Thursday, August 5, 2010

Racing on the Speedway - 5K Race Interview


Race Car Digest 
August 5, 2009



PD is showing me he thinks I rocked it!

Patrick Dempsey:  The word on the street is that you loved this race, AJH.  As the man behind the scene helping out the race director I would like to interview you.  Your answers may help enrich everyone's race experience next year.

AJH: I'd be pleased to be interviewed. 



Before the race

Patrick Dempsey:  Are you a big fan of Nascar?  Is that what appealed to you?

AJH: No, in fact I'd be surprised if I could name two race car drivers.  I have never watched a race in my life. BUT I do like unusual places to race and this certainly fit that bill.  PLUS I am a  third grade teacher and this is something that will impress my students when I start school in a few weeks.


Also before the race








Patrick Dempsey:  Is this the usual type of race course you would choose to run on?

AJH: No, I always go for the scenic courses. I like to race near water particularly the ocean. I like to race on bike paths that are surrounded by trees.  No one would call this course scenic. BUT it was fun seeing the other racers for most of the race.  Spectators could see you several times.




      








 I'm in pink.  This is around half way.












Patrick Dempsey:  What was the weather like for a running race?

AJH: It was hot and humid.  I also am a morning runner so running at 6:30 P.M. was not ideal for me. BUT everyone else was in the same boat.  They had hoses spraying water at several points on the course.  The general atmosphere was very friendly and happy.  It was definitely a race for families.  All the kids had big swag bags and huge smiles on their faces as they heard all the cheering as they ran their 1 mile run!  








Patrick Dempsey:  What was unusual about this race?

AJH: Of course the race course was.  We ran the around the loop and then up onto the motorcycle course.  It was a double loop course so we did the whole thing twice.  There were two hills but nothing too terrible.  The road itself was actually quite flat. Perhaps we missed the banked turns when we went onto the motorcycle course which made up a fair amount of our race. I loved driving through the tunnel to get into the race. There was a police helicopter circling overhead and it had the siren going like it was stopping us - for our excess speed I am sure. I thought that was cool so I would guess the kids loved it. Several kids ran the whole 5K.  





 The tunnel.  These are both leaving. I was waaaay
too excited to take one when entering.



















Patrick Dempsey:  What were your stats for the race?

AJH: Well, I was 4th out of 14 in my age group. I would have liked to have been third because there were some awesome medals.  I was 152/323 overall which puts me in the top 50% something I am always happy with.  I did not get a PR for the year BUT I  had a great time in general.  My time was 28:46.  My first mile was 8:41; second mile 9:13, third mile 9:15 last .2 (according to Garmin) 8:23.  Garmin gave me an overall pace of 9:01. 





 Hot and thirsty!












Patrick Dempsey:  Would you come back to this race next year?

AJH: No, I would if I was closer but I don't see myself driving the distance again. I would rather try a different new race.  BUT I absolutely would if I was going to get a ride in a race car - or any car in fact - with you.




Patrick Dempsey:  Well, AJH it's been nice talking to you.  Thank you for your time.  Perhaps we will be seeing you here again next year. I'll be in touch.

































32 comments:

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Too funny! I wouldn't mind if Patrick Dempsey interviewed me either ...

Great job at the race!

Jocelyn said...

I love this post! You cracked me up! Loved it! CONGRATS! :D

Jess said...

What a cute way to do a race report! Sounds like a fun race!

Anonymous said...

That must've been fun racing on the track. I've only been on one raceway and it was HUGE! Congratulations!

Molly said...

Loved this! Way to go with the heat and humidity!

Pahla said...

This is awesome! Great race and great post!!

Heidi said...

Sounds like a pretty cool race!

LookingUpAgain said...

Wow. What an interesting race you found. I'm sure your kids will love hearing about it!

Teamarcia said...

Perhaps he'll be picking you up in his race car and giving you a speedy little ride to the race next year! Nice!

Monica said...

LOVED your race report!! That interviewer guy is HOT and should be on TV... ;)

Heather said...

Awesome race report! You ran a great race too! thanks for sharing.

Tara said...

Hah! What a cute, original idea for a race report! Congrats on your race; especially in that nasty hotness!

PS-Hope you got a nice kiss from ole Patrick. Hehe.

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

I have only run one race at night - while vacationing in Florida on a hot summer night. You did great - 4th AG and looks like you had fun!

Char said...

My question is - Did you get to go down pit lane and have your shoes changed by men in fire-proof suits?

Jill said...

That is hysterical!! Did Patrick take you out for a post-race beer? :)

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

HEHEHE!!

Johann said...

Lovely fun post! You did great! 4th out of 14…3rd would have been so good… Being a morning runner myself I know what you mean about running that time of day.

LMC said...

This is the most entertaining format for a race report that I've read. You're clever! Good job with your time too. BTW, I laughed when I read that this race was in New Hampshire. It just seemed appropriate somehow. :)

Fran said...

McDreamy ..............

McDreamy ................

McDreamy .........................

Ah well enough dreaming about McDreamy: well done on a great race Andrea.

I've done a run on a race track in March of this year and I really like it. It's such a strange feeling you're running on a race track where normally cars race. I found it a great experience.

Anne said...

What a fun race report! Very clever indeed :)
Good pace too!

Sarah K said...

This is such a great recap! You must have really rocked to be interviewed by McDreamy! :-)

Anonymous said...

Great interview!! I expect to read the full one in Runners World & Nascar World next month! Great job, sorry you just missed that AG medal, next year (if you run it again)!

Darlene said...

Loved reading your post. I'll look for some interesting races for you for next year - maybe the Valley Cats Homerun 5k in Troy (at a baseball stadium) or Race the Train which sounds cool.

Great pace! I bet you'd go back if PD was there to really interview you.

Darlene said...

I looked for you in the photo gallery - http://www.nhms.com/handler.cfm/template,photo_gallery/sf_id,9080/cat_id,43442/

I especially like the one with the nun finishing LOL

Marlene said...

MCDREAMY WAS THERE?!?!?! OMG, so jealous!!! I'd run a marathon around a race track for a chance to see him up close. ;)

Katie A. said...

That was fun! Nice job on the unusal race course and the hot temps! That always impresses me!

Amy said...

Love this!!!

Emz said...

This is awesome.

Can I please get his number from you? I think he & I should "visit" too. ;)

Excellent post. Great idea.

Lindsay said...

oooh an interview w/ patrick dempsey! you're so lucky ;)

great race, love the pics! so cool!!

Christina said...

Love your race report! How fun!
Enjoy your bike tomorrow.

Steel Springs said...

I love it! Great job on the race! It sounds like a lot of fun.

HappyTrails said...

Great race again - and funny way to do the write up. Someone has some creativity!!!