My dad and I arrived in St. Charles at the Ameristar Casino around 1230 in order to pick up my race packet and tour the expo. Since I have only ran 1 Half Marathon (St. Louis), I guess I kind of expected the expo to be about the same size...NOT! There were maybe 5 tables for vendors and Fleet Feet had a large area where they were selling running stuff. I think we covered the expo, twice, in about 15 minutes. I did purchase a souvenir sweatshirt. After the expo, we decided to blow some money in the casino. $40.00 to be exact for me. I think I would be better off donating to a charity.
We finally checked in to the hotel. After unloading, we went to Picassos which is located in Westport for some Authentic Italian cuisine. It was VERY good. I highly recommend to anyone visiting the Westport area. After dinner, we retired to the room for some football, baseball, and sleep.
On race morning, I woke at 0400. I made some oatmeal, half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and some coffee. While eating, I turned on TWC. After catching the local weather, I knew today was going to SUCK!!! The weather called for HEAVY rain with wind gusts between 20-30 mph and the temp would be about 65. There was no turning back at this point. I got ready and we headed out the door at 0530 in order to be there at 0545 for a start time of 0645.
We made our exit onto I-70 and made an immediate stop. Traffic was backed up as far as I could see. I knew at that point that I wasn't going to make the start. No big deal as this is chip timed. We finally made it to the start line at about 0730. It was pouring. The parking lot was flooding and people were trickling to the start line. I guess the actual race started around 0700.
I removed the plastic bags from my feet and the one covering my body (they didn't work) and I was off. No warm-up, no stretching... nothing. I think it took about 5 seconds to be completely drenched. If I remember correctly, of the 10 miles we ran (I'll get into that) about 7 were against the wind. The rain made it feel like you were being pricked by a thousand little needles.
So when I approached mile 9, people were saying that they closed the course at 10 miles. No one was going to be able to run any further. BUMMER... I was just starting to get in a groove. So I picked up the pace and finished my ten miles in about 1 hr 20 sec. That is about 8:00 miles.
All-in-all, I am pleased with my time considering the coditions. I knew I wasn't going to run what I would have liked so I ran just to run based on how I felt.
Tomorrow I start the grueling 18 week Marathon training with my long run this week being, you guessed it, 10 miles. Wish me and Scott luck on our journey.
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3 comments:
You're a stud for making it as far as you did. I never even made it out of my driveway. The rain and wind were so intense that I mailed it in. Good luck on your training.
Anna
Ran like a true HalfWit. You carried the HW banner proudly. I wonder how many people actually packed it in and didn't even make it to the starting line? I'll be interested in hearing more about the race and why they closed it at 10 miles and what they did the marathon. Great work w/ the 10 miles and forging ahead in the conditions. You toughed out a very respectable time.
Scott H.
Thanks guys... They closed the couse because of flooding between miles 8-11. I thought we had missed a turn at the 8 mile mark and that was why. They cancelled the rest of the marathon as well because the Katy Trail had also taken on a lot of water.
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