Because I'm So Wordy: Running the Course to Blisterville

[deekaypee]

My Cleveland ½ Marathon

Ahhhh. That sound you hear is me putting my blister-laden feet up to write my very first RR for WISH. For those who remember my training saga (and I hope if you do it’s because you have really good memories and not because you’re stalking me) you might remember I’m fairly new runner. I started running (not very fast, not very far, and with lots of walking in between) in February 2007, after signing up for the Goofy. I thought this running thing would be a one-time gig, but noooo. I had to go and sign up for the Cleveland ½ as a way to train for the Disney 2009 marathon. I also decided to do Cleveland because DOOD wanted to run the full in his quest to complete a marathon in all 50 states—shame on you who though doing all 50 states was a landlover’s version of the mile-high club. We decided on Cleveland because it’s a small, friendly event with a good reputation, it fell at the right time of year, and it’s close to our new home of Pgh.

So, now that the pesky exposition is out of the way, here’s the RR...

THE HOTEL
We scored Priceline digs at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Cleveland area, which turned out to be less than a mile from the race start. Perfect! Although its rack room rate was over $500/night—which we’d never pay—it was a nice hotel in the $75 range. The rooms were adequate in size and included a fridge and microwave….so it was a good thing I brought my oatmeal fixings for race morning. The bed was a little soft for my taste, but that wasn’t a major concern as I wasn’t getting much sleep in my hotel room anyway. (Because of pre-race jitters, folks. Cut that out! )

The hotel is a hybrid between a business hotel and a family hotel, which is a nice cross for runners, I think. Everything in the business center, including printing and copying, was free. This meant it was a great spot for me to print off my registration confirmation and my ILs could print off their boarding passes with no hassle. The pool wasn’t really suitable for doing laps, but made a nice place to do a little relaxing pre- and post-race. There was even a small WO room—located inside the pool area—where I filled my water bottles with lovely filtered H20.

The Hilton Garden Inn also has a serviceable breakfast buffet for $10.95 for the day before/after the race. (I didn’t eat there for other meals.) And by serviceable I mean you can eat tons of not-too-stale carbs, almost-made-to-your-order omelets, and enjoy Starbuck’s coffee. DOOD also managed to snag a bagel on Saturday for his Sunday a.m. meal; it was all I could do not to yell “thief” as he left the dining area. (And I didn’t do so, mostly because he asked the room attendant, darn his honest soul.)

Coming Up: Part II: The Expo (I told you this was long.)

 

[deekaypee]

THE EXPO
After arriving at the hotel on Friday, DOOD and I collected his parents & walked to the Convention Center to get our race packets & visit the expo. It was about a mile, too, I think, although it seemed longer because we were traveling at my ILs’ sightseeing pace. I was a bit worried about getting to the expo on time, as we would only have about a half-hour to register and collect the free swag. I needn’t have worried, as the Cleveland expo is small and well-organized. It took me less than 5 minutes to get my packet, and it took DOOD even less. That he got through his line so quickly is notable, because he forgot to bring the information with his big number and so needed to stand in the “special assistance” line. Because he’s so special, you know.

Anyway, after we pick up our packets and get our shirts—mine was a rockin’ red and the same shirt was given to those who signed up for both the 10K and the ½, DOOD’s was a metalhead black T-shirt—we browsed the expo. Like I said, the expo was small, but some pretty nice stuff. DOOD found a pair of his lucky running socks, I fondled the RaceReady shorts but wasn’t infatuated enough to commit. We both signed up for a Saturn giveaway and got free bags. I ate a donut sample that was supposed to be healthier for us than regular donuts because they’re whole wheat, have some protein, yada yada; I can’t tell you the specifics because I thought they just tasted like donuts, and I always like the first bite of a donut before thinking, “Meh.” I was very excited by the samples of Lara Bars and Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter; the Smuckers people were giving away free goody bags with little jars of jelly, so I shamelessly flirted with their reps and scored two free bags. I won’t mention what my FIL did to get his!

All in all, I was very pleased with the expo. It wasn’t overwhelming, and there were lots of friendly, chatty folk. I was a bit disappointed to note there weren’t any Garmin reps there as I really wanted to check out the new Forerunner. But that’s okay, as it saved me some money.

Coming Up: Part III: Leading up to the race

 

[deekaypee]

Okay, folks, this isn’t a TR and I don’t have a blog like Scott, so I’ll try to cut this short. At least short for me. Trust me when I say there was a lot more drama and family negotiations than I’ll letting on here.

The highlights:

1. We decide to be spontaneous and eat dinner at a Caribbean/American food place, really a bar pretending to be restaurant. It doesn’t really do vegetarian, but we choose it because it’s on the way back to the hotel and my MIL is having problems walking. The name of the place is “A Better Way.” It wasn’t.
2. Saturday is filled with lots of extended family time, as DOOD has a cousin in the area. I get to see my first-ever 5-6 yo league soccer games. Wow, are those parents competitive, or what? Lunch is deferred until early-afternoon, but I sneak a Powerbar while DOOD toughs it out.
3. Saturday afternoon, the ILs want to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. It’s some sort of community event, so my FIL schmoozes with an organizers and scores us free admission as a gesture of goodwill to the out-of-towners. He does that schmoozy thing a lot, and I'm jealous because I'm no good at it. It’s a great museum, but I learn that my ILs don’t know who Pink Floyd and The Who are, and that they didn’t know The Beatles made movies. I also learn that DOOD is very cranky when he doesn’t eat lunch until 2:30. Me, I’m just cranky.
4. We eat at the 4th Street Bar and Grill, not too far from our hotel. Morgan recommends it, and I find it a great casual place, with a restaurant in one side of the place and bowling alley in the other. Very, very laidback cool, and they were willing to turn their portabella mushroom appetizer into a burger for my vegetarian self. (Btw, I’m sure Cleveland has many veggie restaurants, just none of them seem to be a) downtown or b) open on the weekend.)
5. During dinner and after, DOOD and his parents obsessively plan the spectator route, as they do for every event. My ILs are forbidden from watching me run, as I just don’t roll that way. They think I’m weird, I think I get 2 ½ + glorious running hours away from my ILs and NO race photos taken. A little slice of heaven. The planning always takes longer than we’d like, but at least it’s not like cramming for an all-nighter. We all get to bed and to sleep…eventually.

Coming Up: Part IV: There is a Race in your Report, Right?

 

[bubba73]

Debra, I can't wait to read the rest of it. I just hope that one day I get to the point where I can do a 1/2 marathon. My Chiropractor is really trying to push me away from it but I am dying to try.

Look forward to the rest of the story.

Bryan

 

[deekaypee]

RACE DAY AND ALL ITS GLORY
We wake up a little after 5 a.m. to the uplifting sight of rain. Whereas Saturday had been a near-perfect day, Sunday was trying to tell me that I had somehow angered the Cleveland gods by talking about the Steelers to my cousins-in-law. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I think I recall opening one eye, looking at DOOD, and saying, “I hate you and everything you stand for.” But, we’d registered for the race, trained for it, and I couldn’t in good conscious wear the pretty t-shirt without doing the race. And besides, there was the bling calling.

So we got ready—with me dressed in an attractive combination of WISH gear and garbage bags—and headed for the start. There we found almost all the racers (a suspiciously small field) inside the Galleria mall. That’s where the gear and volunteer check-in were, and some very busy bathrooms. We hung out there until about 15 minutes before the race. Then, because all my fantasies of the rain subsiding were drying up, the only that was at that point, we decided to man up and go outdoors. So DOOD moves somewhere to the front of the pack, where I hang out at the back, somewhere behind the 5:30 marathon pace pack hosted by a fabulous racewalker.

People are just standing around, in general good spirits, but there’s a lot of room to move and to mull over the race. I know at this point the ½ is going to be a struggle for me. Because I get blisters easily, I don’t train in the rain. Oh, let’s be honest, I don’t like running in the rain and I don’t train in it. Whether that’s because of the blisters or because I’m a wimp, who knows. Anyway, I know I’m going to get blisters and it’s going to be a struggle for me, so I try to adjust my mindset. And one of the things I do is pull out my iPod.

Now, I know I’m going to lose some respect from some of you for the whole iPod thing, but I’ll try to justify myself. 1) My iPod is also my Nike+ pacing device and although I don’t need it with the mile clocks, I feel better having it. 2) Like most people who run with one, I use one earphone and can carry on a conversation while wearing it, not that anyone wants to talk to me. 3) The course is quite small, even smaller than I expected and I’m at the back, out of most people’s way. 4) Um, it’s the rock and roll marathon and I had loaded my iPod appropriately. So now I’m stretching for reasons to justify my decision. Lame. Okay, so I decided to run with the iPod. Please don’t hate me.

Somehow, the race started—I didn’t hear the start (and neither did DOOD). But we’re moving, and the first few minutes I’m mostly concentrating on avoiding stepping in puddles. At least that gives me something to concentrate on instead of starting too quickly (which happened during Saturday’s short run). The course quickly disperses, and no one seems to really be running in a crowd unless it’s by choice. And there were plenty of people running 3 and 4 and more across. I quickly moved ahead of the 5:30 pacers because they were an especially big pack, with the intention of staying ahead of them if possible—which I managed to do, much to my relief. The Cleveland race seems particularly friendly to small packs of runners and walkers, for reasons I’ll mention in my summary; I thought of these reasons afterwards, but at the time I was just grateful that the packs seemed friendly and not rabid. Too many zombie movies, I guess.

Anyway, at the start of the race it’s raining and cold enough I can see my breath. Well before I get to the 5K mark, I see a handful of runners bag it and head back to the start, which is also the finish and location of the beer tent. Lucky dogs, I think, you drink beer. Everyone has a free drink tag on their bibs, so I’m a little offended that they’re scoring their free drinks without going through the pain of the race. And I’m going through the pain shortly after their departure, as the blister hot-spots have started.

This early part of the course is as cool as the weather. We pass the Rock and Roll Museum, and other local landmarks, and head over a bridge and see Lake Erie. Between miles 2 and 3. Apparently I hadn’t seen enough water in my day yet, because I thought the view was spectacular. If I’d brought my camera, I would have stopped to take a picture. But instead I joke with some of the other back of the packers that I’d been promised a flat course and that I think all RDs are liars. Really, though, the bridge wasn’t too bad.

From there we move into a residential neighborhood and greenspace before turning back toward downtown. I don’t remember too much detail about the route, as I’m focused on my feet. Not putting one foot in front of the other, but the blisters. My own music isn’t loud enough to distract me, although I do note that I am way too reliant on the Ellen DeGeneres show for my current musical taste. The scenery isn’t distracting me, except insomuch as I’m fascinated in how the other half lives. And there aren’t a whole lot of spectators, either. Those that I shout out to seem to be a little surprised at the thought of interactive spectating—so unlike the Disney races in my limited experience. And I was a little surprised at how little entertainment there was for the ½; I think it was only DJ stations trucks—those were cool, as each station played a different type of music found in the museum: Elvis, Motown, Britsh invasion… But nothing live that I remember. Maybe Rich or Mike have different/better memories. (DOOD speculates we’ve been spoiled by Disney and had our expectations set way too high.)

So, without the appropriate scenery, official distractions, or the always-welcomed antics of spectators, I was left to my own thoughts and/or devices. Since I really didn’t like the former—consisting mostly of thoughts of quitting and enjoying a nice whisky—I turned to my fellow participants. I enjoyed several conversations with fellow runners/woggers/wunners, including one woman who was praying for a different person/group for each mile she ran. What a great idea, and she is obviously a far deeper person than I am. (I was swearing at a different person at each mile, starting with DOOD and his running habit.) I complimented one woman dressed as Elvis, but didn’t see any other costume runners. I also had the privilege of drafting behind the Cleveland Police marathon relay team, whose members were carrying a butane torch. It seemed like a cool idea to run behind them, as they were going on fresh legs but at a slow pace and would challenge me. That is, it seemed like a good idea until I got several whiffs of the torch. Pee-ewww. So I had to pass them after a couple of miles. Not very patriotic of me, I know, and I missed all the applause that was for them but I pretended were for me.

Anyway, as we headed out of the residential neighborhoods and back into the commercial districts things—somewhere between the halfway and two-thirds of the journey—that things got a little bit fuzzy. It was then that the sun came out. I’d long since ditched the garbage bag (and got rained on afterwards), but was dressed a little warmly. I can’t claim that my soggy clothes were 1) all that soggy or 2) weighing me down. But I was getting hot, almost as hot as my feet. I was also noticing some pain, as I’d begun altering my gait because of the blisters. By then, I knew I was way off both my dream and planned-for pace, so I just focused on finishing as strong as possible. That goal included making the right turnoff for the ½ participants instead of following the marathoners. Turns out I had no problem remembering that I wanted to finish sooner than later, and made the turn shortly after mile 12.

As I headed to the finish, there were two songs on my iPod worth mentioning. The first was Rhianna’s “SOS,” which made me laugh, bitterly, as I neared the finish. The second, when I was in sight of the finish made me teary-eyed. It’s my favorite song, and not a particularly good one for running, but one I include because I love it. It’s Israel Kamakawiwo Ole's version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Somehow it seemed appropriate that I should finish while that song played. Before I crossed the finish line, however, I stopped for a race photo. Hey, it wasn’t like I was going to make my time anyway. So I did a very special combo of Debra & WISH pose. I turned my back on the photographer and walked backwards so he could take a picture of our DLF motto. I just hope he didn’t think I was too crazy and I can find the picture without my bib number.

After having my picture taken, I crossed the finish line. It wasn’t quite a triumphant finish, more of a resigned one. I’d missed my dream goal of 2:30, my planned goal of 2:33, and my 6:30 a.m. adjusted race-day goal of 2:37. My final time was 2:38:36. I was happy because it was a PR for me, as my January ½ finish was 2:53: xx. Then again, with only one other ½ under my belt I thought I had a pretty good chance of getting a PR—and I’d hoped for more out of myself.

But I had no time to obsess about my own time. DOOD was still on the course, and I needed to get ready to serve as his pit crew. What’s more, I didn’t have a lot of time to take care of my needs and get ready for his arrival as he was hoping to hit 3:30. Ambitious DOOD, always keeping me moving!

Coming Up: Part V: Wait, there's a marathon in this report, too? Cool bonus section!!

 

[deekaypee]

POST-RACE/PIT CREW
So I hurry through the corral, not paying much attention to the bling they threw around my neck, grabbed a banana and a bottle of water, and headed to grab my gear. That’s where I met the woman who asked about my WISH shirt, the one I mentioned in the weekly thread. Woo hoo, another PR moment for the DIS! I strip out of my soggy clothes in the women’s bathroom, much to at least one woman’s horror; I think she saw my feet, with their new blisters and still-black toes from the Goofy. Yeah, yeah, I know. I have Frankenfeet.

Then I head out to meet DOOD at the finish. I scan the crowds for the ILs, but don’t see them. I give up after a few minutes, as suddenly my banana and Clif Bar begin demanding my immediate and undivided attention. (Unlike DOOD, nothing much upsets my stomach before, during, or after a race.) No sooner had I finished my snack and gotten into a picture-taking position than I saw the 3:30 pacers approach. I look, but DOOD’s not with them. My heart flip-flops a little because that means he race didn’t go as well as he’d planned, either. A couple of minutes pass and then I see him, crossing strong!! Although he didn’t know it at the time, he’d made a PR in just under 3:34!!!

He’d also pushed himself pretty hard given how we were coming into the race—a little tired and not particularly well-fueled. As soon as I met him outside the finisher’s area, I saw he was shivering so while my FIL swept DOOD into the Galleria to meet up with family, I got him a space blanket. His need for one freaked out my ILs, who tend to want him to quit running and get a safer, saner hobby. That is, they want him to retire on those odd days when they’re not busy bragging about their son the marathoner.

Anyway, he wasn’t really up for the beer tent immediately after the race, so we walked back to the hotel room, where he took a quick shower and crashed. I was wound up, so I showered, read a little, and got us lunch from the Subway across the street from the hotel. That’s because I’m a big spender and finishing a half or full marathon is cause for an extravagant celebration. Oh, yeah.

After lunch, I felt the need to walk back up to the post-race party, to see if all the hoopla surrounding them is worthwhile. DOOD’s never been one to stay to such things, but I think I’m more of a party animal. So I convinced him walking would help his recovery. So we walked back to the finish around 3.00 o’clock, hoping it would still be hopping (because the Cleveland full has an 8 hour finish time). It wasn’t, and the crew was taking down the race. Bah. But we did get a chance to applaud the DLF, which felt much better to me than my race. She was very happy with her finish and was surrounded by her TnT teammates, both those who walked with her and those who waited for her. I felt like I understood her joy.

Coming Up: Part VI: The RR is almost out of Debra's system.

 

[deekaypee]

POST-RACE CELEBRATIONS
Post race involves beer in DOOD’s mind, and he loves to go to breweries. So we thought we were going to go to Great Lakes Brewery, as per FireDancer Frank’s suggestion. We hadn’t researched that closely enough and, as it turns out, they’re closed on Sundays. Who would have thought of such a thing? What is it with Ohio and blue laws?

So we end up going to Rock Bottom Brewery with his parents and his cousin’s entire family, including the baby. It’s a good thing the place was family-friendly AND served alcohol, as I wasn’t prepared for a lot of conversation. I just sat back and drank my wine and ate my mac and cheese. The wild life of the vegetarian runner, I know. I didn’t mind the focus on the kiddies, really, and they were well-behaved centers of attention. What I did mind was the speed with which we needed to get through dinner in order to accommodate the kids’ attention span. It’s because I’m selfish and wanted dessert, of course, which wasn’t on the approved list of kiddie foods. (DOOD’s cousin is a great mom—I totally approve of the no-dessert decision for the kids. But I wanted carrot cake.)

So we head back to the hotel fairly early on Sunday—NOW everyone’s ready for an early night, after the race—and I paced back and forth in the room for about 5 minutes before deciding that there was going to be a dessert in my future, moderation be hanged. DOOD saw the look in my eye, or the drool in the corner of my mouth, and asked me what I wanted. Well, of course I wanted carrot cake, because it wasn’t available in the hotel. But I said I would settle for either sharing the room service’s chocolate torte or buying the pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream available in the Hilton pantry. Guess what won? Yep, you’re right—the ice cream. Do you know how decadent it is to eat a pint of ice cream while lounging in a hotel room bed and watching The Simpsons? I do. And I swear we split the pint equally. I didn’t eat more than my fair share. Not me.

And thus ends the race day and the story of my second ½ marathon, and not my last. I could go on about how our day-after was filled with more Cleveland sightseeing as I limped around on my newly-earned blisters, but I won’t. It seems more fitting to end on the image of me slurping happily away at my ice cream. That’s how I’m choosing to remember this race, and how I would choose for you to envision it. A happy treat to celebrate a victory of my willpower and training over my weaknesses. The first of many, I hope (treats, that is.)


And the mandatory epilogue:

If you've read to the end of this massive, 4000+ word RR, I really have only one thing to say to you: you have no life.



Maybe two things. Now I know you're stalking me.



Seriously, quit reading. It's done.






Okay, one more thing. Thank you, thank you all. Not for reading this, although I'm flattered. But for being here for me throughout my training, my doubts and fears, through my questions, and through all my endless posts. When I said I wouldn't have made it to the start without you, I mean it. I am humbled by your strength and generosity to all of us just beginning our journeys as athletes.

 

[wtpclc]

Am I th e only one who made it through? Gosh, I guess I really don't have a life.

Great report Debra! COngrats on teh great time, especially with teh yucky conditions!!!! SOryr about the carrot cake, but that would have been a bad ending for me. Ic ecream is much better!

 

[Kristi1357]

Fabulous report! And yes, I am stalking you - you are way too entertaining!

I love that version of "Over The Rainbow" as well.

 

[hoosmi]

Yep, another one with no life.

That was very amusing. And I don't hate you for running with an iPod. I do hate you for putting the thought of Ben & Jerrys in my head at 10:00 a.m.

Jen in GA

So, once you did check out the bling, how was it?

 

[Big Vic]

 

[aldisneygrl]

OK, I haven't been on the DIS for about a week and this is the first thing I see and read all the way down to the bottom. Yeah, I have no life!

Honestly, I am so proud of you Debra. You give me inspiration to think that I might could do a 1/2 someday. Actually, my 10K running buddy (and my 10K is Monday), suggested that we do the local half in Nov. and I am actually considering it. I really enjoyed your report. Next time, get that dessert "to go". Hope your blistery feet heal soon.

 

[postesf]

Deb!!! Congrats on your PR. It sounds like you guys had a nice trip from the otherwise IL's sightseeing and all. I LOVE the way you tell your stories. Very entertaining...Although some nice illustrations would have been nice (read: pictures!) Did you find the WISH shirt pic yet???

Stacie

 

[curiouser]

OH gosh, where do I start!?

1. I loved it!! Partially because it was just a great report and partially because I could visually every place you were at! If I walked out the front door of my office building and walked 500 feet I'd be at the Hilton Garden Inn. I sometimes go to that Subway at lunch!

2. Sorry about the Caribbean restaurant!! And yes, we do have a few vegetarian restaurants but they are mostly outside of the city. We really meat and potatoes people! And yes, everything downtown closes on the weekends. The entire city just seems to hole up, it's a very bizzare phenomenon.

3. I've lived here (almost) all my life and I still find a good view of Lake Erie beautiful, so no worries!

4. I think I just may have to do the half next year. You up for it?

 

[WDWFAN9]

Great report!

 

[Goofyin08forErica]

What an awesome report!!!!

I, too, have problems with blisters....no fun!

You da woman!!! Congratulations!!!

Erica

 

[3DisneyKids]

Way to go, Debra! I am so proud of you!

 

[deekaypee]

Thanks so much for the comments. Just popping in to say I'll add pictures of the race when my ILs forward DOOD's race pics to me. I'll even show you the bling/shirts.

More importantly, I do recommend this race to WISHers because it's small and friendly. I posted some of the reasons why on the main RR thread, where it wouldn't get bogged down in my "all about me-ness." And if you know anyone who's just starting out as a walker, check out the generous pace requirements: 18:30!!!

Last word. Vic, your response was the perfect one to mine. We are at the two extremes of the communication spectrum, aren't we?

 

[twoWDWfools]

Debra - WTG on the PR and getting thru everything including no carrot cake and having to "settle" on Ben and Jerry's.

DOOD luckier than DH - he would've gotten the look that says "get your own".

Oh and apparently I have no life either....

So who's up for this race in 2009?

 

[wdw4us]

Great report.

I USED to have problems with blisters but now use rocawear socks (not sure if the spelling is correct) and have not had a problem since using them.

Experiment with your runs and see if it helps. I kept buying socks all year long to make sure I didn't get a blister at the 1/2 and I never did. Came close but just a red spot that disappeared the next day.

I also bought a lot of underwear, bras and shorts to find just the right fit for me.


denise