Sunday, January 7, 2018

Bakersfield Fog Run 2018; Race Report #23

   Yesterday Robin and I headed North to the outskirts of Bakersfield, CA for the 29th annual Fog Run. Unlike most years, there was no fog and it was warm. A few sprinkles greeted us as we arrived in Bakersfield but they quickly dissipated as we got close to Lake Ming where the race would start and finish. When we made the turn down towards the lake I couldn't help but reminisce about the 1980's when we used to come to the same exact spot for the Bud Light Triathalon that was an Ironman Kona qualifier back then.
     We were early enough to get lakefront parking close to the start and finish area. With close to 600 runners entered many who arrived late had to park outside of the gates and walk to the start/finish area. Robin grabbed our bibs and shirts, we filled out our raffle tickets and dropped them into the box hoping to win tickets to a Bakersfield Condors game. I started getting my stuff ready. I elected to wear my Nike Terra Kiger trail shoes for the race.

Runners getting checked in and ready at the Bakersfield Fog Run.

     I set off on a mile and a half warm-up while Robin elected to stay in the car. The temperature was 60 degrees, and it was the sixth of January. This was probably the nicest day for a Fog Run in the 29 years of the race. There were some high clouds and no wind. 
The view across Lake Ming towards the sunrise while I was warming up for the Bakersfield Fog Run.

     I finished my warm-up and decided it was too warm to wear my arm sleeves. I had sunscreen on already in case I went this route. About this time our friends Trevor and Andrea showed up and we all headed towards the start. 
     The race consisted of a 5 and 10k. The 10k would be starting first at 8:00 AM and the 5k started ten minutes later at 8:10 AM. All four of us elected to enter the 10k to get the mileage in since we are training for the Wild Wild West Marathon that would be happening in just four short months. 
     Before the race started we were treated to a color guard and a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by a local California Highway Patrol Officer. 
     My goal for this race was a sub 46-minute race based on my training coming in and the fact that I'm still afraid to run too hard because of my plantar fasciitis issues. My goal early on was to try and hit 7 to 7:10 per mile pace and not push the hills too hard so I could stay consistent throughout the race. 

The start of the Bakersfield Fog Run 10k.

The course was well marked. 

     I soon settled into a nice rhythm as the course wandered along the outskirts of the Lake Ming campground towards Bakersfield CALM Zoo and the Kern County Soccer Park. I hit the first mile in 7:06, mile two in 7:07, and mile three in 7:27. Mile three had the biggest hill, and soon after that, we got to run on some dirt and soft stuff for a while.

The 10k course took us through the Lake Ming Campground.

The paved part of the course heading towards the Kern County Soccer Park.

     Shortly after hitting the third mile we were back at the 5 and 10k split close to the start. Where the 5k runners went on a paved bike path going out and around the lake we were sent on a dirt path that paralleled the paved path before joining the 5k course and looping back around to the finish.

Running along the dirt path you can see the 5k runners heading back up on the paved portion of the course.

     My mile four split was 7:22, then I got back into rhythm for miles five and six running 7:08 and 7:06 respectively. The finish was a slight downhill and I got there in a time of 44:32. I was pleased with my time. I grabbed a bottle of water, reset my watch and headed out to cheer my wife and friends to the finish. I didn't go far before I found Trevor, then Andrea and Robin heading towards the finish. The three of them did a great job getting to the line so we could wait out the raffle drawing then head for lunch. The race did provide sandwiches, chips, bananas, and other goodies for the participants. The race was only 25.00 to pre-enter. 
     The 5k awards were first, so we all headed back to the parking lot to change and have some more post-race nourishment. My name was called for second in my age group but all of us struck out on the raffle so we headed to Pyrenees Basque Restaurant in downtown Bakersfield for some more food. 

My Chili Verde burrito and hash browns from Pyrenees Cafe in downtown Bakersfield.

     It's time to rate the race. The course wasn't very tough so this race will be rated in lager beers. I think the price, organization, timing, and porta potty availability(important for runners) were all top notch. The volunteers were very courteous and the music was decent for the most part. Did I mention the race was only 25.00 to pre-enter? The race was lacking a beer sponsor so there weren't any free adult beverages after the race. For this reason, I am knocking one beer out of the six pack and rating the race a 5 lager race. Happy running in 2018 everybody.