Disclaimer: I received a Remote Runner Entry into the San Jose 408k Race to the Row to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
The Race:
The 408k is actually in San Jose, CA but I got a to be a part of this fun event all the way in Golden, CO. Through being a BibRavePro, I got the opportunity to race virtually.
Held on Superbowl Sunday, this was the 9th year of the race in San Jose! Put on by the company Run Local Events, this kicks off their racing season of five races, all part of three different challenges runners can do for more bling.
The 408K, Race to the Row, is a point to point race that features the famous “Mariachi Mile” and “Memorial Mile,” and takes you through some of San Jose’s most charming neighborhoods, including The Alameda business district and the historic Rose Garden, before an exciting finish at Santana Row.
It looks like fun! I’m a little jealous I couldn’t be there for the local event (but not going to lie, running remotely allowed me to sleep in).
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- The start line of the 408k (credit: Run Local Events)
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- Memorial Mile (credit: Run Local Events)
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- Mariachi Mile (credit: Run Local Events)
As a remote runner, I obviously can’t speak to the local event as a participant, but I can speak to a few things. The swag is super cool, I’ll get it in the mail this week, and I love the race’s communication! I got all the same emails that I would have gotten as if I was running the event locally. I got all the details of what to expect and I think that’s a key part to races. I also saw photos online, noticed that racers get them for free, and it looked like a great time this year!
My Race:
Since I was running remotely, I woke up when the kiddo woke up, fed him, had myself a decent breakfast, and slowly got dressed. I think I ended up leaving for my run around 11am. It was lovely to not have to get up at a certain time to make it to a starting line, or worry about parking or wait in a port-o-john line…
Rollin’ out of my house at 11am….
The course I chose was the Clear Creek Trail in Golden. I have access to this trail within half a mile (or less) from my house and it goes on for miles! It’s relatively flat (though nothing in FLAT in Golden) with only two hills. I decided this would be a great racecourse for my virtual 408K. (that’s 4 – 0 – 8k. It’s an 8 km race).
It was a beautiful winter day! I’m not being sarcastic – I was blessed with bluebird skies and 70-degree weather, in Colorado, in February! It was LOVELY to run in shorts and a t-shirt! The next day, it snowed over a foot. No joke.
1 KM down!
Now, I haven’t been running all that much; pretty much one or two days a week when the weather is nice and I have a chance. So for me to just bust out five miles was not going to be pretty. I decided I was going to break my race into pieces and walk every kilometer (I even switched my Zombies Run app to kilometers). I ended up following my plan perfectly and felt pretty good! I completed my 8k in 59:37! Not too shabby for walking every kilometer! I didn’t feel completely drained at the end and minus a little bit of hip stiffness and pain (due to postpartum bodily changes), I felt pretty good.
Finished!
I even got some surprise supporters at 7km! I said hi to my cheer section, finished my race and then walked back to join Ben and Layton for the rest of their walk. We then went grocery shopping, I got a “post-race beer” and we chilled out to watch the super bowl.
I cannot wait to get my swag in the mail and hope I can get to the live event sometime in the future; It looks like a fun race!
Racing & Wandering 
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