Monday, January 10, 2022

Frozen Gnome 10k Race Recap

Last year, I optimistically signed up for the Frozen Gnome 10k, thinking that since it was outdoors on the trails, it wouldn't be canceled. Covid had other ideas and the race was made virtual. The organizers encouraged runners to come and run on the course anyways, which I did. It was so much fun and you can read that race recap here

With everything opening back up in late 2021, I again optimistically signed up for the race. This year, it wasn't canceled! Early on a cold but sunny Saturday morning, I drove out to the park where the race would take place. I was excited to run it and cross the actual finish line!

It was 18 degrees when I woke up. The night before, I had tentatively planned what I would wear. Since I run outside on the trails fairly often, it wasn't hard to plan for the race. I didn't think I'd need it, but I brought my ninja face mask along just in case. I brought a fleece headband but forgot to pack a hat.

I arrived about 30 minutes before the race was scheduled to start. Packet pickup was easy. Swag included a race shirt, some stickers, and a large mesh laundry bag. That was kind of random. They were selling really cute stocking caps for $25 and I needed one, but alas, I didn't have the cash on me. 

There was a stiff wind blowing, so I went back to my car to stay warm. About 10 minutes before go time, I pulled on my ninja face mask and put my fleece headband over it. I put on my YakTrax and walked over to the start line, dodging the 50k runners who were already on their way. My friend Tricia was there and she and I decided to run it together. A seasoned ultramarathoner, she has been struggling with endurance and since I had no goals except to have fun, it sounded perfect. 

We took off in deep snow--ugh--and then made it to the trail. I realized I forgot to turn on my Garmin, so I took care of that. DOH! We made our way down a hill and ran around a pond, straight into the wind. I saw a dead raccoon off the path. We continued to weave around the preserve and made our way into the woods, which helped manage the wind nicely. 

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The trail is hilly and winds around the woods. Runners ran single file and it felt like everyone was running the same pace. There were a few times where we passed other runners after letting them know we were doing that. Some of the hills were icy and that slowed everyone down. But for the most part, the trails were snow-packed and my Yak Trax were up for the task. 

I started to get pretty warm and took off my face mask. Tricia and I talked to pass the time. We agreed that it would be tough to do the 50k on this course. 50k runners do the 10k loop 5 times. Some of the hills were so steep, we had to stop to walk up them. One of them is famously named 'That MF'n hill'. And of course, there was 'Buttslide hill,' which wasn't as slick as last year, but I made sure to scoot down it on my butt, of course. 

It's not buttslide hill but could have been
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We hadn't crossed the finish line but, my Garmin showed 6.2 miles. Ok, so the course is long. Both of us were tired and glad to be almost done. The final stretch took us on a lap around a field, which was unnecessary, really. I crossed the finish line at 1:29:40. Garmin time was 1:28:01, which is because I started my watch late. But Garmin distance was 6.4 miles, even with that lag time. 

We took photos and I went into the warming tent to check my time. As I was in there, I realized that no one was masked and it was pretty likely that we were all being exposed to Covid. There was hot cocoa, but I skipped that and headed back to my car to return home. I was tired after my effort. I was also very cold! But this was such a fun race and I will definitely do it again. I like the 10k distance on trails. It's far enough to be a challenge, especially in the snow. There's an Earth Day race here in April and I'd like to return to run the trails in the spring. 

Here's a video of the race if you are interested in seeing the course:


There were photos being taken on the course but as of this posting, they aren't available yet. I'll update once I receive mine. Have you ever run a winter trail race? 

I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, with the Runners' Roundup: DebbieDeborahJenLaura, and Lisa.

 

36 comments :

  1. Cute medal and well done - esp on realising the danger of the warming tent! I've done the summer edition of a 10 miler I know has a winter edition and that was quite enough for me. I went very quiet when people were discussing signing up for the winter one until there were no places left! Damn!

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    1. So far so good on any exposure in said warming tent! I swear, you just can't be too careful.

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  2. You know how I feel about racing... good job. I would have done it too. Glad you stayed upright. I do like the 10k distance but we don't have many of them or trail races in the winter. I'm nervous abut them in the summer lol.

    I was lucky during my last race and it was warm enough to grab food and sit outside (far enough apart to feel safe)

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    1. I run enough miles on the trail to not be nervous at a race. Plus, it's a whole different vibe than road racing. Very laid back.

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  3. What a fabulous winter trail race! I would have opted for the 10k as well. I can't even imagine doing 50k on these trails.
    I used to run a winter trail race in Switzerland. It held in mid-January and there was usually quite a bit of snow. Running in the snow was hard! Well done, Wendy!

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    1. Thanks! I thought you might like this! I'm planning on returning in April for an Earth Day race on the trails. Still trying to decide between the 5 mile and 15 mile distance.

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  4. Yay! So glad you got to run this race in person and cross the actual finish line, and I love the medal. You've come a long way since the foot injury! It's great to see you back out there and having fun.

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    1. Thanks! This was great and I can't wait to do more trail races.

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  5. What A Lovely Snowman There - And Congrats On A Fabulous Adventure - Look How Far You Have Come Over The Past Year - So Proud Of You My Friend - So Dang Proud - Well Done

    Cheers

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    1. Thanks Travis! Grateful that this old body got right back on track. I don't have time to be on the couch, lol

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  6. Sounds like a fun, but also challenging race with all of the snow and elevation - nice job!

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    1. It was a blast! The trails are fun in the winter and the race added a whole new element to that.

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  7. Great job, Wendy! Sounds like your comeback from injury is now complete.

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  8. This sounds like a fun adventure! Gotta love the extra lower-body work to stay vertical on a challenging course. The medal is cute, and I love the name of the event. Great job!

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  9. Great job, Wendy! How fun that you did this race with Tricia. I cannot imagine running a 50k in that weather and course.

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    1. I cannot either, but amazingly, the 50k finishers had a much faster average mile split time than the 10k runners.

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  10. That looks like a beautiful place for a trail run. I might be a little scared of falling with the slopes and snow. Nice job! You look so happy. I am coming to Chicago again the last week of March. I will have to look to see if there is a race

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  11. Congrats on your race! Im glad you could do it live this year. Trail running seems like fun, but I'm sure winter trail races are extra challenging!

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    1. Every season has its challenges, doesn't it? This is a really fun race.

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  12. Congrats on the race! It looks like a scenic but very tough and challenging route.
    I have never run a winter trail race and, for sure, I will never do it because I am too scared of falling.
    Glad you can run in person races.

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    1. The snow forces you to slow down and I wear spikes, which help keep me from falling.

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  13. I seriously can't imagine running trails during the Winter! So nope, never done it. it's hard enough when the trails aren't snow covered.

    Glad you enjoyed your raced & good job getting out there on a cold day!

    I don't like looping so definitely can't imagine looping 5 times (my only trail half was 3 loops -- it gets old quickly, at least to me!).

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    1. Really, Judy? I wear my YakTrax and when the trails are packed down, there's nothing better. You should try it! You might like it!

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  14. 50K as 5 loops would definitely be tough, especially mentally, for me! Well done and so glad that this year the race wasn't cancelled so you could do it in person! That's also such a fun medal!

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  15. Congrats on this race! It sounds like it was a good time. I love the cheerful photos and the fun, colorful medal! Where did you get the blue top from? It's very pretty and looks warm! I need some inspiration on winter running outfits as I'm not sure how to dress lol. I hate wind!

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    1. I have had that blue top for years, but I still get a ton of compliments on it! I did have a layer underneath to keep me warm.

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  16. Ooh, so fun!

    Yes, I've run a winter trail race. In Florida LOL. So not a hint of snow! That seems so awesome and so daunting all at once.

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    1. It's so fun! You know I love running the trails in winter. With snow. :p

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  17. Sounds fun and challenging! I bet that will be a great course to run in the spring too. Congrats on your race!

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  18. Congrats! It sounds like such a fun race. Trail races have more appeal in winter because there's less concern about ice making it un-runnable!

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    1. Right now, I'm planning on running mostly trail races this year. It's what I need right now.

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