Race Reports, Kudos, and Encouragement for Nov 22nd and 24th

[Maherae]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, WISH TEAM!!
Because of all our Turkey Trotters, thought I'd post this earlier. Have a wonderful event!!


Thursday, 22nd

Gobble Jog 10K; Marietta, GA
lensahnem (Shan) & DH (my 2nd race!)
Scojo15 (Scott)

Cindylou (Cindy) Feaster Five (5 miler); Andover, MA
AmyBeth68 (Amy) Ashenfelter 8K; Glen Ridge, NJ (4.97 mi.)

John Bingham Flying Feather 4 Miler ; Columbus, OH
DianeL (Diane) & DH
goofyinohio (Chris)
mousemgr (Susan)

CynthiaCindi (Cindy) Father Joe's Thanksgiving Day 5K; San Diego, CA
Goofyin08forErica (Erica) Turkey Trot 5K; Lexington, KY
keenercam (Cam) & DH keenho (Howard) PNC Bank 5k for MS; Wilmington, DE
windwalker (Dave) Turkey Trot 3K; Lexington, KY

Saturday, 24th
monte (Monica) 5k Gobble Chase snowshoe race; CO

:woohoo: :woohoo: GO! WISH Team GO! :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Tiger Lily 03]

Go WISH Team! Have a great event!

[Big Vic]

Good luck everyone!

[nucpharm29]

GO WISH GO!!! Gobble Gobble, all you Turkey Trotters!

[AmyBeth68]

Running the Ashenfelter 8K in Glen Ridge NJ on Thanksgiving morning :). :goodvibes

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE GETTING READY TO RACE THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!!! :cool1:

[Maherae]

Added ya, Amy! Thanks!! Have fun!

[escape]

Ooooh, lots of WISHERS in races this holiday break.

GOOD LUCK, WISH TEAM!
:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[princessrunner]

GO WISH TEAM GO!!!!!!

...and then eat, eat, eat (don't forget the stuffing)!!!:lmao:

[goofyinohio]

Running the Flying Feather 4 miler on Thanksgiving. Here's hoping the rain is gone. :wizard:

Good luck to everyone in their events this Wonderful Holiday Weekend!

[AmyBeth68]

Ahhhh back from the race. As usual it was an incredibly well-run event. If you live in northern NJ you have to run this race someday!

Ashenfelter 8K Classic. Named after Horace Ashenefelter...Olympic Gold Medalist. Wonderful event...total runners race....awesome awesome tech shirts too (bonus!) :). I got a PR...43:23 which is an 8:43 mpm. At least that's my watch time. Chip time may vary slightly. Beat my time from last year by nearly 4 minutes! Of course...I was injured last year ;).

I hope everyone else racing today had a GREAT EVENT!!! :goodvibes

Happy Thanksgiving :)

[Big Vic]

WTG Amy!

Congrats!!

[ScoJo15]

Hello everyone!

Amy - GREAT JOB!!! A PR on Turkey Day! And to smoke last year by 4 minutes...WOW! So proud of you buddy! :hug:

I ran the Gobble Jog 10k here in Marietta (a Peachtree Road Race qualifier). After waking up to thunderstorms (lightining included...yikes!) and heavy downpours, the rain finally subsided about 10 minutes before race time :goodvibes: I managed to accomplish a PR of 49:32 (watch time...'official' time I think was 49:45), which also qualifies me for a higher seeded group should I decide to run the Peachtree this year :)

Was a great day for me out there :)

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope all that were racing today had an awesome time out there!

[Optimator]

Amy - Great job on the race. At least you already had your heart rate up with the difficulties getting there. I'm glad you enjoyed it and congrats on the PR.

Scott - Fabulous time! Glad you ended up with decent weather. Good job again.

[princessrunner]

Amy and Scott: Great races. You both had smokin times. Way to go!!! :cool1:

[DianeL]

OMG! Chris I wish I had read the board before we left for the race! I'm bumming now that we didn't get to say howdy to you :) If you saw a red Vue with a Mickey dressed up as a Turkey in the window you saw our car LOL (no we didn't paint the car into a Penguin Turkey, Susan's DH would have killed us since there is still remenants of the Pig on it LOL)


I died on those 4 miles I was so cold! The wind was brutal. LOL Cathy and I did the race in 1 hour and 1 minute with I can't remember how many seconds. Not that you see that in the race results LOL But I wore my Garmin so I know better ;) Susan the social butterfly of the race spent Mile 1 thru the finish talking to an interesting lady who had done quite a few races (including Jamica! sounded cool). So susan finished a few minutes behind us. I try to PR and Susan tries to start Conga lines in races :lmao:

We were very impressed with the organizations of everything from the shuttles to the start, the bib/shirt pick up to water on the course. Everything ran smoothly for the 2nd year of their race. Beautiful park course and we even got to see deer running across the field we were circling. (i love seeing the deer in our own park so it was almost like being at home).

The only thing that surprised me was the handling of the medals. Probably because my medal experience is with Disney and the Flying Pig where they hand you at the finish the medal. when we started the medals were on tables being guarded by volunteers which I guess was neat because we saw the honkin' medal and knew we had to finish to get one :love: but i figured they would be handing them out like at Disney and when I finished you got in line and picked up your own medal. I'm not sure if anyone was watching if people took only 1. Seemed a bit of a free for all. At least the line was moving and orderly.

They had 2 medals since they were worried they wouldn't have enough. The race was suppose to be 2000 people but they had such a good response they raised it to 2400. So they ordered plain white t-shirts just in case and from what I understand is if you were one of the late entries and received the white t-shirt they were going to mail you the burgendy tech shirt. The main 'honkin' big penguin medal' is amazing. it's quite hefty and it's got the penguin in turkey feathers. i love it. i took that one. susan and Cathy opted for the back up medal which is a spinner and more colorful.

The people involved: the bus drivers, packet pick up and even the park rangers and everyone else in between were amazingly cheerful and supportive. i would recommend this race because except the weird handling of the medals which might be normal in non-disney races (again my experience is limited) this race was amazingly effieciently run.

There was a bit of a wait afterwards to be shuttled back to the cars (you have to get there really early to park at the start) but the high school were you park is only a 1/2 mile away and we walked it and I think we went out of our way because we saw others walking that had come a more direct route, there must have been a trail/sidewalk we didn't see.

If I were to rate it on a scale from 1 to 5 ..... :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Sadly the 7 hour round trip drive will most likely keep us from the Thanksgiving run but we are definitely looking at getting to their Cinco De Myo 5K some year.

I'll be hunting down other Thanksgiving weekend races today/tomorrow to see what we can arrange for 2008 :) I think I'm hooked on doing a Thanksgiving race each year now just need one closer to home.

[escape]

Amy - congratulations on the PR! You are speedy! :cool1:

Scott - another WISHER, another PR! Great job! Time to celebrate! :banana:

Diane and Susan - sounds like a fun race. :thumbsup2 That's interesting that they had two medals to choose from. I'd want one of each. :teeth: Glad you had a good time.

[Tiger Lily 03]

Great job Amy, Scott, Diane and Susan!

Can't wait to read how the rest of the team faired.

[Cruella de mom]

First all, I need to explain that I ran this race as a Mentor for Team in Training. I was running as a helper to the coaches since TNT Atlanta has such a large group of people run the Atlanta Half. The coaches pair us up with people they think might need help or encouragement during the race.

I was supposed to run with some wonder first time runners who run about an 11 minute pace. It was going to be a nice easy training race for me. However, right before the race, the plan changed. They needed me with some much faster runners. Gulp! So instead of a nice easy run, I spent the entire race, um, racing. "Trying to keep up" might be a better description.

After weeks and weeks of perfect days, the rain started with the starting gun. Literally. As the gun went off the first drops of rain fell.

By mile 3, we were running in a downpour complete with thunder and lightening. There was not a dry spot on me. The worst is when the water runs up over your running shoes into your socks.

At mile 10, I ended up running one on one with a first time racer. She was tired but she was strong and determined. It was an honor to finish with her.

This is a tough course. Downhill the first 7 miles then up hill all the way to the end. The final mile is magical though as you cross over I-75 & 85 and under the Olympic rings. The finsh is right in front of the Olympic torch. Even the rain couldn't dampen that kind of ending!

Here is the breakdown:

mile 1 - 9:35
mile 2 - 9:37
mile 3 - 9:36
mile 4 - 9:47
mile 5 - 9:44
mile 6 - 9:22
mile 7 - 9:16
mile 8 - 10:23 The hills begin....
mile 9 - 9:43
mile 10 - 9:50
mile 11 - 10:23 Second Big hill
mile 12 - 10:54 It was a really really BIG hill
mile 13 - 9:22 Through the Olympic Rings - who isn't inspired to run faster?!

final time - 2:09:26

Do it again? yes.

[ScoJo15]

Cecilia - Great job!!! What a tough course...those last few miles must have been killer...but what a dramatic finish under the rings and out by the torch :goodvibes: Great to see you lending some support to other TnT'ers...I think it's a great concept and you should feel good about helping motivate other runners. Fitting how once the race was over, the rain quit and hasn't come back, eh? LOL

[Cruella de mom]

Thanks Scott!

Yes, I am beginning to wonder why it only rained for the duration of the race. hmmm, I guess for the sake of all Atlanta that I should have run the full.

Its a tough course! The elevation rises 300 feet between miles 7 and 12!

Cecilia

[AmyBeth68]

Cecilia...Amazing job in the Half! I can't believe you guys were soaked the whole time. Especially considering the drought! How ironic?! I am very impressed with your run...partly because I can't pull off sub 10 mpm over the long haul but wow....it's super amazing to me considering the HILLS and the RAIN and the fact that you are RECOVERING from being sick. You're super impressive girl! Great effort and for such a wonderful cause!!! :goodvibes

Scott...will you be racing that one next year??? Sounds so cool to finish under the Olympic rings!!! :goodvibes:

[rosy1020]

Great job Amy, Scott, and Cecilia! Congratulations on your awesome times...wow you guys are fast! :)

[AmyBeth68]

Diane...just read the flying feather race report. Not sure how I missed that yesterday lol!!! Anyway...sounds like a great event. The medals sound awesome too...how wonderful that they made back up plans to be certain everyone is taken care of!!! :goodvibes

Chris...hope the race went well for you too!!!

[goofyinohio]

Diane that is hilarious. I saw that Stuffed animal and told my family I have to have one of those check it out. We all went over and looked at it. :3dglasses

I was freezing on my 4 miles. Especially the first mile and then right before the second mile. The wind in my face at those cold conditions with just that light mist was just brutal.

By the official time I finished in just under 41 minutes. I started towards the middle of the pack so my actual running time was 39:04. Unlike the Disney race I didn't talk to anyone as I was running. I did hear people talking around me though.

I loved the course and thought it was very well done. I really only had 2 gripes if you want to call them that. When we finished I barely made it across the finish line before standing in line just so they could type in my number (As well as everyone else's). Then jumped into another line to get my medal which as Diane said I just picked up off a table. I was like huh? I picked the regular medal and not the colorful one.

What tickled me the most was my daughter wants to do this race next year (She is 8.) She kept asking if she could get some running gear like Daddies so she can run/walk next year. :thumbsup2

The shirts were awesome too by the way. Long Sleeve Tech shirt and they were Scarlet and Gray!!! :cool1:

I will do this race again next year. :woohoo:

[Tiger Lily 03]

Cecilia, What a great event! Wonderful that you volunteer to help out. My first Chicago DC I walked with one of the coaches from Atlanta TnT who was pregnant I think first trimester. She had a sign that said running for 2 or something like that. When we walked together she said she was going to put her medal over the baby's crib since baby will have finished his/her first event.
I cannot believe I read that you were all running during the lightening. I guess there was no place to seek refuge. That just sounds scary.

Chris, sorry about the cold, but love that you have inspired your DD. Good job!

[escape]

Cecilia, GREAT JOB under those conditions! Whew! Also, I think it's great that you are a mentor with the TnT. I have a friend in Dallas who is a mentor as well. I just wish we had TnT in my state. I think it's a worthwhile cause and I would love to be able to train with others like they do.

Chris, congratulations on your time, you are speedy even in the freezing temps! I have to admit when I first read your report I thought you said you were ticked (as in ticked off) that your daughter wants to do the race next year. I couldn't imagine you being upset with her for wanting to run like daddy so I put my glasses on and re-read your statement. :blush: :rotfl2: She's a future WISHer in the making. :thumbsup2

[lenshanem]

Cecilia, congrats on your half! :cheer2:
I thought about you that morning with all that heavy rain. I was sending you sympathy vibes. :goodvibes

Scott, congrats on your fast Gobble Jog 10K time! Wow! :woohoo:


Well, I'm just now getting back into the groove from being out of town. My Gobble Jog 10K went well. As I've mentioned before, I've kinda been in a funk lately - gained four pounds, total lack of motivation, feet problems... I had a goal to run it under 11:00, but as race day came I was just hoping to complete the race. Course, it was raining like crazy when we got down there. Where was the drought? We stayed in our car in the parking deck until right before the race started and like Scott mentioned - the rain literally stopped minutes before the start time. I think DH ran out once to get our T-shirts. Not alot of adrenaline going for me like at Race for the Taste...

I ended up making my goal by just a few seconds! :lmao: My time was 1:08:08.9 - pace of 10:59!!! :yay: I'm slowly getting faster. My Race for the Taste time last month was 1:13:15 - pace of 11:48, so I'm getting there. Course, I was surprised how many people blew past me. Race for the Taste I spent the first couple miles going around people - kinda a motivator. Here it seemed like everyone was passing me. It was an eye opener. Is it normally like this or was it only the more dedicated runners and those trying to qualify for the Peachtree came out in that rain? I guess slower people run races at WDW? :rotfl2: Regardless, I feel pretty darn slow now even if I did make my goal. :rotfl:

DH meet his goal, too. He even had time to run to the car and get the camera to take some action shots of me coming towards the finish. Yes, he is that much faster than me. :rolleyes1

Oh, new shoes worked well! It was only the second time I had worn them (So I was a tad worried.) but I had no problems at all. I'm so glad I went back and asked them to help me with another pair.


Looking ahead I'm so busy I want to scream! BUT, I did manage to finally get Hannah Montana tickets for this Wednesday. My daughters are so excited! :dance3: I really don't know how I'll train next year for the WDW half during the holidays. I really admire you guys! :santa:

[CynthiaCindy]

Amy, Scott, Diane, Cecilia, Chris, and Shan - I enjoyed reading your race reports! Shan - congrats on beating your goal!

I wanted to post a (late - this week has been crazy) race report from my Turkey Day 5K - Father Joe's Thanksgiving Day 5k in San Diego.

Some background - Last year on Thanksgiving, I ran my first race ever, a 5k in Centreville VA. Even though it was cold and drizzly, I loved it. I had just started running in October and had no idea what to expect for a time, but was hoping that I could run under a 10 minute mile so I was thrilled with my finish time of 28:01! That race got me hooked on running.

This year, DH and I were going to spend Thanksgiving with his parents in San Diego and I wanted to run another race to mark my anniversary of racing. DH found the Father Joe's race in Balboa Park. It was a great race and event. DH and I ran it and his parents walked. At the end, there was a band playing and a ton of free stuff - the usual post race bagels, samples of pies, chips and salsa (I found that odd for an 8:00 AM race, but still good), and beer! Every racer got 2 free beers from a local brewery! DH and I had one while waiting for his parents to finish and then went back with them for a second. The whole experience was a lot of fun.

As for the race, I wasn't really expecting to get a PR because I hadn't been doing any speed work while building up mileage to run the Marine Corps Marathon, so I thought I was a bit slower. Also, this was the first race I have ever run that was not chip timed and there were over 4000 people run/walking. According to my watch, my time was 25:57, but my official time was 26:31. My 5k PR (from an April race) is 26:08. So, I didn't get an official PR, but am happy with my time.

I definitely like the idea of running an annual race on Thanksgiving and think I will run this one on years we go out to San Diego!

[Tiger Lily 03]

Shan I am just now reading your report. Glad the shoes are better. WTG!

Cindy, great job. Happy anniversary too! I think it is a great thing to commemorate your running anniversary on Thanksgiving with an event from here on!