I just blew the doors off my old personal record for a half-marathon, in weather that was much less conducive to setting a PR than the last time I did so.
On March 19, 2005, in perfect 40-something degree weather:
- Time: 1:48:10
- Pace: 8:15
- Gender Place: 819 out of 1965 dudes. (Top 30.05%)
- Overall Place: 1007 out of 3351
- Time: 1:45:25
- Pace: 7:53
- Gender Place: 482 out of 2073 dudes. (Top 23.2%)
- Overall Place: 536 out of 3187
Cool story: I was walking back to my car from the race, and a young, kind of petite woman said to me:
"How'd it go?"So we talked a minute more, and she told me that's she was from Morristown, NJ. So I said "MORRISTOWN! That town put me into the hospital!"
I said, "I think I just ran my best race. I'm happy. You?"
Her: "Well, it wasn't my best race, but I won."
Me: "Won what?"
Her: "I was the first woman to finish. I won the race."
Me: "Oh... you mean won won."
She: "What?"She was looking at me with a really awesome, entertained smile. I think she didn't expect this kind of story (duh), but clearly wasn't worried that I was psychotic. I have this weird vibe which lets me chat with people kind of randomly, without offending. My boys have it, too.
Me: "Since I'm never going to see you again, I'll tell you a true story. One time, I was hired to walk around Morristown NJ handing out leaflets for Penny Press dressed as Mickey Mouse. But since I was kind of a dirty drunken oaf, I didn't wear socks. And the Mickey Mouse shoes cut my feet up something fierce. So, about two weeks later, I'm tripping my face off on mushrooms, my ankles get super-infected, swell up, and I had to go to the ER. I made a conscious decision to have a blast, since the alternative was to freak out completely."
I finished up: "Anyway, I've cleaned up my act since then."
We got to the corner, and I said "Congratulations again. I got a killer parking spot, I just hope my car is still there." She told me that she was given a parking spot by the security folks, and that she worked at a running store, gave me her name, and said that if I ever was back in NJ, I should come by the shop where she works.
By the way, I checked her results: she won at a 6:28 pace. Holy smokes.
This was an awesome day.
Love to all. Even you, the crazy truck driver who passed me on the shoulder, even though there were other lanes available.
12 comments:
I'm sure it feels good to have a woman who beat you at your best race strike up a conversation with you.
Every time I read one of your posts about running, it makes me want to put on my shoes and run. Too bad I'd probably kill somebody doing it (besides my own self).
You truly do inspire me. Perhaps someday I'll actually do something with that inspiration.
Joy to you, my friend.
Alright! Congrats! So...I see the marathon organizers have no anti-doping tests :P http://www.usantidoping.org/ Judging from your results, now I know why so many athletes are drawn to "performance enhancment substances".
Just messing with you.
I could take a crack at you being beaten by that petite lady but I can't since I'd probably be way behind you in that marathon.
But yeah... "working at a running store" is a pretty good excuse :P LOL
Interesting point, about the Adderall.
I don't think it helped me go *faster* because for me, it has a calming effect. However, I DEFINITELY think it helped me stay on track, training-wise... I didn't skip days, etc.
...do you think that counts as a "Performance Enhancing Drug?"
Wow! I can't even say congrats on the awesome PR, because I'm just impressed that you even STARTED!
For people like me (aka lazy asses), it's the starting - not the finishing - that's the hard part.
But seriously - big kudos to you.
Must have been a great day.
woohoo! What an awesome day! Proud of ya, amigo
What an awesome story. I love how she was so blase about winning! And your numbers rock. Mazel tov. ;-)
And to bring it all full circle, my hubby is training for a half-marathon in September at...wait for it...Disneyland. Oh, and he used to work there (as an actor in one of their park shows) and, um, "dated" Mickey. (Yeah, it was a girl who did the character suit; yeah, it was before we met.) Which is not exactly the same as having Mickey's shoes almost kill you, but still...
Congrats Dude! that ROCKS!!
The Mickey story had me on the floor. Growing up, I sold shoes at Sears. My buddy dressed as Winnie the pooh for a promotion one day and was taking a break in the back shoe room. I grabbed his head and ran out into the store. He chased me yelling 'give me my head back!!!' You shoulda seen the looks of dismay on the kids in the store that day! Good times
Thanks, thanks, thanks!
TC: I wonder if the half-marathon in Disneyland is as CLEAN as the marathon in Disneyworld... apparently, Mickey, Inc. is so concerned about a lack of visibly peeing runners, there are more port-o-johns than at any other race on the planet.
Tell your dude congrats on training. It's harder than the race, IMHO.
Glad to know you had fun and that your training was worth it.
No other post has ever made me feel how psyched you are. XD
Congratulations!! That is awesome.
My B.I.L. just started running and he has had problems with alcohol in the past and we are hoping this is a turning point in his life.
I think running is such a great lifestyle to take on. It can truly get you through some tough times. Maybe it helps you transfer the emotional pain to the physical pain and at least then you can put ice on that.
I am glad it is working for you!
Again Congrats.
CG
congrats on the PR- that was certainly a tough course. Although i have to say, i kinda dig the hot and humid conditions!
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