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November 29, 2004
More on the half 
I think I wasn't clear, or maybe that my priorities weren't straight. I was bummed that I was slow, but the Seattle half was fun. Part of it was sheer tourism of walking through a town that I barely know, and looking at two things I never get enough of: fresh water, and woods. And truth be told, I do like hills, a lot. I just know I like to charge up them, and that that can get me in the end. This time I didn't, and I finished pretty fresh.
The support was great. It was about every second mile, and it featured bottled water (which I like better than Seattle tap), and gatorade. There was supposably a Gu stop, but I never saw it.
One support station towards the end offered Krispy Kreme donuts cut into bit-sized pieces. You know I had one!
A good Gu story: I saw lots of Gu wrappers, and sometimes full Gu packages along the road. At one point in Leschi, I noticed a Gu wrapper in the gutter of a garage. It was a vanilla Gu. And then a crow landed and tried to make off with it. It's awfully shiny!
Once I decided it was time to pass people, I had no trouble doing that. Until I got to the Hanna-esque woman. She was tall, with red curly hair, like my pal Hanna. I got right up next to her, and then she pulled away. She looked so relaxed, so mellow, and she so effortlessly sped up. I tried to keep up with her, and I had to admit defeat relatively quickly.
In the last mile or so, others passed me. There was a downhill, and walkers ran down it. I didn't, and at that point, I was happy to speed up a little more, but let the others go. As I came a couple blocks from the finish, I noticed the Hanna-esque woman. Perhaps she had stopped at a coffee shop, or did some grocery shopping, but she was suddenly right in front of me. I passed her--I'm sure she let me. She is an absolutely lovely person, and if you're reading, thank you.
The recovery area really was amazing. Incredible. All this food and drink, info booths, first aid, massage, acupuncture, the band. It was great. I was in post-race delirium, with a bottle of water under my arm, a banana and a cup of smoothie in one hand, clam chowder in the other, and somehow the space blanket wrapped around me, wandering around. Which is how I left behind my shoe pocket thingee.
When I went back in a couple hours later, what a different story. The food was still there, the first aid, massage, acupuncture, but the party atmosphere had moved on. There were a couple of booths left, and very few people.
You know, I'm planning to do Austin in February. Gosh, I'd love to be able to finish in time for the "party" rather than finishing once everything is put away, like an afterthought. The thing is, it won't happen this time.
Posted at November 29, 2004
Comments
You are? That's great! :-) And don't worry, the party down here in Austin lasts a really long time. Its an eight hour course, and they really do mean it. Of course, this could be the year that proves me wrong, but I really don't think so.
And after its all over? Soaking in Barton Springs - naturally 60 degree fresh spring water - with other marathoners. Just the thing for tired muscles, and so much nicer than an ice bath.
Posted by: Richard at November 30, 2004 2:54 PM
I am. I still need to get that time off work approved, but I am so very very hopeful that I can and will be there. My partner spent some time in Austin, and so I'm anxious to see the place he talks so lovingly of--and we'll get to see his dad in Houston, which would be good. Hope hope hope!
(And, all the better if the party goes on a long time! Soaking in Barton Springs also sounds good)
Posted by: vj at December 1, 2004 11:31 AM