Race Recap: Juneau Half Marathon

By | August 21, 2022

Original intro, and then this post got delayed three weeks: no point in a weekly run down since I barely ran in Alaska. Nothing wrong, conscious decision to focus on hiking on top of half marathon recovery. Working on a recap of the trip, which will cover what little but gorgeous running happened.

*tap* *tap* is this thing on? Linking up with Deborah and Kim to talk about the Juneau Half since I’m back to my regular-ish running routine after Half recovery, but with not much exciting to say. Not only do I not have another Half on my calendar (yet), I don’t even have a fall race. I’ve enjoyed the lack of have to and running what/when I want. One of my Stowe runs was absolutely gorgeous though.

The Juneau Half Marathon was the impetus for my Alaska trip. I was looking for a fall Half on one of the Half Marathon index sites and saw Juneau at the end of July and I knew I could finish thirteen miles without injury, so I decided to pull the trigger. Alaska in July is kind of like fall on the East Coast, right? I don’t have a goal or even particularly an interest of racing in every state, but after a three year COVID stall after hitting Alabama as state 39, Alaska was state 40 and 50 before 50 is alive and well. Hoping to have Alaska recap done for Tuesday but we’ll see.

I didn’t intend to be a secret squirrel while training, but it kind of happened that way.  Mostly because jumping into a half marathon with a month’s notice is silly at best. But I meant what I said when listening to Ali on the Run / Shalane Flanagan: “Stay fit enough to keep having fun and say yes to stuff” is possibly the best mantra. Also, if we’ve learned nothing in the last two years, it’s take the trip! I had a decent base and got in a couple of 9ish mile runs. It’s by no means a good training block, but it was what was available to me and I’m so glad I decided to do it. Juneau was my first true racecation since the other destination runs were long weekends.

 

Spoiler, I finished and felt good enough to hike after

There wasn’t a ton of information online about this race, so providing a mix of what I think would be helpful to future runners as well as my experience. No good/bad elements as I had a blast and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this race to anyone.

gathering toward the start

start/finish line

I have done some small for NYC races (1,250 in February‘s Central Park Half), but I’ve never before run a truly small race. 154 finishers between the Full and the Half, 103 in the Half. So this was really fun. Logistics wise, it’s also great for those flying in because not only do they have shirt/bib pick up morning of, but you could even register on site if you’re worried about flight delays or other travel/schedule issues. As we waited for the race to start, I was pleasantly surprised at the mix of locals, tourists. One woman who I spent time with was from an NYC suburb and completing a race in her fiftieth state and a man we spoke with had come up from Arizona for the race. I think an escape from summer heat is an appeal to many.

The race itself is on Douglas Island, just across the Gastineau Channel from Juneau via a bridge with the start/finish at Savikko Park, a few miles south of the bridge. Like much of Alaska and the Lower 48, the land has a complicated history, but I really was inspired by the story of the totem pole in the park as a step toward acknowledging what happened. And selfishly it made for an excellent landmark in the fog. While the Half didn’t start until 9 I wasn’t sure about the volume of Lyft/Uber and was still on East Coast time so I was up plenty early. I didn’t want to walk/run to the start (~ 4 miles from my hotel), but knew I could if necessary. The start area is also apparently served by local bus, but I didn’t know that until I’d arrived. If you have a rental car, there is plenty of free parking as well. I opted against a rental car since I knew much of Juneau was walkable and what I’d need transport for (airport, Mendenhall glacier, race) added up to less than 2.5 day rental.

I stayed at the Ramada, but the adjacent Sheraton Four Points is another good option. The bridge to Douglas Island is just north of historic, downtown Juneau where all the cruise ships come in, so accommodation for the race isn’t an issue.  While Lyft took a little longer than I’d anticipated, I arrived at the Park in plenty of time. The staging area with bib, shirt pickup was a pavilion so the mist wasn’t an issue. There were permanent toilets with a feature I didn’t expect: no stall doors. We’ve all gone to camp and walking backwards past an occupied stall > portopotty any day.

Fun fact: Juneau is a rainforest so it will almost certainly be a wet race. I somehow failed to take a flat Cari pic, but you can see my my skirt, tee shirt and windbreaker in the finish line pic below and they were perfect for ~ 60 degrees with light rain. I could have taken the jacket off mid race but it wasn’t too warm and didn’t want to deal with it around my waist, although I’ve done so. This 32 Below windbreaker that I bought on a whim for a cold, wet Lebow has been many a run saver in the last four years!

About ten minutes before the start, they asked us to walk from the pavillion to the start line a few hundred feet away. That meandering is the totem photo above. They marked our bibs to note we were in the start area, and were were off on time. With ~ 100 runners, there were no waves or corrals to worry about and there is definitely no tracking.

Sandy Beach

icebergs or cruise ships? That is (barely) Mt. Roberts in the background.

So would this be considered a book stop?

I won’t lie, I was happy to see this despite having fun.

what country am I running in again?

since I share three letters, I decided to call this my race name and pretend the signs were for me

how to find your finishing time

This is the part where I am supposed to talk about mile splits? Have I ever in a race recap? Probably not and not going to start now. I could give you two reasons: my watch deciding it was done at mile 12 ish and my decision to hike a glacier the day before which meant I had no semblance of fresh legs, nor did I care. Glacier > race. But the reality? I didn’t care about my pace going into this race and I didn’t start to during it. This was never going to be a PR, and I wanted to enjoy running in Alaska. Check. Check. Check.

I ran for ~10-11 miles before my legs had enough and I walked much of the last two. Other stop and enjoy the moment pics above. I’m proud of myself that I didn’t take a Little Free Library book. Douglas Island is a residential community and they were definitely out to support us. Folks at the feet of their driveways, three water stops and generally a fun vibe. Shades of Bermuda to be honest with folks slightly bemused at us running up and down the shoulder. I loved the Craig sign above and other similar from the local running group for whom this race is a fundraiser.

Miscellaneous race notes:

  • I’m not typically a Gu person, but they had strawberry banana and I decided to try it when I refilled my water. I’m not sure what taste testers called that strawberry banana, but it wasn’t awful. Vanilla is still the only gel I really care for. Gus are way messy when you have to carry it to the next water stop, in which you use the water to rinse your hands.
  • It was very disorienting to not have mile markers. I could have pushed up my sleeve and did on occasion, but I’m used to having some external guidance as to where I am in the race.
  • Glasses and mist never mix. Doubly so when they’re progressive lenses. Grateful I can run without them safely
  • It would have been fun to see Mt. Juneau or a clear view of Mt. Roberts, but the cruise bergs in the fog were pretty cool and the Sandy Beach start was spooky fun. Plus let’s be honest, my pace would have otherwise been pictures. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
  • Did the fact that I could do the Cross Hike from the top of the tram after the race mean I could have gone faster? Sure. But as I was saying to one of the other runners, one of the benefits of a Half over a Full is you’re not completely trashed. Plus I’d much rather have a recovery hike/do some sightseeing than have a faster time. While the race was indeed the impetus, I did not go to Alaska just to race.

I loved how absolutely low key it was. I actually forgot to take a picture of the Board once they taped up the bottom of my bib and didn’t actually know my time (2:43:07, smack in my range and 30 seconds faster than Central Park in February) until Darlene found it online and texted it to me. I guess that’s one PSA for Alaska overall: Verizon service is limited and WiFi is spotty. This was absolutely OK with me but doesn’t work for everyone.

 

I missed hamming since I didn’t see the photographer

small race, big eats!

What’s a race without a silly photo?

Another upside of a small race is the organizer can provide catering. While I’m not typically hungry immediately post run, my metabolism was off with the travel, time change and it was either noon local or 4 eastern and the idea of food was a good one. It was also fun to watch the awards ceremony while chatting with other runners. We’d seen all or most of the marathoners finish as they started two hours earlier and both races are an out and back, so it was fun to recognize some of those who won/placed in their age groups.

While I don’t mind the big NYC runs mostly, I love the idea of doing more smaller runs. There’s a bigger race in Anchorage that I might do one year because I definitely want to go back to Alaska and the solstice would be amazing, but I’d wholeheartedly recommend this race to anyone looking for an Alaska option. The only hiccup besides the WiFi is the late start. In other cities it eats into your sightseeing time, but with Juneau having long daylight (although less so than Anchorage and further north), it’s not the issue it would be in other locations.

If my math is right, my next Half is my 13th. Guess I need to make it a good one!

17 thoughts on “Race Recap: Juneau Half Marathon

  1. Darlene Cardillo

    This is why I run long on the weekends even if I am not training (what’s that?) – “Stay fit enough to keep having fun and say yes to stuff.”

    The trip and the race sounds perfect. I love everything about it though I’d like more sunshine (the photographer in me).

    Hiking is a better way to see things in a new place than running iMO.

    Alaska has been on my bucket list forever. I was considering this one: https://anchoragerunfest.org/races/half-marathon/

    When you coming up my way??

    Reply
  2. Kimberly Hatting

    Nicely done, Cari! I totally embrace the “stay fit/do fun stuff” mantra. I’m glad you have such a great time, and that you totally did this race on your own terms. I’d be bummed on the rain/fog/mist, but at least that’s the reality there and not just an unfortunate race day weather thing.

    Reply
  3. Deborah Brooks

    I do like the feel of a small race too. Less pressure more fun. I also like the mile markers even if I do have a watch. There is a mental game in passing them by. I like the idea of staying fit enough to be able to say yes to things. It is a great way to go through life
    Kudos to you for going out there on your own and having an adventure! congrats

    Reply
  4. Jenny

    Wow, this sounds amazing! Yes, I like that mantra. What else really is the point of running for people like us- it’s not like we’re going to be winning races. It’s all about the cool experiences. I’m looking forward to the full trip recap!

    Reply
  5. Jessie

    I love the motto to stay fit to say yes to things. Definitely helpful in life!

    Looks like a really cool race experience. Wow, what a small FULL marathon. I think that would have been the smallest if I did it, I’ve done some that were about 100 runners, but not that small.
    Congrats on finishing and achieving your goals Cari!

    Reply
  6. Wendy

    I didn’t know it was an official motto, to stay in shape to say yes to things, but that’s how I’ve rolled for the past 20 years! It’s a great philosophy, especially if you don’t care about finish times and care more about experiences. What an amazing experience you had in Alaska. it was so fun to follow you on IG. Congrats, Cari!

    Reply
  7. Michelle

    I so love that you decided to jet off and do this race! Alaska is a bucket list destination for me.

    “Stay fit enough to keep having fun and say yes to stuff” – yes, definitely a mantra I can embrace…and my current goal.

    Bravo Cari!

    Reply
  8. Coco

    I’m so glad you were able to do this and had so much fun. LOL at being proud of yourself for not stopping at the library. Doesn’t your Garmin beep every mile? Although I’d probably lose count in a Half.

    I wish my body would let me get in shape for longer distances again. I seem to be stuck at the whack-a-mole stage of injuries.

    I don’t have many destinations on my bucket list, but Alaska sure is one of them!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Me too! While I’ve had fun big, well planned trips, some of my best memories are whims. I definitely recommend Alaska. It’s a 12 hour haul (with SeaTac layover), but worth every second. You could fly via Denver and break it up that way too though.
      I’ve been using the Apple Watch for everything including races because I never ended up replacing my Garmin. It buzzes, but doesn’t beep that I’m aware
      And yes, my IT Band says hi

      Reply
  9. Marcia

    I love that you raced in Alaska! Alaska far exceeded my expectations, and they were high. I love that motto about staying fit enough to have fun and saying YES to the trip. Such good advice. I know so many people nearing the end of their lives, or who’ve lost loved ones who never took the chance to do the epic things on their bucket list.
    I agree that no mile markers would be tough. Well done Cari!

    Reply
  10. Kim G

    What a fun adventure! Visiting Alaska sounds like fun, so I know running a race there much have been awesome! I love the quote you mentioned – “Stay fit enough to keep having fun and say yes to stuff.” This is so true. While I don’t think I stay in half marathon shape, I do stay in 10K shape, lol

    Reply
  11. Chocolaterunsjudy

    I saved your recap to this morning since I was tired after just a 10k yesterday, LOL!

    I have done halfs from 10s of thousands of runners (hello, Vegas) to also extremely small. I’m relatively flexible that way.

    I have been to Alaska — a family (husband’s family) cruise. I definitely want to go back, so much to see there and you saw much more than we did, but we had a wonderful time, despite my FIL’s demetia which made things a bit challenging for all.

    Sounds like you had a great “time and that’s really all that’s important! Congrats!

    Sometimes I actually do like to keep my training to myself. Sometimes I don’t.

    Reply
  12. Michele Heller

    Stay fit enough to keep having fun and say yes to stuff-This is a great mantra, love it! Sorry the weather wasn’t a bit better, but Alaska…I cannot wait to do my race there. I have heard great things about the state. Thanks for sharing your experience. I think at this point, you have to go for 50 states. Good luck.

    Reply
  13. Debbie @ Deb Runs

    Congrats, Cari, on a great race; and even though it isn’t a silly finish line photo, it’s a great one! You’re finishing strong! I loved reading your recap. I haven’t been to Alaska so I’m looking forward to reading your trip highlights recap.

    Reply
  14. Jenn

    This is the weekly rundown we were waiting for!

    Oh, what an amazing opportunity and experience! Everything looks and sounds absolutely perfect.

    And I love the idea of staying in good enough shape to say yes to the things you want to do. Perfect.

    Reply
  15. Liz Dexter

    A lovely report and it sounds so fun! Of course our races all start about that time so it wouldn’t be weird for a UK runner!

    Reply
  16. Melissa

    Wow, what an amazing adventure and such a memorable race to participate in. I don’t know how I would handle that race start but you did it! Congrats!

    Reply

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