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As usual, if I do something, I do something and so, I signed up for the 5K on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday. Really, how could I not?
Haven't done speed work and well, why would I go hard on the 5K anyway the day before a marathon?
Landed on Friday and got my car. No issues. Found the hotel even though it was too early to check in and went to get food. It was also too early for packet pickup. Ate and felt good and went toward packet pickup even though it was a little early. Suddenly, the radio cutout with that horrible screech noise and the following message came on. "THIS IS NOT A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM! THIS IS NOT A TEST!" Apparently, we were due to get a hit by a bad bad bad thunderstorm, lightning strikes and golf size hail. Cool... Didn't believe it until it started. Got to packet pickup and sat in the car for it.
It finished and even though it was still a little early, I did see people go into the park and come out with their stuff so I figured what the hell... Went and got my stuff too. From there to the hotel and chilled.
Next morning, I went to the 5K. Found a great spot and started walking and talking to people. There was going to be Jambalaya (spelling?) after the race and it smelled so good and I decided to talk to the dude to ask what's in it because I was intrigued. Perhaps after the marathon? Hm... Unfortunatly it does have stuff that I am not fond off and oh well.
Started talking to Andrew. Young kid. Doing the 5K and the Marathon the next day as well. The next day would be his 2nd marathon ever. He was excited. We talked a little and then went to line up. The kids were finishing their 1 mile race. Some kid did a 6 minute mile. What?!? Little short nothing and so fast.
We started and even though we both started toward the front, we had to pass a bunch of people who did't belong. Whatever. It's all good.
The course breezed through. Nothing amazing. It was over rather quickly. Andrew did a 20:06 and came in 6th overall and first for age. I did a 23:15 and came in 22nd overall and 2nd for age. Cool... Awards were a little blah. I got a beer glass. I don't drink beer but still. Family is using it so I guess that's a win. Got a nice finishers medal. Got water. Went and got some free cookie samples and they were out of this world...
Small thing that happened as I was walking around after the 5K, while waiting for the results. A mom who just did the 5K with her kid, pointed to me and told her son that I'm doing the "other marathon tomorrow". Oy! I just smiled and walked away thinking how could I be doing the other marathon tomorrow if I didn't do one today but she meant well and I just left it be.
One other thing worth mentioning... There was a family doing their first 5K. How do I know? They were all wearing a shirt that said "FIRST FAMILY 5K". That's pretty cool. I saved their before race and after race picture if anyone wants to look at it. Anyway, during the race, I was past mile 2 and heading back when I saw them still going out running. The little one suddenly got a burst of speed and took off. The mom suddenly realized it and exclaimed "Oh Sh*T!" and started chasing her as the kid was already 25 yards away. Funny...
Back to the hotel to shower, eat and chill.
Next day came and I was parked in the same exact spot. How does that work exactly? I saw Andrew and he was hanging with his buddy, Reese. Started talking to them. Andrew ran his first marathon with Reese, accompanying him but realizing that if he was alone, he could have gone faster. That was the game plan for today's race. Reese and I started together and we just talked and don't you know, we stuck for 26.2 miles. He was happy for the company. The course was a double loop for us and it's always hard to see EVERYONE peel off to finish while you go right back out to do another loop. It got a little hot. I was ok. Reese was hurting. We stuck together. Talked about famliy. He explained some of the history of the place we were in. I had questions. He had answers. It was a pretty good time. On and on we went...
Toward the end, Reese was coming to his end and needed a little prodding. That's ok. That's what I do... I only took off the last 200-300 yards because well, someone passed us and I kinda wanted them not to beat us. Stupid I know, but I took off, passed them, and finished. Waited for Reese and that's a wrap.
I liked the race. I liked the course. The cops did a great job closing the streets and I felt safe from traffic.
Stinky me, then went to the diner right there and had a burger and fries and cheese cake and it was good. Back to the hotel and flew back the next day.
My one big complaint... The medal they gace for the 5K and the marathon was identical. It even said MARATHON on it. The only difference was the lanyard. It said 5K or Marathon. Look at the pictures and you'll see what I mean. It's a great marathon medal. It's an even greater 5K medal. But... They should not be identical...
