The Midsummer Waffle Race 2018

[C3PO]

I hadn't put this on the calendar as, frankly, I wasn't terribly motivated, and knew I wasn't in the shape I wanted to be in. But I've done it now, so I thought I'd talk about it.

This is my fourth time doing this event, which is a trail run around the lake that provides most of the drinking water in Oslo. The weather was quite good yesterday, 14 degrees, but only partly overcast, so the views were lovely, with lots of horses en route. The race is normally 14.5 k, but due to some construction, they had to use a detour, making it 15.2 k.

It's a funny event for me, and I definitely improved slightly on my performance this year. I didn't walk once on the first half of the course. In addition to hubby, a good friend was with us, so I stopped at the first drinks station with them. Of course, once I started hitting the hills on the eastern side of the lake, I ended up walking in all my usual spots. Things weren't going too bad, though. Our friend left us at about 9 k. Then my bowels decided to start complaining with 4 k to go, which is something new for me, so that slowed me down quite a lot, as I kept dropping to a walk to calm them down.

We ended up being the last ones to finish, as usual, to wild cheers from the volunteers. Or so we thought. Suddenly we heard the cheering again. We turned around in surprise, to find our friend finishing right behind us. It turned out that he hadn't trusted the directions he'd been given by a marshal, and taken a wrong turn, adding another k to his run.

We finally ended up in the gym. As usual, I wasn't able to eat many waffles. I guess it's just the idea of them. But it was a nice way to round off the night.

We ended up running 15.2 k in 1:51. So slightly faster than last year. So I guess this means that I've now achieved a level of fitness where I can do races even though I haven't prepared too much for them.

My goal for next year is to keep improving, and see if I can walk less on the eastern side.

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

Nothing would make me run faster than knowing there were waffles waiting for me at the end! 🤣 It sounds like a lovely location, and there's something so classic and wonderful about the medal. And brilliant that you could casually bash out a race like that when you felt unmotivated too!

[C3PO Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks! It helps my knowing what a nice event it is.

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Well done - sounds like a good day out, plus waffles..

[marco83 Marathon]

Sounds like a great day out! Both my son and wife would run that race knowing there are waffles at the end. I might plan a vacation there next year to test them (they might just wait for me at the end and get a waffle at the cafe though... )

Well done, even if not motivated or fully trained and on a longer course You got it done

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Love it!! Well done

Waffles are the most filling food available to humanity. I think that two bites land in the stomach harmlessly, then suddenly expand sideways to four times the volume!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Well done! It seems like a traditionally well run and supportive event. I would run anywhere for a good waffle! I also really like that simple medal design.

You did a great job considering you were not prepped for this one as you had hoped. You finished it while faced with some big challenges.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

That is a great achievement, and shows your body is strong and ready for anything! Can I have your waffles, they look delicious.... ?

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done. Love the idea of waffles, maybe not straight after a run though.

[C3PO Marathon]

I forgot to add that part of the attraction with this race is that it starts at 9 pm, so if the weather is good, I get a lovely sunset, but it doesn't get very dark. Just slightly murky.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Sounds a lovely event Cristina!!! Well done!😊sunset run is perfect x