November 23rd, 2008
I had a great time today, starting early at Rocky where I handed Kat the emergency pace bands I promised to print and since I’m full-service, I remembered tape and scissors, too. Joe and Sub3 from the forums were there and when they left I met Paula (hi Paula) whom I didn’t know but admitted to reading this blog. Bless you, girl. 
Dear Mattsky and his wife were around for the 8K, his first race since a long drawn out injury, but even though we were on the phone trying to locate each other “I’m by the tent” “which tent? I don’t see you”, I eventually gave up and wished him a great race, though I’m sure he was only a few feet away from me.
Went home for 1/2 hour then walked over to the river around miles 11-12 where I saw Sub3 zooming in with the speedy animals and soon after, Joe went flying by. It’s much easier to see super fast people because there are fewer runners around them. I did spot Kat a little later and probably would have missed her but she had her name taped to the front of her shirt. I also saw Craig who I met at the Expo yesterday and he gave me a high-five, but that was it for that area of the course. I missed my other two BQ gals and a few more I was looking for, especially sad that I missed Progman since that’s why I was at mile 12 in the first place, he of the Half Marathon persuasion.
Standing around by myself, I felt silly yelling at strangers until I eventually got the crazies, pulled out my kazoo (the only noisy thing I had in the house) and started playing the Rocky Theme. Lots of laughs and “woohoos” so it was fun and I got all giggly happy at that point, eventually yelling out lots of encouraging stuff. It’s cool how people respond, I loved it.
Then I walked around to the 24.75 mark and found ShoreTurtle who was the Cowbell Man and such fun to hang with. My friend Craig (different Craig) joined up with us, too, so we had a solid cheering section, taking great delight in yelling people’s names or whatever they had on their shirts. I’ll definitely put my name on my shirt for the next marathon.
From that vantage point, I saw Joe again and then Kat (who I later learned fell splat on the pavement complete with road burns at mile 19 but got a BQ anyway, woohoo!) but missed Nina for the second time so I never saw her though I did see Judy who was looking great. I saw the back of Flyers26 (pointed out to me by ShoreTurtle) and missed seeing quite a few on my list entirely with all the whizzing by and not so familiar faces, so I was a little sad on that score. Still, what a great way to spend a cold November morning.
Posted in 
Tags: 
So sorry that I missed you. Although, to be honest, I was in such a daze from trying to keep the hammer down at mile 12 I think you probably would have had to jump on my back for me to notice you (I did stop by Rocky around 6:20 though and no one was there). I am a little more bummed that we were so close to each other at the expo and I missed you – oh well. So many races in the future.
I know it seems like I am sandbagging with my crappy race predictions – I think I have relied on that damn Garmin as a crutch for too long and it’s messed me up. I definitely consider that thing a training tool now and not a pacing tool!
I was at Rocky at 6:20! I was really wrapped up in a big coat, hat and scarf so maybe you didn’t recognize me. Interesting about the Garmin, sounds like it messed you up in a good way though, thinking you’re slower in training, then surprising yourself on race day. That’s a much better direction of self-fooling.
Makes me want to go watch a marathon! Do I have to taper for that?
Hmm. Another voice in the Dont-Garmin-While-Racing chorus…
This marathon spectating sounds like fun. I’ll have to try it some time.
I know I said I wasn’t doing any more racing till my next marathon, Flo, but I fell off the wagon. I raced twice this last weekend.
The first was a 2.3 mile turkey trot, where you had to predict your finish time. Closest wins. Aha! says I, no prizes for going fast, I’ll do it at 8:00 Marathon pace! After jogging the entire course to warm up, I put 18:20 on the sheet. Of course I went too fast, and did it in 17:36, so no turkey for me. Then a group of us ran ten more miles, because – why not?
On Sunday, a proper race, a 15K, three laps around the lake with the club. Well, Daniels has me doing a longish MP run this weekend, and this won’t be much faster than that…
I carelessly left the Garmin at home, so had to wing it for pace. Stayed with training buddy Kati for the first lap, then decided that was a touch fast and let her go.
Halfway through the third lap I heard footsteps behind, and looked around. “It’s only me” said Barry. I have no problem being passed by him (NYC Marathon last month – 3:32). Then I had an idea. “Hey Barry, do you have much of a kick left? Perhaps you can catch Kati there”. She was about 150 yards away at this point. He made dubious noises but accelerated anyway. I deployed the magic towrope, and the gap started to slowly narrow. As we got into the last quarter mile, I started to lose my grip on Barry, then Kati, without ever looking around, kicked hard and left us.
There was some confusion with the timing, but I did it in something like 1:11:15 for 7:39 pace. Pretty close to what JD’s table predicted. Not bad after all that running on Saturday. I probably should not be doing this sort of thing while tapering, but the confidence boost was worth it.
Now, with two weeks to go, no more racing, I promise!
Hi Flo!
Just checking in to tell you I made it. My first marathon!! It wasn’t pretty but coming from seriously non-runner status six months ago I was happy to cross the finish line on my own two feet. Thanks for the pre-race hug! Every bit of encouragment helps!
I’m glad you had such a great time spectating. In some respects all the spectators yesterday had a tougher time than runners…. at least when it came to staying warm. We had a bit of an edge there!
Keep moving and keep smiling!
Jim!! You tempter of Fate! But what a lovely way to do it, congratulations on a crazy race weekend! Love that you sent the guy off to unwittingly become your tow rope…brilliant.
Now I am holding you to your offer of behaving yourself. No more play time, the big day is right around the corner. I’m so excited for you and thrilled that you got that extra boost of confidence, even if I am bitching at you in this paragraph.
Paula!! Congratulations, girl! Can’t believe you’ve only been at this for six months. Whaddya Crazy?!?
Seriously, that is something to be hugely proud of. Have a lovely recovery period, you so deserve it! Woohoo!
Thanks for being out there cheering us on!
I saw Charlie at his first 2 stops, but missed him when he was with you. It was the same with my wife, her sister & husband. I saw them the 1st 2 places, but missed them at the 3rd.
I had a great time, and am super happy with my result.