 posted May-29-2007 10:39 PM
  
 So the next day... we drove to the Green Mountains and found the Robert Frost Interpretative Trail. I highly recommend it. 27 May, 2007 0806
Burlington, VT
Temp?
Overcast The Goals:
1. Finish without injury by sticking with the plan.
2. Finish and live to tell about it.
3. Finish under 5 hours. The Outcomes:
1. Stuck with the plan, albeit loosely.
2. I'm telling about it.
3. 4:59xx History:
The r.s. is collecting marathons from every state. I joined him in 2005 but ran none in 2006. I started running halves or 5 K's or whatever shorter distance was available, or I spectated.
A few weeks ago he wanted to escape to Delaware to run a marathon, I told him it wasn't a good time to leave home.
http://www.udel.edu/johnmack/traildawgs/tc/ After things settled down, I felt badly about putting the kabash on his quest. So I priced out a trip to Vermont and rearranged the vacation budget and...wah lah... Then I noticed that there was no shorter distance for me to run! I desperately sought a relay partner to no avail.
The relays were full. Not wanting to go all the way to Burlington to run nothing, I signed up for the marathon, too. I had about 3 weeks to train. After a week of discouraging running... I sought pro-fessional help. I received a 13 day training plan that involved 7 minutes running and 4 minutes walking and a lot of mileage and virtually no taper. (some equation involving calories expenditure and energy output and whathaveyou... this plan required 1/7 the normal taper (?) The Race:
Chatted with the Boomers by the freshly painted swingset behind the portaloos and in front of the lunch bus and police station. Lined up, sang the Anthem, and we were off! The first mile was a little crowded so the plan was adjusted to fit the crowd and the terrain.
Minor adjustments were made throughout the 26.2 miles but, essentially, I followed a run/walk plan so as not to fatigue the running muscles beyond recovery. This worked for 22 miles. The next 3 miles were mostly walked or slogged.
The VCM has an interesting wrap around finish. Here, I am beginning the wrap.
 I ran the last 1.2 miles because I knew I had a chance at achieving goal #3.
 Like Skip, who finished ~ 2 hours earlier... I had noticed a flowering plant of some nature toward the end of the run. It smelled lovely but... it seemed there was a particulate that adhered to the upper respiratory tract, making catching the deep breath difficult. I finished the race, had my chip removed, received my medal, and then saw big white splotches all around, felt someone grasp my left arm and heard that someone say, "Is there anyone we can call?" Huh? I got my vision back and saw Ralph beyond the chute, I pointed to him and tried to say, "That's my husband." The bouncers were doing their job by not letting Ralph back in the chute, but, the medic holding me up wanted Ralph to hold up the other side of me... fortunately the medic and bouncers communicated well and the next thing I know I was in the med tent. As a nurse, it was very difficult to be on the other side of the cot. Anyway, I was fine, they gave me warm broth after taking my vitals. My temperature was 93.8 but, I think those ear probes aren't accurate. Skip said his was 93. The nurse praised Ralph for bringing me dry clothes and they held a blanket up as a screen so I could change into the clothes. Conclusion:
The Vermont City Marathon is fabulous. The course is challenging and well-supported. There were drummers (like the Stomp ones!) at mile 8, the rhythm helped pull you up the hill. The crowd on Battery was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I felt drawn up that hill by the folks willing me up the street with their cheers of encouragement. It is a well-organized and beautiful run. Edited because I had written March instead of May! [This message has been edited by rosecoloredglasses (edited May-30-2007).]
IP: Logged |
) and made it! You met all your goals and met a great bunch of boomer friends. 
Take care of yourself, young lady!
