Joined
·
5,331 Posts
Hello All,<br><br>
I'm not even going to apologize for this being long. Not after reading Coach T's Race Report.<br><br>
The set up:<br>
I ran my first half marathon 6 weeks ago. I ran 2:14:22 on a very hilly course. Since then I kept up my training but I felt a little unmotivated by the abrupt change in the weather. I didn't go as far as I should have I think. I eased up just a little too much. Oh well...<br><br>
I ran on Friday morning at 6:25 am in 32* F weather, in order to make sure I had enough time to get ready and take my kids to school as per usual. Maybe that way my 7 year old wouldn't feel like I'd been gone for ever. That run was a good powerful 5K. I could already feel the adrenaline pumping and it gave me courage to see the half marathon through.<br><br>
Traveling to Philly was uneventful. Thank you <b>Frankie</b> for picking me up at the airport. Sorry <b>Clare</b> that we didn't find each other in time. I went to my hotel and had a massage that was for lack of a better term...Meh...<br><br>
Then the festivities began. May I just take a moment here to thank <b>Lori,</b> <b>Alexis, their husbands, Jill, and PhillyTom</b> for their wonderful and gracious hospitality. I truly believe that it was because of all your efforts that this trip was so very successful for all the Kick Runners who attended. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.<br><br>
I attended The Friday GropeFest, the Schweaty Balls Run, the Pre Dinner Dinner, the Race, The Bleacher Bash and the Post Race Drink Fest. I didn't overdue any of them so you can't blame me for that.<br><br>
I had a moment. You know one of those " hey...I can't believe I'm making this happen moment in life" at the <b>Schweaty Balls Run</b> when I was running behind, <b>LL, boB, Trevor, Voodoo, The Kenyan, PhastTom,</b> along side of <b>Nettie</b> and the <b>Big Gahoona</b>. It was somewhat surreal to be running with these Big Fish in the Pond. I had arrived!!! What a thrill!<br><br>
So since this is a Race Report, perhaps I should move along to the race.<br><br>
I got to bed early enough on Saturday night after agonizing over my gear and setting it all out. The fugging weatherman, as you all know, was calling for rain and cold. But the temps hadn't dropped yet like they said they would so I made contigency plans. I wore throwaway clothes since typically overheating is a big issue for me. Ball cap, stretchy gloves, AC/DC running socks, capris, old three quarter shirt over new long sleeve thin layer over trusted AC/DC cotton t-shirt over running bra.<br><br>
I woke up at 5:19 am. Brushed my teeth, had a pee, ate a chocolate covered pretzel, drank some H2O, got dressed and left the building. I go outside and catch a cab along with a guy with a German accent, in a leather jacket and jeans and two other runners. The cabby was super enthusiastic and put me in the mood to fight the good fight. When we got to the start area the two runners went there own way while the man in the leather followed along my path. I asked him if he was running? Smooth. I know. It comes with practice. But what I found out was really cool. It turned out that he was a VIP spectator. Oh yeah? How come? Turns out that he is assessing the outcome because his company would be bidding on the NYMarathon timing rites next year. "Really? Wow! Hey, let me tell you what I think." (yes I said exactly that) So he stops and looks me in the face. "I'm here with a large group of runners this weekend and let me tell you that we are very worried about this new technology that they are using here." I gave him our reasons. Too flimsy. Too fragile. Not tested before. The marathon advertised that ChampionChip would be handling the timing. You can't bend it. I even told him I was worried that I was running this race for nothing but a disaster drill. and so on and so on. Well...he works for ChampionChip and had actually never seen the technology that was being used that day. So he asked if he could take a picture of the timing chip already on my shoelace, both sides and thanked me for letting him know all of my concerns. He wished me luck and we parted company. Nice guy...<br><br>
I hit the PortoPotty and then made my way to the start. I met up with <b>Keriksen</b> and <b>PhillyTom.</b> They disrobed...so I did too. Dropped my three quarter sleeve warming shirt in the trees. It was not warm out but not chilly either. We went right up near the start. The gun went and we moved through the chute and I never saw <b>Keriksen</b> or <b>PhillyTom</b> again.<br><br>
I felt great!!!! All those people all over the place! Fantastic! I was running well and strong and breathing fine. My garmin had me at 8:57 mile pace. That's fast for me. But it was completely comfortable. So I went with it. I started to shed my layers at about mile 4. The ball cap went. The gloves went. Then the thin long sleeve shirt, leaving me with the tee, and capris. I regretted the shirt at mile 8. But I was near tears at mile 9 when my fingers were numb from the cold. I put my hands in my pants and ran like that for about a mile. I got the strangest comments. I did that until I got the brilliant idea to pay a spectator the 20 bucks I had in my fuel belt for his mitts. But then I figured that would take way too long to explain, especially with trying to find and interpreter and all, since my accent is apparently so strong. So I kept going. Then I picked up a discarded pink glove and about a half mile later I picked up a discarded black glove. Ambrosia, Darlings!!! By this time I had eaten all the sportsbeans that I had brought with me.<br><br>
At this point I look down and my garmin is off!!! Crap. I turn it back on but I don't know why...the whole thing is fugged up now. I didn't mind the hill on mile 9. Afterall I had my gloves by then. I can tell you that I never saw a mile marker after that one. This is where things get a little shady for me. I know that I went for a pee in the wild 6 feet deep bushes at some point in that time between mile 10 and 13.1, but when exactly I don't know. All of a sudden I was exhausted. I wanted to quit. And I would have too if I hadn't been so cold. I knew I was doing badly. I had to walk. I had to stop. I finally stopped because I was having chest pains or boob pains. chest pains or boob pains. ah Crap! I'm weaving as i'm walking and trying to decide if i'm going to die or pass out. All I wanted were my clothes and to quit. But my clothes were back at the finish line and I had people waiting for me, so I made a decision...a wise one I think. I decided that I'd get to my clothes faster if I kept running and collapsed then if I just stopped running and walked the rest of the way. I emptied what I thought was the last of my Gatorade and went on my merry way with the back of the Art Museum as my guide.<br><br>
Those bastards had to make us go around the park, didn't they? I didn't stop after I made my decision to collapse but I was in pain and I know I was moving slowly. My garmin said I had already been out there for 2hours and 25 minutes when I came around the bend and remember it had been shut off for at least a portion of the run, so I knew I was doing very poorly.<br><br>
I saw <b>High Heat</b> taking pictures and tried to muster up a smile. I wanted to tell him to pick on someone else but I couldn't muster up the energy. I was never so happy to see a finish line in all my life. I don't remember crossing it. All I remember is stumbling to the back of the chute to find a Beaming <b>Scratch</b> celebrating his first half victory. He gave me strength. Then <b>Clare</b> came up behind us. Good thing too, she steadied me from passing out just after we got our medals. Once I ate I was better. Thank goodness for salty soft pretzels and bananas.<br><br>
I came in at 2:19:48. I could not believe it! After mile 11 or so I was sure I was coming in at 2:30 or over. Funny thing is I was disappointed with my overall performance. It's funny because 6 weeks ago I would have been thrilled with it. Also, I know I gave it everything I had. EVERYTHING! That's why my lips were blue when I got to the bleachers. Thanks to everyone who shed a skin to heat me up. I really appreciated the green colemans poncho even if it made me look like the dork that I am. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
Best part: Being greeted by the KR 30's bleacher party, my warm clothes, cookies and beer.<br><br>
P.s. I'm no longer a pee virgin.
I'm not even going to apologize for this being long. Not after reading Coach T's Race Report.<br><br>
The set up:<br>
I ran my first half marathon 6 weeks ago. I ran 2:14:22 on a very hilly course. Since then I kept up my training but I felt a little unmotivated by the abrupt change in the weather. I didn't go as far as I should have I think. I eased up just a little too much. Oh well...<br><br>
I ran on Friday morning at 6:25 am in 32* F weather, in order to make sure I had enough time to get ready and take my kids to school as per usual. Maybe that way my 7 year old wouldn't feel like I'd been gone for ever. That run was a good powerful 5K. I could already feel the adrenaline pumping and it gave me courage to see the half marathon through.<br><br>
Traveling to Philly was uneventful. Thank you <b>Frankie</b> for picking me up at the airport. Sorry <b>Clare</b> that we didn't find each other in time. I went to my hotel and had a massage that was for lack of a better term...Meh...<br><br>
Then the festivities began. May I just take a moment here to thank <b>Lori,</b> <b>Alexis, their husbands, Jill, and PhillyTom</b> for their wonderful and gracious hospitality. I truly believe that it was because of all your efforts that this trip was so very successful for all the Kick Runners who attended. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.<br><br>
I attended The Friday GropeFest, the Schweaty Balls Run, the Pre Dinner Dinner, the Race, The Bleacher Bash and the Post Race Drink Fest. I didn't overdue any of them so you can't blame me for that.<br><br>
I had a moment. You know one of those " hey...I can't believe I'm making this happen moment in life" at the <b>Schweaty Balls Run</b> when I was running behind, <b>LL, boB, Trevor, Voodoo, The Kenyan, PhastTom,</b> along side of <b>Nettie</b> and the <b>Big Gahoona</b>. It was somewhat surreal to be running with these Big Fish in the Pond. I had arrived!!! What a thrill!<br><br>
So since this is a Race Report, perhaps I should move along to the race.<br><br>
I got to bed early enough on Saturday night after agonizing over my gear and setting it all out. The fugging weatherman, as you all know, was calling for rain and cold. But the temps hadn't dropped yet like they said they would so I made contigency plans. I wore throwaway clothes since typically overheating is a big issue for me. Ball cap, stretchy gloves, AC/DC running socks, capris, old three quarter shirt over new long sleeve thin layer over trusted AC/DC cotton t-shirt over running bra.<br><br>
I woke up at 5:19 am. Brushed my teeth, had a pee, ate a chocolate covered pretzel, drank some H2O, got dressed and left the building. I go outside and catch a cab along with a guy with a German accent, in a leather jacket and jeans and two other runners. The cabby was super enthusiastic and put me in the mood to fight the good fight. When we got to the start area the two runners went there own way while the man in the leather followed along my path. I asked him if he was running? Smooth. I know. It comes with practice. But what I found out was really cool. It turned out that he was a VIP spectator. Oh yeah? How come? Turns out that he is assessing the outcome because his company would be bidding on the NYMarathon timing rites next year. "Really? Wow! Hey, let me tell you what I think." (yes I said exactly that) So he stops and looks me in the face. "I'm here with a large group of runners this weekend and let me tell you that we are very worried about this new technology that they are using here." I gave him our reasons. Too flimsy. Too fragile. Not tested before. The marathon advertised that ChampionChip would be handling the timing. You can't bend it. I even told him I was worried that I was running this race for nothing but a disaster drill. and so on and so on. Well...he works for ChampionChip and had actually never seen the technology that was being used that day. So he asked if he could take a picture of the timing chip already on my shoelace, both sides and thanked me for letting him know all of my concerns. He wished me luck and we parted company. Nice guy...<br><br>
I hit the PortoPotty and then made my way to the start. I met up with <b>Keriksen</b> and <b>PhillyTom.</b> They disrobed...so I did too. Dropped my three quarter sleeve warming shirt in the trees. It was not warm out but not chilly either. We went right up near the start. The gun went and we moved through the chute and I never saw <b>Keriksen</b> or <b>PhillyTom</b> again.<br><br>
I felt great!!!! All those people all over the place! Fantastic! I was running well and strong and breathing fine. My garmin had me at 8:57 mile pace. That's fast for me. But it was completely comfortable. So I went with it. I started to shed my layers at about mile 4. The ball cap went. The gloves went. Then the thin long sleeve shirt, leaving me with the tee, and capris. I regretted the shirt at mile 8. But I was near tears at mile 9 when my fingers were numb from the cold. I put my hands in my pants and ran like that for about a mile. I got the strangest comments. I did that until I got the brilliant idea to pay a spectator the 20 bucks I had in my fuel belt for his mitts. But then I figured that would take way too long to explain, especially with trying to find and interpreter and all, since my accent is apparently so strong. So I kept going. Then I picked up a discarded pink glove and about a half mile later I picked up a discarded black glove. Ambrosia, Darlings!!! By this time I had eaten all the sportsbeans that I had brought with me.<br><br>
At this point I look down and my garmin is off!!! Crap. I turn it back on but I don't know why...the whole thing is fugged up now. I didn't mind the hill on mile 9. Afterall I had my gloves by then. I can tell you that I never saw a mile marker after that one. This is where things get a little shady for me. I know that I went for a pee in the wild 6 feet deep bushes at some point in that time between mile 10 and 13.1, but when exactly I don't know. All of a sudden I was exhausted. I wanted to quit. And I would have too if I hadn't been so cold. I knew I was doing badly. I had to walk. I had to stop. I finally stopped because I was having chest pains or boob pains. chest pains or boob pains. ah Crap! I'm weaving as i'm walking and trying to decide if i'm going to die or pass out. All I wanted were my clothes and to quit. But my clothes were back at the finish line and I had people waiting for me, so I made a decision...a wise one I think. I decided that I'd get to my clothes faster if I kept running and collapsed then if I just stopped running and walked the rest of the way. I emptied what I thought was the last of my Gatorade and went on my merry way with the back of the Art Museum as my guide.<br><br>
Those bastards had to make us go around the park, didn't they? I didn't stop after I made my decision to collapse but I was in pain and I know I was moving slowly. My garmin said I had already been out there for 2hours and 25 minutes when I came around the bend and remember it had been shut off for at least a portion of the run, so I knew I was doing very poorly.<br><br>
I saw <b>High Heat</b> taking pictures and tried to muster up a smile. I wanted to tell him to pick on someone else but I couldn't muster up the energy. I was never so happy to see a finish line in all my life. I don't remember crossing it. All I remember is stumbling to the back of the chute to find a Beaming <b>Scratch</b> celebrating his first half victory. He gave me strength. Then <b>Clare</b> came up behind us. Good thing too, she steadied me from passing out just after we got our medals. Once I ate I was better. Thank goodness for salty soft pretzels and bananas.<br><br>
I came in at 2:19:48. I could not believe it! After mile 11 or so I was sure I was coming in at 2:30 or over. Funny thing is I was disappointed with my overall performance. It's funny because 6 weeks ago I would have been thrilled with it. Also, I know I gave it everything I had. EVERYTHING! That's why my lips were blue when I got to the bleachers. Thanks to everyone who shed a skin to heat me up. I really appreciated the green colemans poncho even if it made me look like the dork that I am. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
Best part: Being greeted by the KR 30's bleacher party, my warm clothes, cookies and beer.<br><br>
P.s. I'm no longer a pee virgin.
