Baltimore BOT-Fest

[Jodi]

Morning Bots! We left Mike at the 16.6 mile mark about 20 minutes ago. He is looking great!

That's great! Keep us updated on FB if you can, too!! Go MIKE! Give him a big hug from me next time you see him (then a swift kick in the a**)

 

[Theta]

Morning Bots! We left Mike at the 16.6 mile mark about 20 minutes ago. He is looking great!

Thanks for the update!

WISH I was running 50 miles today.

 

[lourodrigis]

Congratulations Mike on completing your 50-miler! That is truly an amazing accomplishment. Hopefully there is an Optimator waiting at home for you.

 

[Jodi]

MIIIKKEE!! - we're not worthy, we're not worthy! I second Lou's wishes & hope there is a KEG of Optimator waiting for you when you get home.
Thanks again to Mindy for keeping us updated & taking my annoying phone calls!
Sleep well, ultramarathoner!

 

[Optimator]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the support. It means the world to me.

Highlights of the day:

-Seeing Kathy and the aid station this morning.
-Seeing Cindy and Matt at EVERY aid station all day.
-Talking to Jodi after the race without her calling me any bad names.
-The weather.
-Pringles, Oreos, Krispy Kremes, green olives, pickles, salted potatoes, trail mix, Peanut M&M's, ice cream sandwiches, pierogies (yes, pierogies) Coke, ginger ale, orange soda. Did I mention Krispy Kremes? I even passed on the pizza at mile 30. I'm lucky I could waddle my big behind up to the finish line!
-Post race cheeseburger, potatoe salad, macaroni salad, cookies.
-Post race home brew and nice conversation with Cindy and Matt.
-Coming home and finding the house decorated with signs like "Dad Rocks!", "Dad, 1st place!", etc.


Not really a race report but...:

I followed my plan of run down, walk up, stayed well hydrated, got lots of nourishment and tried to enjoy things as much as possible. All went well for the first 28 miles then my right IT band started screaming anytime I started to run. Then the left started hurting. It was fine to walk so I didn't doubt I would finish but I thought it would take a LONG time to walk 22 miles. I finally got the bright idea to take some ibuprofen and picked some up at mile 33(?). That actually helped a bunch and I was able to run pretty well until the hills and rocks got the best of me.

Still, to finish in 10:08 is much better than I had hoped for so no complaints.

Then Cindy, Matt, and I enjoyed a nice little post race meal then sat in the parking lot drinking some excellent beer. Sweet!

I feel pretty good as long as I'm not going down stairs. We will see about tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the support.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks for the report Mike. I am so very, very impressed. WTG!!!

 

[KeenHo]

Mike~ Thanks for the great update on your 50 Miler!!! That is an awesome accomplishment. Judy's Husband Charlie is trying to get me to run on in upstate New York (Canadigua 50) at some point. Looks like a lot of miles to me.

While you were out toiling yesterday, I was doing the same.

Miles: 17.0
Time: 3:10:39
Pace: 11:13
Splits: I don't want to bore you.

On Friday I ran after work:

Miles: 5.0
Time:49:11
Pace: 9:50
Splits: 9:44, 11:10, 9:34, 9:37 and 9:05.

I'm taking today off with some minor knee stiffness and soreness. Nothing to worry about. I'm glad to have the day off.

Jodi~ A BOT Race (MCM) wouldn't be the same without you. PERIOD. Get Bruce and yourself signed up ASAP.

Colleen~ If you run MCM with us this year, I'll buy you a mug. (It may be plastic for longevity ).

Have a great Sunday and week ahead.



Howard

 

[Optimator]

Anybody got a spare Handicapped hang tag?

 

[Jodi]

Anybody got a spare Handicapped hang tag?

Eager to hear how you are feeling today!?

 

[Theta]

Anybody got a spare Handicapped hang tag?

I think half of the population of NC has one.

 

[Optimator]

Jodi - Overall, not feeling too bad. My right IT band is real sore and bending that knee is a challenge. Once that calms down I should be good to go but until then I guess I'll look like an invalid.

How is Bruce's knee? How is he feeling? What's his plan? Is he feeling more or less confident after my experience yesterday?

BTW, I liked the picture of your frog feet.

Colleen - I guess I won't be hoping for any close parking spots in NC then. Rats!


ROLE CALL - What is everyone's sign up status for MCM?

 

[StitchAttack]

I'm signed up for the MCM. I think the race is filling up fast, so hurry up and register if you are going to run it. I'm probably going to whip up a batch of MCM special beer this summer so it will be ready for October, if that helps sway anyone.

 

[StitchAttack]

Just checked and the MCM is 94% full.

 

[Jodi]

Haven't signed up for MCM yet....can't stay for the partying afterward so wondering if I should even bother??

Mike - Glad to hear you're doing relatively well. Bruce was completely inspired by your run! HE was the one who kept making me call Mindy to check up on you . He's feeling good (scared) about his attempt @ 100k. Although his is on a road (7+ loops around a lake). His knees are shot, same culprit as you, those dang IT bands are causing the pain. I'll just keep his mileage low for the next two weeks & hopefully he'll be able to survive!
His plan is (after MUCH persuasion) to walk from the get-go. Walk hills (like you did) & run his usual pace when he runs. We'll see....Good to know the ibuprofen helped, I'll bring some along. He also has stomach issues cramping "like a girl" as he puts it.
BTW, no Jodistops on your ultra?
Did you hydrate w/ just water or some other fancy crap?

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Haven't signed up for MCM yet....can't stay for the partying afterward so wondering if I should even bother??

You couldn't even stay for a few hours after the race and head back later that night?

 

[KeenHo]

I'm signed up for my 3rd consecutive MCM. Looking forward to it! The hotel room has been booked for some time.

I'll more than likely be traveling down accompanied by Judy & Charlie (like last year). Charlie is running the Marathon, Judy is running the 10K (I believe).

My knee is hurting today, my 5 miler after work today is "Iffy" at best. We'll see how I feel later on. If I do run it, it'll be a slow moving/low impact jog.

Mike~ I'm glad you're still with us. Hope the IT Band recovers quickly.

Jodi~ I don't think Pink Camo is my color at all.

Matt~ A special BOT Brew at MCM sounds very enticing.

Have a great week!



Howard

 

[Jodi]

You couldn't even stay for a few hours after the race and head back later that night?

I guess I could get a late(r) flight out....NOT @ 2 p.m. out of Baltimore, right? Can we drink @ the finish line???

 

[StitchAttack]

I guess I could get a late(r) flight out....NOT @ 2 p.m. out of Baltimore, right? Can we drink @ the finish line???

We'll have to fill up a cooler and have someone "guard it" at the finish line until the marathon is over. Some of our friends live very close to the finish, maybe we can stash the cooler at their place until after the race.

 

[Optimator]

Jodi - Book a MUCH later flight. Do it for Bruce. You know he wants to run MCM. Hurry!!

No Jodi-stops at all (thank goodness since I wasn't carrying my shovel to bury it per race instructions). One tree watering a little past half way. Hydrated with Gatorade and water. Then assorted sodas sounded good at the buffets, I mean aid stations. Coke, Mountain Dew, Ginger Ale, even orange soda.


Matt - Let me know if you need some pre-MCM quality control sampling of the Oktoberfest.

Howard - Gentle on the knee there buddy.

My knee is feeling much better today. Still not walking downstairs normally but I could if I had to. I think I'll even be able to mow the grass tomorrow.

 

[StitchAttack]

Jodi Looks like Southwest has an 8:45 pm flight and a 9:35 pm flight from BWI to Hartford on Sunday. Plenty of time to party!