my marathon weekend report (the non-run stuff) WITH PICS

Hipster Doofus

I first of all want to apologize for not having posted this sooner. I was in a bad mood from the race on Sunday (and to the extent I let the three RR wimmens there down, still am - but that's getting better), the fact I am a luddite with a computer (translation - the pictures will find their way here soon), and because it was so frickin' nice to have the week off (

), here's a dog's-eye view of the martahon weekend.

Saturday LC and I drive out to meet JACKED UP and Mr. Up. As I arranged this to be way too early, we got back to our neck of the woods and had a pancake breakfast. Stopped at our house momentarily (JU becomes the second RR to enter the House of Woof - may explain her recent feistiness Mr. Green

), and we drive down to the Loop. Genie is outside her hotel... between those three, I seldom get a word in the rest of the weekend. Razz

We get down to the Expo at McCormick Place. I get my gear, and Cindy comes up with a great idea from a Nike shirt she saw. The shirts say "Quick Chick" - she suggests they make one for all the rest that says "Slo Ho." fubby

(we got dibs on trademarks and copyrights!)

We find Ginchy with her kids, Reese and Logan. When she grows up, Reese will be an absolute heart-breaker. Just. Like. Her. Mom. We also meet several of the CH people - pleasantries exchanged, photos taken, race goals discussed (kind of what you'd expect). No sign of Poky (which we figured on), Kobyj, or Kattzoo. We do hook up with Koby, and we have a real nice dinner at Giordano's.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Deb and Genie are at G's hotel overnight - yet the hotel still stands! LC goes to get them about 45 minutes before the race, but I never see anyone before-hand (I wish I had).

Unfortunately, you know how the race goes. Fortunately, you know how they helped me start the healing process. pink love

for the three of you.

We wander around aimlessly for awhile at the race site (spotting nobody), until we get a call from Koby - he left his spot at the mile 13 water station and is walking to the restaurant we're supposed to have dinner at! We get back to the hotel, and as I shower, the ladies go to the Hilton, which has 'thon merchandise et al. Nice things from my wife. Getting to Chicago Oven Grinders from the Loop is nowhere near as long as a) finding a parking place - we gave up and went with the valet, and b) waiting for our table. Koby had been there awhile, but apparently not long enough. The food was worth the wait however.

We all pile into the Jeep, and head back to the Loop. As Koby has to get back to Indiana, we drop him off where he'd parked, and from there, straight to Navy Pier and the party - the timing on that was perfect. I felt a little sheepish about it, but LC talked me into wearing the medal. Again we run into Ginchy, a couple of the CH set, and Mr. and Mrs. Poky (thanks to them, I got the one decent photo of myself from the whole weekend!). We stay for most of the party, and I get to run into the women's champ (two years in a row I accomplish this - go figure Razz

).

Monday All good things come to an end. Early in the morning, LC and I make one last trip downtown, getting Genie and Deb at the Essex. We take Genie out to Midway to get her flight cry

, and from there get Deb back to Lena and family.

It was really a treat to meet Ginchy and Kobyj. The second time for seeing the Pokys and Genie (though for G it was more like the first, since we hardly had a chance to talk at Mad City). Deb - it's like I see her every other month or so! But always nice. Each and every one of them had sympathetic words, hugs, advice, or some combination thereof to help me get over my race - and don't think I will ever forget that! Very Happy

But I must also be fair and say the CH people at Navy Pier, BSmiz and Tawan, were equally thoughtful.

I'm certain the parties involved will have other things to say about the weekend, and say them better than I did. But as I was sort of the host here (Ginchy can make the same claim), I thought I should get my butt in gear and finally post this thing. Questions - you know where I can be found.

thumbs up

PRESIDENT

Um, this is fairly accurate as to how things went for the weekend. However, the shirt in question says "QUICK CHICK". I bought it, so it's a lie when I wear it. Mr. Green

I am a SLO HO.

We had a wonderful time but it was just too short. Sad

Somebody post some of those pics. That 1 of us with the Pokys is great. Prolly the only pic you and I have ever taken where we both look decent.

It was great meeting up with RRers and even the CH folks were nice. Mr. Green

Member

Gretriever, you were awfully quiet Sunday night. As trite megawill learnt me this word today as this sounds you know there is another marathon in your future where you will kick a$$!

Could you photoshop me right out of the picture? Thanks Mr. Green

I don't know why they didn't have a pokychick t shirt. Mad

Master of Prissface

OK, OK.....here are a couple I managed to shrink:

us meeting the CR gang at the expo (no bloodshed and they were all really nice!)
me, Gdawg, Jackedup, leanmattie, InsideRunner, bsmiz, ahuesman, ginchy

The gang at Giordano's for Saturday dinner:
Reese, ginchy, Logan hiding behind ginchy, kobyj, gdawg, Library Chick, Jacked, me

This is great...we saw a woman at the start line holding this sign so we made Deb chase after her, wanting HER picture, instead she handed us the sign and insisted WE take one of us: LC, me, Jacked

Meeting up with the Pokys at the Navy Pier party. They look great for having just run a marathon, no?
Mr. Poky, me, Poky, Gdawg, Jacked

It really was an awesome weekend. I hadn't gotten to really talk much to Gdawg and Jacked last year in Madison, although we've done much talking behind the scenes, so this was a chance to spend some quality time with them, and meet LC for the first time. She swears she was in Madtown too but I think the SO's were off somewhere else when Shelfie brought them over to meet us. We eyed up a couple of fountains to jump in but decided it wouldn't be the same without Alia. Smile

Gdawg and LC were the best all weekend, chauffering us everywhere without complaint, despite the constant squabbling in the backseat (Jacked pinched me.....are we there yet.....I gotta go to the bathroom....) Mr. Green

and the three ladies had fun running all around the city trying to look for our marathoners, unfortunately with no success, although I am pretty sure I did see mattie finish but I didn't realize it was him til after he went by.

I got to run in Grant Park for the first time in ages on Saturday before they got there and it was great to be back out again, albeit very slowly.

Jacked was a great roomie--we were worried because she is a morning person and I am SO NOT but we managed to not only get through the weekend without killing each other, but to get a little sleep and have a lot of laughs in the process. We stayed in Saturday night yak yak yakking and catching up on stuff. It was great!!!!!

Also wonderful was getting to see my buddies ginchy and Logan again. I had stayed at her brother's house in Cincy a couple years ago for the Flying Pig gathering and couldn't believe how much Logan had grown. Reese is just the sweetest and she and I had lots of fun getting into trouble at the restaurant. I still can't believe Koby walked as far as he did to come see us from the mile 13 waterstop Shocked

and he entertained us with tales of ultramarathons past and future. This guy is insane.....in a good way of course.

It was fun to meet some of the CR gang too. It was bsmiz' and IR's first marathon, and I think mattie's fourth Shocked

and all of them did really well. I was sad we never got to hook up with Kattz although we did try our best, but we couldn't tempt her even with Eli's cheesecake at the Navy Pier. I knew Poky was there with family and her time with us might be limited, and it was looking grim for a meeting with them when my phone rang on Sunday night......and soon they found us huddled by the bar (where else?) at Navy Pier and we got to hear their marathon reports first hand (and find out Little Poky's real name!). I know Poky was psyched for her second marathon on Michigan Avenue the next day Wink

As usual when the Riff Raffers get together, a great time was had by all and tons of memories and jokes to last a lifetime. It's always great to solidify the friendships born online with meeting people face to face, and I can't wait for the next one. Marathoners, you all rock. Hopefully someday I'll follow in your footsteps.

PRESIDENT

Thanks for posting those pics.

Excelent

Does Rando know that Mrs. Up is wearing his shirt Surprised

Hipster Doofus

PRESIDENT

Hipster Doofus

Master of Prissface

I was sitting behind LC, as you recall....couldn't have been me Twisted Evil

Member

Looks like a good time was had by all.

Great phots Genie. Very Happy

The Pinball

great pictures genie thumbs up

Member

wow, great lookin wimmins there. (nothing to be taken away from my Miss Steph though)

G'Dawg, any one tell you you look lke "Harry" off Nightcourt? no wonder your always in trouble.

Master of Prissface

LC took them, I'm just the host..... Wink

Big Daddy

some good lookin folks in them thar pics.

nice shots LC and genie.