Race Reports/Encouragement/Kudos - October 25th and 26th

[mkymsehi]

BIG VIC, I'm just helping you out this week.

Saturday, October 25th

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K
Amykap (Amy), Aurora317 (Meghan), Calcio (Craig) with DW RedDragon (Martha) and DD (Lesley), disneyluv (), GoingforGoofyin08Erica (Erica) and DH windwalker (Dave), jbucci (Jen) and DH(Butch), jeanneg (Jean) and DH (John), JimB (Jim), Lexxiefern (Becky), Lynn G. (Lynn) and DH Scott H (Scott), princessrunner (Lisa), rKyDeX (Chester), Roxy (Roxy), Rozzy (Robyn), Tiger_Lily_03 (Lily), tiggerspal222 (Patrick) and DW twoWDWfools (Liz), WDWFAN9 (Pat) with DS (Craig), DD (Erin) and DSIL (Steve), WDWFLgal (Angela)

25 – escape (Susie), nucpharm (Stephanie) "Soaring Wings Half Marathon" Conway, AR
25 – solotraveler (Kevin) GFLRRC Spooktacular 5K, Fort Lauderdale, FL
26 – Kareneast (Karen) and DH Space_Ranger (John), kristi1357 (Kristi) and DH MickeyHead (Chad), pungodingy (Angie) Hampton Half & Rockfest, Hampton Beach, NH
26 – lil mermaid () The Livestrong Challenge, Austin TX

Sunday, October 26th
Marine Corp Marathon; Washington, D.C.
Dennyha (Denny), KeenHo (Howard), KelNottAt (Kelley), skfulkers (Stephen)

26 - mkymsehi (Jeff) Niketown 30K, Honolulu, HI
26 - tiberius (Richard) Houston 1/2 Marathon, Houston, TX
26 - wellesleyprincess (Jennifer) FOOGI Haunt Jaunt, Malden, MA

GO! WISH Team GO!

 

[postesf]

Go WISH Team Go!!!!!

Lots of events going on!

Have fun!!!

Stacie

 

[Kristi1357]

Go WISHers, GO!

 

[Caseydilla]

Wow, a big weekend! Good luck to everyone!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hope everyone has great races this weekend!! GO WISH TEAM!!!

 

[escape]

I guess I'm the first with a race report!

I participated in the inaugural Soaring Wings Half-marathon this weekend in Conway Arkansas. The money raised for the race goes to helping abused and neglected children. It was a small race (probably less than 500 people) but it was very well supported - water/aid stations every mile and a half.

I had no business entering this race. I was not prepared. I had decided to do this race about a month ago as a training day for an upcoming half in November. This was supposed to be my 10-miler day and I thought that I might as well do this half since it would be supported. However, I have done very little training since the Disneyland Half marathon during Labor Day weekend. Other than a 5 mile walk last weekend, I can't remember when I W/R last. However, I have biked quite a bit so I was hoping the cardio from that would help pull me through the half. Even though I decided a month ago to do this, I actually just signed up a few days ago. I knew I wasn't prepared but I was afraid that if I didn't do it, I wouldn't get my 10 miles in - I would have participated in a cycling event instead and I would have missed being on my feet.

I started out doing an interval of W-2 minutes, R-30seconds. This lasted until around mile 5. The hills and steady inclines we faced took all my energy. I just ran whenever I felt like it but I didn't follow any intervals at that point. At mile 8, I was just tired and a little nauseated for some reason. I'm sure it was due to my lack of training. I decided to just strictly walk at that point. Even though this was "just" a half-marathon , I actually had to psyche myself into believing I could finish around mile 6. I wanted to drop out several times. I was not feeling the love of running.

I sang all kind of songs in my mind to help get me through. One was "She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes, Whoo Hooo". Everytime I came to a corner, I sang that song. Another was Jingle Bells. Don't ask me why. Several other songs got me through the rest of the miles. That and the very friendly and encouraging volunteers. They were great!!!! Just like DISers!

I finished at 3 hours and 12 minutes. Now, what's really amazing is that this is close to the time I usually do when I train. The big difference is that 1) I was in more pain through my W/R than I normally am in, 2) More pain and soreness at the end of the half than normal, 3) and more thoughts of defeat early on. I also set myself up for injuries by not properly training. I've learned my lesson.

On a more positive note, I thought the race was pretty well done for a small event. No frills on the course but some really nice volunteers and a few supporters. I looked for Stephanie but did not see her. I'm sure she finished about an hour before I did (or sooner). Hope her race went well.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, sorry so long: There was a group of ladies wearing some type of team shirt. On the back, they had the EXACT SAME LOGO that we have: DLF>DNF>>DNS along with the other words. Stephanie, did you notice this? I guess we've made an impact on others.

For all those with races tomorrow and tonight (TOT):

GO, TEAM, GO!

 

[mkymsehi]

Way to go Susie! Glad you sang your way to the finish line.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Yeah Susie!!!

I remember singing out loud at mile 12 at Disneyland the song, " It's a miracle, a true blue spectacle, a miracle come true." Don't remember why, but I had others around me who joined in with me.

Nice job and hang in there with the running/walking!!

Tracy

 

[mkymsehi]

Yeah Susie!!!

I remember singing out loud at mile 12 at Disneyland the song, " It's a miracle, a true blue spectacle, a miracle come true." Don't remember why, but I had others around me who joined in with me.

Nice job and hang in there with the running/walking!!

Tracy

Barry Manilow??? Oh my, you belong on the Singing Bee.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Looking forward to everyone reviews - Especially the ToTers and the Marine Marathoners!!

Hope all is good with everyone!!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Hi all!

My race went great. I reached my sub-24 goal with an official time of 23:58 (7:43 pace). I placed 3rd in my age division (and it was a ten year age division of which I was at the low end) and 30th overall. Now I'm off of racing for about 2 months. Who knows may be that one will be a sub-23 ;-)

Jennifer

 

[mkymsehi]

Niketown 30K (18 miles) - Honolulu

I woke up at 0 dark-thirty (3:30 am), to high humidity and no trade winds. I thought uh oh, not good.

I ate a PB&J, dressed in the dark, and headed out the door. Got to Kapiolani Park, and went to get my chip. Back to the car to Bodyglide & Vaseline all those parts I didn't want to chafe. Laced up the shoes. One last pit stop at the bathroom, and I was ready to go.

Strolled down to the starting line, where there was no start mat. Odd. A few quick announcements, a few hellos to people from my clinic, and a horn sent us on our way.

I was up front with the jack rabbits, and we took off in a blur. My first mile was 8:25. I thought, time to slow things down. So going up Diamond Head in mile two, I brought the pace to 9:00 even.

Cruised to mile 4, ate a fruit leather, and kept plugging along. A lot of dark spots where street lights were out. Had to be careful for uneven pavement, and also potholes.

Hit Kalanianaole Highway, heading towards Hanauma Bay. Around mile 6 it started to drizzle. Nice, but I knew that wasn't going to last. Sure enough, the skies opened up. Now I was soaking wet, feet sloshing in my drenched socks and shoes. Dodging puddles left and right. Uuugh.

Every few miles, I remembered to wring out my shirt, to loose a few precious ounces. Took a gel every 4 miles, and took Gatorade and water at each water stop. I walked through each of the 6 water stops.

Made the turn at mile 9.5, and kept plotting away. Waving to others I knew on the out and back, shouting words of encouragement.

The rain didn't let up until about mile 14. That lasted about 1 mile, and it opened up again. Final 3 miles the rain stopped. Slugged it up Kahala Ave, and put the pedal down for the hill up to triangle park and Diamond Head.

Sneaking a peek at my Garmin, I decided I had to hammer the last mile and a half. Downhill on Diamond Head was my friend today.

Sprinted to the finish for a 2:59:05.

A few people who are first time marathoners in my training group had good races. About 3 of them beat me to the finish line by a few minutes. Just goes to show you that they're prepared for December. Three of the advanced runners from our training group won their age groups.

I'm pleased with my finish despite the rain. Could have been better, but then in the back of my mind I kept saying, training run, don't get hurt.

Now I'm off to ice bath.

Hope you all enjoyed the report. And were waiting to hear from all you Tater Toter's and Marine Corp Marathoners. Come on, what are you waiting for? Your races were all done by the time I got to the start line this morning.

 

[CarolA]

Susie, Good job. Half the battle sometimes is doing it.

Jennifer, WOW! 3rd in your age group.

Jeff, Doesn't sound fun, but you always seem to make the best of a bad situation.

Talked to the boyfriend who did the Marine Corp. I knew he was slower then expected when I looked him up online. He was in a "crash" at mile 7 and busted his ankle. A REASONABLE person might have considered stopping upon realizing thier ankle and thier thigh were the same size!!!! I do not date a reasonable person. 19+ miles on the busted ankle and he was only 20 minutes slower then the ING last March! They don't THINK it's broken. Now I really feel guilty for not going with him.

 

[mkymsehi]

Way to go Jennifer, you were flying!

 

[Mooshu]

Way to go Wishers!

Jennifer - I can only dream to be as fast as you

Susie - Way to hang in there and finish!

Jeff - You CRAAAAZZZY

 

[Optimator]

Susie - Fine job on your race given the circumstances.

Jeff - Sounds like a great day inspite of the rain.

Jennifer - Great race and congrats on the age group award.

O.K., now for my little race report. Sorry in advance, but I always enjoy reading everyone elses', so I'll probably get a little lenghty.

We got to porta-pot/bag drop village around 6:45. That must have been earlier than last year because it was all kinds of dark out. Kathy and I waited a bit for Howard, Cam, Cindy, Matt, and SteveOH to meet us. We chatted for a bit then Cindy and Matt headed one way for the 10K start, Cam and Kathy to the starting area to scream team, and Howard, Steve, and I to the lined up in our desired pace areas (by way of porta-pots).

We waited a bit for the howitzer gun to go off and started the shuffle. Steve was a little behind Howard and I and wished us good luck. It took about 4 minutes to slowly cross the line.

Howard took to the shoulder and was off like a shot. I wouldn't really see him again until almost half way. It was crowded going for a heck of a long way. Lots of ups and downs for the first 8 or miles but nothing too unbearable. All the lovely scream teamers were supposed to be around mile 10 so I was on the lookout. Somehow both Howard and I ran by them without being seen . We must have been in stealth mode. Out around Haynes point past the half way point. At this point I saw Howard jump out of line to greet someone he knew but I couldn't get over to run with him without causing a big wreck. Back to civilization and lots of spectators, past the Lincoln Memorial and onto the National Mall.

I was lucky enough to see Kathy and Cam at miles 18 and just before 20. I was maintaining a pretty good pace at that point but told Kathy I got my good 20 miles in and was going to back it down from there. And that's what I did! Walked when I wanted and ran when I felt like it.

I had a couple of scares with some almost cramps but was pretty comfortable coming home. I walked a bit in anticipation of that nasty hill up to the finish then started to run when I turned up the drive to the Iwo Jima Memorial. A funny thing happend on the way to the statue. I couldn't run the whole way up that SOB. I had to walk a few hundred feet then run across the finish.

Chip time of 3:50:41.

A mass of humanity at the finish!! I finally found Kathy, then Howard and Cam met us at the W (for WISH, of course) area. We milled around a bit then waited in the beer garden for a quick chat with Denny and M'lisse. Then Howard, Cam, Kathy, and I walked a little over a mile to a hamburger place for some most excellent grub. We then parted ways, the end of another great MCM weekend!

 

[mkymsehi]

Mike, great time there! Thanks for posting your race report.

 

[hockeygirl]

Sounds like everyone had a great weekend of racing!!

Susie--Way to stick with it and finish the race...I love you choice of songs to sing during the race! BTW--I have she'll be coming round the mountain in my head now!!

Jennifer--Great race!! Man, you were flying!!!! Congrats on placing in your age group!

Jeff--Great race for only a training run!! Sorry to hear about the rain, but you did awesome despite the conditions!

Carol--Hope your boyfriend's ankle is OK and doing better soon.

Mike--great job on your race!! That is a great time, and it sounds like you had a great time hanging out with some fellow WISHers!!

 

[JimB.]

I'll toss in a brief ToT personal report.

1. It seemed to be better organized this year. My DW & DD volunteered @ the Med tent, so we were able to park in the employee parking garage behind DHS & did not have to deal with the traffic this year, but I heard no complaints. Having some bus service this year helped also I think.

2. Race started @ 10 pm. The course was the same as last year, and aside from about 1/2 mile on dirt to get to WWoS, I thought it was pretty good. Well lit, with very few hidden obstacles.

3. I started out too fast & got a bit gassed during the last mile, but managed to finish EXACTLY 1 minute faster than last year in 1:18:37. Not too bad for an old guy like me. Finished 767/2725 runners overall.

4. I did not stay for much of the "Afterparty", but what I saw was good. They had "real" eating places open, not just selling stuff from carts like last year & I think there was more of the park & more rides open. 1 spin on RnR w/my daughter & I was done for the night.

More runners than last year, better party, better SHIRT (by far). Hopefully this event will be around for a while.

 

[monte]

Wow, everyone did a great job with their races..way to go TEAM!