PBJ
Cool Runner |
 posted May-29-2007 10:26 AM
  
I am now officially the poster boy for how not to prepare for a marathon. Yet as I write this, I realize there’s just twenty weeks to the 2007 Hartford marathon. Maybe I can actually do things the right way for Hartford.Short form – beautiful, friendly city, first attempt at two marathons in the same season, (3:06:53, 111th place), and some wonderful support from family and friends (both real and imaginary). Excruciatingly long form (well, it was a marathon) - let’s take this chronologically. Long-suffering Mrs. PBJ and I were awakened on Saturday at 5 a.m. by PBJ Jr. He said he found a shell on the floor, and we quickly accused Chuckles, our angry, bitter cat of knocking a shell off a handmade craft on the bureau in our bedroom. Upon closer examination, however, I saw that it was not a shell. Rather, it was my right big toenail that had fallen off overnight. Shiver. After a hearty pancake and sausage breakfast, the PBJ family (Mr. & Mrs. PBJ and the 3 PBJ offspring) boarded the minivan at 8 a.m. for a scenic 5 hour ride to Northwest Vermont. We stopped along the way for a tuna sandwich picnic lunch at a rest area outside White River Junction, VT. Trivia fans will be interested to know that the first Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in the US is there at the rest stop. Next stop was Waterbury, Vermont, where we toured the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. The sample flavor of the day was Triple Caramel™ – yum! The most interesting part of the tour was the graveyard, where there are tombstones for the “retired” flavors. It’s hard to believe that Rainforest Crunch™ met its demise in the early 90’s. We checked in to our hotel in Waterbury (about 25 miles outside of Burlington), then headed out for the expo. The PBJsters love the freebies at the expo, and I especially enjoyed another Ben & Jerry’s sampler (this time it was Cinnamon Buns™, and a hot cup of Green Mountain Coffee. The goodie bag included a nice, tech t-shirt. While Long-suffering Mrs. PBJ was taking a trivia quiz, I met Busiman (Craig). We had a nice conversation while the PBJsters scored some mardi gras beads and inflatable clappers. (Both items created in-car conflict and were quickly confiscated). Off to dinner with a group of incredibly nice boomer folks. This was our first time meeting WRFB, PDR, and Skip. It was our second get together with Rose and the Rocket Scientist (we had vacationed in Williamsburg, VA about 10 months ago), and we had met Caddisfli before (but not his beautiful female contingent). What a great group of people (and Howard’s girls were so well behaved!) Back to the hotel, where we had an uneventful night (nice). Up at 5:20, I had two oatmeal “breakfast” cookies (from the expo) and a cup of coffee. I had one bite of banana, and the rest of it fell to the hotel room floor. Long-suffering Mrs. PBJ noted that the five second rule does not apply in hotel rooms, and I reluctantly threw it away. Sigh. We were on the road by 6:45, found on the street free parking within 4 blocks of the start line, and were at the rusty swingset by 7:20. That was too easy. Sounds like a picture perfect setup to a race, doesn’t it? Well, let me tell you all about the pre-race “rules” that I broke. This was my second marathon in six weeks (just came off a 3:10 in costume in Boston), and I really didn’t get in enough speed work or long runs for it (just one run further than 16 miles in those six weeks). Also, my heels have been bothering me for almost a year now. Confession - I have been taking ibuprofen every morning to mask the pain. What else? Oh yeah, I gained five pounds since Boston, didn’t taper at all (52 miles the week before the race), and did nothing special for carbo depletion or loading. Did I mention I gave blood a week ago? And Spareribs – take note – I wore new running shoes and cotton socks. On to the race. I lined up with Lou, and then took off my throw away shirt before the start. I was running pretty well, but the heels were barking. Skip blew past me at mile 8. He was looking very strong (he was so focused, I don’t think he even saw or heard me). I got to the half mark in 1:29 something, but I knew I didn’t have it at that point. I actually walked a little on the 15 mile hill, as I took out two advil and downed them with my propel water. Then at mile 16 or 17, I actually stopped and began to walk back towards the start line two different times. The pain was pretty strong, and I was ready to get a DNF. But then a young guy in a banana suit blew by me. I thought to myself, “I’m not gonna let a guy in a costume beat me,” and I started running again. I knew the sub 3 was gone, but I could still have a good result. So I kept going. I started looking for my family at the 26 mile mark, and saw them with about 200 yards to go. I heard the race announcer call my name, and he noted that I had stopped to give high fives to my family. Perfect! As I started back towards the finish, a guy blew past me, huffing and puffing loudly (I think he was a relay guy). Anger kicked in, and I found a new gear. I blew past him just before the finish line. Yes! I thought I muttered under my breath “F him,” but I guess it was a little louder than that, because one of the finish line officials started to laugh. Oops, sorry. I regrouped with the family, and found out that they had seen me three times – once at the start, once while they were eating waffles in a restaurant on the brick walk, and the final time at the finish. They were stuffed and happy. I then grabbed some post-race grub (bagel, donut holes, and even more Ben & Jerry’s (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough™). Then it was off to the massage tent, when it started to downpour. I asked if my family could wait for me under the tent, but the head Helga said no, so the PBJsters shuffled off towards the minivan, and I soon followed. I changed on the street (using a towel to block the view), and then we headed for home. We stopped at Crackerbarrel for an early dinner, and were home by 6 p.m. We had a good time, and this was a very well organized marathon. Time to rest the heels. I’ll be back. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the ride. -PBJ
IP: Logged |
Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 10:56 AM
PBJ,You always run a good race, and your reports are always a good read. I just want to say, it was truly chilling to learn that Rainforest Crunch™ has not been around since the early '90s. I got married in 1989, and I don't want to say time stops when you get married, but, boy, have I fallen behind. It was nice to see the photos of you and your family in Beer Runner's Vermont photo thread. However, they led me to an unwelcome epiphany in the wee hours last night, as I was eating turkey noodle soup and watching Matrix 3 on the big TV in the sandwich shop. During the climactic fight scene, I realized, "PBJ looks like Agent Smith."  Needless to say, I found this disturbing. Dark Horse
IP: Logged |
I was beginning to think there wasn't any. Fantastic read as always and pretty fast for a guy who was going to chuck it and walk back. Heal those heels and hope to see you and the rest of the PBJ family at another Boomer event soon..
