Baltimore BOT-Fest

[lourodrigis]

Lou~ I picked up my packet this afternoon at lunch time at Delaware Running Company in Hockessin. I didn't know it until today but Cam's partner, Jessica Zeldin, is running and so is her husband, Jay Whitman, you met them last year on the steps at the Art Museum in Philly at the PDR. I'll be at Cam's office building around 8:30 AM, I'll look for you on the corner sometime around 8:30-8:45 AM and we can check the view out from the 14th Floor. Looks like the weather will be great for this year's run.

Howard - That's cool. I will probably get there as early as possible tomorrow so I can park somewhere on the street. I'll check in, grab my shirt and bib, and make my way over to Cam's office around 8:30. I'll have my phone with me so that I can reach you.

Somewhat excited about running the first spring race of 2010. Both times I ran this race the weather was horrible (extreme cold 2 years ago and rain last year) so this year is really a break. Looks like temps in the 50's all race.

Lou

 

[KeenHo]

Lou~ Sounds great see you in Wilmington! Have a safe trip down!


GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE BOTS HITTING THE ROADS TOMORROW FOR A RUN!!!

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Hi BOTS!

Thinking about everyone who is racing this morning and can't wait to hear how everyone did.

Sara -

I have been pretty busy at work and have been running, but not more than 3 miles at a time. I'm getting ready to go out for a much longer run (where lots of walking will be involved, I'm sure).

 

[lourodrigis]

Whew....despite the incredible weather this was by far the lamest race I ever ran. 1:46:45. The slowest time I ever had for Caesar and one of my worst 1/2 times. I was just completely low on gas from the start. I am probably 10 lbs heavier then I was this time last year and I have not done much training this year. I kept looking down at my Garmin and wondering why I could not get the pace to get below 8:00 mpm. Whatever, I'll try to put this race out of my head and do better next week at Ocean Drive (10-miler).

I feel worst now then I did after running Goofy. What gives?

Got to hang out with Howard, Cam, and DD Jen before and after the race. That was by far the highlight of the race for me. If only there could be nice law offices to hang out at before and after every race.

Jodi - Can't wait to hear how you did!

Hey everyBOTy else! Hope you are enjoying this day!

Lou

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Lou - I'm sorry that you didn't have a great race - I think we've all had those days.

I just got back from an 8 mile run/walk. That is the longest I've gone in a very long time. I'm pretty sure I am going to be hurting tomorrow - I'm already sore.

Waiting for more race reports.

 

[Cindylou]

Lou: Sorry the race didn't go as well as hoped. Could be all that TM running this winter. It's the first race of the Spring, so don't let it get you down. You can't discount that extra 10 lbs either. Better luck next week.

Cindy: Congrats on getting 8 miles. I hope you are not too sore tomorrow.

Jodi, Mike, Chester, Howard, Jen and anyone else racing this weekend: Hope it went well.

I ran the New Bedford Half Marathon today. The race started at 11. The forecast was for partly cloudy and 50 so I dressed appropiately. But then it turned out to be sunny and 64. I really wish I had been wearing shorts instead. It was hot. I really struggled for the first half of this race. My legs were tired and I was hot. but the race got better as it went along. I ended up in 1:54:40 which is a PR by 5 seconds. Woo hoo.

Have a great day everyone.
Cindy

 

[Optimator]

Ditto to all the kudos and congratulations as posted on FB.

Cindy - Welcome back to the world of endurance atheletes.

Just a quicky race report: I was glad to get to spend some time with Chester, Lily, Wendy, and Jackie yesterday and this morning.

Weather was really pretty nice, cool but not cold to start and never got too terribly warm (although Chester may have a different opinion). The race seemed pretty well organized. They passed out Gu gels and Chomps so many different times even Dave would have been O.K..

The course was 3 miles along some country roads, then a couple of out and backs on the American Tobacco Trail, then 3 more miles along more country roads and newer developments to the finish. The trail itself was mostly hard packed crushed stone, level, flat, and nice to run on. The section that made up the half course was paved about 2/3 of its width and crushed stone for the rest. The only bad part was near the last turn-around for the full. It was mosted baked mud with some big rocks thrown in. It would have been REAL sloppy with any rain.

I was going to be happy with sub-4 but my ultimate Jodi-esque goal was to finish and drive the 20 minutes back to the hotel and get a shower before 12:00 check-out. Mission accomplished!

It was a mostly a fine run for the first 18 miles and I was still clicking off some pretty good miles at that point, but then as often happens, life got hard. Then the normal routine of marathon math to figure how slow I could go and still get whatever time. In the end I ended up barely sqeaking in under 3:45, so not too much to complain about.

I obviously didn't push myself hard enough because I feel pretty darn good right now even after the 5 hour drive home. My only problem is a wicked hot spot on my inner thigh. WTH?


Again, congratulations to everyone on some good runs this weekend.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

CindyLou - Hey, a PR is a PR - nice job!

Mike - Nice job on making the noon check-out Oh yeah, nice race too.

I am pretty sore today - but it is a good sore - a nice reminder that I got out there. I've also decided to start eating better as of today - I've gained about 15 lbs. since the Philly marathon in '08 and it is time to do something about that.

Have a great week all!

 

[MouseDogMom]

They passed out Gu gels and Chomps so many different times even Dave would have been O.K..

Obviously they thought more highly of the full marathon runners than they did us lowly half runners. I only saw Gu once. Not that I wanted any, but after reading this, I feel under-appreciated! The guy in the tuxedo shirt handing out Gu was one of my running buddies. He'd warned us he was going to do that, so I didn't fall over laughing when I saw him!

I thought they did a pretty good job for a first time, although I would have preferred that they CLOSED the roads, or at least a lane, for the last 3 miles. I was concentrating way too hard on keeping on pace to pay attention to where I was running by that time! And I AM sore today - I'm glad I was able to stay around and take advantage of the beer garden instead of driving 5 hours home. We still left before seeing Chester finish, but I'm pretty sure the temps dropped some about that time. I hope so, for his sake!

Cindy - Congrats on your PR!

Lou - Glad the company was good. Better luck next weekend!

Jackie

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone, just wanted to check in quickly. I feel badly for not keeping in touch with all my friends here in my efforts to avoid Jodi. I'm hoping I can sneak on here quickly without her noticing.

Seriously, I've been having some LTO issues. As "the heinous one" pointed out, I wasn't able to run the half in NYC. It turned out that it wasn't a good time for my family, and a solo trip wasn't in the cards.

In the meantime, things with my Dad are not good. He's having some major financial issues - stemming, in part, from what I think is dementia. My sister is driving down today to take him to the doctor. I'm hoping we can get a speaker hooked up so I can listen in on the conversation. I think we're going to need to sell Dad's house, and move him into some sort of assisted living situation. However, we're taking it one step at a time now.

Great job to everyone getting out there and racing this past weekend. I'm so impressed with all of you. I've been trying to run here and there. I still get the flair up of my lower leg issues, and I ended up going to an orthopod who fitted me with custom orthotics. I'm supposed to pick them up at the end of the month. We'll see if they help at all...

Racing-wise, I don't really have anything on tap. There's a brand new half marathon at the end of April here in Rochester. I thought it might be fun to try out a new hometown half - if I can get in shape for it.

Hi to everyone!

 

[lourodrigis]

Mike - Awesome job yesterday! Pretty good to run sub 3:45 and be feeling good today. What's next for you?

Man, did Caesar kick my #%$ yesterday. I have not felt this sore or tired after a race in a while. I was checking out my Garmin data this morning and compared it to the last 2 Caesar races. What's interesting is that I was on pace to PR the course for the first 6 miles and then I just died after I left the city and had to run into the park.

My assistant brought up a good point this morning that may have explained why I fell apart yesterday. She said, "don't you have allergies?" I was like "THAT's IT!". For some reason the allergies have hit me earlier and harder this year then in the past. Once the snow melted buds started popping on the trees and my eyes are itching about 2 weeks earlier then normal. Miles 7-12 yesterday were through a heavily wooded park and that's where I lost it.

Hopefully the run next weekend along the ocean won't be so bad.

Lou

 

[KeenHo]

Hi to Everyone in BOTville!

Lou~ I'd take your time from yesterday any day. Your worst half time would have been a PR for me. So, that should put it into perspective a bit. Sorry you struggled out there, I did too and it had little or nothing to do with allergies. The Caesar Rodney Half makes you work hard for a good time. The hills make the need for conditioning and a race strategy a necessity. I'd love to get Mike, Cindy, Matt, Jodi, Dave, Colleen, Sara, CindyLou and Chester (to name a few) up (or down) here to test their mettle with old Caesar Rodney.

Everyone that raced all over the eastern seaboard did a really nice job! Mike~ I am continually impressed by your speed and ability. CindyLou~ Great job on your Half warm up race and the PR! Jackie~ You ROCKED your race, beating your PR by that much is awesome! Chester~You have a streak of marathons going that would make someone's head spin. Keep it up! Great job! You are a machine!

Here are the stats from my race (all Garmin times):

Miles: 13.26
Time: 2:11:46
Pace: 9:56
Splits: 7:12, 8:17, 9:08, 9:15, 10:16, 10:02, 11:31, 11:06, 10:54, 9:46, 10:04, 9:56, and 10:43.

I can't believe that I went out that fast. The beginning of the race is downhill which helped I guess. If you were to look at a course map, my slower miles would loosely correspond to the steep inclines. The later miles correspond to sheer exhaustion.

I think Lou would concur that the weather was great, even a bit balmy for the race. Some of the old timers running it couldn't remember a warmer race day. It is usually cold, dark, rainy or windy which adds a new dimension to the course.

I got the confirmation today that I am registered for the Delaware Marathon on May 16. There is a half marathon in Lewes, DE in April that I may consider as an interim race. Unfortunately it is a two hour drive down just to get there. I'll see if I can work it into my plans.

Have a great day tomorrow, keep on keepin' on.



Howard

 

[Optimator]

Obviously they thought more highly of the full marathon runners than they did us lowly half runners. I only saw Gu once. Not that I wanted any, but after reading this, I feel under-appreciated!

I'm glad I was able to stay around and take advantage of the beer garden instead of driving 5 hours home.

Jackie - We appreciate you! I'll admit it's a bit of a blur but I could have sworn there were a couple of Gu spots along the half portion. I ate a few and still finished with one more than I started with.

My only negative from the race (other than Kathy not getting to go, of course) was that I completely missed the beer garden at the end.

Then again, you have to love when they pass out beer on an out and back section of the course. One of the guys shouted "Look what's waiting for you when you come back!" I said "When I come back??" and swung over and had a Dixie cup full then another on the return trip. Good stuff!

 

[Jodi]

I feel badly for not keeping in touch with all my friends here

Don't worry, we know you have to keep the masses happy over on FaceBook .
Sorry to hear about your dad, Dave. He's such a nice guy - I hope it all works out for the best. Please keep us updated, yeah? That 1/2 up your way sounds pretty doable - why not sign up?

Flash - Sure your race times were great, but the BIG kudos should be reserved for getting back to your hotel room in time for the noon check out! WTG!! Why, with a little bit more grooming you'll be flying out early Sunday afternoon after the Goofy! So will you taper a bit now for your ultra?

Lou - Like Howeird said, your "terrible" time @ CR would have been a 15 min. PR for me, sooo....You'll do great on Sunday...looks like the weather is supposed to be pretty dang nice, too.

Howard - That's a pretty darn good time you clocked, too. I mean, considering the injuries you've over come in the last year & lack of ability to train properly, I'd say you're doing pretty good! Delaware marathon in MAY? That could be hot, no? yuck.

CindyLou - Congrats on a PR for your half. Seems as if you're pretty unstoppable these days ! Very nice. How's the gut treatin' ya? Boston's rapidly approaching!

Chester - What can I say? You're a running phenom!! 13 marathons under your belt? I saw this & realized that I need to start running more of these things. Congrats on remaining injury free & consistent...that heart rate hoopla-training must be legit,

Cindy - Nice job on getting that 8 done. It's so hard starting "over" again, isn't it? You'll be back to it full swing in a month or so. Any races looming for you & chicken-man?

Hi to all you other BOTS - you know who you are...i'm too lazy to write to you...this post was supposed to be all about me, anyway.

Into NYC on Sat.; walked a lot; subwayed a lot; downtown to expo (small, but sufficient); to hotel; to Chinatown; to dinner uptown; more walking & subways; to hotel; snoring of various occupants in room/suite kept me up pretty much the entire night (WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO BRING 3 KIDS ALONG?????); got up; fueled; things happened that we won't mention here ; got dressed; wandered around lower Manhattan in the dark early a.m. hours ALONE, Dave; found a subway up to Central Park; waited in porta potty line; ugly; got out just in time for the finish of the National Anthem; crossed the start line about 4 mins. later; ran; sucked wind; nearly cried when I saw that the mile marker said Mile 5 & not Mile 11; ran slow up hills; put headphones on around mile 5.5; ate gu; felt better; onto 7th ave.; up 42nd st. still felt ok; @ MM 11 I thought that I'd missed that one & it should have been MM12; really tried to kick it in; ; looked in vain for my family @ the finish line; 5 min. walk back to hotel; called Bruce & told him that yes, they had missed me, come back to the room; showered; ate breakfast; dealt with crabby kids, husband, etc.; apparently, even though I had just run 13.1 miles after getting up @ 5:15 a.m. & being up all night, everyone else was more tired than I was?;, caught the 12:07 train home.

Wow, that was long.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Jackie – I’m glad that you enjoyed the race. I do hate running races where the roads aren’t closed. I hope they at least had enough police/volunteers at intersections. In some smaller races around here, I’ve seen people almost get hit from cars trying to make turns.

Dave – I’m sorry to hear about your dad. I’m glad that you have your sister to help you figure out what to do.

Lou – Wishing you an allergy-free run along the ocean.

Howard – crazy fast first mile! How are you feeling today?

Mike – Nice job with the double beer chugging! No beer allowed at the end of the BRR you say? Matt and I will have to figure a way around that. We are thinking of going out there to hike on Saturday and scope out the location.

Jodi – Loved the race report.

As for me, I ran 4 this morning. As Jodi, said, I do feel like I am starting over again. I’m still really sore from Sunday’s little adventure.

 

[msblrobs]

Congrats to all of the fine performances over the past weekend! I ran/walked a bit yesterday since I was so inspired by y'all
Went for a nuclear med consult today and I'm looking to go all radioactive next month Currently I'm seriously hypothyroid and not feeling much motivation to drag myself out there so I'm glad the weather is cooperating and offering additional inspiration I'm adapting nicely to my full-time mom and trophy wife gig

Dave - I am SO, SO very sorry to hear about your Dad Please keep us updated and he's definitely on my prayer list.

Cindy - Thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only one feeling like they're starting from zero with this running thing Congrats on the 4 miles

I'll post more tomorrow once I attempt a run in the morning I am still keeping my sights on MCM for October. Even if I'm joining Judy for the 10K instead of 26.2

 

[Honeibee]

I'll post more tomorrow once I attempt a run in the morning I am still keeping my sights on MCM for October. Even if I'm joining Judy for the 10K instead of 26.2

Ain't nuttin' wrong with that, darlin'!

 

[KeenHo]

Howard - That's a pretty darn good time you clocked, too. I mean, considering the injuries you've over come in the last year & lack of ability to train properly, I'd say you're doing pretty good! Delaware marathon in MAY? That could be hot, no? yuck.

Jodi~ You, in your infinite wisdom, are pretty accurate. Given my recent knee issue, the doctor directed 5 week layoff from running, and only running 3.1, 6 and 8 miles leading up to the race since the Disney Marathon... I didn't do too bad with the Caesar Rodney Half. The 2006 Delaware Marathon was my first marathon, the only other race I had run of any distance was the Disney World Half Marathon that year which was my first half marathon. It was hot! Not Florida or Africa hot, but it was not my ideal marathon running weather.

Cindy~ I can't believe that first mile. I didn't intend to run that fast, but I behaved similarly in the 2007 Caesar Rodney race too. Although I was a bit "tight" over the last few days, I am back to my normal ache-free existence. No muscle soreness to speak of.

Sara~ I'm glad you are embracing your "Trophy Wife" status and milking it for all its worth. Good luck with the next stage in your recovery and treatment. We are all here for you and praying for a quick and permanent recovery.

I went to the YMCA last night and completed 2 miles on the elliptical in 16:48. I only had a short window of time to work out, but thought it important to do so. I need to slim down for the Delaware Marathon.

Hi to everyone else!

Have a great evening!



Howard

 

[msblrobs]

Dave - Thinking of you and hoping your Dad's doing alright

Howard - I'm that you're looking to tackle the Delaware Marathon in a few short months. You're sure to do fine considering the great performance last weekend

Judy - I'll most likely register for the full at MCM so I don't get shut out and then based on my health status and my ability to kick this cancer thing and get my hormones regulated so I'm feeling better, I'll decide closer to October which distance I can get done I'm still going to try to get my DH to do the 10K

Jodi - Nice race report Hope you are feeling fine

Mike - Congrats and best of luck on the upcoming ultra! I'm super impressed with the Jodi-esque departure and sorry Kathy wasn't able to make the trip.

Lou - Super sweet time, especially considering the allergy issues, lack of training and extra lbs I hope you're feeling better today!

CindyLou - Congrats on the PR and happy tapering for Boston

Chester - Congrats on another marathon finish You're really racking them up fast

I walked/ran yesterday and will try to get out there again today My employer has yet to send me anything relating to our parting so as long as they keep sending me checks, I'm all good

 

[Jodi]

Sara - So glad you were able to "get out there" & that you're still getting paid!

Howard - Congrats on the continuing gym visits. Ugh . I went that one time & haven't been back since (insert dry-heaving smilie).

Cindy - How are the runs going?

Colleen -

CindyLou - Boston Boston BOSTON!

Hey all you other freaks.

Ran 3 miles yesterday I nearly keeled over . Gotta love being "fit". I'll try again today.

Would LOVE to go to DL & run, but don't think I can afford it...can someone just give me their special 5-year castle medal? I still really wanna go out to Seattle in June & am eying Denver on 10/17...or maybe Desert Island in ME. Trying to get Bruce to run Marine Corps. His training is going well...I'll let you know how he makes out after 18 on Sat.

So who has signed up for that night time Disney 1/2?