Cut the Gut, Build the Brawn

[Zoetastic]

Ecrivain... i am so impressed good job, man!
you inspire me .

[Silver]

ah, the difference between 5k and 3miler is 200m...I doubt it's a big difference in the achievement level


WAY TO GO!

[Ecrivain]

Thanks again, guys and gals. It was a blast! I was a bundle of nerves all day. I got to the race location at around 4:30 and was one of the first people there. So I sat and waited and watched some other people slowly filter in. A little after 5, I couldn't sit still anymore, so I started to walk the course to warm up and get an idea of the area. I got back to the start at 5:30ish, and the place was packed! So many people. Lots of very, very fit looking people. I kept alternating between excitement and anxiety. I must've used the port-o-john like half a dozen times. Race time was getting closer, and that's when they made the announcement that because of a last-minute course change, this would be a 3-Miler instead of a 5K. There was a huge groan across the crowd. Then we all got over it and started lining up.

And then we all just kind of stood around for awhile.

I stayed to the back, trying to line up with other people that looked like slow runners. Then all of the sudden, the crowd ahead was moving. Holy crap, it was time to run!!! Tons of people filtered through this narrow start line. It was funny to watch. And then the race was on!

It was miserably hot (we hit 90-something degrees yesterday) and humid. I had been sweating just standing around. Now I was dripping.

Finding my pace was difficult, because there were so many people around. Apparently I'd lined up too far in the back, because I immediately started weaving through the crowd trying to pass. There were lots of walkers and slow joggers. Finally I got in an open area and could get a comfortable rhythm going.

Then I started chasing ponytails.

I found a group to follow for awhile. They were going a little faster than my comfortable pace. But I figured that it's a race, right? I should push myself a bit. After we passed the first mile marker, I still felt pretty good. I mean, I was sweating and panting, but I wasn't dying.

It seemed to take forever to get to the second mile marker, though.

The heat was really getting to people. I realized I hadn't drank enough water. And I'd passed the one water station without getting anything. The further along we got, the more people I saw peeling off to the side, slowing to a walk or stopping completely. It was a little disheartening, because many of those people looked much healthier than me. Doubts started creeping in.

So I found another ponytail.

I could hear music ahead, so I could tell we were starting to head back towards the finish. I felt like I was running on fumes, though. Before the final turn, I slowed to a walk for a few meters. Then one of my earlier pace ponytails came running by. Perfect timing! Inspiration! I kicked it up for the last stretch and crossed the finish line, gasping for breath, sweat pouring off of me, but feeling fantastic.

Then I sat and caught my breath for a few days.

Turned my chip in, grabbed some water and one of the snicker's marathon bars they were giving out, and sat some more. I was grinning like an idiot at this point. I'd finished my first race! I wasn't the last to finish! I hadn't died! It was an amazing sense of accomplishment. I started thinking about the past year, and how much things have changed in that time. 10 months ago I was over 150 pounds heavier and would've struggled with walking that distance. Between the runner's high and those thoughts flooding my mind, I got a bit emotional. So I started calling everyone I could think of.

Afterwards, I got some more to eat and watched all the people while I waited for the results and awards. Eventually they announced the winners and there was much rejoicing. It turns out that there were over 600 people in the event! Yowza!

I had a great time. It was an amazing experience. It was a rush like nothing else, that's for sure. I was high from it all night. I couldn't get to sleep until 6am.

Oh, and the official results are in.

24th out of 36 in the male 25-29 age group
173rd overall
27:40.65 chip time
9:13/M

[Zoetastic]

Originally Posted by Ecrivain

24th out of 36 in the male 25-29 age group
173rd overall
27:40.65 chip time
9:13/M

Hot damn!!!!
Good job! Super prouda ya!!! (big big hugs!)

[bellezza]

Originally Posted by Ecrivain

Oh, and the official results are in.

24th out of 36 in the male 25-29 age group
173rd overall
27:40.65 chip time
9:13/M

I can't believe your goal was to not finish last. I was definitely not expecting those results with you saying that all along. I'm so so so impressed.

Not only did you finish your first race - but you kicked @ss!!! Way to go, E!

Any more events before Oct 15?

[phillydude]

Dude, you smoked it!

[Silver]

Sweet time man, that's awesome! Imagine if you had've had water!

173rd overall is pretty good, too. Good job!

[bmacntmac]

[Ecrivain]

bellezza: It wasn't false modesty, I promise. I really had no idea what to expect. I'm pretty sure adrenaline took a full minute off my pace time. I think there's a 10-miler that I'll try before the half marathon. It should fit into my training schedule.


60 minutes on stationary bike this morning. Tore it up! Giving myself a rest day on Sunday seems to be working pretty well for my energy levels. I'm still tweaking my diet to get the right amount of carbs when I need them. Hitting 60/20/20 is a bit tough when I've spent most of my time building high protein meals. But I can definitely see that more carbs help.

And the scale wasn't too angry today, despite a bit of celebrating over the weekend. So that's nice. (Yes, I know, the scale doesn't matter. But you try telling it that).

I could've swore I had more to talk about, but it has completely escaped me. Fuzzy brain today.

[M@]

Just adding my congratulations on your achievement E. Way to go!

[steeletkd]

You da man!! You da man Congrats !!!!

[Elby87]

24th out of 36 in the male 25-29 age group
173rd overall
27:40.65 chip time
9:13/M

Awesome man, awe-inspiring awesome! Best part:

Then I started chasing ponytails.

Nothing quite as hypnotizing as a ponytail swaying back and forth

[bellezza]

Originally Posted by Elby87

Nothing quite as hypnotizing as a ponytail swaying back and forth

For some reason I don't think he was watching the ponytail once he got close enough

jk, E

[Ecrivain]

I will refrain from any further comments about ponytails. I would hate to give the wrong impression. My thoughts are pure and innocent. Really. Honest.

Anyways.

4 miles this morning. School is definitely back in session. I spent some time dodging kids, busses, and soccer moms in SUVs. But the run overall was good. Actually, it felt like there was a brick in my stomach. But that's probably more information than you want. My pace was spot-on and I had enough oomph to kick it up a bit for the last half mile. Energy is good. Yay carbs!

My mind is still a tangled mess though. I can't believe how much I'm looking forward to going home to see my family. I'm hoping that being able to talk it all out with them will be the braindump I need to clear my head. If I can avoid pigging out and drowning in alcohol, it'll be a good trip. But with my mom already talking about food and my dad asking about beer, this is perilous.

Luckily it's a short week. I'm taking Friday off to go down to the lake with a buddy for an end-of-summer breakfast bash. That'll be this week's cheat, but I don't think I'm going to drink. We're off Monday for Labor Day. Two days back at work, then I head down South.

Also, it's hilarious that y'all have started calling me "E" because people do that with my real name, too. I must just be a one letter kinda guy!

[Ecrivain]

Roommate and his girl are bottling beer in the basement. Why now, when he knows this has been my regular workout time for, oh, the past year? I don't know. But I don't feel like working out with an audience. And I don't feel like working out with the smell of beer wafting all over the place. This is the danger of a basement gym in a house that's not my own.

[Zoetastic]

can you alter your workout for the day? maybe bring some DBs up to your room? just an idea.

hang in there

[Ecrivain]

That would've been the positive, flexible approach. I, being stubborn and grumpy, tried to wait them out. Now I'm just tired and pissed off.

Will come home at lunch tomorrow for the workout.

I never thought the smell of beer would leave me so disgusted.

[M@]

Roommates suck.

[Ecrivain]

M@: It's even worse when roommate == landlord. I just need to suck it up for a few more months.


2 miles this morning. It felt fine, but it turned out to be slower than the past 3 times I've done this distance. I slept like crap last night. I woke up at 3am and didn't fall back asleep till after 4. Woke up before my alarm. Lesson: don't go to bed ticked off. Should've done some sort of workout and got some of the aggression out.

A friend gave me a picture of the beach along Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. I've put it up on my wall at work. Happy thought.

Since I woke up early and had a short run, I got to work early. Great, right? But my boss is working from home this morning, so I don't even get the brownie points. I found an excuse to send her an email, at least.

I almost shaved my facial hair off this morning. I haven't seen my chin in years and years. I still might do it before I have to get my driver's license renewed on Friday. It'll freak everyone out.

No work Friday or Monday. Happy, happy thoughts.

[Ecrivain]

4 miles this morning. Slow. Gotta shake this funk.

Dang, I am one moody mofo.