MadCity Half Marathon

PRESIDENT

This race beat me up mentally and physically last year with a time of 2:47:17. It poured down rain, thundered, lightning and even hailed some at times for the entire race. I stepped in a flooded pot hole half was through and twisted my ankle and gimped to the finish.

Preparing for this race was hard, injured yet again and not getting the miles I needed. The past 2 weeks had me working extra hours at the gym as well and I had only 2 longer runs of 7 and 10 miles in the past few months. I started to sense another failure coming. Sad

My goals: Not to let this race beat me again. Less than 2:30:00 would be great. A PR would be really nice but unlikely.

Arriving in Madison with my friends/employees from the gym and meeting up with gretriever and Library Chick and the tone was set for a terrific weekend. I knew then if there was a will there was a way. I had the will and gretriever led the way.

Steve agreed to pace me which was really nice as he is way faster then me! He set the Garmin to keep me at 11:20 pace. My PR for this distance is 2:28:11 but I didn't feel before the race that that was even possible. The weather was perfect, over cast some peeks of the sun near the end. The gun went off and I felt great injury wise from the beginning. Mr. Green

The first 3 miles were easier than expected, I usually struggle early then settle in about 5 miles in. Ryan(runningunvi) was also running with us and we both turned on our music about mile 3. Steve would stay ahead a bit and was constantly letting me know where I stood time wise. I remember being nearly 2 minutes ahead of schedule at one point and having been under 11 min. pace sometimes too. At mile 5 or 6 Ryan pulled away and stayed 1 to 2 min. ahead of me till mile 10 when I caught him on a hill and passed him. The last 3 miles were hard for me I struggled even saying once that I couldn't do it. I had my headphones in but I did see Steve's mouth moving and I can imagine what he was saying. Shocked

He was kind enough to pour water over my head and down my back several times which helped a lot as I was hot even though I was taking water and gatorade nearly every time. I usually have some kick at the end and I tried but not much of anything left and I felt horribly dissappointed after crossing the line and he told me I missed my goal by approx. 34 seconds. Sad

However, seeing the race results later and finding my chip time to be 2:29:05 I was very proud of my effort given the training I put in with the injuries. Missed a PR by less than a minute but who cares! Mr. Green

I was a bit dissappointed that they ran out of Half Marathon Medals due to a shortage of Half Marathon racing bibs and giving out 5K bibs to some of the half runners, then giving medals to evryone who crossed the line with a 5K bib. Confused

They said it would be mailed, we shall see.

We even made the local news as we were cheering on Ryan and the next thing I know there's a wide angle lense in our faces. Shocked

What a great weekend, good runs by all. I am so proud of JR, runningunvi, Kelly, Lisa, and Cindy who all had great races as well. thumbs up

We had a blast in Madison ya can't beat good friends. pink love

Special thanks to Steve who is always there to give me credit for helping him in his training. You did a very generous thing yesterday by helping me run my race and forgetting your own. I would not have finished without you and I am grateful beyond words for what did for me, TY. cry

Hipster Doofus

As the intent of this race for me was not to be for me (with the sole exception noted below), I will not prepare a report under a different thread.

The plan all along was to get Deb through this race without the involutary implosion of last year. Usually the only time there is team work in a long race is to draft, to serve as a (sacrificial) rabbit. Sometimes, though (to quote a quote in Ball Four), "You have to take one on the ass for the team." This race was about Deb. All I was going to expect for myself was to do a half one month after CMM. Previous attempts to run a race after a 'thon resulted in injuries and the according setbacks.

I think if I could have done anything different (other than the obvious getting her to get a faster time), it would have been to draft for her better. Communication was mostly by gestures - for example, I'd look back, see her, and nod so she knew I was aware of her. When I'd slow down or wait at a mile marker, it was not for a long time, that much I know too. Smile

She had stretches where she said she felt good and stretches where she felt not-so-good. Once I got her to take the phones off her ears, I let her know the pace, and to stay tough.

She stayed nice and steady, despite what she thought. Even in the last three miles. She was telling me "I can't do it" (as in she couldn't meet her goal, not she couldn't finish - no way the latter Mr. Green

), what she wasn't hearing (though I don't buy it for a second) was, "You have x miles, and y time to your goal. Kick it up a notch, and you can do it." She kicked it up, she truly did.

Deb even though you came up short of your goal, this is what you did:

- You were less than 1% off your PR.

- You did beat the 2:30:00 mark.

- You lowered last year's time by over 10%.

- YOU. BEAT. THE. COURSE.

I got what I wanted, to finish with no injuries. More important, it was my intent all along to get you a successful race. To the extent that happened is all to your credit. The mistakes alone were mine. I am very proud of you. pink love

For a couple of the Riff Raffers, Mad City marked their first race. And for LC, she had a big obstacle to overcome, which she did -

Congratulations to all on your races!

Member

This race report is more about teamwork and friendship than chip times.

Way to go to all of you. pink love

Pyromaniac

Look at me!!! ©

Man, this race report makes me want to cry

You guys showed really great team work and Deb you did a FANTASTIC job on the finish (and everywhere in between!). I'm so proud of you guys!!!

Very Happy

The Pinball

great riff-raffing team work. thumbs up

congratulations JU on your strong half finish. i do hope they mail you that hard-earned medal woman! you did a fantastic job.

and cheers

to gretriever for being a hellagood friend and pace rabbit!!!
awesome job.

crazy cat lady

Wow, G you're an awesome friend, JU, you had more in you than you gave yourself credit for--congrats!! I know those days its just not "on" and you feel down on yourself because on another day you could have kicked it in at the end, but I'd call this a successful half, sister! You both done good! Way to go. Great reports to both o yous.

Excelent

Great race Mrs. Up

Member

Congrats to you JU!!! Beat your goal of 2:30. You did great. The hardest thing to do is to get the "I can't do this" out of your head. You can do anything you put your mind to! And great job Gretriever on pacing her and encouraging her. A true friend indeed!

The Movie Geek

That's impressive Jacked! Meeting a goal (which was awfully close to your pr, by the way) is always an accomplishment. Doing it through a season of some struggle is even more of an accomplishment. You should be proud

Member

Nice job on all counts! thumbs up

Congrats on beating the course!! Nice job Gretriever!! What a friend!

Member

great job!!!!!!

do they still have that ugly bike overpass on the route???? not nice on a wet day Mad

Hipster Doofus

Grunt

I'm amazed, and inspired.

This from a skinny, sickly asthmatic, whom I've known since age 5.

YOU GO GIRL! You a winner in my book.

Love ya pink love

(you weren't even all that bad to live with for 3 days Wink

)

Master of Prissface

MadCity Half Marathon

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