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It was the best of times and the worst of times!

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Author	Topic: It was the best of times and the worst of times!
rtravers Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 06:18 AM Despite all of the kind warnings and admonishments, I opted to run the Maine Coast Half Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 23 despite being incompletely recovered from my pneumonia. Honestly, I never knew I had pneumonia...just thought I had the worst chest cold ever. And a hacking wheeze that attacked me immediately after any exertion. I brought myself to see my doctor on the Wednesday before the race, complaining of said wheeze. She listened to my lungs and announced, "You're definitely wheezing, but I can also hear a lot of rubbing in your left lower lobe that tells me that you're healing from a pneumonia." Ah, well, that would explain the mysterious left back pain when I exerted myself the week before... In any case, I was armed with an inhaler for the first time in my life, and I hoped for the best. We arrived in York, ME, Friday evening and checked into the Anchorage Inn, a lovely Yankee motel of sorts, right on the ocean. On Saturday AM, I attempted a short run, and was disappointed by all manner of aches and pains, including a sharp pain in my left great toe. Yikes! My body was rebelling! I stopped into a local convenience shoppe for some coffee after my run, and the friendly lady at the counter asked if I needed some water or anything to help with the mighty cough that was racking me. I waved her off and explained weakly that this would pass in 10 minutes. And it did. The rest of the day we spent at the beach with DS, exploring the town, and swimming in the indoor swimming pool with DS. The toe and my lungs felt great. I popped into the registration (only about 1/2 mile away from our hotel), and discovered one of the best race t-shirts ever! I don't think I mentioned that this was an All-Women's race (with the exception of "One Lucky Guy", chosen by lottery...), so the race t-shirts were fitted and designed for women. Not that I need some frou-frou design...but this was a sporty and feminine tech tee that actually FIT! Brava! Race morning, I awoke to gorgeous weather. Like a junkie, I needed my fix and I took 2 puffs on my inhaler. At 6 AM I popped outside for some dynamic stretches and some brisk walking to get the limbs moving. What a gorgeous sunrise across Long Sands Beach! I ran back inside to get my camera. I jogged a wee bit and scoped out a few turns on the course where DS and DH could position themselves to see me en route. DS is just getting old enough that he understands that mommy is in a race and is not running away from him. Where he used to cry and cry when I ran past, now he smiles...even if he doesn't quite understand what the ruckus is all about. I coffee'ed up and headed out to the start. A moment of panic ensued when I heard a race announcer and a starting gun fire at 8:30 AM. My adrenaline surged and my brain raced over the event registration. Ah yes...the walkers began 1/2 hour after the runners. I was safe. The running race hadn't started yet! The start was absolutely perfect. Let me tell you, it is a dream come true to have all of the High School bathrooms converted to women's rooms! There was none of the usual port-a-potty stress standing in line. We lined up at the start, and Katherine Switzer gave a really lovely talk, notable not only for it's witty content, but it's brevity AND the fact that it was audible. I've been at so many race starts where the announcer sounds like "Bwwa-wwaah-maah-mmph-hmmaamb-bwwa", and all the racers stand around looking at each other, hoping nothing important was being said. Not so here. It was perfect. The National Anthem was played and the starting gun fired and we were off. There's not much to say about my run except that it was slower than I had hoped for my goal race, but still quite lovely. The course was absolutely gorgeous. When we weren't running by the beach, we were running over bridges with harbor views, or through lovely historic neighborhoods or quintessential New England villages. The day was glittery and sunny, if a bit too warm. Here I am at mile 2.3, waving at DH and DS: Turning this corner, runners could see the Cape Neddick Nubble lighthouse: After DS and DH saw me at this point, they spent the next hour or so at the beach, waiting for me to swing around again: I felt pretty good through the race, as long as I kept a slow, steady pace. I had nothing in me for any degree of extra exertion...the inland hills just destroyed me as my lungs simply could not deliver the goods to my muscles. I tottered up them as best I could and kept on running, taking in the sights and sounds and the lovely day. And here I am at about mile 12.6, happy to see my family again, knowing the finish line is coming up soon. I knew I hadn't had a great race time, but I was having a great time at the race. Ah, the finish at last! I crossed the finish line in 1:50:01: a PW, but not at all disappointing. 103/794 overall, and 24/139 in my age group. I saw Bob Scamman there, and he was full of encouraging words. I look forward to giving this one another try next year! --Robin [This message has been edited by rtravers (edited Sep-24-2007).] IP: Logged
breger1 Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 06:32 AM A 1:50 HM after pneumonia? You are smokin' Robin. Really glad you had a good time and those pix are outstanding! Take it easy now okay? Bill IP: Logged
euphoric Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 06:41 AM Maybe it is a PR. Pneumonia Record. That was a beautiful report in so many ways. IP: Logged
tnally Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 06:50 AM Beautiful pictures Robin. 1:50 with pneumonia is nothing to wheeze at. Good race regardless. Thanks for such a nice RR. Tom IP: Logged
tselbs Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 06:59 AM I'm glad to hear the pneumonia recovery didn't cause any serious problems, Robin. You ran a smart, and good, race after your illness. You obviously enjoyed yourself. Congratulations and thanks for all the pictures. TomS ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
maryt Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 07:00 AM Great race report and pictures as usual! Here's hoping you have fully revcovered and the next one will be easier. The good and the bad of racing in New England - how to choose. The Maine coast for a half marathon, New Hampshire Lakes region for the Lake Winnipesaukee relay, and the central Mass apple country for the Apple Harvest 10Miler USATF championship all in the same weekend! IP: Logged
smpankowski Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 07:05 AM quote: Originally posted by rtravers: I knew I hadn't had a great race time, but I was having a great time at the race. --Robin.... That says it all. Well done. ------------------ Have Fartlek - Will Travel, SteveP My User Profile [This message has been edited by smpankowski (edited Sep-24-2007).] IP: Logged
nowor2 Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 07:50 AM Robin, What a great weekend you had, fun w/ DH and Will. You ran so smart and smiled all the way. What a way to rehab! Thanks for the pics. Sue IP: Logged
tomwhite Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 08:13 AM ...ok, after seeing the gorgeous scenery,,,,,,,,,i see why you wanted to run it 'cause it wouldn't be there after you got well. ok,,,,,anyway,,,,,,,,,,,,well, you lived, and the pics are gorgeous.......... IP: Logged
henrun Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 08:42 AM Great race and wonderful pix. Robin, who says that M.D.'s make terrible patients? We have to do what we have to do. IP: Logged
rochrunner Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 08:51 AM As usual, Robin, your RRs are the best! And of course your PW is better than most of our PRs around here. This looks like a beautiful racing venue and I can see why you're looking forward to doing it again next year. ------------------ - Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner IP: Logged
Tramps Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 08:53 AM Nice job, Robin. Looks like a wonderful race. BTW, I've heard the "Bwwa-wwaah-maah-mmph-hmmaamb-bwwa" speech at every race I've ever run. I know it by heart now. IP: Logged
La Tortuga Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 08:55 AM I love York ME - you really capture it's beauty. Well run race and you are beaming along the course. Now - physician - go heal thyself! IP: Logged
hopeful4ever Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 09:00 AM Wow Robin - a 1:50 is something most of us - well me anyway - just dream of! Great race report and lovely photos!! Your son is getting so big! Take care of those lungs now! ~Mary IP: Logged
MustangSally Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 09:14 AM Good thing you posted those glorious pictures and wrote such an entertaining RR, or I'd be sending Guido out for you this morning. Congratulations on having a good time anyway. Now, please: go take better care of yourself. ------------------ Mustang Sally Boomers and Beyond wiki IP: Logged
Dark Horse Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 11:16 AM Robin, Great race report and I always enjoy your photos. Living in Newburyport, I've been to York many times. In fact, I designed my first website in a barn loft in York. I only made something like $750 but how many people get paid for the first website they ever create? I believe Bob the Scam Man lives there. Dark Horse ------------------ I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course IP: Logged
Spareribs Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 11:19 AM Well, I would have been among the many to dissuade you from even jogging this race given your condition, but since you did it, you gave us a great gift with these photos. How beautiful. Now don't do this kind of thing any more. Spareribs IP: Logged
TammyM Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 11:26 AM It may have been a PW as far as time goes, but it sounds like one of the best as far as enjoyment factor - getting to spend a weekend away at a quaint area of the country, hearing a great speaker, getting a cool shirt, having your husband and son cheer you on, etc. Those pictures are amazing! What a beautiful area to be in. Thanks for the report and the pictures Robin! IP: Logged
Fortunate One Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 11:32 AM Congratulations on keeping Guido away. I wouldn't press my luck though; next time, listen to Sally. Great pics and RR. I hope the recovery goes quickly. ------------------ Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem Profile IP: Logged
Sans Souci Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 11:45 AM Robin, Guido makes a decent zabaglione but is not that fearsome. However, I'd listen to MS. Really. Truly. Beautiful, beautiful pics. You are talented in so many ways, including capturing the moment. DS is a cutie patootie. IP: Logged
Econo Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 12:13 PM Coffee & coughing! Whatta race. Get rid of "La Grippe" and you'll be in terrific shape, baby! [This message has been edited by Econo (edited Sep-24-2007).] IP: Logged
evanflein Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 12:13 PM I loved this line: "I've been at so many race starts where the announcer sounds like "Bwwa-wwaah-maah-mmph-hmmaamb-bwwa", and all the racers stand around looking at each other, hoping nothing important was being said." That seems to sum up most of my races! The only thing down about this weekend was your time (which, I agree with most here... is really not bad!), because everything else seemed to be just perfect. Congratulations on a wonderful time with your family in a beautiful location. I hope you'll take some time to fully recover now... (are we a bunch of nags, or what?) ------------------ evanflein IP: Logged
piejones Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 12:54 PM I have no idea what you were thinking in trying to run this one, but I sure love the photos and race report. Now go to bed and get well. Nice effort in a beautiful spot. IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 12:59 PM You got to see bobscamman? That made it all worthwhile right there! Great job! Thanks for the great photos, especially the ones with your brilliant smile! IP: Logged
JJJessee Cool Runner	posted Sep-24-2007 01:12 PM Sorry you were not up for a goal race. But the pictures and report were great. I can see why it was so hard to pass up. Rest and Recovery, jjj IP: Logged

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