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pokychick
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Joined: 02 Oct 2002
Posts: 5640
Location: City of Dis
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 Posted: 05/28/03 - 12:41 Post subject: The report you all have been waiting for: Poky's first 1/2
short version 2:13:38 10:12/mile - I was pleased.
This is not another one of those boring Madison reports.   I'm kidding I enjoyed reading all of them,
and wished I could have been there. I loved the pictures.
However, I did have a wonderful time in Buffalo visiting my sister.
I had a difficult time packing for the trip. The weather report for race day
was 80% chance of rain, high in the 50's, and 22mph winds. 
I'm a wimpy southerner so I packed tights, long sleeve shirt, etc.
I also packed shorts and a tank top since weather predictions are occasionally wrong. 
I arrived in Buffalo Thursday afternoon. We spent the next couple of
days visiting family and friends. My sister is a veterinarian and was on
call over the weekend. She had to go to the clinic a few hours on Saturday. I went to Buffalo sans kids and husband, so I quite enjoyed
my few hours of solitude. My sister's house has sun room with some
comfy chairs. I had my book, and the two cats and I relaxed in
one of the comfy chairs and watched the birds at the feeders. Two and
a half hours later the cats and I awoke. It was heavenly.
After obsessing about the weather all weekend we awoke on race day
to a mostly sunny and mid fifties morning with just a slight breeze. Woohoo! I wore shorts and a tank top. My sister lives about 45 minutes
from downtown Buffalo so we were up at 5:00 and out the door at 6:00.
We parked near the finish line, and took a shuttle to the 1/2 marathon start.
The race consisted of a marathon, 1/2 marathon, and a relay.
I wasn't sure what to expect. This was a small race with less than 1500 participants total and less than 500 running the 1/2. The day I arrived in Buffalo there was a less than flattering article in the newspaper about the race because of past problems and last minute course changes.
Since this was my first 1/2 my plan was to take it nice and easy and
enjoy it......and beat my sister
Lucky for me we met a friend of my sister's there, and I decided to try
and run with her. After going to the bathroom 12,000 times I was ready.
The three of us lined up together, we hear the gun and we're off.
Of course we all go out too fast the first mile. After that Julie and I left
my sister, Barbara, behind. We settled into a pretty good groove for
the next 9 miles. I really enjoyed running with Julie, she was very knowledgeable about the area having lived near the course when she was younger. She was quite the tour guide. We passed a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright homes one which was being refurbished at a price tag of 10 million dollars. My race was educational as well as enjoyable.
Julie also knew half the runners it seemed so we constantly had new people running with us for awhile. The spectators were sparse, but very enthusiastic. The water stops were plentiful and all the volunteers were
wonderful.
As I said I really enjoyed the first 10 miles, but right about mile marker
10 I said good bye to Julie.  It was about this time I was starting to
fade. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I also had to go to the bathroom number 2  and after mile 10 there were no more porta potties.  That on top of starting to fade made the last
3 miles not so fun. I crossed the finish line at 2:13:38 10:12/mile
and ran straight to the porta potty came back to see my sister come in
at 2:16:04. We were both pleased with our times although my sister
was a little upset that an 85 year old man beat her.
Afterwards we met with some more friends of hers who were running the
relay cheered for them, then went to the community center pigged out and
Later that day we went to a cook out at a friend's house that was on
the Niagara river and continued
I was quite proud of myself. I was still able to hold my beer and catch
a frisbee at the same time just like in college.
Lessons learned:
1) We were so obsessed about the weather we forgot our gu and
I missed the gu stop at the race - maybe why I started fading at mile
10.
2) I really need to do some core and upper body strength training
3) I forgot the #$%#%& camera. I have no pictures.
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ShannonG
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Joined: 20 Mar 2003
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 13:10 Post subject:
That sounds like a great race. And a respectable time too!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 13:15 Post subject:
CONGRATULATIONS TO POKYCHICK
What a great first half -- can't believe you ran the last 3, well, kinda compromised What a trooper!!! Way to hang in there....
Seems like a positive experience; i hope you do many more. 
Are you wearing that shirt to work today?????
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 13:33 Post subject: I'm so jealous I could spit!
Fantastic race report and excellent time!
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 13:41 Post subject:
[scroll:16013e9a4d] GO POKY!!! GO POKY!!!! [/scroll:16013e9a4d]
Way to go on your first, girlie!!!! I'm proud of you! Sorry to hear that the last couple miles were kinda icky x 10 but it sounds like you had a lot of fun (and learning something is always a plus).
Kudos on the frisbee thing too!
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 13:56 Post subject:
[scroll:41e4282c8b] POKY ROCKS MY FACE OFF!!!!! [/scroll:41e4282c8b]
Awesome race, awesome report!
and I'm glad our little 'training' sessions paid off!
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Dancer
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Joined: 21 Nov 2002
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 14:17 Post subject:
Awesome Job Poky!!!
You did great. I know what you mean about the upper body and core workouts. Longer races take a toll on your upper body more that you can imagine!
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 18:04 Post subject:
Big kudos to our mileage leading Delta Moo!! Way to rock that halfM Pr!! 
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Sandy Cheeks
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 4605
Location: in the city that never sleeps
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 18:56 Post subject:
HOORAY FOR POKY!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Congratulations on beating your sister.
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 19:24 Post subject:
nice brief report PC
lesson learned from races are always good.
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kattzoo
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Joined: 28 Feb 2003
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Location: Happily at the back of the pack
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Posted: 05/28/03 - 22:03 Post subject:
Great job! I think every half is great right up til mile 10 or 11. Then, they just suck.  Still, it's my favorite distance.
Glad you did so well!
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Pebbles
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Joined: 21 May 2002
Posts: 2947
Location: Bedrock
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Posted: 05/29/03 - 07:50 Post subject:
Congratulations Pokey!!!!
Way to hang in there on those last tough miles!!! on beating your sister!
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runswithscissors
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 8797
Location: In a badger state of mind
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Posted: 05/29/03 - 08:09 Post subject:
Sounds like your wall came around the same place as mine! Way to stick it out, poky! Congrats on your first half.
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shelee
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Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 2409
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Posted: 05/29/03 - 17:20 Post subject:
Poky, great job!!! Loved your report...especially the comment about beating your sister....it DOES feel good, doesn't it! Congratulations!!!!!
Shelly
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 05/30/03 - 06:13 Post subject:
Great job Poky
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