Race Reports/Encouragement/Kudos for April 5th and 6th!
- Thread starter Maherae
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jeanneg
I swam with a dolphin!
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What a great report, all you Martians! LOVE THE PHOTOS! Maybe next year I will come visit my daughter in Michigan and do that one with you. It looked like a ton of fun and definitely better than the Raleigh Rocks Half-marathon I did this weekend. Pardon my french, but it should have been called the Raleigh-Sucks Half-marathon. Talk about completely failing to deliver.....
First off, kudos to Wendy and Renee for NOT showing up....they are both far smarter than John and I were. I should have known at packet-pickup that things were awry. Drove to downtown Raleigh to pick up a goody bag with a shirt and 3 pieces of paper inside. I'm a big lady and the shirt could have fit 2 of me. My son's GF is very petite and the small shirt she requested would have fit me perfectly. OK, so now I have a nice tech shirt I can use as a nightgown. There was no chip in our packets.
Me: Isn't this a chip-timed race? Them: Yes, but we're not giving out any until tomorrow morning because the race is probably going to be cancelled due to the weather and we don't want to lose all the chips. Me: How many runners are signed up? Them: Over 1500 (now I'm wondering how they are going to give out over 1500 chips before a race, but that's not my problem)
The next morning it is dreary and overcast but no rain. We drive down to Raleigh and get there 1 and a half hours before the race to get our chips before the crowds arrive. There are maybe a dozen people there already. We get the chips but no one tests them (not good). My son, his GF and her dad arrive, but no sign of Wendy or Renee. We hang out and stretch a bit. The place to pick up the chips is right after an escalator going up in a fairly small space. Little by little the place starts getting packed. People are now lining up for the chips and more keep arriving on the escalator. The escalator keeps moving but the people now have no where to go and it is utter pandomonium as everyone is just pushing and shoving to find a place to step off the escalator before the people behind them reach the top. I am truly amazed no one was crushed to death. It's cold, but we decide to wait outside and avoid the mass confusion. One last stop at the port-a-potty and we're all set to go with our rain gear close at hand. Amazingly, the race starts right on time. This is the first thing that has gone completely right. Anyhow, it's called Raleigh Rocks because there are "supposed" to be a dozen or so local bands entertaining us throughout the course. Mile 1.......there's a band playing....YAY! Around Mile 1.5 is a water stop...but hey, there's no one manning it. Our waterstop was a table with several large bags of paper cups and a huge Rubbermaid tote filled with water! Unfortunately, by the time I reached the water tote there were also several discarded cups floating around and suddenly I was not so thirsty.
We kinda did a little loop and when we got to Mile 3 it was really Mile 1 all over again and so....YAY...we had a band! They started playing the song "Cocaine" as I passed and I'm thinking that really doesn't go with a half-marathon, but I was thankful for the music. Mile 4 is the same unmanned water stop and now I AM thirsty. I kissed my water cup up to God and took a few sips. I figured if it was going to give me the runs, it probably wouldn't happen until after the race......which is a REALLY good thing because with the exception of the start (and Mile 3.5 when you passed it again!) there was not a single port-a-potty on the whole course! I saw runners pull into Burger King, IHOP, Applebees, you name it, and I'm sure the merchants were not happy about it. Somewhere around Mile 5 there was a guy playing bagpipes.....YAY! Around Mile 6 there was another guy with a guitar....and that was it for the entertainment. There was also supposed to be Gatorade at Mile 6, but when I asked for it, they told me "not yet" and an ungloved worker handed me a cup of water that I saw him personally scoop out of a similar Rubbermaid tote. At this point I took the water and pretended not to notice. Finally, at Mile 8 we got about one ounce of Gatorade and then once again when it became the same station for Mile 10 on the out-and-back. That was it for the Gatorade....and no more entertainment although I passed lots of empty tents that had been set up. At mile 10, the guy with the guitar was long-gone also.
At long last, I can see the finish line and my son is there to cheer me on. Me: Where's your medal? He: They ran out! Me: $#@*!
I cross the finish line and a man records my bib # and hands me a piece of paper telling me where to pick up my medal if and when they ever arrive. There is no clock at the finish line, but I know I'm around a 3:06. A few minutes later my husband arrives....with the pace car just a little behind him! There were no posted race requirements but I know alot of people were talking about a 3:30 limit. This was not so because I knew John was several minutes under 3:15. I get a green banana and 2 fig newtons from a regular-sized package, not the nice single serve packs. They had HUNDREDS of bananas, but they were all green so nobody took them. I kept thinking they should have bought fewer bananas and used the money for Gatorade and gloves for the workers, but what do I know.
Saturday evening I start to check for results....NADA.
Sunday I check all day.......again, NADA.
Monday morning, results are up..........and I'm NOT there! My husband is, my son is; so is his GF and her Dad....but I'm not there! OK, this is great....maybe they think I'm a man.....or 16! I check every single result and I'm still not there. Now I'm worried I won't get a medal because there is no way to prove I even did the darn race. I email someone at results and they send a snippy response. I email him again and this time he writes that they have found me. WHEW! I was a 3:06:35 with a 14:14 pace. Not my best time, but I am very happy with it since my training has been way off since the full in January. John was a 3:11:21 (14:36 pace) and that was definitely his best time.
So that was the one nice thing that happened. I did learn one valuable thing though......I will never sign up for this race again! 
First off, kudos to Wendy and Renee for NOT showing up....they are both far smarter than John and I were. I should have known at packet-pickup that things were awry. Drove to downtown Raleigh to pick up a goody bag with a shirt and 3 pieces of paper inside. I'm a big lady and the shirt could have fit 2 of me. My son's GF is very petite and the small shirt she requested would have fit me perfectly. OK, so now I have a nice tech shirt I can use as a nightgown. There was no chip in our packets.
Me: Isn't this a chip-timed race? Them: Yes, but we're not giving out any until tomorrow morning because the race is probably going to be cancelled due to the weather and we don't want to lose all the chips. Me: How many runners are signed up? Them: Over 1500 (now I'm wondering how they are going to give out over 1500 chips before a race, but that's not my problem)
The next morning it is dreary and overcast but no rain. We drive down to Raleigh and get there 1 and a half hours before the race to get our chips before the crowds arrive. There are maybe a dozen people there already. We get the chips but no one tests them (not good). My son, his GF and her dad arrive, but no sign of Wendy or Renee. We hang out and stretch a bit. The place to pick up the chips is right after an escalator going up in a fairly small space. Little by little the place starts getting packed. People are now lining up for the chips and more keep arriving on the escalator. The escalator keeps moving but the people now have no where to go and it is utter pandomonium as everyone is just pushing and shoving to find a place to step off the escalator before the people behind them reach the top. I am truly amazed no one was crushed to death. It's cold, but we decide to wait outside and avoid the mass confusion. One last stop at the port-a-potty and we're all set to go with our rain gear close at hand. Amazingly, the race starts right on time. This is the first thing that has gone completely right. Anyhow, it's called Raleigh Rocks because there are "supposed" to be a dozen or so local bands entertaining us throughout the course. Mile 1.......there's a band playing....YAY! Around Mile 1.5 is a water stop...but hey, there's no one manning it. Our waterstop was a table with several large bags of paper cups and a huge Rubbermaid tote filled with water! Unfortunately, by the time I reached the water tote there were also several discarded cups floating around and suddenly I was not so thirsty.
We kinda did a little loop and when we got to Mile 3 it was really Mile 1 all over again and so....YAY...we had a band! They started playing the song "Cocaine" as I passed and I'm thinking that really doesn't go with a half-marathon, but I was thankful for the music. Mile 4 is the same unmanned water stop and now I AM thirsty. I kissed my water cup up to God and took a few sips. I figured if it was going to give me the runs, it probably wouldn't happen until after the race......which is a REALLY good thing because with the exception of the start (and Mile 3.5 when you passed it again!) there was not a single port-a-potty on the whole course! I saw runners pull into Burger King, IHOP, Applebees, you name it, and I'm sure the merchants were not happy about it. Somewhere around Mile 5 there was a guy playing bagpipes.....YAY! Around Mile 6 there was another guy with a guitar....and that was it for the entertainment. There was also supposed to be Gatorade at Mile 6, but when I asked for it, they told me "not yet" and an ungloved worker handed me a cup of water that I saw him personally scoop out of a similar Rubbermaid tote. At this point I took the water and pretended not to notice. Finally, at Mile 8 we got about one ounce of Gatorade and then once again when it became the same station for Mile 10 on the out-and-back. That was it for the Gatorade....and no more entertainment although I passed lots of empty tents that had been set up. At mile 10, the guy with the guitar was long-gone also.
At long last, I can see the finish line and my son is there to cheer me on. Me: Where's your medal? He: They ran out! Me: $#@*!
I cross the finish line and a man records my bib # and hands me a piece of paper telling me where to pick up my medal if and when they ever arrive. There is no clock at the finish line, but I know I'm around a 3:06. A few minutes later my husband arrives....with the pace car just a little behind him! There were no posted race requirements but I know alot of people were talking about a 3:30 limit. This was not so because I knew John was several minutes under 3:15. I get a green banana and 2 fig newtons from a regular-sized package, not the nice single serve packs. They had HUNDREDS of bananas, but they were all green so nobody took them. I kept thinking they should have bought fewer bananas and used the money for Gatorade and gloves for the workers, but what do I know.
Saturday evening I start to check for results....NADA.
Sunday I check all day.......again, NADA.
Monday morning, results are up..........and I'm NOT there! My husband is, my son is; so is his GF and her Dad....but I'm not there! OK, this is great....maybe they think I'm a man.....or 16! I check every single result and I'm still not there. Now I'm worried I won't get a medal because there is no way to prove I even did the darn race. I email someone at results and they send a snippy response. I email him again and this time he writes that they have found me. WHEW! I was a 3:06:35 with a 14:14 pace. Not my best time, but I am very happy with it since my training has been way off since the full in January. John was a 3:11:21 (14:36 pace) and that was definitely his best time.
So that was the one nice thing that happened. I did learn one valuable thing though......I will never sign up for this race again! 
wtpclc
<font color=red>Has three great loves: Mickey, Po
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Jeanne - Oh how awful. 
Glafd you had a good pace, but that is horrible. WIll it help to know there was no entertainmetn on our course? Although it was run well, WISHers made it for me.
Jeanne reminded me that we did have good food IMO after our race too. I own't go into the list, though, as that seems too cruel.
Glafd you had a good pace, but that is horrible. WIll it help to know there was no entertainmetn on our course? Although it was run well, WISHers made it for me. Jeanne reminded me that we did have good food IMO after our race too. I own't go into the list, though, as that seems too cruel.
WDWFAN9
DIS Veteran
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- Oct 22, 2001
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- 2,043
Oh Jeanne, what a shame about your race! But at least a whole slew of WISHers know to leave it off our list of races to do. And congrats to John for his PR!
I really hope your medal shows up! How can races run out of medals? At least it is not unique to WDW, but how disappointing.
I really hope your medal shows up! How can races run out of medals? At least it is not unique to WDW, but how disappointing.
getnthinr
DIS Veteran
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- 1,008
Oh, Jeanne, I'm so sorry! I haven't really been reading or posting on the WISH boards much lately -- aside from my obligatory "I didn't walk again this week" posts to my Buzzies team. I should have told Anne to take my name off the racing list weeks ago -- I'm not going to do the half I had scheduled in Greensboro this month either. I'm just not ready. I have been way off my training schedule since Goofy -- lots of "life happening" reasons, mostly having to do with work and kids, but no excuses that warrent letting you down. I could never have kept up with you though -- not at that pace and not without training.
Hopefully I can make it up to you somehow. I'm so sorry it was such a miserable experience for you. You never really know with inaugural races, but the weather certainly didn't help matters.
I admire your tenacity for getting through the race -- and I can promise you that you feel a lot better about yourself than I do right now.
Again, I'm so sorry -- from now on I'll try to let folks know when I change my race plans.
funwalker
DIS Veteran
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Jeanne, sorry to hear your weekend half marathon experience was such a disappointment! 
Thanks for posting the report and the pictures Carrie! My weekend, meeting the WISHers, and the half marathon was absolutely WONDERFUL! Carrie & Scott made me feel like family.
I was thrilled that Carrie had my shirt (No, kidding the woman even washed it for me so I could wear it race day) and Lynne & Erin brought my cap & visor with them!
I don't train on hills so they are hard for me. OH, yes we had HILLS...but I must have been better trained as they were okay...LOL
Like Carrie shared no course entertainment...none, very-very limited cheering group even at the finish line, very-very few bathrooms, but lots of water, GU fuel, Gatorade, & ultma.
We did get our medals, PB's, and strange Martian shirts
We WISHers were blessed with our very own Mega Thanks, Maura!
I enjoyed working at the Expo
No sore muscles today but tired.
It Was Wonderful
Thanks for posting the report and the pictures Carrie! My weekend, meeting the WISHers, and the half marathon was absolutely WONDERFUL! Carrie & Scott made me feel like family.
I was thrilled that Carrie had my shirt (No, kidding the woman even washed it for me so I could wear it race day) and Lynne & Erin brought my cap & visor with them!
I don't train on hills so they are hard for me. OH, yes we had HILLS...but I must have been better trained as they were okay...LOL
Like Carrie shared no course entertainment...none, very-very limited cheering group even at the finish line, very-very few bathrooms, but lots of water, GU fuel, Gatorade, & ultma.
We did get our medals, PB's, and strange Martian shirts
We WISHers were blessed with our very own
Mega Thanks, Maura!I enjoyed working at the Expo
No sore muscles today but tired.
It Was Wonderful
Tiger Lily 03
Moderator W.I.S.H.
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Carrie, great report and I love the pics! Congrats on your event! Ya done good!
Jeanne, that is amazing. I'm so sorry to read about your report. Yech on that one for sure!
Jeanne, that is amazing. I'm so sorry to read about your report. Yech on that one for sure!
/
jeanneg
I swam with a dolphin!
- Joined
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- Messages
- 4,000
Oh, Jeanne, I'm so sorry! I haven't really been reading or posting on the WISH boards much lately -- aside from my obligatory "I didn't walk again this week" posts to my Buzzies team. I should have told Anne to take my name off the racing list weeks ago -- I'm not going to do the half I had scheduled in Greensboro this month either. I'm just not ready. I have been way off my training schedule since Goofy -- lots of "life happening" reasons, mostly having to do with work and kids, but no excuses that warrent letting you down. I could never have kept up with you though -- not at that pace and not without training.
Hopefully I can make it up to you somehow. I'm so sorry it was such a miserable experience for you. You never really know with inaugural races, but the weather certainly didn't help matters.
I admire your tenacity for getting through the race -- and I can promise you that you feel a lot better about yourself than I do right now.
Again, I'm so sorry -- from now on I'll try to let folks know when I change my race plans.
No need for apologies, Wendy....we just always love meeting up with you so much that it was disappointing not to see you again. Trust me, you made the right choice. Quite frankly, with the weather reports what they were I never expected you to show up and was surprised they got the turnout they did. I mean, 100% chance of severe thunderstorms is not good. But luckily, it did hold off, and the organizers were wrong to assume it would be called. My training has gone way downhill since the Mickey. In fact, if it weren't for our little team challenges, I'd be in totally bad shape. We did it because we wanted to make sure we are on track for the Minnie with it's 15-minute pace requirements and it should be fine for both of us. John just keeps getting faster and faster. Hopefully we'll still see you there.
wtpclc
<font color=red>Has three great loves: Mickey, Po
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Maura - I forgot to add that I thank people when I can. You know I was having a good race because i could actually get complete words out to you in teh last mile. 
After your first race, you will understand or at least after your half. Make sure you get a race in before your half, though. Just a 5 or 10 K, so you will go through the bib adn chip process. Volunteering probably helped you a lot, though. Thansk again!
After your first race, you will understand or at least after your half. Make sure you get a race in before your half, though. Just a 5 or 10 K, so you will go through the bib adn chip process. Volunteering probably helped you a lot, though. Thansk again!
Stitch_lover_Sith
<font color=royalblue>So I want to weigh in on thi
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I updated my race report because I had been told that it was a little boring.
http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=109481
This is the link to the updated report. I hope you all enjoy the reading.
Erin
http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=109481
This is the link to the updated report. I hope you all enjoy the reading.
Erin
Pungodingy
<font color=blue>Never had a nickname so the Tag F
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I did it, I finished a Half Marathon!
Sunday, we got up and headed out for the race. It took us about 1.5 hrs to get there. It got darker and cloudier and cooler the closer we got. I had worn shorts, but luckily had running pants over them, cause I needed them. It was about 40 degrees, overcast and sprinkling. Got to the school, managed to score parking right there, and went in to get my bib & shirt (blue and white tech shirt). Told DH & DD to be on the lookout for my WISHERS, I thought I might recognize Kristi from pics shes posted, but luckily she and Chad had on WISH hats too, or I might not have. Found out Joanne was hurt and not going to make it (hope youre feeling better!!) We headed over to the starting line and started looking for Lisa (she wasnt answering our calls). Lisas DH recognized our shirts/hats and told us where to find Lisa. He is really nice (and very funny) glad I got to meet him! We got a few pics of the group (Kristi, can you post one?) then Kristi and I almost missed the start! What a difference it made having someone with me! I have always trained and raced alone (ok, my DD will run with me, but shes way faster and likes to go ahead), now I REALLY wish I had a running/walking buddy at home! It was fun getting to know Kristi a little more, and it was neat but kind of weird to be talking about our friends (most that Ive never met). I think I did well for the beginning of the race, I felt good, didnt push too hard, but didnt struggle either. Chad called Kristi when he was coming up on us; he is SO nice, checked to make sure we were doing ok before he took off running again. Then Lisa caught us, she walked with us for a minute too, checking on us and telling us how she was doing, then she was off too. To me, the entertainment along the course left something to be desired. I think it was local talent, which was nice, but it was a lot of guitars and folk singing. One group was called The Smelt Shack, and another was a guy playing a washboard. There was a sign saying belly dancers, but I must have missed them. Somewhere around mile 5 or 6 (around the LAST porta potty), I could feel a blister starting. I could feel myself starting to slow down a bit, especially on the hills cause I could feel the blister rubbing more going up and down than on the flat parts (there were not too many flat parts on this course). Kristi is funny in that she flies up the hills, then slows down, whereas I putt putt up them, then pick up the pace again. Around mile 9 or so, I could tell I was really holding Kristi back and I think I told her to go on ahead, but she wouldnt leave me. She is the best every mile marker she would get a little ahead of me, then turn around, do a little dance, make me laugh, and keep me going. I had to stop a few times around mile 11; I had blisters on both feet and was really struggling. I didnt want to let Kristi or Lisa (or myself and family) down, but I was really hurting and finally I told Kristi I didnt think I could do it. I was wrong. She looped arms with me, and off we went, she was SO encouraging, reminding me of how far we had already come, and that she wouldnt let me not finish when we were so close, and she kept me talking to keep my mind off my feet, I owe her so much (Hot chocolate and Chinese if I remember correctly)! Chad had finished (great time, congrats again!) and called a few times to see how we were doing, he came and did the last half mile or so with us. Finally crossed the finish line (I did it, I did it), Lisa, Chad, my DH and DD were there, I got a MEDAL, we took some pics, talked about our times and our experiences, Lisa had to head out, so we went inside, got a WHOLE pizza (ok, so it wasnt the best, but??) talked a little more, then headed for home. We had LOTS of people commenting on our shirts along the whole course, and after too! Meeting up with the WISHERs was a whole new race experience for me, one I really enjoyed!
Blister update: two small ones on right foot, one by toes, one on inside of heel, popped em both and they are tender but not bad, one huge one on left heel, about the size of a silver dollar, very ugly and very sore, have second skin on it (wonderful stuff) and just hoping they heal fast, Minnie is coming right up!
Thanks for listening!
wtpclc
<font color=red>Has three great loves: Mickey, Po
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Angie - That is what WISHers are all about. Glad you made it. I'm a blister popper too. actually, I use scissors to cut a small whole so they can't refill. Be careful, though. You need to keep them covered adn use antibiotic ointment as infection on your feet can be very bad.
Kristi - Way to be such a great WISHer!
(BTW, make suer you tell Chad that Scott sends huge congrats on being cancer free)
Kristi - Way to be such a great WISHer!
(BTW, make suer you tell Chad that Scott sends huge congrats on being cancer free)
Pungodingy
<font color=blue>Never had a nickname so the Tag F
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That's me, but I didnt finish...I stopped at the medic tent around mile 9 and they wouldnt let me back out (terrible blisters, and I dont think they thought I'd make it time wise, they took me back to the big med tent for treatment)
Then I tried again at the Half at the Hamptons (Hampton Beach NH in Feb, terrible weather day, snowed, sleeted, rained, and high winds) I only made it to mile 11...
So, third time WAS charmed (and of course, I had Kristi)
Then I tried again at the Half at the Hamptons (Hampton Beach NH in Feb, terrible weather day, snowed, sleeted, rained, and high winds) I only made it to mile 11...
So, third time WAS charmed (and of course, I had Kristi)
WithDisneySpirit
DIS Veteran
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Wonderful reports, fellow wishers!! I must be addicted to all this. I'd do a half marathon every week if my body would cooperate - NOT 
jeanneg
I swam with a dolphin!
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I'm so sorry, Angie....but now that you've done it once, it should be much easier in the future. Have you ever tried the Injini toe socks? Robert and Linda told me about them and now I won't use anything else for events or very long walks. They fit your feet like gloves so the toes don't rub together. For events I usually wear those and a very thin pair of wicking socks over them and I don't need any Body glide or vaseline. I get blisters in my everyday life all the time, but I have luckily never had them in a competition thanks to the Injinis. Have you signed up for a Disney event in '09?
MouseDogMom
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 25, 2005
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Jeanne - I'm slow this week and just got around to reading your race report. I can't believe how horrible Raleigh Rocks turned out to be! We forfeited our registration for Crystal Coast due to the weather but really thought we'd do this one, but neither DH nor I have been running so we gave up on that idea. I'm so glad! I'm sorry you (and your family) had such a bad time.
My next event will probably be the Race of Grace 5K on the 27th (shhhh - don't tell Anne - I haven't signed up yet!)
Jackie
My next event will probably be the Race of Grace 5K on the 27th (shhhh - don't tell Anne - I haven't signed up yet!)
Jackie
jeanneg
I swam with a dolphin!
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2001
- Messages
- 4,000
Jackie: good to hear from you!
We STILL haven't gotten any word about our medals. Yesterday I emailed the race director and haven't heard from him. My son and his little group finished in 2:28 so it wasn't just the back-of-the-packers that missed out.
If we don't get our medals, I will not be a happy camper!
We STILL haven't gotten any word about our medals. Yesterday I emailed the race director and haven't heard from him. My son and his little group finished in 2:28 so it wasn't just the back-of-the-packers that missed out.
If we don't get our medals, I will not be a happy camper!
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