Here are some course maps....
|
|
|
|---|
A while back, this guy gets on the train and pulls out a "bicycling" magazine. Started talking to him and guess what...He does triathlons, good cyclist and oh yeah, he is also a SunRiseTri member. His name is Pepe. Well we said we will spin together, eventually ride together and run too. Gave him a call a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to borrow his bike trainer so I can see what it feels like. Long story short - I now have a bike trainer too.
So let's see what this weekend had in store. Friday we had snow - Lot of snow. Our neighbor, Chris, did a lot for us with his snow blower but we still had to go out there. Friday was shoveling and bike for 25 minutes. I was hurting. Saturday was 30 minute bike with Pepe followed by a 7 mile run. I wanted to do a 9/18 this weekend but I promised to be home by a certain time so I cut it down to 7. Sunday was 18(Water + M.D row + 2 miles in AP). Had to be home early so started earlier (5:30 am) and went out faster/harder. Needless to say, after this weekend I was SORE. Took a hot bath when I got home and kept falling asleep in the water. Later crashed on couch too. Really looked forward to the swim yesterday. Knew I would feel better afterwards. Ended up doing a lot more then usual - 3,800. So, I'm not sore anymore but I am tired.
The itinerary for this race. Thursday, LC goes to a sleepover for this weekend. We're all a little worried but it's to a neighbor who has a dog too. Niko, is a wonderful dog and they are friends. Friday, kids go to school, Lee will do some Homecares and I will stay home. Lee will come home, we put the car away in the garage and her parents will take us to pick up the kids a little early. Don't really like to do that but it's a must. They'll make it up. We rush over to La Guardia to make the flight. It's going to be rough. Lee doesn't want to miss any of her homecares - she cares about her kids. Hopefully we don't miss our flight. Saturday, we go to Discovery Cove. Gonna swim with Dolphins. What a treat for me. What a treat for me to give to the kids. I always wanted something like this. I hope Jessie doesn't get scared - they will love it. Sunday, race early in the morning followed by a shortened Seaworld followed by "don't miss the flight" to NYC.
That's enough for now. Tomorrow, I'll add the map and all the other stuff.
The course is the same as the Donald Duck half. The differences are that instead of starting at 5:30ish, we will start at 6am, it's warmer (Thank God!) and hopefully there will be more light. Also, just like in Goofy where we Goofy people were the minority, here again I will be part of the minority(males).
Thursday was stressful. Everything had to be done and fast and perfect. Got home to find Jessie playing on computer. She thought she finished her HW but didn't. Then went back to computer. Not happy here. Lot of stress involved and not good. I went to get a haircut and to the bank. Kids finished homework. We took a walk with LC. Final long walk with him. Jessie walked him. Jeremy walked him. Then we walked him to Sam and Karen and Niko. Felt like the "walk of death" but it wasn't. Brought him over, he still doesn't realize. He was happy. He and Niko started running around the house, everything so often bearing teeth then again running and jumping. Time to leave. He was ready to go with us. The kids and I left first. Lee left last. Went home and it was strange. No LC. Kept looking for him. We actually called to ask if he was OK. Apparently after we left, he kept looking at the door and listening. Sam took the 2 dogs for a long walk and afterwards he was fine. Slept, ate, played - life is good.
Friday, was strange for us. Elizabeth and the kids left and I stayed home. Did house stuff (laundry * 3, dishes, garbage and of course packed). Her parents came over at 12:30 and I put everything in the car. Lee picked up the kids and came home. Put the car in the garage, had kids change to comfortable cloths, took out garbage. We're running L-A-T-E! Flying down Commenwealth Blvd and we glance Karen walking both dogs. Everything looked ok.
Got to LaGuardia Airport and looked for the line to security. It was HUGE. There was a line to get to the line. Less than an hour to departure and we are standing in the line to get to the security line. Finally got through and walked to the gate. Boarded the plane and finally was able to breathe. Took a cab to the hotel and relaxed. Went out to dinner. Yummy Grilled Salmon and other stuff.
Went to sleep early with kids. Made a big mistake tho. Jeremy shared a bed with Lee and I shared a bed with Jessie. Jeremy gets hot and Lee gets cold - I get hot and Jessie gets cold. Also, bed was very soft. Every little movement and the bed shakes. Long story, I slept but it wasn't great. Jeremy had trouble sleeping. Took a few hours, because he was hot. Slept a few hours, then read for 2 to 3 hours in the middle of the night and then slept again.
Went to Discovery Cove and had a great time. A little cold tho. Some of the time we were shaking. The place had free continental breakfast and a free lunch. Went to town with it. During breakfast, took snacks and things that I would ultimatly have for dinner like oatmeal. They also had free snacks later like pretzels and chips. Grilled Salmon, veggies, potatoes and pasta for lunch. Jeremy also had salmon and that's important. Jeremy has food! He also tasted 3 different cakes...
Called the shuttle to take us back to the hotel when Lee said she really wanted a hot pretzel and that she would go get it. I knew it would take too long so I ran to the other side of the park and back to bring it. Got back just as kids got safe in the shuttle. Great timing but did I really want to do sprints the day before the race? Still, happy family is a good thing.
Went to Expo to pick up my race stuff. Since I was not staying at a Disney resort, I was worried about getting to the race in the morning. Disney resorts have a free shuttle but I am not in a disney resort and there are road closures. Asked around and all I kept hearing was leave earlier and tell the taxi to take some road.
Went to runners relations. I never sent them proof of time email so I figured they would put me in the wrong Corral. Brought records with me. I'm in Corral B and apparantly that's the best I can do. Men are not allowed in Corral A. I'm in the second Corral.
Usually have cereal for dinner but not tonight. Ended up with oatmeal. Future stomach issues?
Went to bed early. It was somewhere between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. This time we did things smarter. Jeremy and I shared a bed each of only using a sheet. The girls each had their own down comforter. About 10 minutes after getting in bed, I realized that I was well hydrated. Had to go but was afraid to move. Didn't want to wake anyone up. Had to. All good. Everyone was sleeping. All 3 of them.
Kept waking up afraid I'd miss the alarm ; afraid the alarm would wake everyone up. About 1:20 was the last time I woke up before the alarm clock went off. Got up and went to bathroom. The was home base. Luckily, much bigger then the disney resort bathroom. I could pace around. Had breakfast there, read there, got ready. Checked on the kids. Jeremy still sleeping in old way: Folded in 1/2, head between outstretched legs. Covered him twice. Jessie using Lee's legs as pillows. Moved her so she situated her head on top of Lee's head. Moved her again.
This race is different. In disney, when I left the room, the resort was alive and buzzing. Lot of commotion. This time, nothing. I even beat the bill being posted to our room at 3. Got downstairs at 3:02 and cab was already there. Thank God! On way to race, saw a car on it's side with emergency crews there. Sucks.
Cabbie missed the bus/taxi exit but it's all good. Got dropped off and it was 3:17. EARLY. Cold too. It was in the high 30's going to low 70's. Do you dress for the now or the later? Talked to some men while I was there. Advantage of getting early, clean & fresh porta-potties.
Experience helps...During Goofy, I had the Runners Retreat but I still paid attention to things. Got cold and went to huddle behind the electric generator warm lights. Shared my secret with a few other women too. Some were there expecting Florida weather: shorts, t-shirt, no hat and/or gloves. I had warm socks, tights, shorts, tech shirt, sleevies, long shirt, 1 gloves (not to warm), hand warmers and my Alley Pond Striders hat. Kinda wished I had something warmer - my ears were cold.
Walked to the corrals. Disney is pretty strict about Corrals. Tried to get into A but they did not let me in. Got into B and waited all the way on the right side. Race starts promptly at 6 unlike the January races. This time there was also 7 minutes between each Corral.
Hand cycles went off. They never get fireworks. Corral A goes off. We are all itching to go. They walk us up and we crossed a timing mat. I'm between timing mat 1 and 2. Weird.
Fireworks go off and I am in the lead!?! My mission it to run "good" and to try to bridge the gap to some of the "A" people. I really thought I'd be bored with the course. I mean this is the 3rd time in 2 months. Donald Duck most of the course was in the dark - the castle was completly dark. Mickey Mouse there was more light since we had 5 extra miles before the course started - more light on the castle. Now, it was 2 months later and more daylight - the castle was in all daylight.
Briefly talked to a soldier who was running. He ran in January too with a full 30 pound pack. Not this time. Left me.
Looked at my watch and I'm pulling a 8+ minute mile. Strange but ok. Saw the spot I nearly choked on a tylenol last time. Not this time.
People complain about how certain spots are congested. These are people who cannot think outside the box. If it's congested, go offroad! Little harder on the grass but easier on the knees. Passed a lot of people that way. Got to a water station and big time congested. Ended up running behind the water station. Guy saw me. I yelled out, "I took out the road less traveled". Don't think he recognized Robert Frost. That's ok.
At one point I see a guy in front of me who accidently bumped into a woman runner. He apologized, tapped her on the shoulder and let her go. It hit me that a lot of women must be pissed at the men running and this guy was pretty cool about it. Hm. I consider myself a pretty considerate runner especially at any distance over 5 miles. A little later, I almost bang into a group of women. I apologized and move ahead of them to get out of their way. Then the comments begin..."What happened to ladies first?" I yell out that I was just trying to get out of thier way when I get "Talk about prince Charming!" Again, stupidly, I try to explain I was just trying to get out of their way when more comments follow. I run away. I tried to be nice but either they were joking ay my expense (over the limit) or they were just being vicious. Either case, time for me to get out of the way and run away. Did just that! Never saw those "ladies" again.
Still feeling good. Not sure when I'll start slowing down without meaning to. The course is mostly flat but there are 2 hills or overpasses to surmount. Nothing terrible but they are hills. They are between 10 - 11 and 11 - 12.
At mile 10, I KNEW I had a PR on my hand. I was at mile 10 at 1:20. Even if I get tired and pulled a 10 minute mile, that's still 1:50. Can I break a 1:50? Would be nice...
Last mile and I usually push. Can't push. I got nothing but consistency. I just can't push hard. Guy comes from behind at 12 1/2 and I can't keep up. Oh well. Get to mile 13 and there is a women walking. She only has 0.1 and she's walking? Gave her encouragement and she starts running. Saw the finish line and I started deciding who I'm going to take. Picked up a few more people off. Got my medal.
Decision time: Long walk to possibly taxi or bus to resort. Ended up with a bus to a disney resort and then a cab to my hotel. Got there about 20 minutes later than I said but still all good. Shower and last minute packing and we're good to go. Checked out, took luggage to bellhop and onto Seaworld.
Lots of walking at Seaworld and then another frantic cab to airport and security. Once again, security had no problem with us carrying scisorrs on the plane so Jessie could do her homework. Fell asleep as soon as back wheels were in the air.
Got food, got home and got the pooch. Family all together again.
Cinthya texts me. We won first place in the cooed team. We beat out the 2nd place team by about 17 minutes!
Tired now. Too many sprints before and after the race.
Enough for now.
Saw a girl running/walking with Uggz boots. What?!?
As I was warming up against the halogen light generator, a husband and wife team showed up. The girl looks familiar. Resembles a girlfriend I had once. Didn't we do this once already? I look at the guy and we start talking and then it hit the both of us. I met them during Goofy. We were both in the Runners Retreat tent. The girl was worried about the Donald Duck half. And there they are again...
