Race Report: Gate River Run 15K (3.2.2024)

And we are finally on the other side of the Gate River Run 15K… and ready to talk about it! This was my first “goal” race in quite some time, and I went into it just a little nervous. As I do. How did I manage on race day? I’m sharing now!

Gate River Run Expo

With a sold out field, I wanted to get to the Expo early. It opened on Thursday at noon at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and so Mr PugRunner and I headed on over. It was pretty cold and crowded, but we got our bibs, bags, shirts, and complimentary pint glass.

Then we wandered through the Expo. There was a super cute branded tank top I wanted, but it was the Brooks Luxe tank rather than the Distance 3.0, and and $45 seemed pricey for a top I wasn’t sure I would like. I was bummed because I really liked the race logo this year, but I’ll try again next year.

The line to purchase anything from the main area was crazy long, so it was good that I already had my socks, fuels, and accessories. On the way out, we stopped at the Alter Ego booth and said hello. Alter Ego supplied the 10% finisher hats this year, and they were pretty cool.

The Night Before

Usually, the night before a race, I like to be chill, but we had A’s MPA concert at 8:30 at a school 40 minutes away. It was a late night, but well worth it.

I laid out my race kit, packed our gear bag, and we had pasta for dinner. Things were moving forward.

Race Morning

We left the house before 5:30 AM. Over 16,000 runners, volunteers, staff, and other people were converging on the Fairgrounds and TIAA Stadium, so I never like to mess around. It was a stressful approach on the particular morning with lots of construction related closures, and detours. We finally scored a spot in my preferred parking lot, near the finish line and portapotties, and ate bagels for breakfast.

The Gate River Run 15K starts roughly at 8 (wheelchairs and push rims go out a little earlier), and it is recommended to be in the corrals by 7:30 at the latest. I used the bathroom a few times, and met up with some friends.

It looked like we would get a respite from the rain, so I skipped my hat, took one last potty break, and headed to my corral. Mr PugRunner was doing the 5K, so his race didn’t start til 8:45.

The Start Line Of The Gate River Run 15K

Things filled up quickly, and I was way closer to the front of the corral than I intended. Meh.

Streakers (people who have participated in the Gate every year since its inception) and chairs went out, followed by the Elite Women. It’s a fairly organized process, despite the huge crowds.

In the meantime, the announcer took a moment to give us a terrible pep talk regarding the weather. He said it was hot, and to make sure we stopped at all the water stops because the heat and humidity on the final bridge was going to chew us up and spit us out. I mean. Fair point. This is a race that attracts runners from around the world, who probably aren’t used to humid conditions in early March. Heck, all our training in Florida has been 15-20 degrees cooler. But it was still kind of terrifying to hear.

I reviewed my strategy in my head: I was planning to do my best. With the slick conditions, I gave myself permission to walk on the grating on both bridges. I was going to skip all the shots handed out by spectators. And that was going to be that. It was time.

Miles 1-3

The first few miles of the Gate River Run 15K set the pace, literally. Everyone takes off at top speed, and winds through downtown Jacksonville at a quick clip. I followed suit. My mind was all over the place, but I focused on getting through my race start anxiety. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I always feel this terrible weight settle on my chest and shoulders when I start running in a race. It goes away: I just have to work through it. Maybe it’s claustrophobia from all the people, or maybe I’m just ridiculous. Either way, I got through the first mile, and we made the turn to the Main Street Bridge.

I pumped uphill until I hit the open grates. No one wants to fall on that, and I settled into a speed walk.

Once I got back to the asphalt, I picked up the pace and used the downhill momentum to swing down and to the left into the first major spectator area.

For the first time in a long time, I was early enough for the party! I passed at least three stations handing out tequila or fireball shots! Yes, I wanted to stop so badly, but this was not the time. I did take a jello shot, because the sugar/sweetness is a nice pick me up on a hot day. We won’t talk about the vodka.

Miles 3-6

And so we continued. There were tons of people out, cheering us on, and it felt really good. It was the busiest I’ve seen in years, and it’s one part of why this race is so amazing, even when it’s so awful.

We went on through the neighborhoods, and I did take an ice pop from a spectator. As you all know, water is not my jam, and on a hot day like this, it just makes me feel sick. I was good with some blue ice.

Mile 5 was the unofficial “sober mile”, hosted by a local runner and race director who does a lot of great work towards sobriety. He had pickles and brine, gatorade, and all kinds of great stuff out with his crew. I skipped the table because it was a little farther off the course, but it was nice to have it there.

At this point, I started incorporating a 2 minute walk every time I started a new mile. Also, I have zero photos. Because I was being serious! I even passed on petting a rather chunky pug, because he was too far away!

Miles 6-9.3

To be honest, miles 6 – 7.5 are the absolute worst parts of the Gate for me. It’s barren and boring, and everyone is just looking so defeated. There’s a bright spot in the St. Nicholas area, with more live music and refreshments, and I did snag a ziplock of rummy bears, but I pocketed them for later. I still had work to do.

We turned out onto the final stretch before the last bridge, and my heart rate was giving me problems. I walked a little more, and grabbed a container of pickle brine as well.

Finally, we made the the left to the Hart Bridge, aka The Green Monster, and up we went. Again, I gave myself permission to walk the slippery bits. I’ve seen way too many people go down on those grates, and I did not want to be among them.

Usually, I stop for selfies on the side of the bridge with the beautiful view, but today there was no time for that. I didn’t have an actual time goal in mind, but if I could beat two hours, that would be good.

The second to last timing mat is at the top of the bridge, marking the last mile of the race. It’s pretty much all downhill from there, curving down to the finish line in the Stadium parking lot. I watched my footing and started my way down.

The Finish Line Of The Gate River Run 15K

Even with the downhill that last mile was rough. Again, my heart rate was not cooperating, and I was tired. You can tell by my finish line photos that I just laid it all out there.

Am I gasping for air? Crying? Cursing? Singing? We will never know.

As I crossed the finish line, I allowed myself to have some feelings. For one, I had come in under two hours! For two, the nerves in my foot were jangling something fierce, and I wanted nothing more than to rip my shoe off.

But first? Beer. Mr PugRunner met me at the finish. He had done well with his 5K, and had made it over to meet me.

The After Party

So I haven’t been to the Gate After Party in YEARS. It’s either been raining, or I had to leave right away for some other scheduled event, but today, I was getting my beer and snacks!

After catching up with some other running friends and that beer, though, I didn’t really want to wait on line for said snacks, so I got a chocolate milk, and we headed out. My goal? French fries.

Final Thoughts

It was a good race. The Gate is always hard and challenging, and this year was no exception. However, this is the first year in a long time where I found myself overcoming the negative self-talk, and pushing through.

Usually, when the going gets tough, I let myself ease up. It’s a bizarre self-sabotage thing. Yes, I still try, but I just give myself a million excuses to try maybe a little less, if that makes sense? This year, I just kept pushing. It’s hard to explain, but I felt so much stronger than I have, to the point where I really want to get that next half marathon squared away.

I also learned that I have some work to do with my glutes and hips. That started today in the gym, and I’m going to keep it up because I hate feeling weak in that area and I think it will improve my performance significantly.

Another race done and dusted and I am feeling great!

Any recommendations for good glute workouts? Anyone else experience race anxiety? How do you manage it?

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