2014 Hawkeye 50K & 25K Update #3

Hi Runners!

More reminders and random stuff. Yes some rambling and repetition. Please read closely though. Race day is in less than three weeks!

1. Hey here's something exciting! Did you know you are now part of a new trail race series in the area? You are! It's called the No Coast Trail Series and you're automatically enrolled in it by signing up for the first race in the series, the Hawkeye 50K & 25K! Look to the right and you'll find information. What's written there is all I know about it. It looks cool! I'm hoping to run the new race at Sunderbruch, and I'm signed up for Booneville already, so you should too

2. Well the big news is the weather. Holy Guacamole this has to be putting a damper on some folks' training. Hopefully you're not one of them? For those of you not from right around here, we still have snow on the ground, despite two warm-ish days and a downpour last week. And rumors have it more snow is coming. Furthermore, there appears to be no relief from this super-cold in the next ten days or so, taking us through about March 6. If this cold continues, expect there still to be snow on the trails. But then again it could warm up. Two years ago on this same weekend we had our infamous 80+ degree weather race. If it does warm up, expect mud? I have no feel right now for how high the water crossing will be. We'll have a better grasp on things in a couple of weeks of course.

3. Speaking of training, it's about this time that some folks start to get cold feet (no pun intended) about that 50K they signed up for. I am not encouraging you to drop down, but here are the rules: You can drop down to the 25K at any point including race morning. You don't get a refund. (You can move from the 25K to the 50K as well, but you do have to pay an extra $10 for that. I don't think anyone has ever done this.)

The moment the gun goes off and you start running, you're in the race you signed up for. You cannot drop down mid-race. So, for example, if you are signed up for the 50K and do just one lap, you DNF. You still get your shirt and can have a 25K medal and I'll record your time for what you did, but you cannot be on the 25K podium. 

If you DO want to drop down, try to do so before race day, actually. Makes it easier on me and the morning packet pickup folks. I assign bib numbers based upon which race you're in.

4. Also, if you cannot make it to the race, please let me know ASAP. We still have folks wanting to get in.

5. There is a race hotel. See info on the right. You can also find maps to the start, previous race results, and even a video of the course.

6.  Parking. Please carpool if you can! Parking is very limited. The first folks will park quite close to the start line. Later folks will be about 0.6 miles away. And please pack the cars as tightly as you can. There should be no parking on the main park road.

7. For race vets, notice the new start time. The gate will (automatically) open at 9:00 am and you can drive in. Race begins at 11:00 am. There is an 8 hour time limit. 50K runners must begin lap two before four hours. By the way, sunset that day will be at 7:13 pm, which is just 13 minutes after the eight hour time limit. So we really have to enforce that. (Note: you'll set your clocks ahead the weekend before this.)

8. If you're a volunteer, I need to get emails out to you. I'll try to do so soon! Thank you for volunteering! And runners, be sure to thank every volunteer you see on race day!

9. Packet pickup will be at We Run in North Liberty, probably from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday night. There is race morning packet pickup but please do it the night before if you can.

10. Remember, if you like, feel free to bring some food or drink on race day. A little something for the post-race refueling. Whatever you like, but only if you really want to. And if you do, don't bring a ton of food, but enough to feed 20 or so. If enough of you do that, we'll have a great feast. We'll bring some food too (e.g., bagels) but it's always fun to have the runners contribute their favorites.

9. Thanks to our sponsors! We Run, Running Wild, Scheels, Panera Bread, Casey's, Hammer Nutrition, Road ID. And to Jay Danek and Scott Ludwig for donating books they authored.

Your Friendly RD,

Tim

2014 Hawkeye 50K & 25K Update #2

Hola Runners,

More complete randomness. Most updates are like this. I know it's often repetitive. And I'll keep repeating things. And I'll keep repeating things.

1. Again, remember to look at things on the right. You'll see race hotel information, course maps, maps to the start, and even a video of the course.

2. Get on the FB page. Once in awhile I pop something on there first because it's so quick.

3. REALLY IMPORTANT: If you cannot make it to the race, please tell me ASAP! We have nearly 50 on the waiting list. I'm stretched to the limit and can't add unless someone drops. And don't ask - I can't raise the limit any more.

Also, you CAN drop from the 50K to the 25K. There's no refund, but you can do it. Let me know anytime. You can even do it race morning, although that's slightly stressful for us so try to do it earlier if you can. You can move up to the 50K too, for an extra $10, although I don't think anyone has ever done that.

Note: You cannot drop down during the race. Sure you can just do one lap and stop, but you'll be counted as a 50K DNF. I try to record everyone's final distance and time as best I can though.

4. Also important: Parking will be very tight on race day! PLEASE carpool if you can. There will be three parking areas. One is literally surrounding the start line area. Not a lot of spots there. The next (main parking area) is about 100 yards away. Once these fill up you'll have to park about a 0.6 miles away. This isn't far, but chances are if you are late enough to have to park there, you're going to be rushed. You can not park on the main park roads.

5. Some races have a lot of gels at the aid stations. This race will not. I get just a few gels from Hammer Nutrition, and I can't afford to provide more. I think most of you are used to carrying your own gels. You can do that here too. We'll provide the liquids. (Heed, Gatorade, Water, Coke) You bring the gels. And do NOT litter. Carry trash to the next aid stations. Speaking of which, for each 25K the aid stations are at miles 0 (start), ~4.5, ~9.6, ~12.9, and 15.5 (finish). The aid station at 12.9 is the start/finish, which you just happen to go by at that point. So be able to go five miles without an aid station.

6. I've never had any kind of sound system at the start/finish to play music. If anyone knows how to set that up, that'd be cool.

7. Speaking of the start/finish, there WILL be an indoor building. It's not big and not everyone can fit in at once. But you can go and in and warm up if necessary.

8. Weather? Your guess is as good as mine. Could be snow. Could be hot. I can almost guarantee wet, at this point, with all this snow, which has to melt at some point. Remember too we have a very wide water crossing, but that can range from bone dry to up-to-your-knees.

9. One thing we like to do is accept your food. If you want, bring something yummy for the after-race! If you have a favorite thing you like to make, go for it. And we can plug it in so feel free to bring hot stuff as well like soup. Or bring desserts, chips, drinks, anything. Don't try to feed 150. If you feed a few, that's great. Totally not required, but very appreciated! One year we had a runner's girlfriend make grilled cheese sandwiches. Mmmmmmm. (Note: No beer allowed. Sorry. Park rules.)

10. Hey, if you email me, and I don't respond, email again! I try to answer every email, but once in awhile it just rolls off screen before I get to it. Gently remind me about it, please. I never intend to ignore you.

I can't think of anything else, although I probably will in a few minutes. Keep on running!

Your Friendly RD,

Tim