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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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 Posted: 04/10/05 - 15:29 Post subject: "For a minute there I lost myself" (long report)
Valpo Mini-Marathon (half), Valparaiso IN
You know what happened the last time I ran at least this much in a race (for those of you who don't, see here). No race to this point has been more than five miles, that special time where things began to fall apart in Chicago. Jacked figured I would do anywhere from 1:42:00 to 1:47:00 - I think she still believes more in me than I do! I'd told her if it was over 2:15:00, I would not be happy; to be honest, if it was that, I would be in trouble. Under two hours, and I would be back from the injuries and the mental damage they caused. Between two and 2:15:00 - the jury would still be out.
I get to Valpo way too early. Brainiac that I am, I realize I don't have my stopwatch  - this should make things real interesting. For a first-time race, it was a good showing of people. About ten minutes before the start, Justin (Kobyj), in Purdue singlet, spots me and we chat for about five minutes. He's running with a group of friends from school.
The course is flat - that's what they said. They're full of it. It seemed like way more rises than drop-offs. At the first mile, someone near me says her time was 8:25 (there is no chip timing) - I don't hear another read for awhile. At mile four, I get a burning sensation in my throat like I want to throw up, which last until the tenth mile or so. The tendon stiffens a bit once or twice but works itself out within a couple minutes each time. That is good news.
Just past the water stop at five, someone behind me said they were at about 43 minutes - this is good, this is Shamrock Shuffle good. But this nausea in the throat makes me miserable - not to the point of wanting me to stop, but physically this will not be fun. At mile eight I hear the final split I'll hear today (and it appears to be the only one from someone connected with the race) - about 1:09:20. An 8:40 pace means Jacked's goals are not within reach, but I'm still in the running (no pun intended) to break two hours.
At mile eleven, there is a tremendous drop, almost like a ravine. What goes down must come up. I do not know how I got up without walking, but when I did, the throat issue went away. Skirt the outside of downtown, loop back around it, hit the line. Time (unofficial) 1:53:45. It's back. Take away the fifteen seconds to get to the start line proper, and it's my second fastest half. Justin finds me again post-race, and said he went easy, running a 1:40:00. I think he says a lot of things to be kind.  If true, though, my pace would have been just a minute or so behind his - there is the accomplishment!
No official stats posted yet - I have no idea where I finished. But I did get what may be the world's heaviest finisher's medal. I swear this sucker weighs ten pounds! Am I satisfied with the run - no. I'm never satisfied with a run. Am I happy with it - yes. I never felt so sick during a race, and I never had more fun. (and that's why I like my coach - she's happy with what I do accomplish, but is always working to make me better  )
The race was well-organized for a first time. Well-staffed, etc. But as mentioned earlier, they should have some spots for reading out the time for us mopes who forget their watches. And absolutley bring back the babes who furnished post-race entertainment. Explanation - they were eight girls, had to have been high school age, backed by a band, in jeans and tight shirts who sang a medley of songs from the fifties and sixties. Bring them back just based on the group's name. Sounds of the Sixties? Nope. Memorable Music Makers? Wrong again.
Wolfgang.
Wolfgang. I'll let you try and figure it out. I sure as heck can't!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 04/10/05 - 17:19 Post subject:
 excellent job G
congrats on a well-run half; it's back!
wolfgang? 
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Cappy
Excelent
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Posted: 04/10/05 - 18:41 Post subject:
Well run Half
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Kimba90
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Posted: 04/10/05 - 19:06 Post subject:
Sorry about the heartburn dawg. Excellent race!
 Nice sub-two!!!!!!
You need to listen to your coach more. 
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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Location: www.johnnydu.com
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Posted: 04/10/05 - 21:24 Post subject:
Excellent job Steve. So much for flat though huh? Congrats. 
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Zatoichi
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Posted: 04/10/05 - 21:48 Post subject:
Sub-two!!!
Nice goin' G. Way to hang tough on those hills.
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mickeyvw98
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 08:18 Post subject:
Nice job! Sub 2 hours is wonderful!
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akern
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 12:07 Post subject:
Nice racing you!
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 12:14 Post subject:
Nice race dawg!
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TriBob
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 12:18 Post subject:
| Zatoichi wrote: | Sub-two!!!
Nice goin' G. Way to hang tough on those hills. |
I feel for you doing a race sans watch, happen to me last year at a half marry.
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pokychick
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 15:13 Post subject:
Great job!!!
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DCRunningDiva
Look at me!!! ©
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 18:23 Post subject:
I am so excited for you, g!!!!!!!! That is an awesome comeback! Now you can go back out there to a marathon and kick some butt!
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kobyj
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Posted: 04/11/05 - 20:31 Post subject:
Great job!!!
That course was hilly. It was one of the more difficult races I have run recently.
Wasn't the weather beautiful though?
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
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Posted: 04/12/05 - 16:22 Post subject:
| kobyj wrote: | | Wasn't the weather beautiful though? |
What I said before the race is true - it was the warmest ever for the start of any of the halfs I've run - and it wsa maybe 53*
True dat on the weather overall. Right there with my first half - Quad Cities in 2003.
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