No doubt about it, new PR!
Had "Still Alive" from Portal stuck in my head for the whole race... so I suppose the first few lines are even appropriate to post here.
This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here:
HUGE SUCCESS.
It's hard to overstate
my satisfaction.
It was a great race. Day started off shakily, was nervous, missed the first train out of MGH station, second train almost everyone in my car was running the race. Really was cool to see people wearing green and running shoes! Got to Davis Square, tried to find my Matt and could not. Did have to pee, so I spent 12 of the 15 minutes before the race started waiting on line for a toilet. Still couldn't find Matt and was kinda worried about what to do with my coat... so I deposited it in a Starbucks and hoped it would still be there when I was done. (it was)
Lined up with the crowd behind the start line, near the 12 minute mile folks, I think. We started before I could get my iPod on, so the first 1/2 mile of the race I was fiddling with the iPod trying to get it on and collecting data with my nike+. Didn't end up plugging the headphones in, because right about when I got the thing on and started, we passed a band, complete with bagpipes and drums. Awesome!
It was cold, but really didn't feel it after I got started. 36 degreesish, and somewhere along the way I took off my hat, gloves, and opened my running jacket. Nifty. Good to know for future runs.
There were hills. I ran up them, I ran down them. There was a water stop, but drinking out of a cup when running doesn't work so well. I think the hardest part of the race was the beginning up the first hill and then the last bit with the finish line in sight. I know I pushed the limits of my abilities, and my time and HR monitor readings will agree with it. I did not walk one step of the race!
After the race, I turned in my chip (next time, don't lace it at the front of the shoe) and got my finisher's medal (ooh! pretty!). Found the Matt, waited on line at the Burren to get some food and a sip of beer. I couldn't bring myself to order a burger (but I convinced Matt to so I could have a bite of his)... ended up with a cup of butternut squash soup and a Caesar salad with dressing on the side. But I did eat a few fries, and they were good. Then we decided to go home, for Matt had math to do and I had jacuzzis bouncing in my head. So now I'm just back from the jacuzzing, and I feel a little tired, but good. My lungs didn't like the run, so I'm coughing some and hot beverages are nice. I might have a nap. ;)
Pics are on Matt's camera, so I'll get them sometime. (And make a post with most of this text and the pictures to 100pounds2lose.)
Numbers:
Time on clock when I finished: 35:30ish. (I started 2ish minutes after the "go".)
Nike+ data here: http://www.runnerplus.com/run/764-211058/
Nike+ pace: 11:45/mile
Calories burned from HR monitor: 536, 25% fat
HR max: 188 (97%)
HR average: 171 (87%)
I'm going to make a race wall in my apartment now, and hang my medal and bib up!
This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here:
HUGE SUCCESS.
It's hard to overstate
my satisfaction.
It was a great race. Day started off shakily, was nervous, missed the first train out of MGH station, second train almost everyone in my car was running the race. Really was cool to see people wearing green and running shoes! Got to Davis Square, tried to find my Matt and could not. Did have to pee, so I spent 12 of the 15 minutes before the race started waiting on line for a toilet. Still couldn't find Matt and was kinda worried about what to do with my coat... so I deposited it in a Starbucks and hoped it would still be there when I was done. (it was)
Lined up with the crowd behind the start line, near the 12 minute mile folks, I think. We started before I could get my iPod on, so the first 1/2 mile of the race I was fiddling with the iPod trying to get it on and collecting data with my nike+. Didn't end up plugging the headphones in, because right about when I got the thing on and started, we passed a band, complete with bagpipes and drums. Awesome!
It was cold, but really didn't feel it after I got started. 36 degreesish, and somewhere along the way I took off my hat, gloves, and opened my running jacket. Nifty. Good to know for future runs.
There were hills. I ran up them, I ran down them. There was a water stop, but drinking out of a cup when running doesn't work so well. I think the hardest part of the race was the beginning up the first hill and then the last bit with the finish line in sight. I know I pushed the limits of my abilities, and my time and HR monitor readings will agree with it. I did not walk one step of the race!
After the race, I turned in my chip (next time, don't lace it at the front of the shoe) and got my finisher's medal (ooh! pretty!). Found the Matt, waited on line at the Burren to get some food and a sip of beer. I couldn't bring myself to order a burger (but I convinced Matt to so I could have a bite of his)... ended up with a cup of butternut squash soup and a Caesar salad with dressing on the side. But I did eat a few fries, and they were good. Then we decided to go home, for Matt had math to do and I had jacuzzis bouncing in my head. So now I'm just back from the jacuzzing, and I feel a little tired, but good. My lungs didn't like the run, so I'm coughing some and hot beverages are nice. I might have a nap. ;)
Pics are on Matt's camera, so I'll get them sometime. (And make a post with most of this text and the pictures to 100pounds2lose.)
Numbers:
Time on clock when I finished: 35:30ish. (I started 2ish minutes after the "go".)
Nike+ data here: http://www.runnerplus.com/run/764-211058/
Nike+ pace: 11:45/mile
Calories burned from HR monitor: 536, 25% fat
HR max: 188 (97%)
HR average: 171 (87%)
I'm going to make a race wall in my apartment now, and hang my medal and bib up!