Snorkel and Fins Optional (a long race report)

Hipster Doofus

the In Limbo 2004 Tour stops at the Mad City Marathon

Arrived Saturday at noon, shortly followed by JACKED. Wandered around State Street before finding a nice Italian restaurant. Deb was in fine form, getting vinegar in her eye, and she and LC wondered why I didn't have my usual glass of wine. Returned to the hotel room to chat and kill some time, going to bed early. I slept light, but I did sleep.

The forecasts on Sunday called for storms all day, but the morning was just overcast, with the temperature at, I believe, 57*. If there were winds, they weren't noticable. The delightful thing about having your hotel next to the start is you can lounge in the sack a bit longer. Nonetheless, we were all out at Capitol Square about 7:15 or so. An OK singing of the National Anthem, so comments by the Mayor of Madison, and we are off at 7:35 (maybe about five minutes late).

Mile 1 - Around the Square and heading out. A typical race start, the pack mentality. When I hit the stat line, I thought, this is for real, but that changed to just another race... it could have been a 5K.

Mile 2 - Still much like any other race, it starts to spread out a bit. Nothing unusual. Three Goldens spotted in the crowd - always a good sign. Smile

Mile 3 - Much of the race twists and curves through parks, around a couple of Madison's lakes. This part is one of the few long straight stretches. During this mile, the rumblings of thunder, and the first drops of rain make their presence.

Mile 4 - Still in a straight line, we encounter the first rolling hills. It certainly seemed like there was more up hill activity than down. OK, so we aren't doing a 5K... we're doing a five-miler.

The drops turn to a drizzle. I was behind three young ladies from about two miles to the half-way point. When the rain got a little steadier, I said, "Oh-oh, here it comes." This cracked them up for some reason.

Mile 5 - We go off the straight line, and I think of my first Riff Raffer. It's Shelee, because this part takes us into Warner Park, where we met at the '02 MATC Turkey Trot. No deer this time, but the first downpour hits in the parking lot. I start to smile - it's Sunday and a long run. Should I have expected otherwise? Turns out the smile won't go away for the rest of the day.

Mile 6 - The downpour lets up but the rain is steady. Thunder and lightning - this is truly delightful. We start to head back towards downtown, along the lakeshore. OK, so it's not a 10K... we're doing a ten-miler.

Mile 7 - In the worst-case scenario, Cindy should have finished her 5K by now. How bad did she get it from the rain? Some small hills and we enter one of the little "suburbs" of the area. Nothing unusual, which is more than can be said for...

Mile 8 - A new downpour, and the smile gets bigger and bigger. A lot of people obviously have not trained in this sort of weather, and are none too happy about that. We pass by the Executive Mansion, home of the Governor. A couple SUVs in the driveway, but no signs, no one there to watch or cheer us on (what would you expect from a Democrat... Razz

). I twist my left ankle a little - don't know how - but it doesn't cause me to go slower.

And the first of three stops I have to make. To tie my shoe.

Mile 9 - Still a downpour, just varying in intensity. Some thunder, little lightning. Not much happening other than that.

Mile 10 - It actually stops raining - actually a drizzle, and we hit another straigtaway. The ten gets us as close to the start as we'll get. Next time I'm there, the race will be over.

Mile 11 - The ankle pain goes away just in time for hail. Tiny-sized, no more than a minute, but hail nonetheless. A brief run down State Street and onto the University campus. When the hail lets up, so does the rain. Another stop, again to tie the shoe, and I also use what turns to be the only Cliff Shot of the run.

OK, if it's not a ten-miler, then we're doing a half.

Mile 12 - Again on a spot where I've run before - part of the Crazy Legs Run. The three ladies are talking as if they're stopping at the half-way point. A light rain. Feel much better with the shot, and the ankle pain gone away.

Mile 13 - We come to halfway, and that is all I am thinking of. One of the three women is decided that she will stop at 13.1. They were all running smooth and steady, so I'm at a loss as to why the decision.

Mile 14 - New territory. When I step off the pad at 13.1, it's a new race. My watch tells me I'm under two hours, which I do like. The rain stops, and I never see the three amigos again Sad

.

Mile 15 - We continue on the Crazy Legs part, to its end at Camp Randall Stadium (still being renovated).

And yes, lying in the middle of University Avenue, is the hygenic product. Mad City - It's Not Just A Race, It's A Tampon!... sounds much better than A Great Race In A Capital Place.

Don't feel too bad - this is where those long runs start to pay their dividends. Will I feel this way at mile 20?

Mile 16 - A tall gentleman with red hair and beard comes up along side and we start to chat, and basically stick together for the next six miles or so. The rain returns and while not a downpour, is steady.

Mile 17 - Passing through some college housing (tell me, is there any part of Madison that is not college housing?), I'm about to make a right turn when a car pulls away from its parking space and nearly hits me. Rewarded with a face full of exhaust. The local policeman sees but does nothing. Local policeman hears about it from me.

It is my first mile over a 9:30 pace.

Mile 18 - My running partner and I pass a nice graceful curve of an intersection and pass a house where there are 0, 30 people watching the race. You have to give them credit - these people were ready: tents, chairs, tables of food and drink. Very supportive.

One lady was a bit too supportive. We get by, and Redbeard says, "Did you see that woman flashing us?" This made me feel good, because I knew if I was hallucinating, I wasn't the only one. When I told him I did, he said "Guess she couldn't afford to go down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras." Easily the best laugh of the day.

Shortly after this, the second hail hits. Again, it's very brief. This time though a bit of rain continues afterwards.

Mile 19 - We are in the Vilas Arboretum. At least that's what I think it's called. This is the part with the worst road conditions - snad a gravel-cum-mud and ponds of water passing for puddles. you have to go through them, no way around them. The shoes, which were not too bad, get soaked early and often. The forest surroundings increase the humidity, and the rain continues.

Continue running with Redbeard. We pass a few runners, a few pass us. It really varies. So do the hills. I didn't think there would be this many!

Mile 20 - Downpour, and with the forest, it's dark. Like nighttime. More important, I start to think what will happen after this point? Is there a wall. Finishing, even if I hurt myself now, is never in doubt. Never was.

Mile 21 - Here we go, how much in the tank? Make my third and final stop. To itch my ankle. Go figger Mr. Green

Redbeard starts to pull away a little, but I can still reel him in. But he will soon get ahead for good. I'll see him all the way to about mile 25.

Mile 22 - Hit my first mile at a ten-minute clip. Not discouraged or concerned by this as I still feel pretty decent. I'm surprised I haven't had a nature call yet. The 22 marker takes us pretty much out of the Arboretum and again to residential areas.

Mile 23 - Despite the rolling hills coming back, the rain lets up to a steady light one. Actually improve my pace over the last mile bu a few seconds. I have a vague idea of how I'll do, and think I'll get at least three of my five goals.

I get to the mile 23 marker. I look for Poky and Pfffff. (I really do! Wink

)

Mile 24 - Here is where I start running on fumes. The magnificent b------s that set up the course have you go on a pedestrian walkway over West Washington. One of those where they ramp up and down so bikes can use them too.

Once over, it's up Washington a little more, then right. To the lakefront, and then the push for the finish. By this time, I have resolved to not walk. Never had up to this point. But the thought is tempting.

Mile 25 - Lake on one side, houses on the other. At this point I have to acknowledge choking up a bit. It sets in that I am going to finish this thing. This mile is the slowest.

Mile 26 - The last full mile of it all. We go past the finish - you can't see it, as it's separated by a couple streets, but you can hear the P.A., music, cheering, etc. A turn away from the lake, back-track again past the finish (still can't see anything, but it's louder). Under a footbridge and there is the mile marker.

.2 Mile - Deb said/threatened she would join me at this stage and run in with me to the finish. She is nowhere to be seen... this is not a good sign.

Over a small stream, and there is the finish, about 125-150 yards away. Here is my last surprise and my true mistake. I HAVE A KICK. I take off and pass people, 4, 5, 6, 7. But I didn't time it well, and it ended with about 25 yards to go. One of the people I pass, a guy in a gray shirt, comes along side. I give it a go for about ten yards, and give him a look saying, "Take it, it's yours." He crosses, then I get over the line.

Fascinating feeling - I don't feel like I'll collapse. Cindy finds me and tells me Deb went back to the hotel. I look for something to eat, but I catch the tent when they're between supplies. I really didn't see anyone in too bad of shape. I find Cindy again and go to a picnic bench. Getting the warm-ups on is a problem but I manage. I finally get the medal around my neck. Now, I tell myself, now the race is over.

Thank you so much to Cindy and Deb (a/k/a "The Dog Handlers"). You made this all possible. And all afternoon, Cindy kept telling me God had a reason for running in all that bad weather. True dat, true dat.

Now the facts and figures....

Splits -
1 - 8:37.74
2 - 8:56.14
3 - 9:01.62
4 - 9:00.24
5 - 9:01.34
6 - 9:18.83
7 - 8:57.02
8 - 9:18.83
9 - 9:03.90
10- 8:58.10
11- 9:16.43
12- 9:02.32
13- 9:18.27
14- 9:06.67
15- 9:21.34
16- 9:23.78
17- 9:22.76
18- 9:36.30
19- 9:44.91
20- 9:50.22
21- 9:53.06
22-10:13.44
23-10:09.64
24-10:23.13
25-10:30.15
26-10:22.89
.2- 1:52.44

Official time: 4:07:43. Watch time: 4:07:29.20. Chip time: 4:07:18.

Placings - AG: 38 of 74. Males: 360 of 603. Overall: 476 of 939 (just missed my top goal of top half overall)

Aire, LE, and Maddie: WE DID IT!!!

Oh, yeah.... thumbs up

Master of Prissface

Steve, I can see that smile is still plastered to your face! Congratulations and thanks for taking us along on your odyssey. What a delightful report, in true G-dawg style! You did GREAT and I'm so glad you stayed strong the whole time.....you know those Goldens were a sign from Max, dontcha? Wink

I'm proud of you kiddo, and only sorry I wasn't there to see you cross the line in person. WAY TO GO BABY!!!! Dancing Banana

Member

WOOHOO!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! Dancing Banana

I'm so happy for you! You did fantastic.

Member

G'dawg, Great report, AWESOME race. congrats dude, YOU DA MAN!!!

great way to keep going all those wet training miles. personally great on the kick, you still moved up several places there and next time ya know wait 15 seconds before the next time. timing is EVERYTHING

The Movie Geek

Great job! I can only hope that my first marathon is half that good!

Excelent

Great job G-Dawg.

Welcome to the marathon club

The Pinball

what a fantastic time for a first marathon in less than perfect weather conditions Shocked

congratulations g-dawg--- 26.2 rocks and so do you! Dancing Banana

Pyromaniac

Congrats Gdawg. Fine race report and fine race.

Member

WooHoo! Congrats on a great race! Loved reading about all the weather you had. Can't say that you hadn't prepped for that sort, hmm?

PRESIDENT

I knew you could do it! Great job Steve!! You had a great advantage by training in such sh*tty weather nearly every Sunday. Mr. Green

I'm sooooo proud of you. Dancing Banana

Member

Dang! I knew you'd do great!

Member

Man that is outSTANDing!!! Loved that race report... I Laffed right out loud when you said it was a Sunday long run... why WOULDN'T it rain!

Truly INSPIRED! Way to go!

Oompa Loofah

I am so glad it went so well! I said a prayer for you again on Sunday. You were on my mind (as well as Elkid) all day Sunday and Monday!!! I wondered and wondered how you guys did!

I am so happy that it was a good day and an excellent time/placment. You did absolutely awesome!!!!

Thank you for taking me along for the ride! That means a lot more than you will ever know!!!!!

thumbs up

Member

Congratulations dawg, on a great marathon!! I can't believe your weather conditions....I guess your training runs really mimicked real life!!
You did great!!

POTFH

What a killer report! Great job! It sounds like a fun race. That was a great report. How you can remember so much during a race I will never know. I end up zoning out so much that I all I can remember are general feelings.

Snorkel and Fins Optional (a long race report)

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