Race Recap: Little Wharf 3 Mile — 19:12 and 10th Female

# Quick summary

# Context and travel Hollie hadn't raced much in recent months because of work. Her last formal race preceded a bronchitis diagnosis, and she estimates she was about 80% recovered on race day. She drove/flew to Santa Cruz, encountered a shortage of rental cars and ended up with a U‑Haul. On race morning she jogged two miles to the start rather than sit in extremely long porta‑potty lines.

# Race logistics and course layout The Little Wharf race is a point‑to‑point course that organizers recommend accessing via mall parking and shuttle to the start. The course feels similar to the longer Wharf to Wharf but at half the distance. Key features:

• Start is slightly tricky with a curb right after leaving the mini shopping center.
• Mile 1 is fast and felt largely downhill.
• Mile 2 is the hilliest of the three with ocean views and small climbs.

# The run: splits and placement Hollie ran with a pack in mile 1 and recorded a 6:17. The second mile, where the hills bite, was a 6:36. She pushed the downhill finish to run a 6:26 for the final mile and crossed in 19:12. She was surprised and pleased to be 10th female, a markedly higher placement than her Wharf to Wharf finishes.

# How recovery affected performance Even at 80% recovery Hollie could feel respiratory remnants—phlegm—when putting in very hard efforts. That likely influenced pacing on the hilly second mile and contributed to a slightly slower split there compared with the first mile. Despite that, she judged the overall effort solid given her recent illness and limited racing.

# What this means next

# Practical notes for future participants

• Know the course profile: a fast opening mile, a hillier middle mile, and a downhill finish that rewards a strong final push.

# Closing Hollie was pleased to be racing again and will use this result to guide training and race selection for upcoming 5Ks.