Recently, I ran my 3rd Frozen Gnome 10k on the local trails at Veteran's Acres Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois. In 2021, I ran this race virtually, on the course, and returned in 2022 for the live event. This has become one of my favorite trail races--I love the location, the distance, the swag, and the fact that it is in January! The race organizer puts on great events and I was excited to rerun it!
If you read my weekly rundown, you know that I had a major tooth issue earlier in the week with the development of pain and infection. I was fortunate that the pain diminished by race morning, but I took ibuprofen just to be safe. It was cold--23F but the wind was light. The snow cover was pretty scanty and the ground was frozen. All signs pointed to a fast finish. I'd done a lot of running on the hills of Wisconsin. Could I set a course PR?
I arrived about 30 minutes before race time and picked up my race packet without a problem. We got a fun t-shirt and I bought a hat. I pinned on the world's smallest race bib and sat in my car to stay warm. The 50k runners were set to go off about 15 minutes before the 10k runners, so at that time, I walked over to the bathroom for a last stop. I ran into my trail friend Becky Patch and was surprised to see that she was running the 10k. Becky is well known in the local trail circuit for her speedy fast finishes. Last weekend, she ran a 6 hour race, winning with the longest distance covered. I see her in the preserve sometimes and she is fun to watch! She would go on to win 3rd woman overall at the Frozen Gnome.
We lined up to run and right next to me was Dani, who I know from Instagram! Isn't it fun meeting runners in real life? We took a quick selfie and then we were off. She sprinted ahead of me while I paced myself for the hills that I knew would come. The trails were mostly packed, frozen mud. Even on the single track, everyone was moving fairly quickly, and when I walked up some of the hills, I kept pace with people who were trying to run up them. Why would you do that?
There were many exposed tree roots and I caught a few with my toe but I was able to stay upright. The guy in front of me didn't have that same luck and down he went. He got right back up and kept going. It was kind of nice to run in a pack like this because I felt like they pushed me to a faster pace than I would have run on my own. I did have to walk up the steeper hills and these stairs, but other than that, I held my own.
photo credit |
Around mile 3, I caught up to Dani and we played cat and mouse for the rest of the race. She commented that she went out too fast. I also think that not knowing the course made it hard for her to plan. Those hills are a challenge! We kept pushing each other for the final 3-ish miles of the race. My hamstrings were really starting to talk back to me on the uphills. I had a big advantage over the runners I was with running the downhills, though! Thank you, IAT!
photo credit |
By mile 5 I was ready to be done. It was mostly downhill in that last mile, but as we emerged from the woods, the race makes runners circle around a meadow, which is pretty much a torture treatment. I crossed the finish line at 1:15:44 (official). According to my Garmin, I ran 6.38 miles at a pace of 11:53 m/m, which is 7 minutes faster than my fastest time on the course. To say I was thrilled was an understatement! I won my AG too, which was really exciting because the 2d place woman was right behind me! So was Dani. We congratulated each other and posed for photos with our medals.
I collected my AG award and chatted with a few other runners, including my friend Christian who paced me on my virtual race. It was great to see him and he did really well this year, running the 10k. I also saw a few of my fellow Trail Sisters. I just love the trail community!
Overall, this was another great experience with the Frozen Gnome race. This is a tough course and as I was running, I was having second thoughts about running the Earth Day 15 miler there in April. I haven't signed up yet. I know it will be good training for the Leadville Silver 15 miler in July. I just need my hamstrings to forgive me for pushing them so hard! As always, I am so grateful that my body lets me do this.
Have you run any challenging races this year? Do you run the same races from year to year?
I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, with the Runners' Roundup: Debbie, Deborah, Jen, and Lisa.
Congratulations to your record speed! That race looks very enjoyable, although challenging with the hills.
ReplyDeleteI didn't post the terrain but it's got a lot of steep ups and downs! My hamstrings were very unhappy by the end, lol
DeleteWell done, Wendy!!! That AG win is so deserved!
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely must do that 15-miler in April - you're in such great shape right now, it would be a shame to miss that opportunity. Especially with doing LEADVILLE in July... wow!! What an exciting running-year ahead!
Love your winter-themed top!
Ok, you convinced me. I'm signed up for Earth Day, lol!
DeleteBest decision ever!
DeleteOh wow, this sounds FUN! A seven minute PR is amazing and of course it's always fun to get an AG win. You probably were a lot more trained for a hilly trail course like this than most of the runners. I love the medals! And yes... you should do the Earth Day race. It would be great training for Leadville. You ave some exciting things coming up!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun race! I'm looking forward to returning for Earth Day and hopefully, I'll fuel a little better this year!
DeleteI run a lot of the same local races each but I try to add some new ones. Finger Lakes half is my new one for this year.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your race experience. You are so good on those trails...I'm still a chicken.
I'm loving running trails--it's such a different mentality than road races.
DeleteHow awesome to not only win your age group, but to set such a sound course PR as well. Congrats! It's great how much you're enjoying trail running. I mean, what's not to love, right?
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteThe name of this race makes me giggle - I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome photo of you jumping. It looks like you are having so much fun!
I love flying down those hills and jumping over logs is one of my favorite things about trail running. It's just like being a kid again!
DeleteOutstanding And Congrats - So Dig That Sweater - You Rock My Friend - Keep Smiling While Jumping For Joy
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thank you! This was such a fun race!
DeleteBig Happy Thursday Hugs - Stay Strong
DeleteCheers
Brilliant and well done on your time and AG win!! I love that top and that is indeed the world's smallest race bib! Excellent race pics, too!
ReplyDeleteThe little bib was everything! No rustling or getting caught on my arms.
DeleteCongratulations! How fun to "run' into so many friends. ;-) Those medals are awesome. That bib is really small!!
ReplyDeleteThe trail community is just awesome!
DeleteA PR, a course record and you didn't fall!? Winning! Congrats Wendy nice work
ReplyDeleteThank you! This was such a great confidence boost!
DeleteGreat job with the course PR and AG win! This sounds like such a tough course but a fun race.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one!
DeleteCongratulations!! Trail races are so fun, all your hard work has paid off - love the medals!
ReplyDeleteTrail races are the best!
DeleteHey congrats on the age group win and smart racing! Wanted to ask about your Leadville Race. I didn't know there was a Silver Rush 15 miler in July - I only know of the Silver Rush 50. I've done the Leadville Heavy Half (15 miles) in June and the Leadville marathon before. Can you send me the link for the one you are doing?
ReplyDeleteWill do!!!
DeleteWell done and congrats on winning your AG! Those are cute medals. The Earth Day race should be a fun one too and you should sign up. Why not? You've been training and running well.
ReplyDelete