This past weekend I ran the Hershey 10K race. I was looking forward to this weekend for so long but as you recall, I hadn't been feeling well lately so was worried about how the race was going to go.
Packet Pick-Up
Packet pick up for this race was available the day of the race and the day before. If you picked up the day before, you had to go to the arena which is located to the left of the entrance to Hershey Park. It actually took us a while to find this. The "expo" wasn't really a big deal but there were a few local running stores there and a some vendors so if you needed some GU or a water bottle, etc, you were covered.
Race Day
When I got up on race day the weather app said it was cooler than what I expected so once again I wimped out and decided to forego the colorful running pants and slipped on my comfy fleece lined tights. I also wore a thin long sleeve and my pink Reebok running jacket which was admittedly a mistake.
We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Hershey and were offered race day transportation. (Note: the two Hershey resorts are Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge), the Hotel Hershey is the closest to the park, attractions, and race. We left a little after 6:45 am for a 7:30 start.
It only took us only a few minutes to arrive at the start which was at the stadium just across the highway from the hotel.
I should note that my mom came with me on race day morning to spectate. Spectators were allowed to go into the stadium to watch the runners finish. After I had already walked to the start line (which was on the other side of the stadium) my mom called me to tell me she was not allowed to go in the stadium to watch because she had her purse with her. I'm glad the security team was so diligent in doing their job but they were also letting people with strollers and diaper bags in, and she said a wheel chair went through that also had a backpack hooked to it but if you were a person without a baby, you were not allowed to take a bag in! I told her to ask if she could bag check it, but they wouldn't let her do that. She ended up having to call our driver that brought us to the race to come take her purse so she could come inside and watch. I thought this was important to note because no where on the pre-race info did it mention that spectators who wanted to go into the stadium could not have bags.
The race started just outside the the Hershey Stadium. Just like Disney, there were even Hershey characters at the start. It wasn't all that cold and I knew right away that I was over dressed. I started my Garmin and then we were ready to go.
The first two miles were around the parking lot. Since I had a chest cold, my chest was burning and heavy and I was feeling cramps in my thighs (something I've never felt before while running).
There were no mile marker flags or signs but I heard a guy next to me tell his friend that we had just completed the first mile. I looked down at my Garmin to see how I was doing and I noticed that it never started. I was bummed! I started it again and just had to remember that I was about a mile off.
It wasn't until mile 2.7 that I noticed that some of the mileage was marked on the side of the orange cones that were along the course. After exiting the parking area we ran up Hershey Park drive which is quite an incline. Around mile 3 I started picking up speed and then a lady right in front of me decided to bend over ( I don't know if she dropped something or what), I ran right into her bottom with the top of my thigh, which hurt. I did apologize even though I felt she was in the wrong. She apologized too and then moved to the side of the road.
We then ran around the shopping outlets and then entered Hershey Park at mile 4. As we ran around the park I thought that it reminded me of running at Disneyland through California Adventure. We actually got to do a lot of running through the park (which was pretty hilly).
The 7K mark was the first time I saw a mileage flag, and then again at the 9K mark. That last kilometer seemed more like a mile or so. During this last "kilometer" we exited the park and then ran to the stadium. I was hoping that we weren't going to have to run a lap around the track before crossing the finish and luckily we didn't.
We entered the stadium at the side and then I sprinted to the finish line that was located on the same side! I ended up finishing in 1:02. If it were any other 10K I would have wanted to finish under an hour but since I knew this race wasn't going to be at my best effort, I was completely okay with my finish time.
I didn't carry water with me (I should have) and from having a chest cold and doing all this running I was extremely thirsty. The first person I saw as I crossed the Finish Line was Ana. She was waiting for her sister to finish. She was so sweet as she congratulated me. We chatted for a moment about the race but I was in one of those post race hazes where all I wanted to do was find water.
I eventually found water and then they handed out these goody bags. I must say that this race had awesome swag.
The medal was awesome, the shirts was great, and the Goody bag was a lunch box filled with great treats and a race magnet which I was most excited about.
We didn't really hang out at the race and finish watching others like we usually do. We called our driver and he promptly picked us up and returned us to the Hotel so we could get ready for our day at the spa.
Although I really enjoyed being in Hershey, I have mixed feelings about the race and the hilly course (but then again it could be because I wasn't feeling well). So for that reason I don't think it is fair for me to have too strong of an opinion on this race. -M
We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.
Sorry you are battling a cold, mine is more in my head but it's been a rough week and I am so tired of blowing my nose! That race did have some really great swag! Great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's so annoying when you realize well into the race that your Garmin didn't start!
Oh I get so bummed when I don't have the correct data on my Garmin to analyze post race...lol
DeleteSorry you weren't feeling 100% but it still sounds like a fun weekend! At least you got nice race swag and there are other fun things to do there even though the race wasn't your favorite.
ReplyDeleteI guess I can't really judge the race based on how I was feeling that morning. The time spent at Hershey was definitely fun!
DeletePA is a very hilly state! But so lovely. I always thought I'd do Hershey for my half there, then decided to do Gettysburg (also hilly); from your description, I think I'm glad (although that swag does sound really awesome).
ReplyDeleteI know that post race get me a water bottle STAT haze all too well!
I was so envious of those spa photos on IG . . .
I live in a valley with very few hills so I don't get a lot in training unless you count running up and down the ramp to the bridge...lol
DeleteDo you think you'd give it another chance? I mean, chocolate....
ReplyDeleteMaybe. I usually do the April Fools race in Atlantic city and those are usually the same weekend. This year they weren't for some reason.
DeleteHope you are feeling better!! You did great considering you were sick!
ReplyDeleteI've run several races injured but this is the first one I've been sick for. I'm glad it wasn't a half marathon!
DeleteI went to Hershey PA as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to run there. That is awesome swag for a 10K.
Congrats on a good race even though you weren't feeling your best.
Thanks Darlene! I thought they put on a pretty good race!
DeleteAwesome swag!!! How was the scenery? It sounds a little bit parking-loty. How hilly was it also?
ReplyDeleteThe first 2 miles there wasn't much scenery but after that it was pretty interesting. There were many inclines along the route including inside the park.
DeleteIt's great that there was a lot of time running through the park and that the snacks were in that reusable lunch bag! It really does look like fun swag. But boo to not providing any information about spectators not being able to take bags in :( I'm glad your mom was able to make it work but that is definitely the type of thing they should provide notice for.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is why I wanted to be sure to mention that here. I do not recall that info being on any race day communication and there were no signs that I saw. I'm glad my mom was able to call the driver to come get her bag so she could enter the stadium and watch.
DeleteGood for you tackling it after feeling so bad & your chest still not feeling the best.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame about your mom. You'd think they'd make that totally clear before. I would have handed my purse to a mom walking in with a stroller & asking if I could just walk in with her to just get in... I get security - but then you need to do it for everyone. Geez.
That swag is pretty nice!!!
Haha, that would have been a good idea!
DeleteGreat job for powering through despite having a head cold! I hope your afternoon at the spa was relaxing. :) Was running through the parking lot boring?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was boring running through the parking lot. Plus it was during the first two miles when I wasn't exactly warmed up so that made it even tougher.
DeleteIt sounds like you made the best of it given how you were feeling. Congrats on another finish!
ReplyDeleteThank you It's all about the finish.
DeleteA bunch of us did the race last October such a fun place to run.And a Great excuse to eat chocolate
ReplyDeleteI remember you going there so I looked up your blog post!
DeleteThis is a race that's on my list that I'd like to do someday. Besides the hills sounds like a good race. Thanks for letting us know about the spectator bag situation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review. I've heard about this race but after your feedback, I might have to pass on this one, even though the swag looks great! Congrats on your finish!
ReplyDeleteThat's a strong effort considering you weren't feeling 100% and hills. Go you! Bummer about the purse issue. I love when they give you a bag of food at the end. Even distribution + easy to carry is a win in my book.
ReplyDeleteNice work! It's always frustrating when the Garmin doesn't cooperate but it sounds like you made the best of it. My best childhood friend recently moved to Hershey so I'm going to have to find some races there and go visit!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! It's no fun running with a cold. It's definitely a PIA that they didn't post that policy about purses. Unless a place states a clear bag policy, I'm bringing my purse!
ReplyDeleteI think the magnet is a nice touch (no pun intended LOL)! That's something everyone can find a use for, and if you put it on your car it won't leave a messy residue like a sticker would.
ReplyDeleteOh the hills- yeah, that might be a no go return for me. I'm going to Hershey Park for the first time in May and super excited to see PA!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better now, and so sorry about all that drama with your mom and her bag, what a hassle.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on toughing it out with your cold! This race (and the Hershey Half) has been on my to-do list for years since we're only about an hour away, but I keep missing it. Gorgeous swag, though, and I love visiting the park! (And the chocolate tour. Never get tired of that.) Maybe next year. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on running a great and solid race even with that cold! And what swag for a 10k!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you were not feeling well! that really sucks! But I think you still did pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really tough call on what to wear, it was chilly, but the sun really warned things up. The wind in some parts was a bit challenging, did that hurt more with your cold?
Also, I am so sorry that I didn't offer you my water! I had brand new bottle that I was holding for my sister, and with the excitement of seeing you, didn't even think to offer it to you!
I know you thought about doing the Half before, just let me tell you that the the course is mostly the first half of the Half marathon. The second part of the half marathon, makes the 10K seem flat, because it's way hillier.
Awesome job!! it is a tough course FOR SURE, so great job given how you were feeling. :)
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