Miles - 26.2
Pace - 9:11
Time - 4:00:41 (Chip time)
February Total - 64.88
Neighborhood - Jacksonville Beach, FL
STATS: 37th in my age group of 35-39 and my age is 37, so that was cool. 306th overall. According to the news, there were over 10,000 runners total, that included half and full marathon. 85 elite runners participated.
Wow, what an experience! I accomplished my first marathon yesterday and what a great feeling. I rocked it for the first 18 miles. Semi rocked it until 21 and then I had to just slow down and walk a little. At about mile 11, I developed a blister right under my right big toe. It hurt the rest of the way, but I didn't want to stop at any of the first aid stations. I stayed hydrated and kept the GU going until about mile 22. Then I couldn't stomach the GU and had to stick to water. I only stopped for the port a potty twice. I guess had I not done that, I might have reached my under 4 hours goal. =-)
All along the way the crowds were absolutely great. There were a lot of police at each intersection and I was sure to thank most of them for being there. As the morning wore on, more and more spectators came out and we went through a lot of neighborhoods. There were many children and many dogs along the way. And of course, lots of pink throughout the course. The cowbell seemed to be the cheer noise maker of choice. It took me back to my college days at Mississippi State.
We ran along the beach around mile 6 and while the scenery couldn't have been better, I am not used to running in sand and I struggled with that. The half marathoners broke off from the marathoners about half way up the beach. Once they were gone, the crowd thinned out. Breast cancer survivors that ran in either race wore banners on their backs that read "Survivor". Each one that I noticed, I would say "Yay Survivor!" They seemed to appreciate it. There were many.
At mile 19, I met a nice young lady named Stephanie Topping. She was pacing about the same as me and I started talking to her. She was 'taking it easy' because she is running the Boston Marathon in a couple of months. We ran together for 5 or 6 miles and that was great motivation. I finished ahead of her, but she wasn't far behind. Glad I ran with her!
The best part, other than finishing, was having Ian at the finish line. He wore a bright yellow hat so I could see him in the crowd. He met me at the finish line with a big hug, it was PRICELESS! And of course he took copious pictures. I think I was moving too fast for some of them though, ha!
After I finished, I made it to the runners area and they gave me an ice pack to cool down. I needed this because I had been training in an average temperature of 36 degrees and when we finished the race it was around 66 degrees and full sun. I also stopped by the First Aid tent to get a bandage for my blister. I got a bottle of water, an orange, and a muffin, then Ian and headed for the trolley back to the car. Riding the trolley is where the nausea started. I had to breathe deep and put my head down to keep from losing it. We got off the trolley early so I could walk and get fresh air.
Ian I left Jacksonville and headed to St. Simon's Island on the Georgia Coast. I was nauseated for about the next 6 hours and couldn't get any relief. I felt somewhat better after dinner. We got up this morning and headed back to Atlanta via Savannah where we stopped for lunch at a great little Cuban place.
Ian asked if I would do it again and right now I am saying no, but I think with coaxing, I will. Especially if I could run it with friends. I am extremely sore right now, so asking me about future marathons is probably not the best right now.
All in all it was a great experience and it was for a great cause. I enjoyed the event and it feels really good to accomplish this long time goal. I can now call myself a marathoner, and that feels good.
Thanks to James and Heath for running with me during training. All of my love and thanks to Ian for your cheering, support, and motivation during my training and certainly after.
Anyone want to help me off the couch now?
Peaceful Running!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Last run before the big one!
Miles - 4.10
Pace - 8:12
February Total - 38.86
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, Inman Park, VA Highlands
Well, my last run before the marathon was yesterday. I did a little jaunt around the neighborhoods before I went to see the documentary Running the Sahara. It was very inspirational. The movie kept skipping and everyone was frustrated. I finally left before it was over. They gave us a free DVD of the movie, by free I mean I paid $25 for the movie ticket. I finished watching it at home and it was really good.
If you are a runner, you should watch this documentary about three men running across the Sahara for over 4,000 miles in 110 days. CRAZY! One of the runners, the guy who put it together, was there last night for the showing. He was quite funny.
Ok, well, this is my last run post until the final chapter. Ian and I leave Saturday morning and will return Monday evening. I have a sore throat tonight. I think it's from the new office. My tongue is a little swollen too. I took some Nyquil and hope to get a good nights rest.
Peaceful Running!
Pace - 8:12
February Total - 38.86
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, Inman Park, VA Highlands
Well, my last run before the marathon was yesterday. I did a little jaunt around the neighborhoods before I went to see the documentary Running the Sahara. It was very inspirational. The movie kept skipping and everyone was frustrated. I finally left before it was over. They gave us a free DVD of the movie, by free I mean I paid $25 for the movie ticket. I finished watching it at home and it was really good.
If you are a runner, you should watch this documentary about three men running across the Sahara for over 4,000 miles in 110 days. CRAZY! One of the runners, the guy who put it together, was there last night for the showing. He was quite funny.
Ok, well, this is my last run post until the final chapter. Ian and I leave Saturday morning and will return Monday evening. I have a sore throat tonight. I think it's from the new office. My tongue is a little swollen too. I took some Nyquil and hope to get a good nights rest.
Peaceful Running!
Monday, February 15, 2010
There was no doubt, this snowman was a MAN!
Miles - 4.71
Pace - 8:25
February Total - 34.76
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, VA Highlands
Ok, I ran tonight. It was cold and windy. Not the best night, so I made it short and sweet. Marathon is 6 days away and everything is looking good. Going to run tomorrow night from Big Peach Running in Decatur for Mardi Gras.
Now, the title story. Yesterday Ian and I went out for a drive to enjoy the sunshine. We went for a nice walk through Oakland Cemetery and took some nice pictures. We left the cemetery and went for a ride through Inman Park, Little 5 Points and then to Candler Park. We are driving along and Ian sees a snowman. Not just your run of the mill snowman, this snowman had balls. Yes, he had a huge set of life like testicles. You know, the kind you see hanging from the tow bar of pickup trucks. I was appalled of course, but Ian wanted to take a picture, of course. I sped up before he could get the camera focused and he begged to go back. I gave in and made the block. We drive slowly down the street and pull up to the snowman only to find that his snow balls were gone. They hadn't fallen off during the melt, they were gone. We had just passed 1 minute earlier. Did a dog mistaken them for a chew toy? Ow! We pulled away from the curb and drove ahead, perplexed. Nearing the stop light, we notice a young person dressed in skater jeans, bad tennis shoes, and a bad haircut. In his right hand, he was proudly carrying that snowman's balls. Swinging them like they were his own, smiling. I wanted to say something to him, but what do you say in a situation like that? "Hey kid, put those balls back where you found them!" There was nothing to do but drive ahead and laugh our heads off.
Ok, that's about it. I hope to have a good story for my Mardi Gras run tomorrow night. I am going to get up at 6:15 in the a.m. to start prepping myself for the early morning time for the marathon. My first day in my new office tomorrow.
Peaceful Running!
Pace - 8:25
February Total - 34.76
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, VA Highlands
Ok, I ran tonight. It was cold and windy. Not the best night, so I made it short and sweet. Marathon is 6 days away and everything is looking good. Going to run tomorrow night from Big Peach Running in Decatur for Mardi Gras.
Now, the title story. Yesterday Ian and I went out for a drive to enjoy the sunshine. We went for a nice walk through Oakland Cemetery and took some nice pictures. We left the cemetery and went for a ride through Inman Park, Little 5 Points and then to Candler Park. We are driving along and Ian sees a snowman. Not just your run of the mill snowman, this snowman had balls. Yes, he had a huge set of life like testicles. You know, the kind you see hanging from the tow bar of pickup trucks. I was appalled of course, but Ian wanted to take a picture, of course. I sped up before he could get the camera focused and he begged to go back. I gave in and made the block. We drive slowly down the street and pull up to the snowman only to find that his snow balls were gone. They hadn't fallen off during the melt, they were gone. We had just passed 1 minute earlier. Did a dog mistaken them for a chew toy? Ow! We pulled away from the curb and drove ahead, perplexed. Nearing the stop light, we notice a young person dressed in skater jeans, bad tennis shoes, and a bad haircut. In his right hand, he was proudly carrying that snowman's balls. Swinging them like they were his own, smiling. I wanted to say something to him, but what do you say in a situation like that? "Hey kid, put those balls back where you found them!" There was nothing to do but drive ahead and laugh our heads off.
Ok, that's about it. I hope to have a good story for my Mardi Gras run tomorrow night. I am going to get up at 6:15 in the a.m. to start prepping myself for the early morning time for the marathon. My first day in my new office tomorrow.
Peaceful Running!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Anticipation Run!
Miles - 4.73
Pace - 8:11
February Total - 30.05
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, VA Highlands
I went ahead and ran tonight in anticipation of snow tomorrow. Though, if it's not too windy I may go ahead and run in the snow. I love it! We will see.
I had a pretty good run tonight. No pain at first but about half way through I had a stitch in my right side. It never did fully go away. Traffic was pretty bad but then again I did choose to leave the house at 5:10. Duh!
Not much else going on. I don't have to go into the office tomorrow but I do have to sign on for work. Ugh! I am hoping things will be better in the new office.
Peaceful Running!
Pace - 8:11
February Total - 30.05
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, VA Highlands
I went ahead and ran tonight in anticipation of snow tomorrow. Though, if it's not too windy I may go ahead and run in the snow. I love it! We will see.
I had a pretty good run tonight. No pain at first but about half way through I had a stitch in my right side. It never did fully go away. Traffic was pretty bad but then again I did choose to leave the house at 5:10. Duh!
Not much else going on. I don't have to go into the office tomorrow but I do have to sign on for work. Ugh! I am hoping things will be better in the new office.
Peaceful Running!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Short is good...sometime!
Miles - 3.25
Pace - 8:40
February Total - 25.32
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, Old 4th Ward, Inman Park
Tonight I had to go and pick up Heath's car at the Inman Park MARTA station. I decided to work a run in even though I am still quite sore from the long run on Saturday. So there you have it, very short run, very slow pace, but it's done. Get off my back.
I have spoken to several friends that have run marathons and all are confident that I will be able to finish the marathon. I am confident too, barring any injuries. What I am not confident about is finishing in under 4 hours. I hope I will reach that goal, but I won't be crushed.
I was more sore today than yesterday. Sitting at my desk is not good for healing my tired legs.
Supposed to rain tomorrow, another reason I went ahead and ran today. I will try and run again on Wednesday.
Peaceful Running!
Pace - 8:40
February Total - 25.32
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, Old 4th Ward, Inman Park
Tonight I had to go and pick up Heath's car at the Inman Park MARTA station. I decided to work a run in even though I am still quite sore from the long run on Saturday. So there you have it, very short run, very slow pace, but it's done. Get off my back.
I have spoken to several friends that have run marathons and all are confident that I will be able to finish the marathon. I am confident too, barring any injuries. What I am not confident about is finishing in under 4 hours. I hope I will reach that goal, but I won't be crushed.
I was more sore today than yesterday. Sitting at my desk is not good for healing my tired legs.
Supposed to rain tomorrow, another reason I went ahead and ran today. I will try and run again on Wednesday.
Peaceful Running!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sleet Schmeet!
Miles - 18.0
Pace - 8:25
February Total - 22.07
Neighborhoods - Silver Comet Trail
A group of us drove out to the Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna around 1 p.m. today. James, Heath, Greg, JT, Liz and I loaded up and headed out on the cold cold trail. The group ran the first five miles with me and then they turned around and headed back. I journeyed the next 13 miles without anyone or anything to disturb me.
If you have never been running on the Silver Comet Trail, it's really nice. It's an old railroad bed that they paved over some years ago. For the first 5 miles or so, you are running by nice wooded areas with houses on either side. Once I passed the Silver Comet Bike Shop, it sure was lonely. After the team turned around, I didn't pass another runner until around mile 14. I didn't have an iPod or anything. Just me and the pavement. At one point, on either side of me were these rock cliffs, probably 50 feet tall with water trickling down them. It was very soothing. I will definitely do this run again. I bet in the summer time it is very pretty.
Ok, it sleeted on me on and off for the entire run. It was interesting and quite cold. I am glad that it never was bad enough to wet me. I would have been miserable. There were a dozen or so cyclists on the trail, so I didn't feel all alone. At about mile 14 I smelled grape Kool-Aid. I swear, it was undeniable. I looked around for the Kool-Aid man and I swear, there was a purple house to my left. True story!
I stopped 3 times to fuel up with Gu and water. I went through 40 ozs of water and three Gu packs. I stopped two more times to drink and that was about it. Those stops maybe totaled 4 minutes. I don't include those in my pace above, but I know when I stop to refuel in the marathon, the stops will be counted.
Ok, that's about it. My plan is to keep moving so my legs don't clam up.
Peaceful Running!
Pace - 8:25
February Total - 22.07
Neighborhoods - Silver Comet Trail
A group of us drove out to the Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna around 1 p.m. today. James, Heath, Greg, JT, Liz and I loaded up and headed out on the cold cold trail. The group ran the first five miles with me and then they turned around and headed back. I journeyed the next 13 miles without anyone or anything to disturb me.
If you have never been running on the Silver Comet Trail, it's really nice. It's an old railroad bed that they paved over some years ago. For the first 5 miles or so, you are running by nice wooded areas with houses on either side. Once I passed the Silver Comet Bike Shop, it sure was lonely. After the team turned around, I didn't pass another runner until around mile 14. I didn't have an iPod or anything. Just me and the pavement. At one point, on either side of me were these rock cliffs, probably 50 feet tall with water trickling down them. It was very soothing. I will definitely do this run again. I bet in the summer time it is very pretty.
Ok, it sleeted on me on and off for the entire run. It was interesting and quite cold. I am glad that it never was bad enough to wet me. I would have been miserable. There were a dozen or so cyclists on the trail, so I didn't feel all alone. At about mile 14 I smelled grape Kool-Aid. I swear, it was undeniable. I looked around for the Kool-Aid man and I swear, there was a purple house to my left. True story!
I stopped 3 times to fuel up with Gu and water. I went through 40 ozs of water and three Gu packs. I stopped two more times to drink and that was about it. Those stops maybe totaled 4 minutes. I don't include those in my pace above, but I know when I stop to refuel in the marathon, the stops will be counted.
Ok, that's about it. My plan is to keep moving so my legs don't clam up.
Peaceful Running!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Giddy up!
Miles - 4.07
Pace - 8:28
February Total - 4.07
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, Inman Park, L5P, VA Highlands
Tonight I just had to do a short run to help get the soreness out of my legs after Sunday's run. I mean really, I can only take so much of my boss laughing at me for wobbling through the office. Yesterday I looked like an old bicycle that has one rim severely bent. Wobble wobble!
I was trying to slow my pace tonight and I did a pretty good job. Though I still need to bump it down a notch or four.
I went to the mailbox when I finished running and inside was a veritable potluck of exciting mail. Postcard from Ian with a scary mask on it, my W2, Valentine Peeps all the way from San Diego, an Atlanta Human Society memorial card for Gracie that a running buddy Todd Cerda made, and a Crate & Barrel magazine. It reminded me of how my grandmother Vance used to eagerly await the mail every day. She grew visibly nervous if the mailman was more than 10 minutes late.
Dinner tonight with Ian. I hope I don't repeat the Thin Mint ice cream event of last night. Burp!
Peaceful Running!
Pace - 8:28
February Total - 4.07
Neighborhoods - Poncey Highlands, Inman Park, L5P, VA Highlands
Tonight I just had to do a short run to help get the soreness out of my legs after Sunday's run. I mean really, I can only take so much of my boss laughing at me for wobbling through the office. Yesterday I looked like an old bicycle that has one rim severely bent. Wobble wobble!
I was trying to slow my pace tonight and I did a pretty good job. Though I still need to bump it down a notch or four.
I went to the mailbox when I finished running and inside was a veritable potluck of exciting mail. Postcard from Ian with a scary mask on it, my W2, Valentine Peeps all the way from San Diego, an Atlanta Human Society memorial card for Gracie that a running buddy Todd Cerda made, and a Crate & Barrel magazine. It reminded me of how my grandmother Vance used to eagerly await the mail every day. She grew visibly nervous if the mailman was more than 10 minutes late.
Dinner tonight with Ian. I hope I don't repeat the Thin Mint ice cream event of last night. Burp!
Peaceful Running!
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