our own. Sometimes we got passed, sometimes we passed others. Like in a real Race
On a downhill section, a couple passed us, during the next uphill section we passed them.
Before the Race, Marco told me that he is not in the best shape. After I took a selfie while running, he said, we need to slow down a bit. So we did.
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I am not good at Pep Talk, maybe because, in most cases, I am on the receiving end. And to be honest, I do not like it a lot. Anyways, I tried my best to motivate him, and he did well. We finished at 30:08 Minutes.
Behind the Finish Line we got our medals and something to drink. Medals and Drinks laid on tables. Every Runner grabbed a Medal, a bag of Goodies and their Drinks and left the Finish Zone. So did we, sad at a small lake, talked about the Race, made another Photo and left.
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Finally, it was something that felt nearly like a real Race. The separated Start was fun, the Course was beautiful, and at 19 EUR (~$22) the Price was ok.
These are strange times and I guess, we have to go these extra Miles right now
Thanks for reading, ...
