Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Aaron R

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Aaron R

Date: 3/10/2018

Location: Start: Redmond Town Center, Redmond, WA, USA; Finish: Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah, WA, USA

Results: 1h24’49”, 45th out of 1,383 overall. P.R. by 2’27”.

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1446065015

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

1. Elevation profile
2. Energy from the competition and the spectators lining the route
3. Enjoyable views of the lake and southward toward Mt. Rainier

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

1. Inaccurate mile markers
2. Inaccurate mile markers
3. 7:30 am start
4. Inaccurate mile markers!!!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

That I cannot find a single weird thing about this race is probably the weirdest thing about this race.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Excerpt from my post about this race on my website: http://www.rocheam.com/move.html#LSHM

…By the time we got back off of the gravel and were approaching the state park, I found myself among a few people speeding up and slowing down. I noticed the turnover of a runner who passed me and I tried to replicate it. This helped me big time in kilometers 18 and 19. Increasing my stride rate and being able to catch a couple people who were slowing down more than I was gave me some purpose in a race that I thought was lost long ago.

Read more about Project 1:24 and the Lake Sammamish Half ‘thon recap here! http://www.rocheam.com/move.html#LSHM

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

Develop a strategy to mentally handle the possibility of a course that is not precisely marked. Other course intel: there is a bridge to navigate about 800m into the race. If you get stuck in the middle of the pack, your group could bottle neck. Do not zone out in the middle of the long stretch along the East Lake Sammamish trail. This part can get monotonous.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

When you reach the state park, *IT IS ON!* Do not, *I REPEAT* do not trust any of the course markings to that point. When you’re in the park, it is safe to start your kick for home.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

This is a very well organized race despite the issue of the course markings highlighted numerous times above. Parking at the start is easy to navigate. There is a tremendous amount of race day staff ready to help out and direct you to the Honey Pots and the gear check area. When I approached the gear retrieval area after the race, someone was already making their way towards me with my bag — classy touch. Shuttle service back to the start was reliable and efficient.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Park at the start and take the shuttle back after the race. Another options is to wake up even earlier and car pool with friends — have one car at each end (Discovery Pass is needed at the State Park).

Weather and typical race conditions

This race is the second Saturday in March, in the Pacific Northwest. It can be a race with clear skies overhead; though it will likely be rainy next year. It was sunny this year; however, the course is mostly shaded. There was minimal wind. I was colder at this race than I was at a race in late January.

Conditions on 10 March 2018: 7:30 am, start: 2 degrees C (35F), 93% humidity, calm, partly cloudy skies. ~9am, finish: 5 degrees C (41F), 79% humidity, 4.6mph wind from the NNW, clear skies.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

This course is very fan-friendly. Watch from any point along the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

How’s the swag?

Too much swag at this race. High quality race hoodies, clanky participant medals, personalized race bibs. No wonder the entry fee was almost $100. SMH.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

3.75/5. Fix ya damn mile markers!!!