<span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">“The only thing that I can mess up is execution” (note to self: Never say this before a race again, self-fulfilling prophecy alert)</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">About 25 weeks ago I decided to run the Grand Rapids Marathon. For the first time, I enlisted help from a coach, our very own ProFromDover. He sent me a 24 week plan on an excel spreadsheet. I believe the plan was appropriate for what I told him I wanted to accomplish and, except for substituting a 65 miles bike ride (ON A SCARY HILLY LANCASTER PA COURSE) for one 20 miles run, I followed the plan quite precisely.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Along with hillwork and speedwork and medium sized long runs… I ran 18.5 miles, (65 miles bike instead of 20 miler) 21 miles, 22 miles and 24 miles long runs.</span></span><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">On our way to Grand Rapids, we stopped in Ann Arbor and had a fabulous lunch with dAAve, Ms.dAAve, Rochrunner, Tim Looney, MarkGuy, and the divine dg9 (deebeegeebee)</span></span></i><br><br><i><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The atmosphere of the Red Hawk Bar and Grill</span></span> <a href="http://www.redhawkannarbor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://www.redhawkannarbor.com/</span></span></span></a></i><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">is comfortable and pleasant. I recommend the</span></span></i><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><b><span style="color:#FF0000;">grilled vietnamese-style CHICKEN</span></b></span><br><br><div style="text-align:right;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">9.50</span></span></div>
<br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">with a coconut-curry mayonnaise, lettuce chiffonade & a medley of pickled vegetables</span></span><br><br><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">We walked in and I saw my old friends who I have never met, sitting at a center table. It was as if this was a weekly lunch with close friends.</span></span></i><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">After lunch, the folks who had to other things to do, did them. Deebee took the Rochester Runner, the r.s. and me to a lovely park where we walked and talked for a nice while. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this. Doug is the kind of guy you just like being around. A kind soul with a big heart. And deebeegeebee is witty and clever and beautiful.</span></span></i><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">When she dropped us off at our car, she gave Ralph and me a basket of goodies that would sustain us on our journey. She thought of everything.</span></span></i><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">On Saturday, we went to the expo and then drove over to Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is beautiful and we walked a bit on a powdery white sand beach before eating at a diner, which was another real treat.</span></span><br><a href="http://www.harborrestaurants.com/deelite/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://www.harborrestaurants.com/deelite/</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Saturday evening we met dAAve and MarkGuy at Vitales</span></span><br><a href="http://www.theoriginalvitales.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://www.theoriginalvitales.com/</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">That was SO much fun! We talked mostly about running and we discussed race plans… they all had good ones…</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Dave planned to PR and win his age group. Mark planned to PR and feel good and strong the entire way. The r.s. planned to run conservatively because he always goes out too fast thinking he can PR by leaps and bounds and then crashes… this time (since he wasn’t adequately trained) he decided to run sensibly and try to run evenly.</span></span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I wanted to run a 4:22 or better. My PR is 4:05 but I am too heavy to run that right now, need to shed at least 10 pounds (15 would be better). But my training should easily take me to a 4:22.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The Grand Rapids Marathon is fun, the race director is hilarious. Instead of having “time goal” pace groups, they have pace groups named after famous people who have run marathons.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the “Pi” group, their goal was to beat</span></span> <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3.14159265</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the George Dubya group who wanted to beat 3:44 (Dubya ran a 3:44 some time)</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the Will Ferrell group at 3:56</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the P Diddy group; 4:14</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The Oprah group: 4:29</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The John “The Penguin” Bingham group at 4:44</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">And the Al Gore group at 4:58.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">At supper, I think we decided I should try to hang with P Diddy.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I loved having supper with three handsome runner guys. I am a very lucky girl.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">SO.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">We ended the evening early. We were only 3 miles from our hotel but, we missed a turn and ended up adding a few miles and at least a half hour to trip back to the Courtyard.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Still, we were back around 21:30, plenty of time to get the chip-like thing attached to our shoes, our numbers attached to our tops, our nutrition ready to be packed, and all that pre-race stuff.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I had slept well there on Friday night so wasn’t concerned about Saturday… little do I know about life in the big city. After a couple of hours of good sleep… I hear a ruckus in the hall, some drunk broad was laughing and talking loudly, apparently looking for her room. I heard her more sober friend say, “YOU’RE ON THE WRONG HALL. WE ARE OVER HERE IN 422”</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Even though I was disturbed by the sleep disruption, I was happy that 422 was mentioned because that was my B goal. (I was upset when we checked in and I saw our room number, 433… I took that as an omen)</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">After drunk broad found 422, I got a few more hours of sleep but was awakened by a loud siren! I thought the hotel was on fire but, it was just the bar across the street announcing last call. It really sounded like a warning siren… I guess it kind of was.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">RACE DAY.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">IDEAL RUNNING CONDITIONS. I swear. These were the IRCest of IRC’s. Perfect weather for running.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Since there were so many Canadians there (mostly from LONDON, Ontario)… Oh Canada was sung and the Star Spangled Banner and then we were off.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I told the r.s. that I should move back because I did not feel right up there with Pi. He said, “Oh, just start here.”</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Way too fast. I went out with the r.s. About a quarter mile into it, I asked, “What pace?” He said, “8:30”</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I said, “See ya!” And slowed way down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Early on, Pi passed me, I think Billy Baldwin’s group passed but I never saw their sign.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Next came Dubya’s group. About a mile into it, Will Ferrell passed. I ran on my own for at least 8-9 miles. I knew I was going too fast but I didn’t know what I was capable of and thought I’d rip a page from the r.s.’s playbook and see if I could hold on.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">At the turn off where the halfers go straight and the fools, I mean full marathoners, turn right across the bridge, P Diddy caught me and I clung to him like white on rice.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I locked step and ran with that group until the 13 miles marker. And then I began to fade.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">My calves just got a little tight and it was too much of an effort to try to keep that nice turnover I had while with the P Diddy group.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">My breathing and nutrition and hydration were near perfect, I can’t blame any wall or even a true bonk. I just.slowed.way.down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">So P Diddy was out of sight by mile 14 or so. I saw them on a few out and backs… they were coming back.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Still, I was happy. Then at the mile 21 turnaround, I was going back and saw Oprah’s team going out! Oh no. I had to beat Oprah’s team. So with 5 miles left, I tried to pick up my pace. I kept ahead of team Oprah. I hurdled the weak and trampled the dead.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Until just after mile 24 or so… then Oprah’s team quietly and strongly passed me and never looked back.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Darn. So I kept running as best I could. Happy that I didn’t lose my head, sad that I lost my legs somewhere.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">During the last half mile, I decided I was not going to let the beautiful girl in the magenta shorts who was running happily with her handsome escort, beat me. So when they tried to run past me, I found my P Diddy stride and picked up knees and quickened my cadence and.I.ran. It was about that time when I heard someone say, “There she is! There’s Rosie!” I looked and saw dAAve and MarkGuy on the sidelines. I WAS SO HAPPY to see them. It was just the charge I needed to finish that race. I came in just under my room number.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">When I finished, the race director had me by one arm and a good looking medical dude had me by the other… I swooned. I didn’t mean to swoon. My legs were done. They were worried I would fall on the ass phalt… so they took me to the med tent. I told them I didn’t need to go to the med tent because I was an RN. Um, so I guess I was a bit disoriented, too. Anyway, the r.s. showed up with my dropbag and my inhaler. I was released into his care.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">I LOVED THIS RACE. After we said our fond farewells to the Ann Arbor boys, I got a shower at the YMCA and then went back to the festivities. I couldn’t wait to get to that chili dog and beer!</span></span><br><br>
Lessons and photos to follow.<br>
Thank you all for the fine support.
<br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">with a coconut-curry mayonnaise, lettuce chiffonade & a medley of pickled vegetables</span></span><br><br><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">We walked in and I saw my old friends who I have never met, sitting at a center table. It was as if this was a weekly lunch with close friends.</span></span></i><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">After lunch, the folks who had to other things to do, did them. Deebee took the Rochester Runner, the r.s. and me to a lovely park where we walked and talked for a nice while. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this. Doug is the kind of guy you just like being around. A kind soul with a big heart. And deebeegeebee is witty and clever and beautiful.</span></span></i><br><br><i><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">When she dropped us off at our car, she gave Ralph and me a basket of goodies that would sustain us on our journey. She thought of everything.</span></span></i><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">On Saturday, we went to the expo and then drove over to Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is beautiful and we walked a bit on a powdery white sand beach before eating at a diner, which was another real treat.</span></span><br><a href="http://www.harborrestaurants.com/deelite/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://www.harborrestaurants.com/deelite/</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Saturday evening we met dAAve and MarkGuy at Vitales</span></span><br><a href="http://www.theoriginalvitales.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://www.theoriginalvitales.com/</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">That was SO much fun! We talked mostly about running and we discussed race plans… they all had good ones…</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Dave planned to PR and win his age group. Mark planned to PR and feel good and strong the entire way. The r.s. planned to run conservatively because he always goes out too fast thinking he can PR by leaps and bounds and then crashes… this time (since he wasn’t adequately trained) he decided to run sensibly and try to run evenly.</span></span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I wanted to run a 4:22 or better. My PR is 4:05 but I am too heavy to run that right now, need to shed at least 10 pounds (15 would be better). But my training should easily take me to a 4:22.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The Grand Rapids Marathon is fun, the race director is hilarious. Instead of having “time goal” pace groups, they have pace groups named after famous people who have run marathons.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the “Pi” group, their goal was to beat</span></span> <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3.14159265</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the George Dubya group who wanted to beat 3:44 (Dubya ran a 3:44 some time)</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the Will Ferrell group at 3:56</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There was the P Diddy group; 4:14</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The Oprah group: 4:29</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The John “The Penguin” Bingham group at 4:44</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">And the Al Gore group at 4:58.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">At supper, I think we decided I should try to hang with P Diddy.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I loved having supper with three handsome runner guys. I am a very lucky girl.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">SO.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">We ended the evening early. We were only 3 miles from our hotel but, we missed a turn and ended up adding a few miles and at least a half hour to trip back to the Courtyard.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Still, we were back around 21:30, plenty of time to get the chip-like thing attached to our shoes, our numbers attached to our tops, our nutrition ready to be packed, and all that pre-race stuff.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I had slept well there on Friday night so wasn’t concerned about Saturday… little do I know about life in the big city. After a couple of hours of good sleep… I hear a ruckus in the hall, some drunk broad was laughing and talking loudly, apparently looking for her room. I heard her more sober friend say, “YOU’RE ON THE WRONG HALL. WE ARE OVER HERE IN 422”</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Even though I was disturbed by the sleep disruption, I was happy that 422 was mentioned because that was my B goal. (I was upset when we checked in and I saw our room number, 433… I took that as an omen)</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">After drunk broad found 422, I got a few more hours of sleep but was awakened by a loud siren! I thought the hotel was on fire but, it was just the bar across the street announcing last call. It really sounded like a warning siren… I guess it kind of was.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">RACE DAY.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">IDEAL RUNNING CONDITIONS. I swear. These were the IRCest of IRC’s. Perfect weather for running.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Since there were so many Canadians there (mostly from LONDON, Ontario)… Oh Canada was sung and the Star Spangled Banner and then we were off.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I told the r.s. that I should move back because I did not feel right up there with Pi. He said, “Oh, just start here.”</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Way too fast. I went out with the r.s. About a quarter mile into it, I asked, “What pace?” He said, “8:30”</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I said, “See ya!” And slowed way down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Early on, Pi passed me, I think Billy Baldwin’s group passed but I never saw their sign.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Next came Dubya’s group. About a mile into it, Will Ferrell passed. I ran on my own for at least 8-9 miles. I knew I was going too fast but I didn’t know what I was capable of and thought I’d rip a page from the r.s.’s playbook and see if I could hold on.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">At the turn off where the halfers go straight and the fools, I mean full marathoners, turn right across the bridge, P Diddy caught me and I clung to him like white on rice.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I locked step and ran with that group until the 13 miles marker. And then I began to fade.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">My calves just got a little tight and it was too much of an effort to try to keep that nice turnover I had while with the P Diddy group.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">My breathing and nutrition and hydration were near perfect, I can’t blame any wall or even a true bonk. I just.slowed.way.down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">So P Diddy was out of sight by mile 14 or so. I saw them on a few out and backs… they were coming back.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Still, I was happy. Then at the mile 21 turnaround, I was going back and saw Oprah’s team going out! Oh no. I had to beat Oprah’s team. So with 5 miles left, I tried to pick up my pace. I kept ahead of team Oprah. I hurdled the weak and trampled the dead.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Until just after mile 24 or so… then Oprah’s team quietly and strongly passed me and never looked back.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Darn. So I kept running as best I could. Happy that I didn’t lose my head, sad that I lost my legs somewhere.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">During the last half mile, I decided I was not going to let the beautiful girl in the magenta shorts who was running happily with her handsome escort, beat me. So when they tried to run past me, I found my P Diddy stride and picked up knees and quickened my cadence and.I.ran. It was about that time when I heard someone say, “There she is! There’s Rosie!” I looked and saw dAAve and MarkGuy on the sidelines. I WAS SO HAPPY to see them. It was just the charge I needed to finish that race. I came in just under my room number.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">When I finished, the race director had me by one arm and a good looking medical dude had me by the other… I swooned. I didn’t mean to swoon. My legs were done. They were worried I would fall on the ass phalt… so they took me to the med tent. I told them I didn’t need to go to the med tent because I was an RN. Um, so I guess I was a bit disoriented, too. Anyway, the r.s. showed up with my dropbag and my inhaler. I was released into his care.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">I LOVED THIS RACE. After we said our fond farewells to the Ann Arbor boys, I got a shower at the YMCA and then went back to the festivities. I couldn’t wait to get to that chili dog and beer!</span></span><br><br>
Lessons and photos to follow.<br>
Thank you all for the fine support.