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sonnylax
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Joined: 30 Sep 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Living in a lollipop and unicorn world
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 Posted: 11/26/03 - 22:19 Post subject: Atlanta Marathon/Half-Marathon
I'm not running due to my knee problems, but I do have a nice t-shirt today after visiting the Race Expo tonight! (Any of you every get or wear a race shirt for a race you didn't run? I'm going to enjoy my new $55 t-shirt!)
I'm a race volunteer tomorrow morning. I will be one of those very super powerful course marshals on Peachtree Street in Buckhead. 6am wake-up call.
Good luck to anyone running the races tomorrow morning!
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Noley
AZhat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2003
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Posted: 11/27/03 - 03:34 Post subject:
Sorry to hear about this Sonny.
It's great that you've stayed on to volunteer though. All of the runners out there will appreciate it. Enjoy your new shirt too.
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 11/27/03 - 06:09 Post subject:
Sonny,
Sorry to hear that you can't race. I have one t-shirt from a race I didnt run since I had to take care of my wife after her hernia operation. That one only cost me 20 bucks. Have fun being a volunteer!
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
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Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 11/27/03 - 08:16 Post subject:
Volunteers are very important. Good that you are doing that. 
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TriBob
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Posted: 11/27/03 - 09:47 Post subject:
Volunteers can be a lot of work; but, very rewarding. I have volunteered at a tri and it was great to give back to the sport.
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sonnylax
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Posted: 11/27/03 - 12:58 Post subject:
Observations from Mile 2.5 of the Half-Marathon (and Mile 16 of the full Marathon):
1. No offense to anyone who is trying to get into to better shape. But if you need a snack or a drink after two miles of walking, perhaps you should set your sights a little lower. Sorry to sound like a complete running snob, but trying a marathon is a bit out of your league.
2. Does anyone really need to answer a cell phone during a marathon? I saw at least 10 folks talking on their cell phones while walking or running down the course. Like this is some leisurely stroll at the park.
3. I was amazed at how spread out the folks were during the full marathon. There was a good 4 - 5 minutes between some folks at the front of the pack. Not many women at all in the full marathon.
4. Drivers are idiots. I won't even bother to tell you some of the stupid things they tried to do today with Peachtree Street partially closed down most of the morning.
5. Most racers were very appreciative of the race volunteers (like myself). It takes alot of effort to make these events happen. I can't imagine the planning that goes into the Peacthree Road Race on July 4th. That race is 6 - 7 times as big as the one today.
6. No running today was TOUGH! I really wanted to be out there when the mid-packers from the Half-Marathon rolled by. I'm going to train for Austin or Mardi Gras Half-Marathon (I think.)
Time to eat some Turkey. Happy Thanksgiving Day all!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
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Posted: 11/27/03 - 13:58 Post subject:
Sonny,
way to make the best of a bad deal!
great job volunteering. i liked your  observations
cell phone??? pluh-eeze.
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GaRebelRunner
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Posted: 11/28/03 - 20:21 Post subject:
Sonny,
As far as the walkers needing a drink or snack at mile two it depends upon why they are paticipating in the event. Not everyone is doing the half or full marathon as a competitive event outside of against themselves. IMHO walking a half is much harder than running it. Therefore the way in which walkers practice for their event is different from runners who will be on the course a much shorter time.
As far as the spread between runners at the front of the pack for the full marathon, bear in mind that the Atlanta Marathon is strictly a local event - i.e. there are no Kenyans or Ethiopians running in the event. Their tend to be more gaps when the front pack consists of local runners than when international runners are involved. The marathon winners in both male and female divisions were Georgians. And finally there were only 800 marathon runners as opposed to 7300 1/2 marathon runners. Thus you probably noticed the gaps more between the marathon runners than the 1/2 marathon participants.
As you witness and/or participate in more marathons I think you will notice the differences between local events and those in which more international runners compete.
Your observations are very good.
Wednesday night I was working the full marathon packet pick-up from 5:00pm to 9:00pm and thought I saw someone that looked a lot like you walking around the expo but I wasn't sure. He was wearing a GT polo shirt.
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christa0120
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Joined: 27 Sep 2003
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted: 11/28/03 - 21:21 Post subject:
Not to cause an issue but I resemble this observation
| Quote: | | . No offense to anyone who is trying to get into to better shape. But if you need a snack or a drink after two miles of walking, perhaps you should set your sights a little lower. Sorry to sound like a complete running snob, but trying a marathon is a bit out of your league. |
I started running for a very strange reason. Not my idea at all. Actually a lady at work wanted to join a gym and perhaps work out together. A few days later she brought me a flyer for a local running group/coaching out fit that was advertising a special for training for the inagural RNRAZ marathon.
I thought that was a neat idea but definately NOT for me
for me.
Then I thought...hmmm maybe I could try. I had a very hard time waiting for a schedule and the "1st" meeting of the group, I found C25k. Boy did I have a hard time with w1d1.
I now am able to consistantly run 4 miles between illnesses and I have run 10 miles before.(I have a 3 year old in daycare. I get his colds every 2 months or so which turn into bronchitis in me)
I am very accustumed to having my water... I NEED MY WATER. Especially the 1st 2 miles of a run as those seem to be the hardest for me. Why, I don't know but thats the way it is. Am I in good shape? No, not really. I carry a lot of extra weight around. (Not losing any with the running...whats up with that?) But I am trying and races keep me motivated and honest about running. Even if I bite off more then I can chew it makes me stronger.
I couldn't finish a 10k yesterday (the course sucked and I'm sick) but I am more motivated now because I have something to prove...I can do it.
I think anyone that is out there deserves praise. Be it fast, slow, fat, skinny. I guess I am sensitive as I am one of those people you are talking about. I'd hate to be self concious thinking someone is pointing and laughing at me while I huff and puff instead of supporting my efforts albeit I may be very under trained.
I do agree about cell phones tho. Seems crazy.
Thanks for letting me add mt 2 cents worth.
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sonnylax
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Joined: 30 Sep 2003
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Location: Living in a lollipop and unicorn world
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Posted: 11/28/03 - 22:11 Post subject:
| GaRebelRunner wrote: | Sonny,
Wednesday night I was working the full marathon packet pick-up from 5:00pm to 9:00pm and thought I saw someone that looked a lot like you walking around the expo but I wasn't sure. He was wearing a GT polo shirt. |
that was me. Didn't know you were down there.... 
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sonnylax
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Posted: 11/28/03 - 22:14 Post subject:
| christa0120 wrote: | Not to cause an issue but I resemble this observation
I think anyone that is out there deserves praise. Be it fast, slow, fat, skinny. I guess I am sensitive as I am one of those people you are talking about. I'd hate to be self concious thinking someone is pointing and laughing at me while I huff and puff instead of supporting my efforts albeit I may be very under trained.
I do agree about cell phones tho. Seems crazy.
Thanks for letting me add mt 2 cents worth. |
I guess in a nutshell Christa -- I saw too many folks act like attempting a half or full marathon like it was some leisurely walk in the park. The blant disregard or respect for the event by some folks is very disappointing, in my opinion.
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