~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[KeenHo]

Hi everyone! I did my last training run yesterday in similar conditions to Lou's... high 50's/low 60's and windy. I ran 8.75 miles averaging 10:08 per mile. I felt good and got into my "zone". I am going to enjoy my two day taper.

We fly out of Philly tomorrow morning at 6:10 AM. I am sure we'll be up late packing and need to be at the airport around 4:00 AM. Luckily we only live about 20 minutes from the PHL airport.

We'll be at the WISH meet at POP, I look forward to seeing most of you there.

Good luck and God Speed to everyone this weekend. Safe travels!



Howard

 

[nepatsfan73]

Hi Bill (if you are still checking in here). Go Pats!

Right back at ya.

I still check around here so I can monitor the "cool kids" and pick up tid bits of advice (me being still brand-spanking new to this distance stuff notwithstanding that I've been hanging on the WISH boards for 11 months, have started training for a half marathon numerous times before having to shut down and have a binder full of draft training plans). My current thinking is I may try to do the inagural Providence Half Marathon in May (4.5 hour time limit) as my first and then maybe the ING Greater Hartford Half in October (the finish stays open until everyone is done). I have to walk so these look like good potential starters (if I can get my training going again soon) to get ready for WDW 2009. Thus, eventhough I probably won't do Philly in 2008, I'll still read and stop by to annoy you Philly '08ers f/k/a MCMers.

 

[Theta]

Swept Away (its on 7 mile beach in Negril and owned by Couples Resorts). Colleen - any chance that was where you stayed?

Oh, you will absolutely love that!

No we haven't stayed at Swept Away, but did stay at Beaches Negril which is just down the beach. Negril has the most beautiful beaches and great sunsets! Be sure to have a drink called the Hummingbird, others like one called "Dirty Banana" , but I didn't like it as much! (So glad Mike is already gone to WDW or he would have a hayday with that one.

Just finished tutoring, so now I am off to pack!

Must remember RAIN GEAR!!

 

[Theta]

I'll still read and stop by to annoy you Philly '08ers f/k/a MCMers.

Bill, I hope so! Stop by often!

Good luck with your training for Providence! You can do this!

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Bill - good luck with your training. Definitely let us know how it is going. You know, Philly does have a half . . .

Colleen - thanks for the suggestions. I'm excited to try some fruity island drinks. At home, I'm really just a beer girl, but I've never done a beach vacation before, so I plan on making the most of it. I'm getting pretty excited.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning Team:

Cindy- Thanks for asking about my hip. It's OK, not great but not too bad. I did a couple of really short TM runs (only 2 miles), and it was definitely sore. I think I may take this weekend off and rest it some more. I might do some x-training on the exercise bike, but I'm going to take another 3 days off to rest it.

On another topic, I wanted to share a thought from my girls, DD6 and DD10 , regarding my running. Last night we were all chatting, and it came out that my hip was sore. They asked how long that's been happening, and I mentioned since I ran a race on Jan 1st. I was telling them what I mentioned to you about wanting to get faster, and how I have this lifelong goal of trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I was saying that whenever I run faster than 9 min miles I start to get these aches and pains. DD6 instantly says, "Well, Daddy, maybe that's your self-speed. You should just be happy with that." I loved it. I never thought of having a self-speed, but it made a lot of sense. Then my DD9 (oops, now DD10) chimes in, "I think you shouldn't give up on your goal of running that race. You always tell us that anything worth doing takes hard work. You can do it - just keep working on it and be patient." Aaah, that made me feel good that maybe they do listen to us, and maybe these lessons do sink in somehow.

OK, off to work.

 

[lourodrigis]

On another topic, I wanted to share a thought from my girls, DD6 and DD10 , regarding my running. Last night we were all chatting, and it came out that my hip was sore. They asked how long that's been happening, and I mentioned since I ran a race on Jan 1st. I was telling them what I mentioned to you about wanting to get faster, and how I have this lifelong goal of trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I was saying that whenever I run faster than 9 min miles I start to get these aches and pains. DD6 instantly says, "Well, Daddy, maybe that's your self-speed. You should just be happy with that." I loved it. I never thought of having a self-speed, but it made a lot of sense. Then my DD9 (oops, now DD10) chimes in, "I think you shouldn't give up on your goal of running that race. You always tell us that anything worth doing takes hard work. You can do it - just keep working on it and be patient." Aaah, that made me feel good that maybe they do listen to us, and maybe these lessons do sink in somehow.

Dave - Great story. You know what? Kids always seem to "get it". It's us adults that get caught up in so much that we forget what we are doing at times. I know my kids absorb everything like a sponge and can spit it back out at me at any time. It's why you have to be careful about what they get exposed to.

I'm sure the boards will be dead today as just about everyone has left for WDW. I'm packing now but my plane doesn't leave PHL until 6PM. My family has already finished the 5K race in WDW so I am climbing the walls right now. I have no idea how I will keep the adrenaline in check tonight and tomorrow at WDW.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning TEAM:

Oh wait, maybe I should modify that to good morning Cindy.

I think it's just the two of us here. I saw a picture of Sara and her girls on Main Street cheering on the half marathon runners. It's on Robert's WDW Running thread.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Morning Dave!

As I sit here eating a late breakfast, the rest of you are probably coming close to finishing the marathon. I hope everything went well and I can't wait to read race reports.

Funny story to report. Last night I checked my blackberry and guess what email I had received? It was the email notification that I had finished the MCM (I had set up the notices to go to my blackberry which DH had in his checked bag since he was supposed to finish the marathon before me and could then figure out where I was). Guess that ones been floating around in cyberspace for a few months!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning TEAM:

Cindy- That's funny that you just got your e-mail alert for the MCM.

Jodi- Are you back yet? Have any pictures of the medal? I'm curious what the special medal looks like. Congrats on your race and finish. I looked up your result. Great job!

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Quick post. It's going to be one of those crazy "I have to get everything done before I leave for vacation" days. I can't wait to read race reports when I get home.

I need to decide whether or not to sign up for Goofy next year. Hopefully it won't sell out before I get back.

Hi Dave!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hi Cindy Have a great trip to Jamaica. I hope you have a lot of fun and happy birthday.

I haven't run since last Thursday. I've been solely biking on the stationary bike. I told myself I'm going to take a week off until my group run on Saturday with Fleet Feet. I want to give my hip a chance to heal up. I've done 30 min on the bike Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

Anyone else back yet?

 

[Theta]

Anyone else back yet?

ME, ME!

Hi Dave and Cindy!

I got back late yesterday afternoon, but just know have a few minutes to post.

Met Chester, Tracy and Chet at Expo, Mike and Kathy at POP and Jodi the next day for lunch! SO GREAT to finally meet all of you!

Sara and the girls picked me up Saturday morning at 5:15 so we could cheer on the half marathoners on Main Street and then we moved over to EPCOT to watch the last WISHers finish. That was a great experience.

On to the marathon, I was very nervous because I wasn't sure what to expect with my knee and I was fighting a little congestion and cough, but I felt great the whole race.

Some quick details. For every two miles, I walked 1.5 and ran 0.5, my walking speed was between 12:30 and 13:30 and I was running about 9:30 miles. I ran the last .75 of the marathon at a 9:00 pace because I had a lot of gas left. I think I passed about 400-500 runners that last bit of the marathon. By this time, most were walking.

Finished first half in 2:50
Finished second half in 2:45 (yes, those are negative splits)
Final Time 5:35 !!!

Very happy with that result because I was hoping for under 6:00, felt great all the way and couldn't believe my readings on my Garmin. Adrenalin is amazing! Moreover I felt so great after, only a little twingy pain in the knee, but really nothing to complain about.

More later!

 

[msblrobs]

Dave and Cindy -

Colleen - You ROCK girl !! It was great seeing you again and I'm glad you made it safely home.

I'm here until Sunday but I'll try to check in periodically. The weekend was magical. I seriously thought about DNF'ing the full many times since the leg was not good for the entire second half. I think my finish was 5:19. I had a blast with all of the WISH'ers and made the best of the race by stopping and chatting with every WISH scream team I could. I stopped at every med tent for biofreeze and just pushed on. I was able to get back to YC/BC to cheer for the last of the marathoners which was awesome .

Rumor has it Jodi rocked the full but I'll wait for her to confirm that

Thanks to everyone for the great company over the weekend

 

[skfulkers]

Wassup, my Philly homees? Glad to see some of you are returning home.

Let me just say that you guys are awesome! What a great group of friends!

Colleen--way to go on the full! We had such a good time with you guys this weekend. Thanks for organizing the Saturday dinner. Krista and I had a blast (unfortunately, I had to sit next to obnoxious people like Mike, Jodi and SilverSteve, but I guess I'll live ).

Sara--I didn't realize you guys were here till Sunday. I was thinking sometime mid-week. We're here till then, too. I probably shouldn't be online either since we're at WDW for cryin' out loud, but Krista's napping, so I decided I couldn't stay away from the team for too long. Tell Mike it was great chatting with him at Spoodles. And Krista says that if our kids are near as well-behaved as your girls at that age, she'll be very proud.

Ok, I really need to get off line before the pregnant lady wakes up. That sounds like the title of a horror movie. Hope you guys are doing well and I promise I'm going to keep up with this thread when I get back home. You guys rock!

Steve

 

[SilverE]

Krista and I had a blast (unfortunately, I had to sit next to obnoxious people like Mike, Jodi and SilverSteve, but I guess I'll live )

Yes, I only suffered your company because we share the same name.

Seriously, it was nice to finally meet you and Krista. Enjoy the rest of your vacation down there; I arrived home today to 14 inches of fresh snow!

Rest, ride the rides, enjoy the "Magic", and relax!

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Figured I'd pop in for a quick post while I eat my dinner at my desk.
Today turned out to be a worse day at work than I ever could have imagined. Looks like there is a very high chance that I am going to be pulling my first all-nighter since college. Don't these people know I'm getting old - I can't handle this anymore. Whatever. I can't feel too bad for myself, I am going to be in Jamaica tomorrow. Thankfully - for the first time ever - I did not save the packing until the night before the trip.

Dave - Thanks for the birthday wishes! Hope the hip behaves for you on Saturday.

Colleen - That is an awesome pace - congrats!

Sara - I hope you are able to get some rest and heal your leg.

OK, back to work.

Steve x2 - Hi x2

 

[lourodrigis]

Hey guys,

I'm back.

Just a quick post because I am already loaded with work. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to catch up with any ~Phillly WISHers. However, I was sitting with the WISH group before the marathon (only guy w/o a WISH shirt) and met some nice people. I did see "Colleen aka Theta" at the start but didn't get a chance to meet her...sorry. I have a tendency to get "in a zone" before a race and really do not like to do more than think.

Quick race report....I finished in 4:15:16 which was 18 minutes better than Philly. I guess it's not bad for my second marathon.

I was a little disappointed because the goal was 4:00. The disappointment is more due to the fact that at Mile 22 I was on pace for 4:00 but the humidity finally broke me. I really wasn’t prepared for the humidity but there is no way to train for it in NJ in the winter. I started feeling sick to my stomach and had to walk a few times between 22 and finish. Other than that I'm happy.

I wanted to catch you guys at the finish but I was too sick and too incoherent. I didn't even want to talk to my family. It took me about 3 hours to lose the nausea and then I was okay. I even went back to Epcot and closed the place.

However, I got sick yesterday (little fever - 100 degree) and I'm still sick today. It was a lot of running around (excuse the pun) but a whole lot of fun!

Lou

 

[Theta]

I did see "Colleen aka Theta" but didn't get a chance to meet...sorry.


Lou

Lou,

You saw me, but didn't come and say hi? Lou, Lou, Lou!

How did you know it was me? No other 6 foot girls wearing a WISH shirt around? Which reminds me, I have a picture of me and Jodi at the start and she looks so tiny, my kids said, "who is that little girl"! I laughed and told them, it wasn't that she was tiny, it is that mommy is so tall (and my orthotics add some height too!).

I guess I will let you away this time, guess I will have to wait until Philly to meet you. Congratulations on completing another marathon!

SteelersSteve, how did you do? I heard you had a great race!

Hi Sara, sorry to hear about your problems in the second half. Now girl, listen here, you get yourself all healed up for Philly and no more 3 marathons in one year business!

Feeling really good today, DH says he can't believe I just completed another marathon because I really haven't missed a beat. Usually it takes me 2 or 3 days to kind of shake off the exhausted feeling. I think I am really going to like this walk/run thing I got going on.

Mike, Kathy, are you two home yet? Did the grandparents survive?

Chester and Tracy, hope your family made it home safely! Next time, I will be sure to make my way over to the Ark for a beverage.

 

[lourodrigis]

Lou,

You saw me, but didn't come and say hi? Lou, Lou, Lou!

How did you know it was me? No other 6 foot girls wearing a WISH shirt around? Which reminds me, I have a picture of me and Jodi at the start and she looks so tiny, my kids said, "who is that little girl"! I laughed and told them, it wasn't that she was tiny, it is that mommy is so tall (and my orthotics add some height too!).

I guess I will let you away this time, guess I will have to wait until Philly to meet you. Congratulations on completing another marathon!

Colleen - Congrats on your finish and time as well. Yes, I remember you introducing yourself to everyone and I did say hi. I do remember you being tall. I was sitting next to Renee from Harrisburg, PA with a black hooded sweatshirt on. Sorry for being rude. That won't happen in Philly. I'll be less stressed out in my home town.

I thought I would catch up with people at the finish but I was not feeling that great and was in no mood to talk when I finished. My wife, who's an ER nurse, and her sister, a trauma nurse, both told me I didn't look good. I got one picture with Figment and headed straight for a bus. I rode back to CBR with my head between my legs to keep from getting sick. I actually think I overhydrated because that Powerade didn't sit well with me.

3 hours later I was back at Epcot but at that point everyone was done.

Ironically, I only saw 2 WISH shirts on the course that I passed around Mile 8 (man and woman) and some WISHers cheering somewhere on the course.