(no subject)
It was pointed out to me this weekend that I never wrote about running the Stillwater Marathon a few weeks ago.
I ran it. I finished it. I did not collapse and die, even! I actually really enjoyed the experience, which was apparently evidenced by my persistent smiling. My finish time was slow, just about 5:34, which makes me dead-friggin-last among men in my age group (25-29.) But I had some lovely conversations with the late-middle-aged women who were, how shall I say, more of my speed. (Giggity.)
I actually felt like I could have gone much faster--I never hit the proverbial wall--but some persistent ankle pain in the last 1/3rd kept me much slower than my circulatory/respiratory systems would seemingly allow.
The course was beautiful, going along the St. Croix as well as through some lovely bluffs/forest areas, though--being Stillwater--it was very hilly. I expected the large hill west of Stillwater at mile 13, but the worst was a sucker punch hill that came out unexpectedly from around a corner at around mile 19. Thankfully, the last 5 miles or so were mostly downhill, though at that point I was ready to hack off my left foot and stump the rest of way.
Laurie and Wilma got up with me at the recockulous hour of 4:45 AM and spent the entire day being my race cheerleaders. When, 30 minutes before the race was to start, I panickedly realized that I left my watch at home and could not easily pace myself, Laurie faced race-day traffic and parking to run to a store and pick one up for me.
Richelle, Mark, and my family also came out to see me finish, though I was too exasperated at the finish to properly talk to them. Celebrations later ensued with Pizza Luce and beer.
I think I might do it again sometime.
I ran it. I finished it. I did not collapse and die, even! I actually really enjoyed the experience, which was apparently evidenced by my persistent smiling. My finish time was slow, just about 5:34, which makes me dead-friggin-last among men in my age group (25-29.) But I had some lovely conversations with the late-middle-aged women who were, how shall I say, more of my speed. (Giggity.)
I actually felt like I could have gone much faster--I never hit the proverbial wall--but some persistent ankle pain in the last 1/3rd kept me much slower than my circulatory/respiratory systems would seemingly allow.
The course was beautiful, going along the St. Croix as well as through some lovely bluffs/forest areas, though--being Stillwater--it was very hilly. I expected the large hill west of Stillwater at mile 13, but the worst was a sucker punch hill that came out unexpectedly from around a corner at around mile 19. Thankfully, the last 5 miles or so were mostly downhill, though at that point I was ready to hack off my left foot and stump the rest of way.
Laurie and Wilma got up with me at the recockulous hour of 4:45 AM and spent the entire day being my race cheerleaders. When, 30 minutes before the race was to start, I panickedly realized that I left my watch at home and could not easily pace myself, Laurie faced race-day traffic and parking to run to a store and pick one up for me.
Richelle, Mark, and my family also came out to see me finish, though I was too exasperated at the finish to properly talk to them. Celebrations later ensued with Pizza Luce and beer.
I think I might do it again sometime.