New Orleans Marathon

Saturday before the Marathon, D and I got up and got ready to drive to New Orleans.  He packed the car, while I resumed packing my clothes.  We discussed eating at home or on the road. We picked both.  We would eat once we got out of Atlanta.  D grabbed some food.  Without thinking about it (no reason that he should have) he grabbed me a Fiber One Bar.  In the car, I declined, because I didn't need to add to that issue.  The drive to New Orleans was relatively boring.  I drove the first 300 miles, and he drove the last 150.  I was glad he drove the last.  The bridge of Lake Pontchartrain and I-10 by the Dome were frightening to me (I don't like bridges and I don't like overpasses).

Finally we pulled into our hotel around 2. Stress reducer! We would make it to the Expo before 5pm.  A nice bellman informed us no rooms were ready but we could put everything in storage and go out.  So we did.  He seemed a little confused that our 3 days stay had 8 pieces of luggage including a foam roller.  But eh.

We pre-checked in, and then walked over to the Convention Center.  On the way over, I kind of looked for restaurants, but it seemed we walked past every chain restaurant that I don't particularly care for and no pizza places.  We got to the Expo and looked up our numbers.  There were 2 Als and 2 D's.  So we just went to the Corral Number Pick up with no one in it.  That guy wanted to know where our release forms were.  So back to the beginning and we filled those out.  Back to the guy.  "Why don't you have a number?"
Because I don't know which one it is.  "Over there," he said, pointing to a wall.  "Over where?" D asked.  On another wall was the information booth, so we got in that line.  We got our numbers and then got in the correct lines to get the physical numbers.  After that, shirts and bag.  No one could tell us where to get our parking pass.  We went into the RnR section and the was just a Cluster.  Still no Parking Pass.  A random Security Guy helped us out with that, since no one with RnR knew about it.    We left that part of the Expo and got to a new Information Booth, and as we walked up, the Info Lady and Man looked at us, grabbed a book, stepped back and starting gabbing.  Both D and I in unison said, "Really?"  The other Info Lady helped us to where the Parking Passes were.  We stood in that line, when a random volunteer saw I had a receipt, grabbed it and returned with our pass.  Score!  We looked at the 100 people or so in the line to get wrist bands for beer, said F it and left.  Both of us thought the Expo was way too big.  And of course we weren't going to buy anything BEFORE finishing a race.  I guess we are weird.

After a few tries we found a bar in the Warehouse District, aptly named the District.  The bartender was nice, it was empty and they had an Abita Oyster Stout.  We had a couple of those.  Then he told us where to get pizza.  That didn't work out (the place was not open yet), so we found another place using our phones (or maybe a cab).  That place was odd.  It was takeout, but they had tables.  We ate there (Magazine Pizza).  The pizza was pretty decent.  Then we cabbed it back to the hotel, checked in and got all of our gear.  We watched a lot of TV.  We discussed how we were getting to the race (parking pass, anyone?)  and decided that D would finish the race, take a shuttle back to the hotel and then drive back to the end.  So I packed the camera bag with the parking pass, and we went to bed.

For the next 7 hours, both of us just layed there.  Went to the bathroom a few times, tossed and turned, but sleep was not to be had.  I think we each got about 2 hours. My alarm went off at 5.  I got up and figured out what to wear, and peed about 20 times (nervous).  I had a Clif Bar. D got up at 530 and we both got ready, packing our food and Camelbak (me) and Fuel Belt (him).  His nutrition looks way different than mine.

D's Nutrition for 26.2 Miles

Al's Nutrition for 26.2 Miles

We got everything packed. I used the bathroom about 80 more times, and finally we were ready.

Hotel Room Shot

I worked on finishing my last Clif Bar, and off we went.  The hotel was full of runners.  We were only a block from the starting line, so we walked over there and stood.  We found the corrals.  D knew I was terrified.  He said he would get in my corral with me (he was in the 6th Corral, I was in the 15th).  We got to the 11th or the 12th Corral and stopped there.  We really couldn't tell which one it was, and D knew I was seriously having issues with the 7 hour time limit.  RnR took a picture of us.

Pre-Race Photo by RnR

Finally the corrals started moving.  Finally the corral we were in started and we were on our way.  I just kind of ran.  I had to pee (of course).  I really didn't focus on much.  I periodically checked for my back-up iPod.  About .5 mile in, I realized it wasn't there.  This lady who looked way out of breath, hit me on the shoulder to tell me I dropped it about the same time.  She had picked it up.  I was thankful for her, but praying this wasn't an omen.

We turned and soon were by the Exxon and my watch dinged. I did my 9/1 thing.  Most of the people around me had on fluorescent green numbers (half).  I tried to look for the purple numbers (full).  I think we got to a water/Gatorade stop at Mile 2.5.  I was seriously shocked at how poorly run it was.  There was no water out. You had to wait as they poured each person a cup.  Seriously?  I did get one.  This was because my friend Elizabeth had told me to take everything they give you.  Then I got a Gatorade.  I drank everything and then went about my way.  (D said they had people handing out water with no waiting issues for him).  They had bands playing but I really couldn't hear.  A lot of MS and HS cheerleaders were out. That was nice.  My distances weren't matching the race distances (I was .1 miles ahead).
Mile 1: 12:04 (SLOW DOWN!!!!)
Mile 2: 13:39
Mile 3: 13:43
5K Total: 42:01

I had 2 Bloks here although I didn't think I needed them.  Mile 4 and 5 were a repeat of 2 and 3 but the other way (out and back to Loyola University).  The water station at Mile 5 was the same issue.  This really surprised me being how big a race series this was.  It wasn't worrisome though, because I was drinking from my Camelbak.  I hit mile 6. I wondered what my PR was on a 10K.  I was pretty sure I wasn't going to hit it.  Especially with the .1 mile thing.  That kept me busy until Mile 7.

Mile 4: 14:12
Mile 5: 13:58
Mile 6: 14:16
10K Total: 86:25
Mile 7: 14:28

At Mile 7 we finally turned.  There was a relay transistion there.  I almost went down that chute.  I was now running with a fireman in full gear and with an American Flag.  Mile 8 seemed to pop up out of nowhere.  We ran past the pizza place D and had dinner at the day before.  A couple of little turns.  They were passing out GU's.  I took one of my Hammer Gels here.  Since I had never had a GU, I wasn't going to start today. They were also passing out salt packets.  I didn't take those either.  I wondered what my 15K time was.  I think it was about the same that it had been for the Hot Chocolate 15K.  Around Mile 9, we ran under a Balloon Man.  I was hoping there was no "rain spray" from him.  I think I have a sick mind. I mentioned it to D later. He said, "You ran under someone's crotch?  Do you mean the Rocking Guy playing guitar?"  Yes, that would be him.  We were now in the French Quarter.  We ran by 2 Brew pubs, and Cafe Du Monde (which is how I knew where we were).  At Mile 10 we turned.

Me in the French Quarter...Photo by RnR people

Mile 8: 14:17
Mile 9: 14:33
Mile 10: 14:16
10 Miles Total: 2:21:39

This new road left something to be desired.  The pavement/asphalt was uneven, patched and pot-holed.  D said later he was not a fan. I was only not a fan because I had to watch for people.  A lot of people started speeding up, but a lot were walking.  I was a bit jealous that they were almost done.  I still felt pretty strong. Here I noticed a lot of sunburned people. I wondered where they got sun from.  It wasn't all that hot (65ish) and I had been running under a lot of trees.  We got to Mile 12.8 and the Marathon split.  Would I make it?  The guy told me to go left.  He didn't say, "NO MORE!"  So I did.  I was the only one.  Oh my!  Another guy came up and I ran with him until the 13.1.  We didn't talk, just ran together.  Then he pulled away (or I slowed down).

Mile 11: 15:00
Mile 12: 14:32
Mile 13: 14:55
1/2 Marathon Total: 3:07:14

I was very happy with the half-marathon time since none of my runs had produced anything less than 3:25 for 13 miles.  So we (I) ran through this little section of park onto a road that headed out to Lake Pontchartrain.  It was an out and back section.  So I got to see a lot of people try to qualify for Boston.  You could tell in a lot of people's faces when I got to Mile 14, that they weren't going to make it.  It was kind of sad really. And scary.  Some of these people looked like they were going to drop dead.  This may be why there seemed to be a lot of medic tents right there.  On my side of the road, it was rather boring.  Periodically someone would pass me.  After about 3:30 a lot of the people on the other side, kept telling me to keep at it.  I wondered if I looked liked I was going to die.  I had been keeping up with my nutrition, but it really felt that the Bloks (margarita flavor) were getting stuck in my throat.  Mile 16 ticked with over 3 hours left and right at a walk break up the first hill of the race (Marconi RD to Lakeshore DR).  I freaked out here, because the band was playing Florence+the Machine as was my iPod.  Weirdness.  I was wondering about D.  I assumed we had passed and I had just missed him.

Mile 14: 15:37
Mile 15: 16:14
Mile 16: 16:02

I decided somewhere in this time to go to the 4/1 strategy.  As I ran along Lake Pontchartrain, I wondered if not really having good weather when I ran the Smuttynose Half was really all that bad.  The water was water.  There really wasn't that much interesting going on.  I wondered where the turn was.  I finally passed D.  He was walking.  He said he was walking the last 5 miles in.  I told him he had 3 hours to walk it.  He kind of looked at me, oddly.

D probably around Mile 17, not Mile 20

 He was sure he had torn his Achilles around Mile 7.  I wondered how someone could tear that, and yet, I could still not pass them.  I was walking a little more than I was running, because the Bloks really were uncomfortable in my throat.  I decided I would walk up some bridge and run down it.  That was not a good idea.  PAIN shot through my foot.  I walked a little.  At the bottom of the bridge, I ran again, and PAIN.  WTF?  I walked a little more. Finally I had to stop and relace the whole shoe.  It felt better, but man, did it hurt to bend over to fix the damn thing. (No way I would sit down, I might not get back up).  I caught up to another walker.  He was cramping bad.  I let him have some of my Gatorade so he could take a salt packet. We got to the 19 mile mark and the turn.  We stepped on the mat and shook hands (that mat had already been turned off or because it didn't record my time).

Mile 17: 16:33
Mile 18: 17:15
Mile 19: 16:46

At this point, I wondered about running.  I was walking at a good pace.  I was chatting and annoying all those around me. I broke away from the Cramping Man, and just kept walking.  Another lady caught up to me, and we walked for awhile.  Then she broke away on "that" bridge.  While on top of that, I came across a couple. The woman was in tears that she wasn't going to make it.  I gave her one of my packs of Clif Bars.  I kept going.  I caught back up to the woman because I started running to test out my foot.  She asked me what the point of running at this point was.  So I stopped.  The SAG Wagon came by the other way.  They stopped and gave us water, pretzels and a banana. I passed on the banana, because I was still having issues with the Blok.  I ate some pretzels but they were too salty.  I just kept on moving, although I really did seem to be dicking around.  The lady broke away again.  Finally I got back to Marconi.  The band seemed really out of tune at this time.

Mile 20: 17:03
20 Miles Total: 5:00:41
Mile 21: 16:17
Mile 22: 16:38

I was so close.  Only about 90 minutes more.  I was so bored.  Whose idea was this?  I was right.  I was never doing this again.  D was probably showered, napped, and dressed.  Was I a runner?   I walk every 9 minutes.  But I am now closing in on 6 hours of exercise. Can the naysayers who have told me my runs don't count because I walk do that?  Fuck them.

Sent to D and Facebook

I took the last of my Bloks.  Still getting stuck in my throat.  I never want Margarita Bloks again. If I throw up will I feel better. Don't throw up.  Where are the Mickey Mouse People (a water stop).  They are serving martinis.  That'll make you throw up, Al.  I actually caught up to 3 people during this time.  At Mile 24, I resumed running.  I ran .12 or .13 miles and walked .13 or .12 miles.  My legs hurt.  But they still felt they would hold me up.  It made the time go by faster.  Finally I entered the park.

Mile 23: 18:40
Mile 24: 18:11
Mile 25: 16:42

At the last water stop, the ladies there were saints.  They told the cameramen to start clicking.  They hit a car with their fists to say, "We have a runner here."  I think if I had asked them, they would have poured the water and Gatorade in my mouth.  And they said, "You have 1 mile left."  No lying here.    I continued this pace strategy I had cleverly devised.  I ran over a stream.  The camera men played on their phones. That annoyed me.  But eh.  I was almost there.  I started to cry.  Back in 3rd grade, my gym teacher (he was a bully) told me I was fat, and I shouldn't even attempt sports, and then would give me F's for not trying.  3rd Grade, and I've been carrying this shit.  Where the hell did that come from?  I gave him the bird (although he wasn't there to see it).  I was not going to cry on the finish line.  I turned and seemed to be running to a museum.  There was no one around except one girl infront of me.  Where was the finish?  We ran around the museum and my watch dinged. And I saw the 26 mile sign.  And I heard a loud whistle. I know that whistle anywhere.  It was D somewhere.  The girl had started running as well, so she was far enough infront of me.  The announcer called her out and gave her a high-five.  She crossed. Another whistle.   I had about .1 to go. I wondered if anyone was behind me.  The announcer started congratulating me.  No way. I was going to do this.  No one was going to stop me.  He high-fived me.  I was going to do it.  My brain, my legs.  I crossed.

Mile 26: 16:59
Marathon Total Time:  6:47:43 (I was 25 from last).
D's Marathon Total Time (on a bum foot): 4:59:03

The 2 people there, gave me a medal, and stuffed a water in my hand.  I wandered around.  Where was D?  They moved the gate for him to get out and we hugged.  Then they hurried us into the photo booth.

D finishing

Me finishing

DONE!

US!

Shirt and Medal

Our Medals

Up close

NO WAY!

We stood for about a minute when I looked over and the whole RnR City was had been taken down (including the beer tent). They announced the last shuttles were about to leave. Since D had gotten hurt, he never went and got the car.  He just waited for me.  He also told the photographers they weren't leaving until I crossed the line.  It ticked us both off a bit, as we found out from various people the 7 hour time limit started when the last person from the last corral started.  So it was a little insulting to run 26.2 miles, and then have to run across a park to catch a bus.  But we did.  And the girl that I gave the Shot Bloks to?  She finished as well.

The shuttle dropped us off beside our hotel.  We  went up and layed around for a little while.  I was right about the Clif Bloks.  I think I coughed up 2 (hard to tell since they were fluorescent green...could have been phlegm).   We realized we were ravenous. So we went and had food and beer.

The first post run beer!

The next day we did the Bourbon Street thing.   We may have gotten a little drunk.  I know you all are shocked.

On Tuesday we returned to Atlanta.  We had a little shopping to do.  Yes, we went and got this before we even went home.

Building up to a Marathon

So it seems like eons ago (7 or 8 months), my friend Yas ran a marathon.  I had been toying with the idea, and my friend Elizabeth kept telling me I should do one.  After Yas ran hers, I bombarded her with a ton of questions.  How hard was the training?  What was her plan?  How long was the plan?  Patiently she answered every question.  She said I should sign up for one.

Then I asked Elizabeth a ton of questions. How hard was the training?  What was her plan?  How long was the plan? She said I should sign up for one.

Then I asked Delane a ton of questions. How hard was the training?  What was her plan?  How long was the plan? She said I should sign up for one.

Then I asked Jenbeast a ton of questions.  How hard was the training?  What was her plan?  How long was the plan? She said I should sign up for one. (Actually I didn't ask her about a plan...I asked her about cutoffs, walking, etc. and she relayed her IronMan experience to me).

D is pretty easy going.  I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes when I suggested the idea. Then said, "I will need a fuel belt." And then said there was no way he was going to run 10 miles in one day in the middle of the week.   And that was about the extent I got out of him.

So I signed us up for the Rock N Roll Marathon New Orleans.  For 20 weeks we were supposed to train.  We picked this plan, because of mental blocks I get over certain mileages.  So I wanted to be sure I did 26 miles.  We did well in October.  We did great in November.  We did ok in December.  We did lackluster in January. By February we were miserable.

However whenever I made comments or observations, people chimed in with their thoughts or support (Thank you, all!).  I think it was pretty easy to see we were losing steam.   First, D works every other weekend. So he missed the "short long run."  Then every long run starting at 18 miles, the weather was between 25 and 32 degrees.  Every frigging long run. So it was hard to prep for a 70 degree race.  Still we tried.  Then I got the flu.  Then I got strep.  Those were harder for me to mentally overcome.

Then D said he was having a back issue.  This was early February.  He tried a 5 mile run and got through .5 miles.  He said his Achilles was in pain.  He got new work shoes, but also went to see the Orthopedic Surgeon.  He had a strained tendon. Trying to be supportive, I didn't bother to tell him how freaked out I was that he basically became a "game day decision."  But I really was shitting a brick that now I was going to have to do this without him.  And that I needed him.  That knowing he is doing it helps me.  I stayed quiet (as much as I could), and he took Celebrex for a few weeks.  In there, we got a puppy.  Then there was Valentine's Day.  We went to Pet Store Beer Night for V-day.  Running Bud A and her husband J were there.  They asked us about the Marathon and were we going to do another.  I don't think we ever spoke so fast, "NO!"

My birthday rolled around and we still didn't run.  I was sick to my stomach every day from stress.  I wanted to vomit all the time.  I made sure that wasn't a sign for something else (no!).  And finally Friday rolled around. D drove McMenamin and Scuttlebutt to their daycare.  Lompoc is too little, and not fully vaccinated so she stayed with our friends.  On the way home from dropping her off, we witnessed an accident.  It wasn't bad at all, but my God our nerves.

We packed.  Well D packed.  I packed my running bag, my nutrition bag, my camera, my foam roller, and computer.  Then I said I was tired, and went to bed...

I'm a Marathoner!

Completed the RnR New Orleans Marathon in under 7 hours!

More to come.

Also got a new puppy, Lompoc from the pound. She is adorable!

Rings, Running and Dates

So I have now run more in 1 week of February than the last 18 days of January.  I'm killer that way.

Do any of you forget to wear your wedding rings?  I do about 4-5 days a week. I'm allergic to the soap in the bathrooms at work, and well, I still use the soap at work.  Usually, I purell my hands after I use the soap, but with all the sickness going around, there is no Purell around the office (if I don't go back to my desk). Yes, I know Purell can make you more sick, but it also prevents my hands from looking like they have been in a chemical burn and feel like they have been bitten by 1000 mosquitoes, so, I go with the Purell.

So anyway, I typically don't wear my wedding rings on Tuesdays-Fridays, as my hands start to get irritated.  I really never noticed that I didn't do this before last week.

Happen to have them on on a Wednesday

 I went back to the gym for my 3 miler.  I ran it decently (37 minutes).  D had already left (I knew he had been there, because no one else watches Futurama on the TV but him, and guess what was on?).  Anyway, I was finished and I went to get the cleaner to wash down the treadmill.  I had the cleaner in my left hand and was reaching above the cubbies to get a paper towel.  This guy who I recognized tells me I'm getting faster.

Now, it is the gym...you know I don't talk to people. I don't really look at people (I look at the ground).  So how did I recognize him?  He has black socks and Blue and Green Sauconys on.

So, when he told me I'm getting faster, I glanced at his shoes.  I said, "Thank you."  It's a compliment, so you know I was blushing.  He asked me if I'd like to go get a beer or something.  I was still holding the cleaner in my left hand.  Because I had been sick, I hadn't been to work, so guess what was on my hand.  My wedding rings (I have 2) and engagement ring.  I looked at my hand.  He looked at my hand.  He got red, and asked if the rings were new.  I felt so bad, like I had been leading this guy on.  I giggled and said, "No, they are almost 10 years old.  I feel really bad. I'm sorry."  I quickly grabbed the paper towel and rushed back to the treadmill.  When I put the stuff back/in the trash, the guy was gone.

I told D about it when I got home.  He laughed.  He probably laughed more at the fact I felt like I had led the guy on.

Only me...

First Long Run in Awhile

Remember when I got the flu after the 15K? Well, I missed a week of running, including a 24 Mile run.  The next week I ran 4 miles, and then got a scratchy throat that by the end of the week was strep throat, so I missed a 10 Mile run.  I finally got back to the gym and did a 3 mile run.

I was feeling decent (not 100%) so D and I decided we would go back to the Silver Comet for our last long run of 26 miles.  Friday night came and he was later than usual for dinner.  I was starving (we had no food in the house) which turned into a headache.  We went to get pizza and there was no parking spaces in sight.  I said "Fuck it," and we went home.  I found some left over potato soup, ate it, and went to bed.  4 hours later I was wide awake.  2 hours rolled by.  I bitched, said some shit and went to the guest room where I stayed up for another 4 hours. D said it was too cold and hot to run (it was 28 degrees to swing up to 53 by the time we would be done), and we decided to just run on Sunday.  So we did all of our Sunday errands on Saturday.

By 8PM I was ready to fall asleep, but managed to stay awake until 10.  I woke up again at 2, but told D I was turning on the TV. He went to the other room.  I was asleep by 245 and slept until the alarm went off.  We got ready ok.  Same routine as last time.  2 Clif Bars, 3 bottles of water.

We drove over to the Silver Comet.  We were the only ones there. It was 33 degrees.  We talked ourselves into staying, got all of our crap on, said good-bye to each other and took off.  Everything was fine except there was no one out.  It was incredibly desolate.  I tried not to wonder where some woman was kidnapped in murder a few years ago. I was pretty sure it wasn't between Miles 0 and 4 since they are the most traveled area.  I noticed the bridges were all icy.  I walked over them all.  Still nothing exciting.


Times :  15 miler 18 miler 22 miler 26 miler
Mile 1:   14:36    15:20    14:48       15:15
Mile 2:   15:07    15:43    15:42       14:24
Mile 3:   15:08    15:33    15:45       14:56
Mile 4:   14:56    16:06    16:01       14:22

I really couldn't remember how my pace was previously.  I knew I was going fast when I got to a Pearl Jam song at the beginning of Mile 4 instead of 4.5  I ate 2 Clif Shot Blocks.

Again, Miles 4-8 were more desolation.  I was amazed at how empty the lot was at the Depot at Mile 4. There were 4 cars.  The sun was coming out and I was pretty sure none of the rest of the bridges would be slipper.  I ate 2 Shot Blocks at Mile 6 and Mile 8.  The one thing I did notice is my heart rate was running at 171 most of the time which is high for my long runs. My legs felt heavy, and although the song told me I was running faster, I really felt like I wasn't moving.


Times :  15 miler 18 miler 22 miler 26 miler
Mile 5:   15:32    15:26     15:27    14:33
Mile 6:   15:33    15:28     15:05    14:56
Mile 7:   15:54    15:24     15:25    15:20
Mile 8:   15:57    15:57     15:38    14:49

After Mile 8 I noticed a few people and how tired I was. I had no clue why.  I switched over to the 4/1 routine from the 9/1.  I wondered where I had done this last run. I couldn't remember.  (TMI (sorry) I also noticed a feminine hygiene product didn't seem to be working, and I was pretty sure there was a leak).  Oh well.  Miles 9-11 seemed to be really hard.  Like turn around and go home hard.  But I hadn't past D at mile 9. I was beginning to worry that he was on the side of the road. so I still kept going.  I had a Hammer Gel at Mile 10. There was D.  I made a face at him.  He did a little dance.  It made me laugh.  Later, he said he was surprised to see me where he had.  He was expecting between Miles 11 and 12.  I had 2 Orange Clif Blocks at Mile 11. They are disgusting.  Taste like Licorice with a hint of orange. D thinks they are awesome.  I crossed Mile 11 and really thought about turning around... oh, Al, what is 2 more miles?  I kept going.  Finally Mile 12 came.


Times :  15 miler 18 miler 22 miler 26 miler
Mile 9:   16:36    15:56    15:49     16:17
Mile 10: 17:00    15:56    15:40     15:37
Mile 11: 17:12    16:14    16:02     16:12
Mile 12: 17:10    16:47    16:46     16:27

I thought Mile 13 would never arrive.  I ran into Paulding County.  My legs were in pain. My nether regions were sloshy. I tried not to think about it.  I turned around and did a little arm shake to congratulate myself that I only had 52 more laps (think around a track) to go.  Easy.  Except that while 12 laps seems like nothing in my head...20 seems insurmountable.  And well 40?  I didn't even want to think about 52.  Orange Clif Blocks are disgusting.  Just get to Mile 15, Al.  Slowly I focused.  A woman walking passed me.  Every minute that I walked (after 4 running) I would notice she was further away.  Bitch.  At Mile 14.5, I had another Hammer Gel.  I wasn't sure why, but I knew I was getting irrational, and decided that should help.  It really seemed that the 4/1 plan wasn't working. It seemed I was only "running" .15 miles in the 4 minutes.  My legs were in pain.  My HR was at 175.  "Come on, AL.  In 4 minutes you can walk.  You can go 4 minutes. " At 15 miles, I was so happy I only had 11 miles left.  I had more Shot Blocks. I really wished I had the Margarita Flavor.  I looked around and except for the dot the walker had become, there was no one around.  Nothing to look at. I hate trees.  Why did I sign up for this?  "Al, look how far you have come.  15 miles. You wanted to quit at 8, or was it 9?  Either way, you are doing this!"  Around Mile 15.6 my knee buckled  I didn't hurt anything, but it did scare me.  How would D get me?  What if I hurt it?  My legs hurt so badly.  Don't cry.   Finally Mile 16 came.  There was some extra walking in there. I also stopped, took off my Camelbak and got out my phone. I 4Squared where I was.  The McDonald's was near.


Times :  15 miler 18 miler 22 miler 26 miler
Mile 13: 17:43    17:31     16:40    16:24
Mile 14: 17:36    17:24     16:14    17:09
Mile 15: 16:22    16:57     16:37    17:12
Mile 16:              17:55     17:19    18:39

By this point I decided I was done.  There was no use torturing myself for 10 more miles. I was a bit confused however because my watch was saying I had almost 3 hours to get the 10 miles done (7 hours).  I could do that.  I was still walking and my other knee buckled.  I couldn't do that.  I tried to run a little.  That lasted all of 30 seconds, mostly because I never put my Camelbak on properly, and I was holding my phone.    I texted D I was going to the McDonald's and to call me when he finished his run.  I plodded to the Mile 9.2 mile marker and turned to go to the McD's.  I had no clue where I was.  I hoped D could find me.  My stomach hurt (Damn being a woman).  Finally I got there and bought a Diet Coke and waited about 10 minutes for D to call.  We figured out the address and he mapquested it.  About another 20 minutes went by and he was there to pick me up.  We mapquested our home address and went home. (The .8 miles was 24:57... it was shorter, but I forgot to turn off the watch when I got to McD's.).
Overall: 16.8 miles in 4:32:23

Things to ponder:
I was feeling a bit lousy.  But D said it was huge to have pushed myself for 8-9 miles while playing head games.  Neither of us know if my period played a factor in the lousy run.  D says yes, considering on the first day, my blood pressure plummets to the point I have trouble walking without passing out (this wasn't the first day, but the 3rd...again sorry, TMI).  I was running significantly faster than I normally run long runs and I probably need to slow down to last the full 26..  Don't use Orange Shot Blocks.  Some days you just have lousy runs.

Hot Chocolate 15K, Atlanta, 2013

So it is hard to write about 2 races when they occur in the same weekend...and then you get the flu and forget you have to still write a report...  So this report is for the Hot Chocolate 15K from 1.13.13.

I had a friend run this in Chicago earlier this year and said packet pickup was a nightmare. So A and I discussed all week going to the pickup together to split parking expenses.  That was the first thing that made me laugh.  If you looked at HC15K's Facebook page, a lot of people were bitching they had to pay for parking.  I'm sorry, but have you never visited "the big city?" In what major city can you park for free? Plus HC15K wasn't charging, the venue was.  But that being said, it really didn't occur to me that people would have to pay for their parking for the 15K too.  But I'll get there...

So A and I decided we would go on Saturday to pick up the packets but I also had plans with J to run and be somewhere at 2.  I was getting nervous. Then on Friday A emailed me to say there was a problem at the packet pickup and the servers had gone down.  I jumped on FB, and they were manually checking people in and you could pick up other people's packets with some emails and stuff.  Something else happened and I realized the ATL Boat Show was in the same place as packet pickup and just decided I would go Friday and get them with D.  But on the way home, I was already almost there, so I picked up everyone's packet.  It took me longer to park than it did to get the packets.  In and out.  No problems.

The race was a little worrisome to me.  A had mentioned the last 3 miles.  I had looked at the course.  I had run the whole course at different times.  The last 3 miles, were the last 3 miles of a 10K I had cried through.  This weighed on my mind.  And the fact there was a pacer to pick you up at 2hours and 15 minutes.

Saturday night with D and J, I noticed I wasn't hungry for the world's best food, pizza.  I could barely get down a slice...We called it a night (J and I had been out all day), and I drove J home and me home...met up with D at home.  At 3AM I was sick as a dog.  Not good.  At 645, I got up and down 4 bottles of water and used the bathroom umpteen times.  It was about 65 degrees outside.   I couldn't get my shoe tied correctly.  It hit part of my ankle and made it sore.  I knew 9 miles of that was going to make me cry.  I got it fixed the best I could, and went to the bathroom again.  Convinced my body was empty we went over to A's, where I used the bathroom again.  We walked to the start from A's which is why we never considered paying for parking.  It is .8 miles.  I drank another water.  We got to the race and A had to go to the bathroom.  By the time she got to the front I did too, so again.

A and I somehow were in the same corral (last).  D was up front.  So we said good bye to him and went to ours. I looked at A, and she was sweating.  She doesn't do heat. I was freezing but sweating.  Except for the severe cramps and the chills, I felt fine, oddly.  We talked a little, but not a lot.  This was A's longest race yet, and I could see she was nervous.  Finally our corral started, and A and I said good-bye.

We ran past Turner field and Hank Aaron to Atlanta (Summerhill and Peoplestown).  I run this all the time, so I just went at an easy pace.  We got up to Cherokee and ran past the zoo (Grant Park).  Another section I run...in my mind this was all flat.  At mile 2 there were spot-a-pots and Gatorade.  I felt ok, so I took some Gatorade.

Mile 1: 12:35
Mile 2: 13:20

We started the next section crossing over Memorial Drive down to the Beer Store.  Turned at the MLK MARTA Station and continued on Dekalb Ave, parallel to the CSX train tracks.  I was doing my 9:1 run.  I ran with 2 gals for awhile.  None of us had steady paces though, and it was very obvious.  A had told me this area was flat.  I thought maybe for her.  But again, I tried to emulate D and stay even on the hills.  A train passed us and honked.  People were taking pictures of the train and the MARTA tracks.  It kind of made me giggle, only because this is pretty much how I drive everywhere I go...amazing what views you sometimes take for granted.  We got to Mile 4 and turned on Elizabeth Street.  More bathrooms and Gatorade.  Still felt ok, GI-wise, so I took some more Gatorade and water.

Mile 3: 13:57
Mile 4: 13:12

While on Elizabeth St, people were looking at the houses.  This is Inman Park area of town.  I heard 2 people wonder aloud if the Governor lived here (no).  We got to a downhill and a sharp turn.  I was having a little issue figuring out where I was (as in city, state, world).  I decided to take a Clif Shot and get some sugar in me.  We hit an uphill and I figured all that good stuff out.  We ran up by Bell Street Burritos and then turned onto Randolph (Old 4th Ward).  Big short hill.  Climbed that and turned onto Dobbs.  A car decided that 16K runners really didn't matter to him.  When we got to Boulevard, the cop directing traffic did.  Made him turn the opposite direction he wanted to go.  HAHA!  We crossed Boulevard and ran over to Parkway (I think it is called Jackson at that point).  This is where I kind of noticed the time, because the Falcants (Failcons?) were playing Seattle in the playoffs.  The Falcants have crappy fans.  When they are on the bandwagon they are the most rude people you have ever met.  And it would prove to be no different today.  At Highland there was a guy yelling at all the runners to move their fat asses (I won't comment about his lard ass) so he could get back in his dualie to go across. The cop rolled his eyes at the guy.  Finally got to Mile 6 at Central Park.  More Gatorade...Stomach was holding up.

Mile 5: 13:49
Mile 6: 13:39

So we ran down Central Park Ave and turned on Pine Street.  More Falcants fans.  As we crossed to get on Piedmont, one fan spat upon me.  Another threw a cigarette at a bunch of people.  Yet another reason, I'll never be a fan of this horrible franchise. Besides the fans, this is where I had to start digging.  I have hated this section of the course for 5 years.   I turned on North Avenue and then a block onto Courtland. For 5 years I have cussed out Courtland (yes while driving). I was with a new group of people I noticed.  We started up a hill.  And a light.  The cops stopped us.  WTF?  Ok, restarted after he let about 10 cars go through.  Up a hill, stop at another light.  I finally remembered to turn off and start my Garmin for all these stops which was about 6 times.  It was sooooooo frustrating.  Not only were they stopping us on hills. Everyone was bunched so it was like starting a race every time we were allowed to go.  Not to mention that they had one lane of the 4 for the runners and certain fans would drive as close to the cones as they possibly could.  Have I mentioned Falcant Fans are assholes.  They conveniently let us runners know we were assholes as well.  Finally we were out of the hotel zone.  I was so angry.  So angry in fact, I really didn't noticed I had just conquered a large part of Courtland and was at Edgewood (Mile 8).  More Gatorade.

Mile 7: 14:16
Mile 8: 13:55.

OK, Al you have this.  There was one more major hill that I could remember.  I just took it in stride.  I decided the APD and HC15K staff was not to fault for the traffic.  I know that the NFL sets the time, and I signed up for the race back in May.  So there was no possible way to know that the Failcons would be able to not choke this far into the season (they just waited until the NFC Championship).  I got up to MLK and saw the Church D and I got married in.  I am almost there.  Kept running...Finally back on Hank Aaron (Capitol Ave).  Crossed over Memorial Drive and I-20.  The watched dinged.  Last street.  I saw D.  I felt so relaxed.  I got my picture taken.  The last .3 (or .46) seemed to take forever.  Kept going.  Finally saw the finish line.  I wondered if they had chocolate left for me.  Finally crossed the line!  3 mile hill, I OWNED YOU!

Yes, that's all I thought about.

Mile 9: 14:14
Total: 2:08:37

We got some water and quickly found A.  She was not happy with her time, but attributed it to the heat and the humidity.  D was happy with his.  We went and got our Hot Chocolate and chocolate.  The Hot Chocolate went in the trash.  We all ate the chocolate as we walked back to A's.

D and I played with our God-dog, Elsa for a bit and then left and went home.  I pretty much passed out for the rest of the day.  Then I was out of work with the flu for the rest of the week.

A, D and Me at the Hot Chocolate 15K

Elevation Profile, Hot Chocolate 15K, Atlanta

Sweatshirt, Finisher's Mug and Hat

Run with the Dogs 5K 2013

So back in December, I started looking at some 5Ks and 10Ks that we routinely do at the beginning of the year.  Run with the Dogs was January 12.  D had to work.  A was hitting some financial woes (company bought out and huge layoffs will happen), so who was I going to run with.  Not to mention, even if A were to run, she now has a dog.  So who was going to give me their dog scarf?

I sign up for the race.  Within the same hour, J emails me about his 40th birthday and what should he do for it.  I realize I have a 15K on the 13th.  So whatever he does, I'm going to have to cut my night short. (What I'm really thinking is that, "Oh, I only have to run 9 miles on Sunday so we should party like rock stars."  But I have done that before and it doesn't really work.)  I tell J that I will have to be semi-lame for his birthday and that I'm doing this 5K and he should do it.  And that if he does, I want his scarf...  He signs up.  I should mention J doesn't run (yet).

So Friday the 11th comes.  I'm trying to make plans coordinating with A on getting our 15K race packets while planning on stuff with J.  J and I have plans to go to a brewery at 2pm on Saturday, so I have to get everything else done after the race and before the brewery.  I decide to pick up the packets on Friday. J and I decide to meet for the 5K at my house on Saturday at 8am.

Saturday at 715, I finally get out of bed and do all the various things I have to do.  It is January, so of course the weather is 62 degrees.  Wait!  What?  Yes, 62 degrees.  87% humidity.  At 8am, J shows up.  I do a few things and off we go.  I am pretty sure he is a bit nervous, and I am talking incessantly because well, I always talk incessantly in the car.

We get to Decatur High School and park and go register.  I hear the woman ask J if he is running with a dog, and he says, "No."  I yell across a few volunteers, "You are running with a dog." J looks at me and he tells the lady that yes, he is running with a dog.  He gets the coveted 2nd scarf!  We finish getting our stuff and drop everything off at the car.

We look at some dogs (McM and SB stayed home), and finally the race is getting started.  For once it started close to on time.  We see our friend R while about to start. Say hi, and then the race started.

The course is the same as it was last year, which is a first (it has changed every year I have run it).  J and I ran together.  I have to say that was weird.  I have never run with someone, so I couldn't tell if I was holding him back or not.  We turned into a neighborhood, and ran. J was looking at the houses, so now I was definitely sure I was holding him back.  I told him not to let me hold him back. He started laughing and assured me that was not the case.  I knew I was holding a little in my legs because of the 15K the next day.  So I decided I would do the 9 minute run/1 minute walk.  I saw we were at 7 minutes and told J I was going to walk in 2 minutes.  He said ok.  We did.  We got out of the neighborhood and back onto Howard. We hit mile 1 at 12:13.  J informed me he was going to walk some and he would catch up.   So I continued.  The next time I was to walk 1 minute it was a really long down hill, so I decided not to.

I laughed at the water break.  Decatur is a notoriously green city.  I have never heard so many people bitch about the fact there were no recycling bins for the cups. (they were on the ground).  This race is for the HS.  The students volunteer.  I think the cups will be cleaned up (like in every other race around the country). 

Mile 2 occurred around 12:47.  I still felt decent.  I knew I had 2 more hills to climb.  I got to the near top of one at the end of 9 minutes.  I walked.  The humidity was killing my lungs.  My legs felt fine.  Ended that minute and resumed running.  Until the next hill, I ran with this woman.  She had a nice pace but apparently she didn't do hills.  I try to emulate D on hills. He thinks hills are over-rated and manages to keep the same pace up and down, so he usually can pass a lot of people.  I do slow down a little, but I stay focused on them.  And sure enough I was at the top.  Only downhill to go.

I raced to the bottom (and the finish line).  It was a little sad that D and A weren't there to congratulate me (they are always there).  I filled out my time 39:35 and ran to get some water.  I'm glad I did because I took 2 of the last 6.  Someone bitched I took 2, but I looked up to see J crossing the line, so I pointed at him and said 1 was for him.  I ran back to the finish line to get him some water, and help him fill out his time.

He was smiling.  He PR'd (of course!)... Later, when I looked, I saw I PR'd the course.  This year 39:30. Last year 40:53.

Woohoo:
Splits: 2013 (2012)
Mile 1: 12:13 (12:58)
Mile 2: 12:47 (13:13)
Mile 3: 13:08
Finish: 39:30(40:53)

We stopped and got a beer, and came home.  Then we went out to lunch and the brewery.  D met up with us for dinner of pizza and beer (for J...I was Diet Coke).

Go us!

J and I celebrated with a Jailhouse Breakout Stout

The boys almost looking at the camera

The boys laying long enough to get a picture together

McMenamin in his new scarf with Panda

Scuttlebutt in his new scarf.