Short Version:
Finished in 1:43:50, good support, cool backback, dog fight, urination.
Long Version:
I picked up my packet and my dad's packet on Thursday. No T-shirts, but we got a really nice backpack instead. Also included were a bath size towel and a wrist sweat band.
Since I had to work the night before this race, I got less than five hours of sleep. On the way to pick up my dad I stopped at Starbucks for my pre-race fuel of a tall vanilla latte and a maple scone-delicious!
Dad and me pre-race
We got to the start area with plenty of time to spare. This is when a smart person would hit the port-a-potties or maybe a GU or something. I got in line for the lav. While in line, a dog fight broke out between a big black fluffy dog and a smaller brown dog. This discouraged me from standing in line any longer, so I made my way to the start line with Trish. We saw Shanna already in the start area patiently waiting to smoke most of the other women in the field and chatted for a few minutes.
This race is how far?!
Trish and I had the much coveted red bibs, which allowed us into the VIP section of the corrall, so that put Shanna behind us for the start. This was probably the only time we in front of her the whole race.
The race started pretty well, but I had to piss like a race horse. My splits were good up until mile 6, where I had to dart off the course and evacuate my blader. The course was beautiful-Ravinia, Fort Sheridan and views of Lake Michigan.
My dad took this one with his cell phone during the race
Mile 1-7:31 Threw my sunglasses into the grass and yelled "St. Johns and Beech"
so I would remember where to find them.
Mile 2-7:48 Met up with Mark, who I met at one of Jenny's track sessions.
Mile 3-7:36
Mile 4-7:35
Mile 5-7:42
Mile 6-9:31 This was when I left a gallon of pee in a port-a-pottie
Mile 7-7:20
Mile 8-8:11 This mile had a huge downhill and corresponding huge uphill
Mile 9-7:49
Mile 10-7:38
Mile 11-7:49 Had some gatorade and water at this stop.
Mile 12-8:23 Threw my hat in the garbage because I was too hot and didn't want
Mile 13-7:49 to carry it
last 0.1-7:26
The capacity of the human bladder is about 16 oz. Mine was full and then some. It took me a full 2 minutes to take care of business. That is why mile 6 took 9:31. After my pee break I never saw Trish again, but I was able to pace myself pretty well and finish with a respectable time.
In the finish shoot I heard Shanna cheering me on, so that was awsome motivation for the final 100 meters or so.
After the race I got my medal and met up with the family to wait for my dad to finish. He crossed the line at about 2:32. Not to shabby for an old guy.
While waiting at the finish I saw Barry and Shanna and we talked for a minute, then Jack and oliver saw someone with a breakfast muffin, so that was all they could talk about. So we headed over to Corner Bakery for a nice post race Panini. Then I went in search of my sunglasses at St.Johns and Beech-found them no problem.
Summary
I have plateaued in my half marathin times, so I think to get any faster at the half marathon distance I will have to do one or more of the following things:
1.Lose weight-10-20lbs.
2.Run more miles per week-increase from 30 to 40, then 50
3.Take speed work more seriously and do more of it.
At this point I do not think I am willing to do any of these 3 things for a variety of reasons, for now I am satisfied with my times and I'll contine to focus mainly on the Milwaukee marathon in October.
If you have read this far, you are awsome.
