Thursday, April 19, 2007
Race report
The infamous No'easter.... well, our No'westers are just as bad. Except we just call them storms. No, really, it was pretty bad the night before. But by race time it was high 40's and the winds were only about 15 max, and really just gusts, not the full on head wind. It was way worse for us during the Seattle Half Marathon last Thanksgiving. We lucked out. The day before and the day after were very cold, rainy and windy. Hypothermia would have been an issue.
The day started early. The 5:00am wake up call jolted me, which caused a charley horse in my calf. I DID NOT NEED THAT ! Had a little coffee and some food. Didn't want to drink too much cuz I had a long bus ride from Boston out to the start in Hopkinton. School busses, no on board potties. It was raining sideways at 6:00am when I got down to the lobby. I scratched the plan to walk the mile to the Boston Commons where the busses were loading. TAXI !! That was $6 well spent. The weather calmed down a bit while waiting in lines to get on the bus. Then during the ride out it just looked to get worse and worse. Chatted with a gal from LA on the ride. We got dropped off at the Athletes' Village, which is the Jr & Sr. High School grounds, and about a half mile from the town center/start line. There was a huge tent on the field that we were to hang out under. It was packed with people, but also in the middle of the field, which was several inches deep with rain water. I chose the parking lot instead. They said they'd open the school doors to wait inside, but either I was too late or it wasn't happening cuz that wasn't an option by the time I got there at 8:30am. The spot I chose to wait just happened to be near a perfect spot for guys to relieve themselves, which was fine with me cuz I was uphill, and all huddled up under plastic but there's only so much of that one can take before having to "go" myself.
I had planned on blogging from the village with my phone, but it was difficult enough to drink my G-ade, munch a bar, keep the plastic from blowing crazily, and hold my Red Sox umbrella, much less try and text from a teeny phone. The whole scene was kind of refugee camp-like. Everyone had garbage bags on, plastic bags over their shoes. The weather finally started calming down on the walk to the start line. I still hadn't changed into race shoes and jacket. I stopped along the way and put on my shoes and sox. I had put bags over my sox so my feet were nice and dry to start. Tossed the old shoes and sox and fell in line.
The corral areas are along the main street, and another slew of porto's were just before that, so I stopped there, and shed my many layers. And put on my race layers, and pinned my gu's to me. Next thing I know the announcer is saying 2 minutes to start of wave 2. HEY !! I'm not in my corral yet. I beat a path thru the crowds to corral 18. and then we were OFF !!
The course is downhill for several miles, which is good cuz it's easy. It's bad cuz it will make your quad's sore later in the game. Then about mile 5 there was a huge puddle across the road, so I tried to go on the sidewalk only to find the source of that puddle, a POND and my whole left foot went under water. Great. I just spent 3 hours trying to keep my feet dry and it gets soaked in the first hour of the race. BUT my sox are the BEST ! a short while later I couldn't even tell that my foot was wet. And you all know about my feet and blister issues.
I stopped twice along the way for potty breaks. The key is choosing a porto a pot with a short line. Normally, I have no qualms about using the woods, but this time I didn't want to muck around in the mud.
I started looking for Jane at mile 15, figured I'd missed her. Then spotted her at mile 16. For me it's really a boost knowing someone might be there. Helps to keep form and speed. We had a photo op and hug, and then I was off to tackle the hills of Newton. There are 4 or 5 hills from mile 16 on. They are not huge or long, it's just that it's late in the game and the legs are sore from those early beautiful downhills. I didn't charge up the hills, but neither did I walk.
I was getting pretty sore the last couple miles and tried to distract myself by high fiving fans, and there was a guy with a big Chinese gong, the runners could grab the mallet and gong it. So I did. The long stretch that looks into downtown was kind of emotional for me. And then we turn a couple corners onto Boylston St. for the last couple blocks. There was Gina hanging off a lamp post. I ran up for a quick hug, then I was really tearing up, what with the Finish sign in sight, and all.
I guess due to the weather the crowds were not as large as usual but it seemed to me there were a lot of folks. It was great. The famous tunnel of screams at Wellesley College was amazing. I could hear this high pitch scream from what seemed like a mile away. That was surpising. And there were lots of groups of college kids having parties and high fiving runners at Boston College, and Boston U. It's a real scene. I can imagine it's absolutely crazy on a good weather day.
The finish area is a bit of a zoo with thousands of freezing runners milling about with their peeps, taking the timing chip off, getting our medal, trying to find where our bags were stored, and just trying to get out of there. Our hotel was at the finish line, but I had to walk 6 blocks further, 2 over and then 6 back to the hotel. Just what you wanna do at that point, go sightseeing. I found Gina and got to the room. No ice bath for me. Jumped in a hot shower for a bit. Then we headed to the bar to celebrate. Jane met us there after a bit. Being a head honcho ATF agent she had to go to the office (after seeing me on the course) and check into things with the VTech shooting. But we high fived ourselves for a while. Then had some dinner and crashed.
Anyway, thanks for listening.... if you're not asleep by now, bored to tears. I've blogged myself bleary-eyed.
Now, what's the next event??
The day started early. The 5:00am wake up call jolted me, which caused a charley horse in my calf. I DID NOT NEED THAT ! Had a little coffee and some food. Didn't want to drink too much cuz I had a long bus ride from Boston out to the start in Hopkinton. School busses, no on board potties. It was raining sideways at 6:00am when I got down to the lobby. I scratched the plan to walk the mile to the Boston Commons where the busses were loading. TAXI !! That was $6 well spent. The weather calmed down a bit while waiting in lines to get on the bus. Then during the ride out it just looked to get worse and worse. Chatted with a gal from LA on the ride. We got dropped off at the Athletes' Village, which is the Jr & Sr. High School grounds, and about a half mile from the town center/start line. There was a huge tent on the field that we were to hang out under. It was packed with people, but also in the middle of the field, which was several inches deep with rain water. I chose the parking lot instead. They said they'd open the school doors to wait inside, but either I was too late or it wasn't happening cuz that wasn't an option by the time I got there at 8:30am. The spot I chose to wait just happened to be near a perfect spot for guys to relieve themselves, which was fine with me cuz I was uphill, and all huddled up under plastic but there's only so much of that one can take before having to "go" myself.
I had planned on blogging from the village with my phone, but it was difficult enough to drink my G-ade, munch a bar, keep the plastic from blowing crazily, and hold my Red Sox umbrella, much less try and text from a teeny phone. The whole scene was kind of refugee camp-like. Everyone had garbage bags on, plastic bags over their shoes. The weather finally started calming down on the walk to the start line. I still hadn't changed into race shoes and jacket. I stopped along the way and put on my shoes and sox. I had put bags over my sox so my feet were nice and dry to start. Tossed the old shoes and sox and fell in line.
The corral areas are along the main street, and another slew of porto's were just before that, so I stopped there, and shed my many layers. And put on my race layers, and pinned my gu's to me. Next thing I know the announcer is saying 2 minutes to start of wave 2. HEY !! I'm not in my corral yet. I beat a path thru the crowds to corral 18. and then we were OFF !!
The course is downhill for several miles, which is good cuz it's easy. It's bad cuz it will make your quad's sore later in the game. Then about mile 5 there was a huge puddle across the road, so I tried to go on the sidewalk only to find the source of that puddle, a POND and my whole left foot went under water. Great. I just spent 3 hours trying to keep my feet dry and it gets soaked in the first hour of the race. BUT my sox are the BEST ! a short while later I couldn't even tell that my foot was wet. And you all know about my feet and blister issues.
I stopped twice along the way for potty breaks. The key is choosing a porto a pot with a short line. Normally, I have no qualms about using the woods, but this time I didn't want to muck around in the mud.
I started looking for Jane at mile 15, figured I'd missed her. Then spotted her at mile 16. For me it's really a boost knowing someone might be there. Helps to keep form and speed. We had a photo op and hug, and then I was off to tackle the hills of Newton. There are 4 or 5 hills from mile 16 on. They are not huge or long, it's just that it's late in the game and the legs are sore from those early beautiful downhills. I didn't charge up the hills, but neither did I walk.
I was getting pretty sore the last couple miles and tried to distract myself by high fiving fans, and there was a guy with a big Chinese gong, the runners could grab the mallet and gong it. So I did. The long stretch that looks into downtown was kind of emotional for me. And then we turn a couple corners onto Boylston St. for the last couple blocks. There was Gina hanging off a lamp post. I ran up for a quick hug, then I was really tearing up, what with the Finish sign in sight, and all.
I guess due to the weather the crowds were not as large as usual but it seemed to me there were a lot of folks. It was great. The famous tunnel of screams at Wellesley College was amazing. I could hear this high pitch scream from what seemed like a mile away. That was surpising. And there were lots of groups of college kids having parties and high fiving runners at Boston College, and Boston U. It's a real scene. I can imagine it's absolutely crazy on a good weather day.
The finish area is a bit of a zoo with thousands of freezing runners milling about with their peeps, taking the timing chip off, getting our medal, trying to find where our bags were stored, and just trying to get out of there. Our hotel was at the finish line, but I had to walk 6 blocks further, 2 over and then 6 back to the hotel. Just what you wanna do at that point, go sightseeing. I found Gina and got to the room. No ice bath for me. Jumped in a hot shower for a bit. Then we headed to the bar to celebrate. Jane met us there after a bit. Being a head honcho ATF agent she had to go to the office (after seeing me on the course) and check into things with the VTech shooting. But we high fived ourselves for a while. Then had some dinner and crashed.
Anyway, thanks for listening.... if you're not asleep by now, bored to tears. I've blogged myself bleary-eyed.
Now, what's the next event??
Support team
Thank you's to my peeps in Boston. Jane was at mile 16. and Gina was at mile 26.1
The rest of you I knew were with me in spirit and via internet. Thanks for all your well wishes and good thoughts.
And thanks to Traci in California for getting up early and watching online. She kept Gina informed of my 5K splits, who then relayed on to Jane, so they had an inkling of when I would pass them.
This was post race celebrating in lobby bar.
The rest of you I knew were with me in spirit and via internet. Thanks for all your well wishes and good thoughts.
And thanks to Traci in California for getting up early and watching online. She kept Gina informed of my 5K splits, who then relayed on to Jane, so they had an inkling of when I would pass them.
This was post race celebrating in lobby bar.
What's a girl to wear ?
I hear the layered look is in.
This is what I'd like to run in if it was just cool out. Actually, I'd prefer shorts and a tank top.
Since I still can't figure out what order photos will load in these are in reverse.
the plastic UWash. poncho while at waiting area I also had a huge plastic bag wrapped around my legs
the new XXL fleece and fleece toque
my prized basketball tourney jacket
my new rain/wind lightweight jacket
The turtle neck is a new long sleeve under armour type shirt.
Gina's wind vest (actually wore it on top of orange jacket)
and the black rain pants that I bought 3 years ago for this race.
I put the orange, and the blue jackets on just before the start. Had other sweatshirts on under all that. I still own the turtleneck and the orange jacket and blue hat. (oh, and the capri tights) Everything else was tossed at the start line. Including the pair of shoes and sox I wore while waiting. Kind of an expensive race.
This is what I'd like to run in if it was just cool out. Actually, I'd prefer shorts and a tank top.
Since I still can't figure out what order photos will load in these are in reverse.
the plastic UWash. poncho while at waiting area I also had a huge plastic bag wrapped around my legs
the new XXL fleece and fleece toque
my prized basketball tourney jacket
my new rain/wind lightweight jacket
The turtle neck is a new long sleeve under armour type shirt.
Gina's wind vest (actually wore it on top of orange jacket)
and the black rain pants that I bought 3 years ago for this race.
I put the orange, and the blue jackets on just before the start. Had other sweatshirts on under all that. I still own the turtleneck and the orange jacket and blue hat. (oh, and the capri tights) Everything else was tossed at the start line. Including the pair of shoes and sox I wore while waiting. Kind of an expensive race.
Boston photos
Here are some scenes from the day before the race. There is a little fun run on Sunday that goes for 2.5 miles and ends at the marathon finish line , the Freedom Run. I went and got the shirt and goodies but passed on the run.
And we don't have photos but there were a couple celebrity sightings. I spotted Vlade G of the L.A. A. of A. (that's vlade guerrero, right fielder for the the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) in our hotel lobby. And Gina saw Ed Begley, Jr. while she was out latte-ing one day.
The church on the finish line got into the spirit. Do you think 40:31 is Isaiah's 10K time?
The view from the room. Looks like a nice day, doesn't it? The finish line is righ below us. We could see crew races, of course.
A store in the lobby got into the marathon spirit. but shouldn't it be 26.2% ?
the finish line
And we don't have photos but there were a couple celebrity sightings. I spotted Vlade G of the L.A. A. of A. (that's vlade guerrero, right fielder for the the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) in our hotel lobby. And Gina saw Ed Begley, Jr. while she was out latte-ing one day.
The church on the finish line got into the spirit. Do you think 40:31 is Isaiah's 10K time?
The view from the room. Looks like a nice day, doesn't it? The finish line is righ below us. We could see crew races, of course.
A store in the lobby got into the marathon spirit. but shouldn't it be 26.2% ?
the finish line
Just the facts
Here are the mile by mile split times, for those of you who care about these things. Basically, I ran 9:00+ for the first half, and 10:00+ for the second half. Which is about what I thought I'd do, factoring in excitement, fatigue, hills, lack of training. I thought that I would be deliriously happy with a 4:15, and that reality might be 4:30..... so, I'm HAPPY.
due to weather, crowds, unknown start area, and general cluelessness, I didn't have too much time in the starting corral to get nervous. CUZ I got there with about a minute to spare, and re-tie my shoe 6 times.
8:28 was the time it took to get to start line from my spot in corral 18 after the gun went off
1. 9:29
2. 9:01 throw away heavy rain jacket
3. 8:55 very down hill
4. 9:02
5. 9:23 manage to put whole left foot into a puddle
6. 4:35, (2:28 potty break), 4:29 = 9:04
7. 9:15
8. 9:20
9. 9:15
10. 9:19
11. 9:40
12. 9:08
13. 9:25
14. 2:36, (4:04 potty break), 6:41 = 9:17
15. 9:12 drop off wind vest (yes, gina's , 2nd one of hers i've left behind on a race course)
16. 9:24 looking for Jane
17. 10:32 oh, there she is... photo ops, hugs, Newton hills begin
18. 10:41
19. 10:21
20. 10:35
21. 10:33 heart break hill
22. 10:00
23. 10:08
24. 10:08 gong the gong
25. 10:43
26.2 12:47 looking for Gina, there she is on Boylston St., stop for hugs, sprint to the finish.
4:21:19 official time
382/776 in 50-59 age group
5702/8063 females
15,850/total 20,348 runners
1 hot shower, 4 glasses of wine and all was swell
due to weather, crowds, unknown start area, and general cluelessness, I didn't have too much time in the starting corral to get nervous. CUZ I got there with about a minute to spare, and re-tie my shoe 6 times.
8:28 was the time it took to get to start line from my spot in corral 18 after the gun went off
1. 9:29
2. 9:01 throw away heavy rain jacket
3. 8:55 very down hill
4. 9:02
5. 9:23 manage to put whole left foot into a puddle
6. 4:35, (2:28 potty break), 4:29 = 9:04
7. 9:15
8. 9:20
9. 9:15
10. 9:19
11. 9:40
12. 9:08
13. 9:25
14. 2:36, (4:04 potty break), 6:41 = 9:17
15. 9:12 drop off wind vest (yes, gina's , 2nd one of hers i've left behind on a race course)
16. 9:24 looking for Jane
17. 10:32 oh, there she is... photo ops, hugs, Newton hills begin
18. 10:41
19. 10:21
20. 10:35
21. 10:33 heart break hill
22. 10:00
23. 10:08
24. 10:08 gong the gong
25. 10:43
26.2 12:47 looking for Gina, there she is on Boylston St., stop for hugs, sprint to the finish.
4:21:19 official time
382/776 in 50-59 age group
5702/8063 females
15,850/total 20,348 runners
1 hot shower, 4 glasses of wine and all was swell
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Boston video
Our buddy Jane was at mile 16 waiting for me. She made up this little photo video. Not sure if this link will really link, but if you copy and paste you should be able to access it.
http://www.photoshow.net/watch/Ra4bR5ky
http://www.photoshow.net/watch/Ra4bR5ky
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Bib # 18,760
Well, I just printed boarding passes to Boston so "the race is on" !
Unless the weather gods dump a few feet of snow in the Boston area and race gets cancelled. Which is kind of a possibility. Mariners got rained out there today.
I'm hoping for some kind of weather magic for Monday. Right now the forecast is a high of 38, rain, and strong head winds.
But along with all my foul weather gear I'm packing a positive attitude. This race is about the experience. Oh, and the glory of being able to say I ran the 111th Boston Marathon.
Besides, it's not like I haven't run in the cold rain before. Hello... I do live in Seattle.
OK, let me go make sure my sneakers are in the suitcase.
Unless the weather gods dump a few feet of snow in the Boston area and race gets cancelled. Which is kind of a possibility. Mariners got rained out there today.
I'm hoping for some kind of weather magic for Monday. Right now the forecast is a high of 38, rain, and strong head winds.
But along with all my foul weather gear I'm packing a positive attitude. This race is about the experience. Oh, and the glory of being able to say I ran the 111th Boston Marathon.
Besides, it's not like I haven't run in the cold rain before. Hello... I do live in Seattle.
OK, let me go make sure my sneakers are in the suitcase.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
My Peeps
The weiner of the Easter card contest !! Way to go Joan Miller ! You are definitely one of my favorite Peeps.
oh, you all were not aware of the contest? Neither were we but it was such a cute card we had to award it something. And no, there is no cash prize. Just the honor of being mentioned on this world famous blog.
Of course, this honor should move right to the top of her long list of awards and wins.... "Best teacher in Oregon", "Best Elementary School Principal in Portland", NASA $ winner, "oldest sibling in Rinehart clan" :) :) :) I mean "wisest sibling"
Guess what ??
My period started. I'M NOT PREGNANT !!!
Not that that was really a concern, or anything.
The real joy here is that it is one less issue to worry about next weekend. (that line reminds me of a song lyric....)
And yes, the blog is about sharing.
Not that that was really a concern, or anything.
The real joy here is that it is one less issue to worry about next weekend. (that line reminds me of a song lyric....)
And yes, the blog is about sharing.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Last Long run
Til next week.
So, this week I put in a 5, 10, 5, and a 21 miler running... Along with some pool running and spinning. The 21 today were at 9:30 or quicker pace. Hopefully, that will be race pace.
I tried to post a photo of the ice bath today, but somehow Gina clicked the video button not photo, and well, I haven't figured out how to post video clips yet. The only things moving were my chattering teeth.
All things considered, I should be good to go on race day. The day after race day could be painful.
The plan now is:
1. to avoid all people so as to not get sick
2. watch out for runaway busses
3. do some easy short training runs
4. not eat like a pig
5. pack everything cuz who knows what the weather will be in Boston
6. have an uneventful flight on Friday
7. enjoy my hotel room for a couple days
8. run 26.2 miles, from Hopkinton, MA to Boston, MA
Unfortunately, the best laid plan is going awry immediately. We are heading to the UWash. tonight for a big dinner/reception. 600 people. There goes #1, right into the trash. It's a recognition night for the women who played sports at UW, pre Title IX. Our friend, Mary Lou, who is the golf coach, and played there, invited us. Gina and I are also pre Title IX'ers, but at different schools. We were born a couple years too early to cash in on scholarship $.
So, this week I put in a 5, 10, 5, and a 21 miler running... Along with some pool running and spinning. The 21 today were at 9:30 or quicker pace. Hopefully, that will be race pace.
I tried to post a photo of the ice bath today, but somehow Gina clicked the video button not photo, and well, I haven't figured out how to post video clips yet. The only things moving were my chattering teeth.
All things considered, I should be good to go on race day. The day after race day could be painful.
The plan now is:
1. to avoid all people so as to not get sick
2. watch out for runaway busses
3. do some easy short training runs
4. not eat like a pig
5. pack everything cuz who knows what the weather will be in Boston
6. have an uneventful flight on Friday
7. enjoy my hotel room for a couple days
8. run 26.2 miles, from Hopkinton, MA to Boston, MA
Unfortunately, the best laid plan is going awry immediately. We are heading to the UWash. tonight for a big dinner/reception. 600 people. There goes #1, right into the trash. It's a recognition night for the women who played sports at UW, pre Title IX. Our friend, Mary Lou, who is the golf coach, and played there, invited us. Gina and I are also pre Title IX'ers, but at different schools. We were born a couple years too early to cash in on scholarship $.
Monday, April 02, 2007
A b b
Test
So, technology is running rampant here at Green Lake. I've got a new phone, and it takes and sends photos !! YEE HA new foto fun !!!!!!!!
And I've just learned about how to post to my blog ( THE WORLD FAMOUS BLOG) from my mobile phone. Yes, you read it right. I can now take photos anywhere and then send them to my blog anytime.
The sneakers pic was just testing how to use the camera and message functions of the phone. The happy b-day pic was sent TO my new phone FROM a school bus somewhere in California (thanks to my favorite drummer girl) AND then I sent it TO the blog from my phone. Can you even believe it?
I've got to go learn what else this little phone does. The manual is about useless. of course.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Birthday Blog
a pink ? soccer ball ?? what's up with dat?
An American Idol of the future.
52 years old.. And still can't dance.
But I tried when we put Emily's cd on. They had done the EMP tour earlier.
Yesterday was a nice 18 mile run along the Snoqualmie River Trail. very flat. so unlike the Boston course. oh well. I had a nice ice bath afterwards. Then a quick nap before our party guests arrived.
My b-day buddy, Greta, was in town. It was nice to celebrate "our day" together. Just like the good old days. It was a great night. We really miss them. Emily is a pistol. We had some appetizers and watched the end of the basketball game before heading to Nell's for dinner. Emily regaled us with her large repertory of bar jokes ( a horse walks into a bar.....) I'm not sure what's funnier, Emily telling the joke or Randy just die-ing laughing.
OK, I've never been god at the dye-ing / dieing , lay/lie spelling.
The other guest of honor was Teri Mac. You can see by her photo why she's one of my favorite people. Ohio State grad and a soccer fanatic.. Double ugh. just kidding.
O H .........................................
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