Here is a map of the course.
Just a quick overview: Saturday, September 12th, was the Bird In Hand Half MArathon in Pennsylvania. Sunday, September 13th, was the inaugural Suffolk Marathon.
Schedule:
Busy busy weekend. No rest weekend. No recovery weekend.
Anyway, I'm not sure where exactly I left off so I will "rewind" a little. Saturday, after I got back from the half-marathon in Pennsylvania, I had a bunch of errands to do and even though I was tired, I never got a chance to nap. Oh well. Jeremy was working on a computer project which was due Sunday at 1:05am and I just couldn't get Jeremy to work on it. I thought I was going to wake up at 3am and therefore could delay going to sleep till 11pm but the more I thought about it, I realized we need to leave earlier. They were going to close roads starting at 7am and after conversing with Jamey, we decided to leave at 5am. Turns out Heidi, Jeff and Jim also decided to leave at 5am. Knowing how hard it is to get Heidi moving early, I realized that our 5am departure decision was the right one. Of course Hammad and Jackie were going to leave later.
Anyway, leaving at 5am meant wake up at 2am and therefore I would really need to go to sleep latest by 10pm. Oi...Finally impressed on Jeremy the time factor and he started working on his project at 8:30. Annoying!
I went to bed at 9:50. Jeremy came up and asked me what happens if he has a problem. I told him that he should fix it. He asked what about if he can't and I told him that if it's a big problem and he really can't fix it then he can wake me. I'm exhausted and I just told him it's ok to wake me up. Wonderful.
He did. The conversation went like this:
Jeremy: I have a problem.
Me: What?
J1: We aren't supposed to print anything to the console and I have 1 print statement that I can't find. What should I do?
Me: Go look for it
J1: I did. Can't find it
Me: Search for it
J1: I did. I can't find it. Can you please help me look?
Me: Go check with your grandmothers.
At this point, my head hit the pillow and I fell asleep. To his credit, he did look for it and he did find it. Why did he have to wait tho?!?
I didn't remember the grandparent thing at all. He told me about it later. Had a sort of recollection of it but not clear. I was exhausted.
Alarm clock went off almost immediatly. Yes - 4 hours went like that. I got out of bed tho and turned the back up alarm and the backup to the backup alarm off too. Ate breakfast and got ready. When you're falling asleep on the toilet, you know you're tired.
Well, those 3 hours flew by too and soon enough it was time to leave. Jamey arrived. I checked with Heidi/Jeff/Jim and they were onthe way. Actually, saw them on the highway passing us. Cool. Checked with Hammad but no answer. Checked with Ed and he was going to leave later. I told him that they were closing the roads at 7 and he didn't know. Should have made sure he knew earlier. Sorry. Didn't think of it. What a bad way to start the day.
Also spoke to Mike. He was leaving a little later as he lives so close.
Gotta give Mike and Maria some major props. I asked him if he could pick up my stuff. He said no problem. I asked if he could pick up some friends as well and he said no problem. I think he had a heart attack when he saw the list. Besides their stuff, we were 8. When he texted me that he picked up while I was driving to the Half Marathon, he told me that he picked up our stuff and all the other 2,015 particpants. Funny. I told him that Queens was invading. He also told me that actually he forgot 2 people and went back for them. Wow... Jim and Ed... You guys are lucky this dude is so good. Anyway, he did pick up all our stuff and caught his mistake.
Last year, I went with Adele, Heidi and Jeff to the Hartford Marathon and the person picking up our stuff forgot Heidi's stuff. Thank God no repeat here.
OK - We got to Hecksher Park and we get to the parking lot. I told Jamey to go park all the way at the end so there will be less of a walk later. We see a car that looks a lot like Jeff's car and to seal the deal, I see someone getting a cooler out of the car. Hm...Cool. I see Jim. I see Heidi. No Jeff. Confirmed my immediate reaction - Jeff is taking a dump behind the bushes. Haha.
Jeff joined us and we were all just standing there joking around. It was just like being at Alley Pond. Well, except for the mosquitoes. They started slow but soon we were all slapping ourselves. Furthermore, other people in our vicinity started slapping themselves. Luckily, Heidi had some bug spray. Organic stuff. Started putting it on but it didn't seem enough. I saw a guy putting on some and I went over. He had the Non-Organic, DDT, kill anything on site bug spray and I asked him to spray me. He did. Stuff was lethal. Managed to swallow some of the spray too. Yummy (Not). Still seemed like the mosquitoes thought it was all food and they kept coming.
As the only idiot in the group who regularily gets chafed, I brought something to put on. It's what I use when I'm on the bike. It's expensive and has a funny name: DZNUTS. Say it aloud and you'll get it. Yes - it's for that area. Well, they made fun of me. That's ok. Little secret: Heidi who never gets chafed, did. If she would have borrowed some, perhaps she wouldn't have. Apparently it was real bad. It usually is...At least for me.
Ed meanwhile called that he's here. He must have gotten ready real fast and drove even faster. Glad he made it. He was parking and I told him where we were. Meanwhile Mike called that he's pulling in. I actually saw him from real far and started waving like a Maniac to him as he was planning on parking far. He drove over. Ed, finally showed up too. All present except for Hammad and Jackie.
Distributed bibs and pins and we all started walking toward the port-a-potties. Hammad was now in the park and I told him to meet us near the port-a-potties.
We found the port-a-potties and there weren't that many but the line was huge. What?!? Still, we spied a few woman standing on a line to enter some building and some of us went to investigate. I realized real quick why there were there and I called the group over. Cool. Indoor plumbing and the line was crazy short.
While on the throne, Hammad called. He didn't see us and he's near the start. Ok. Walking toward him. Good group of people. All joking around. Did my best to make sure no one felt alone.
I saw Tracey, a FB online friend and I went over to say hello. Cool.
Suddenly I spied a beautiful thing. It was a Coke van and they were giving out cokes and with much excitement I asked if they will be on the course and they said... WAIT FOR IT!!! WAIT FOR IT!!! Y-E-S!!! I hugged them all and professed my love to them.
Mike and I chugging a coke before the race and suddenly I realized our group was broken into 2. I called Jamey and they waited up ahead for us. Called Hammad and decided to meet near an emergency van. He came over with Jackie and we all took a group picture. Mike and I then went to pee out the coke in the woods with all the other runners. Nothing changes...
It's a different start for the halfers and the fullers. I don't get really get why as we almost immediatly merged together but whatever. By the way, just as an FYI, there were 2,400 halfers and 900 fullers. Wow. I say wow because when they first announced this race, before permits and all, there was an immediate community uproar. Jeez. Still, glad they got the race up and up.
I really didn't know the course but for some reason got it in my head that it's going to mostly flat. Hm...
The weather appeared nice but it wasn't real. The temps for the day were going t be high 70's and it was overcast. Nobody mentioned the humidity tho. Within a mile, I was completly soaked. Everyone was. The early aid stations were being hammered and the single complaint I heard was regarding the aid stations. In my opinion, people who normally carry water with them, didn't. They mistook the "cold" day for a "no need to bring water" day and they paid for it. Jeff and Heidi both did that. They should have known better. Nothing changes on race day...
Our group split into smaller groups. Jamey and I stayed together. Mike was constantly leap frogging us but more on that later. Maria did her own thing. Ed did his own thing as he's the fastest. Heidi, Jeff and Jim stuck together. Hammad stayed with Jackie.
We're running and it seemed to me like I was channeling Heidi's spirit. Her calves are usually very tight and sometimes painful. I have never had that. I guess running the hilly half the day before and a 3.5 hour drive and no rest and only sub 4 hours of sleep meant tight calves. Anytime Jamey stopped for a quick sip, I stretched them out. Eventually they were fine but that sucked.
Mike was, as I mentioned, leap frogging us. Why? Well, we would run together and then he would sprint up ahead to use a port-a-pottie or a port-a-tree or a port-a-bush. We would pass him. He would sprint to us, run with us and then again sprint ahead to... Well, you get it. Must have sucked for him. I really would have rathered he run with us. Oh well.
I don't remember where exactly but I'm guessing around mile 4, I spot Ed running back. What the Hell??? I think I just forgot how fast he really is. I yelled to him, screaming "GO ED!" but I don't know if he heard me. Dude was concentrating so much. In the zone and all. Wow. About a minute back was Arthur, dreadlocks, from QuickSilver Runners. An ex-Renegade I used to try to keep up with. Ed was in front of him!!!
Anyway, the course suddenly turned right and right into the Saint Johns University Campus. Who the hell knew they had a campus there anyway? The campus was beautiful. Really amazing. The three of us were there (Mike, Jamey and me) when suddenly a (very sweaty) runner crashed between me and Jamey. It was Jim. He dropped Heidi and Jeff. Guess I wasn't the only one who was soaked. He was drenched. Ran a little together to the end of the campus where they were announcing that the halfers will make a left turn and the fullers go right. I tried to convice Jim to make a right but he said "NO WAY!!!" and made the left.
Later I heard that Heidi and Jeff weren't too happy about this. Jim made sure they don't run too fast per Garmin but when they stoped at a water station for a minute, he took off. Oi. Whatever.
At this point, I need to go back for a second to the Saturday race. Basically, I was hoping to travel to the race in PA with anyone. It would have been nice to share the cost but more importantly, I didn't want to go by myself on such a long drive. I found 1 person, Chris Mozer, who lives in Long Island and I contacted him. He told me that he hadn't decided whether he would "bag" the race or not. I asked him to let me know. He never did. Well, I went by myself. Sucked to be me but I did. I wasn't sure if I saw him there or not but whatever. Mike told me that he did go. Hm... Lots of comments can be made here but the bottom line is is that he didn't have to go with me. Still, he could have just told me that. I would have respected that. I was a little annoyed but I wasn't going to let that upset me. Mike was furious about it. When we left the campus, soon after, we saw him on the course and I said outloud to Mike about how he would have really enjoyed the Bird in the Hand etc. I don't think Chris really cared. Cool. Mike was determined tho that we all beat him. Mike really is a good guy. As I said, he was more pissed off than I was at this guys actions.
One more thing about Mike... When he picked up all our stuff, he just needed names and which race we were doing except for Jeff. Jeff got a discount for Military service. When I introduced Mike and Maria to everyone, as soon as he heard the name Jeff, he immediatly said "You're Jeff... Thank you for your service.". He really is a good guy.
Anyway, after we passed Chris, Mike, Jamey and I were together. Mike was still leapfrogging us to make trips to the "anywhere he could go potty". Eventually we did lose him and it was just Jamey and me. As we were running, I remarked to Jamey how we were going downhill. It wasn't a crazy downhill or anything, rather it was just long. I was worried about the "what goes down, must come up" rule but jumping the gun.
At one point, I heard my name being yelled at. I look to my left and back and there's someone waving from far and screaming my name (pronounced correctly). I thought it may have been Rick Sais and I was suprised at that. Later, I get home to a FB message from Erik Frankenburg. It was him. I told him that I was shocked that he recognized me and he said "that mug of yours ;)...". Oh boy.
Anyway, we just about reach mile 12 and Jamey tells me that his stomach isn't happy and if we see a port-a-potty then he's going to stop. We saw one and I asked him if it was short or long and he said you better go. Oh well... I stuck this far because I did tell him that I would escort him on his first marathon even though now it seemed ridiculous as he already did a 50 miler. Still, I figured he would catch up real soon. He ran to the port-a-potty and as he got there someone exited. Good timing. I was sure Jamey would catch me real fast. We circled around this long block and now we were running back to the finish, backtracking our way. I look to see if Jamey is behind me or exiting the port-a-potty and nothing. Oh well. He'll catch up.
Remember how I noticed that the course is down hill for a long while? Welli, now it was 4-5 miles of uphill and to make things worse, the wind picked up and was right in our face. Still, I feel good.
Made friends with a canadian older lady. Ran with her a little. One aid station had ice and both grabbed some. I actually brought a hand held bottle with me, shocking - I know, and kept refilling it but now I jammed it with ice. She grabbed a huge piece and held it against her chest and in her hands.
I need to mention something about the race in general. I mentioned that there was a huge outcry against this race initially but I did NOT see it during the race. There was a huge community support system here. Everyone was cheering. Everyone was helping. The FAQ mentioned that there would be water stations every 1-1.5 mile. Well, some miles had 5 stations. One had a sign that saif "official aid station" and the others were just impromptu aid stations. People or stores setting something up. It was awesome.
I got an Orance Seltzer from a volunteer and that was awesome. I also stopped to pee at a port-a-tree. That was just as awesome and it told me that I was hydrating well.
We got to an aid station where there was a woman holding up a sign saying "Free hugs... Even if you're all sweaty". Normally, I'd say yes but I was really soaked. Another woman told me that it was ok and I had to decline. I was soaked...
Eventually, we get to another aid station manned by the Suffolk Detective Association and instead of regular cups they had *gasp* cups that said COKE on them. My cardio moment of the day right there... I was hoping... I got all excited... I was on the lookout and then the guy said to me "Water", *disappointment washes over me*, "Or Coke?"... What?!? I yelled out "COKE!!! ME ME ME!!! I was about to take a cup of sweet runners elixer, the nectar of the Gods but then I noticed *WAIT FOR IT!!!*, cans of unopened, fully gassed coke and I said I want that! But my fingers weren't cooperating and I couldn't open it. He did and I gulped it down and felt so much better and yelled out thanks. Still, unfortunatly I had to leave them.
On and off I was running with the Suffolk County executive or in plain English, the guy that made this happen. Cool.
By the way, still no sightings of Jamey or Mike.
Little tangent here: A friend of mine named Mark Mulray was in my thoughts during the entire race. I gotta mention who he is first before I explain the story. I met Mark during my first Ironman. I trawled around on the internet and met Rob. Good guy. During the Marathon portion we ended up together. Being the social butterfly that I am and also a NYer, I started talking to Mark who was also staying at my hotel. We survived the marathon, all 26.2 miles together. Well, we stayed in touch. Later, when I did TGNY 100, Mark who lives near Philli, drove 2 hours to wait an hour for me at mile 90, to escort me on a slow 10 mile trek to the finish. He then took a subway back to Brooklyn to his car so he can drive home. WOW!!!
So, why do I bring this up? Mark decided to perhaps do a 100 miler. Asked a bunch of questions. Got a ton more than he expected answers and advice. His wife initially resisted. He managed to convince her. His first 100? The Pine Creek Challenge in PA which I was considering. I finally decided not to do it. First of all, I knew Elizabeth was against 100 milers and here I had done 2 this year and I really didn't think she would appreciate a 3rd this year especialy one that's not even a month after the last. So, I declined and well, I found the Road Apple Challenge (Garden Spot Marathon or Half in March and the Bird in Hand Half Marathon yesterday).
Anyway, while I was doing the Bird in Hand Half Marathon yesterday, he was doing the 100. He warned me that cell phone coverage would be poor at best so I was hoping for a status but didn't expect one. This morning, I woke up to get ready for this race and I found someone updating Mark's Facebook status with his progress.
I wasn't a FB friend with Alicia, actually I was afraid she would be really mad at me for getting this bug into him but I couldn't resist and at 3am, I sent her a message asking for any status. A reply came back immediatly. Boy, was I surprised. I chatted with her and she promised status updates through text messages while I was running. Yay. Later after he finished, she also sent a question about what she can do for his recovery effort. What an awesome wife and person. As a side note, I told Mark that I was so surprised that she answered right away. I was afraid I woke her up. His reply was that in order to wake someone up, they needed to have been asleep first. She was up the whole night worrying about him. Nice...
Anyway, back to our scheduled program. I was making progress. Steady progress. Making temporary friends along the way. At about mile 23, Hammad called and he told me that he and Jackie are hanging out at mile 25. Cool.
At about mile 24ish, Raina called. I started telling her that I got seperated from Jamey but she already knew but just wanted to tell me that she and the kids are at the finish and his approximate position. Cool. He was only about 1-2 miles behind me.
I was now on a stretch of road parallel to the Southern State Parkway I think. I started running with this woman and we were talking. We saw a guy lieing on the side of the road, on the grass, clutching his stomach. I asked if he's ok and offered Tylenol. She offered salt. He wanted the salt. I was gonna stay but I saw a State Trooper driving toward us on the grass. He saw what was going on so I continued. She waited behind but eventually caught back to me. We got to talking and it turned out that she was a Suffolk Detective and I started mentioning names that I knew like Vinnie. She knew him. Nice.
We got to an aid station manned by military personal with 2 humvees. We passed them at mile 1ish and saw them as we drove in so we knew we were close. That was mile 25. We were in the park and the excitement was mounting. We all wanted to finish. I was with a guy who had a Garmin on him and he told me approximate distances. Problem was that everytime we asked someone, they said that the finish line was only a 1/4 mile away. Annoying. We came across Hammad who took an action shot and we continueed. Last turn and YES! there it was. That's it. I took off and finished. My name was announced correctly (WOW) by the voice of Long Island Terri something. I went to talk to Raina and the kids. We waited for Jamey. They were behind the fence. I was in front of it.
I was expecting him any minute but I was starting to get worried. Finally Mike comes in. About a minute back there was Maria all happy setting her 3rd PR in a row.
Finally, I spotted Jamey and I ran to him and escorted him part of the way. I had to peel off at one point so as not to cross the early timing mat. As he crossed that mat, on the way to the finish mat, his name was called out. "Here's Jamey Kohn from Bellerose Manor. Rumor has it that he was told to do this by a friend. I wonder if that friend is that Marathon Maniac near him". I heard that and yelled and waved at Terri. Nice.
So, Jamey finished his first offical Marathon after seriously started running on January 1st. Also it's his first offical Marathon after doing a 50 miler but whatever.
We met up with his family and walked over to where Mike and Maria where hanging out. Hammad and Jackie walked over too. We just sat around and hung out. Jamey wasn't unfortunatly doing so well tho. He was a little green and not exactly himself.
Well, he went to the garbage to throw something up and then proceeded to throw up. Oi.
When we went to Beast together, I told him, whatever happens at Beast, no matter how you are feeling afterwards (exhausted, in pain, in agony etc), when you walk inside your home, you walk with a swagger not with a limp. Suck it up! Did I mention that Raina is a nurse? Well, with Beast he listened to me and all was well. Here on the other hand, after vomitting, he either stumbled or something BUT he did it on front of wife who dropped what she was doing and ran to him. No no... Not good. He wasn't happy about the attention or maybe embarassed but dude... It comes with the territory... Nurse remember???
Anyway, he asked me if I mind driving his car home. I thought about bringing my license but didn't so that wasn't good but I could see he wasn't himself totally, so I figure I would drive slowly and beg for mercy if something happens. I drove home and he relaxed except his is a tiny car and perhaps there's more room for the driver but still. I had Elizabeth meet up near their house. I got out of the car no problem but he was all cramped up and stiff. Sucks.
From there, home and a shower for me and for Jeremy who had tennis. Then we packed up our stuff and the dog and started driving to New Jersey to my in-laws. I felt good and wasn't tired and so drove the whole way there. Took an hour and 45 minutes. We eventually left at 10:00 toward home.
I started driving. I figure I would eventually switch with Elizabeth. We crossed over the Goethels Bridge which is a very narrow ugly bridge and I thought that would be a great time to switch. Right after the bridge, I pulled over to a no standing zone area and took my belt off only to see lights flashing behind me. A cop pulled up and asked if all was ok. I told him that I just needed to adjust my belt and thanked him. Oh well. I drove on behind him only to see him U-turn and head right back to his spot. I drove on. I crossed over the Verrazano and my eyes were starting to have trouble focusing. I pulled over and we switched. Seemssilly as we were about 10-15 minutes from home but I did fall asleep right away. Anyway, home and sleep and ran the next day.
Heidi and Jeff were sore. I believe Mike was too. Jamey perhaps. Ed wasn't too happy with his time of 1:30+. He wanted better. Wow...
That's it for now I guess...