Race: Wildcat Ultra 15 miler
Runner: Tina Broxterman
Race Date: 09/02/2023
Location: Escambia County Equestrian center
Results: 1st place female in the 15 miler
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The weather was nearly perfect for being in September in the south.
- The community is so supportive and encouraging to each and every runner.
- There were so many different fitness levels and seeing everyone working their hardest was so inspiring.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I wish there had been more time in the woods rather than looping around a drainage pond.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
The weirdest part for me was some of the items in the race bag/packet, as well as the finisher medallion was just on a random string.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
This race was quite a surprise. It is a 2.5 mile looped course and at the end of loop 3, my husband informed me I was currently the first place female. I knew I was determined to keep my running and hiking intervals strong, but I wasn’t planning to place AT ALL. At that point I was only about 90 seconds ahead of the 2nd place female. My goal was to just stay consistent. I finished with a 15 minute gap ahead of 2nd place and could not believe it. I had never placed in a race and I had never run 15 miles before. It was truly hard work turning into a little miracle of victory.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
My best tip is trust the process, it’s easy to want to crank out the 2.5 mile loop, but staying steady and letting your body adapt through the miles will put you in the place you want to be. Also, be cautious of the slopes. There are a few angled areas that will tear up your joints if you’re not careful. Aim to run on the high side in order to avoid such a severe camber.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
- Bring more fuel options, eat a slightly lighter breakfast about 2-3 hours prior and then start snacking on small things right from the start.
- My nerves got the best of me with my fueling. I ate my normal pre-run meal 2.5 hours before start, but it didn’t sit well and I ended up not being able to fuel hardly at all the first 5-7 miles.
- Needless to say, the last 4 miles were incredibly difficult as my body was behind the curve on calories.
- Definitely have some form of bandana or towel to remove sweat from your face, neck and arms. The race is incredibly humid and the sweat just sits on your skin. Unfortunately, it creates a wet blanket that will just raise your core temperature and fatigue you faster.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
It most likely will be muddy. It’s rare for the course to be completely dried out during that time of year.
Also, you will be running around the grounds of the equestrian center. Although there are a few wooded areas, the course is very open and not very shaded. If it is sunny bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, visors, cooking towels, bandanas with ice etc. in order to stay cool and shaded.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Parts of the course are very beautiful. However, most of it is just grass around the perimeter of the equestrian center.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
There are potentially things that can make this course more difficult. At least 50% or more is in grass which can be deceptively resistant. Also, the weather is generally hot and humid. As far as elevation, it is relatively flat-ish. There are a few sloping areas that aren’t as favorable to joints, but overall it’s a pretty fast course.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Yes, it was organized and the live tracking worked well.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
I’m not sure because it was my first year running it. It wasn’t the largest race (only 200 participants) so each grouping was small, but overall it seemed pretty competitive.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
It doesn’t require any special things leading up to it. And you can usually register up until the week of. There are plenty of areas for crew teams and tents, and there are camping areas on site as well as rv spots for parking.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
They had more than I’m used to. The aid area offered anything from cookies, to chips, to enduralytes, along with water and electrolyte drinks. I’m pretty sure they even had some candies available.
Weather and typical race conditions
Hot and humid! Our heat and humidity in northwest Florida generally peak around the end of august which results in some brutal conditions potentially. If you’re lucky it might rain and just be a little muddy.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Bring a change of shoes and socks due to the muddy conditions.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Most definitely! This was my husband’s first time getting to crew me and it was a very easy set up. With it being a short looped course he did not have to move any of our supplies and was able to enjoy chatting with fellow crew teams.
How’s the Swag?
Unimpressive to be honest.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I would definitely give this race a 4 star review. The swag and finishing medal was underwhelming.