The LP Run has a little bit of a strange race. Instead of running a set distance, you run a set time — everyone runs around the track for 33 1/3 minutes (like a record — LP — get it?) and then you add up how many laps you did, plus your last partial lap. Whoever goes the farthest wins! Neat concept, but I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy the race, since it’s just running around in 400 meter ellipses for more than half an hour.
It was really, really fun!
The laps weren’t boring, because I was running hard, there was music piped over the loudspeakers, and I passed the stands every couple minutes to a chorus of “Go Sarah!” Sign me up for next year, I’m sold.
My enjoyment was helped immensely by the fact that I kicked my own butt. OH YEAH. I did 3.44 miles in 33:20. That’s an average pace of 9:43. OH YEAH. I’m super pumped. That’s approaching 5K PR pace.
Jose came along to enjoy the fantastic evening weather (getting a little warm for running, but still nice) and ended up being my lap counter. He wrote down each lap time on a race-provided sheet of paper, which turned out to be a very necessary role. I figured I’d just count my own laps, not realizing that the scoring system was more advanced — or that after 5 laps I’d totally lose track of how many laps I’d done. He also took photos of the women’s race since I couldn’t do it myself. They’ll be on the HARRA website soon.
We arrived about 15 minutes before the open men finished, so I got to see Joe and Vic finish. The women followed, and it was fun to see the backs of Anna and Lisa and Pony as they lapped me multiple times. Jessica and Erin were both in the stands, as were Steeeve and Steve S and many other Striders and HARRA members.
We left for home just as the master’s men were finishing their race, but not before I picked up my medal for 2nd place in the Reuben division (their name for the fat girls division I so fondly race in when available). My 3.44 miles were topped in that category by Veronica’s 3.7? miles. I cry foul, since she just had a baby like a month ago and is unfairly using her baby weight (baby weight that is quickly disappearing, I might add) to run in my category for a bit. Ah well. Being pregnant slowed her down to my pace; she’ll be flying past me again soon.
On a funny note, I should mention that when I asked to be in the Reuben division, I had to step on a scale. “What’s the limit?” I asked. “145 pounds.” I laughed. “Do I look like I weigh less than 145 pounds?” I said jokingly as I stepped on the scale. Seriously, I think that the last time I weighed 145 pounds was probably when I was about 14. Ah well. C’est la vie.
All in all it was a really fun evening.
Splits — and fairly consistent splits at that!
2:17 (2:17)
2:23 (4:40)
2:24 (7:04)
2:23 (9:27)
2:27 (11:54)
2:29 (14:23)
2:30 (16:53)
2:27 (19:20)
2:30 (21:50)
2:26 (24:16)
2:27 (26:43)
2:24 (29:07)
2:23 (31:30)
Final 1086 feet – 1:50 (33:20)
400 meters * 13 laps + 1086 feet = 3.436 miles
Steeeve says
Iron Babe – I was a touch worried you had gone out a touch to fast, but you maintained beautifully, way to go!
Anna says
“Big” girls, Sarah, not fat! You’re what, half a foot taller than I am??
I agree, I think it’s a fun race, if not really, really, strange.
As odd as it is to be lapped in a race, when else do the masses get to see the winners perform?
Please thank Jose for taking photos.