Everything sold out. The organizers of the Akron Marathon did another fantastic job coordinating the 10th year of the event. This was the sixth year in a row I've participated in my local big race, but my first time running the relay event.
Team Booze Hounds Inc. joined 14,995 other participants in a tour of Akron's best neighborhoods and landmarks.
The weather was perfect. The temperature at start time was in the mid-40s and slowly rose to the low 60s on a clear day. My teammates arrived in downtown Akron at 6:20 a.m. We got "E" lined up in the second wave somewhere between the four- and five-hour pace groups.
As in years past, a ringing bell marked the start of the race, but this year we also were treated to a fireworks display throughout the 10 minutes it took for all the participants to cross the starting line. The race was on.
Soon after watching the start, we escorted "R" toward her relay exchange point, then walked back toward the crowds to get a good viewpoint for "E" to come back through downtown after crossing the All-American Bridge (aka the "Y" bridge).
We met up with Mrs. Viper's mother and grandmother, who would be spectating as they have the last few years.
"E" passed by and snapped at us, "You owe me a beer."
After we cheered him on, we walked back to the starting line where we left our spectators at a bench to wait for "K" to come through. Then, the three remaining team members walked through the University of Akron toward the third relay exchange point.
By the time my wife and I got back to the shuttle buses to our exchange zones, we were cold and stopped in a Subway for coffee. We said our goodbyes and jumped on our respective chariots and were off.
The team plan was for the finishing runner to text the remaining members that next runner was on the course. By the time I reached my exchange zone, I still had not heard from "R" that she had handed off the baton (a slap bracelet) to "K," our fastest runner.
I jumped in line for the portable toilets, the coffee having done its magic, and kept checking my phone for updates. Finally, as I made my way to the corral, a text came through. "K" had started a half hour ago. He had hoped to come in under an hour.
The wait started to make me anxious. There was a GU station right at my exchange zone, so I grabbed a vanilla bean packet for breakfast and jumped back in line for the toilets just to make sure everything was out.
By my math "K" would arrive at a quarter until 10 a.m. I still had a decision to make: shoes or barefoot?
A couple factors weighed on my mind. It was chilly, and the first couple miles of my 4.5-mile leg of the race were in shade. While five of my last six runs were barefoot, the last one was Sept. 5. Also, I had never raced barefoot before.
I slipped a foot out of my Altra Samsons and felt the ground. Not the smoothest terrain and a bit cool. I kept my heels out as I waited for "K," trying to decide if I should go for it. Finally, it dawned on me that this may be the last chance I have to complete one of my goals for the year.
Soon after making my decision, I heard my bib number announced. He we go. I stripped off my jacket and shoes and stuffed them into my gear bag. I snaked up to the edge of the crowd and held my arm up for "K" to see. I bellowed his name. His head snapped to attention. He gave me the baton, and I gave him my bag. I was off.
Sand Run has been my most frequented running location since I began running in 2006. I know this terrain like no other. I've run barefoot here on sections of single-track hiking trails and the multipurpose path, but never on the road where I ran now.
The asphalt on Sand Run Parkway is pocked with craggy sections borne of Ohio's brutal winters. Before I even got started, the comments started. A race volunteer cried, "Put on some shoes!" She looked legitimately concerned.
Within the first mile, fear started to close in. What if this was a mistake?
My feet were going numb from the cold. I slipped to the left side of the road and ran on the white line, which was smoother and a bit warmer than than the rest of the road. Two runners wearing Vibram FiveFingers commented on the strategy of a "real barefoot runner."
An interesting part of Sand Run is the ford where the eponymous creek crosses the road. It's fun to drive through and create a giant tidal wave. For the marathon, they have a bridge, which in years past was a narrow metal structure with a sharp, gated surface. Again, the fear.
When I got to the ford, my fears subsided. Because of the large crowd, they had instead created a bridge with a series of steel plates typically used in construction to cover excavation holes.
Instead, the grooved concrete leading up to the bridge proved to be the toughest test of tactile fortitude.
What may be my crowning achievement for this race is the fact that I did not start too fast. This was critical in my ability to run the entire way, including the big bad hill that they added to the race this year to paradoxically make the entire course flatter.
Instead of running the entire length of Sand Run park to Revere Road, the course turned onto Sand Run Road (yes, at the intersection of Sand Run and Sand Run). The steep hill reduced many fellow racers to a walk, but not me.
The final stretch of my leg of the relay is a long, slow incline. During the full marathon, this section has always been tough for me, as it crosses the 20th mile. This time, however, I felt stronger and stronger as I picked off those ahead me one by one.
About a mile from the final relay exchange, I passed a fellow relay runner who grumbled, "Are you kidding me?"
My pace quickened. Firestone High School approached. A woman with a walkie-talkie said my bib number and added, "He's barefoot." I broke into a sprint.
Weaving between other runners, I spotted Mrs. Viper at the end of the corral. She held her arm out for me to slap on the bracelet, passing the baton. I gave her a kiss and wished her luck. I called my mother-in-law to tell her the exchange had taken place and headed toward the buses to get back to Canal Park for the finish.
The bus was packed. That guy I had passed shortly before finish was right behind me. He grilled me about barefoot running as we boarded. The bus ride was perhaps the scariest moment, as the grooved flooring of the aisle was uncomfortable to stand on and people all around me threatened to crush my toes with their giant clodhoppers. But I survived.
Once inside the stadium, I grabbed my food bag and two cans of light beer and roamed the outfield of Canal Park, where the AA minor league Akron Aeros play. The cool grass was soothing to my tender feet. I parked myself along the fencing to watch the finishers and wait for my wife to arrive. It would be about an hour for a just-before-noon finish.
Watching the marathoners file through sucker punched me. The range of emotion on their faces. Joy and anguish, smiles and tears. Oftentimes all of the above. I felt left out.
That feeling of triumph never gets old, but perhaps I had taken in for granted.
I needed to see this to remember why I had done it myself the five years prior. I'm happy I participated in the relay, but I wish I had been able to find the strength to train for the marathon.
Mrs. Viper arrived early. She rounded the corner into the stadium looking strong, tired and happy. I reached my arm out to her and screamed her name. She ran over to give me a pre-finish kiss, crossing the line before getting upstaged by a marriage proposal.
The team finished in 4:47:34, beating my time of last year, a secret goal of mine. My pace was 10:19 per mile. Three of my teammates were running their first race ever. Mrs. Viper ran her longest race ever. And I ran my first barefoot race ever. All in all, we had a great experience.
We capped the race with lunch at Rockne's, a local pub chain, and I downed a giant glass of Great Lakes Octoberfest.
Mrs. Viper and I have vowed to use this experience to keep us active.
We're planning to ensure exercise at least three times a week to start.
And we started the new habit with a three-mile hike Sunday afternoon to shake out our legs.
And we're planning to run again today.
And we're already looking toward our next races.
And, and, and, and -- and, well, you'll just have to wait to read about the rest.
Showing posts with label BHI Team Relay 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BHI Team Relay 2012. Show all posts
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Flashback Friday: Race Day Eve
Expo Day has arrived for Team Booze Hounds Inc. The Akron Marathon starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. Everything still feels a bit haphazard. Logistics need ironed out. Decisions remain. But the team is set.
Leg 1 (3.9 miles): "E"
Bio: My brother-in-law has perhaps the greatest athletic history of all of us, spending his high school days as a stand-out soccer and basketball player. He recently graduated from college and spent the summer interning with a youth camp. He still plays recreation league soccer, but once told me he's more suited for running fast for very short distances. That's why we gave him the shortest leg of the race.
Leg 2 (4.8 miles): "R"
Bio: Mrs. Viper's maid of honor teaches part-time at a local university. An on-and-off runner, she may be slightly annoyed to learn that her race section is 0.3 miles longer than mine. She is a fellow beer enthusiast and occasionally plays tennis against my wife. She was asking about arm sleeves for tomorrow, so perhaps she'll find some at the expo tonight.
Leg 3 (7.5 miles): "K"
Bio: OK, I feel kind of bad that Mrs. Viper's cousin is getting the longest section of the race, but truth be told he's the only one on the team who's been running with regularity. He's put me to shame each of the last few times I've seen him, having just returned from a run. The last few years, he's come to watch me finish the marathon, and this will be his first race. His mile pace has been in the sevens, so he will probably be beating my marathon time soon. Having just turned 16, he's the youngest member of the team.
Leg 4 (4.5 miles): Yours Truly
Bio: You've been reading my blog for how long? Check the archives. This will be my sixth consecutive year participating in the Akron Marathon. The last five, though, were in the full event, so this will be my first time running the relay -- or any relay for that matter. My section of the race is the hilliest, traveling through Sand Run and climbing out of the Merriman Valley.
Leg 5 (5.5 miles): Mrs. Viper
Bio: Racing her longest distance ever, my wife was dead set on finishing at Canal Park stadium. Coming off two surgeries and a big work event, she's looking to knock out some stress. Both of us are considering this the beginning of a training cycle, rather than an end. I'm looking forward to cheering her on at the finish, as she has done for me countless times before.
Wish us luck!
Leg 1 (3.9 miles): "E"
Bio: My brother-in-law has perhaps the greatest athletic history of all of us, spending his high school days as a stand-out soccer and basketball player. He recently graduated from college and spent the summer interning with a youth camp. He still plays recreation league soccer, but once told me he's more suited for running fast for very short distances. That's why we gave him the shortest leg of the race.
Leg 2 (4.8 miles): "R"
Bio: Mrs. Viper's maid of honor teaches part-time at a local university. An on-and-off runner, she may be slightly annoyed to learn that her race section is 0.3 miles longer than mine. She is a fellow beer enthusiast and occasionally plays tennis against my wife. She was asking about arm sleeves for tomorrow, so perhaps she'll find some at the expo tonight.
Leg 3 (7.5 miles): "K"
Bio: OK, I feel kind of bad that Mrs. Viper's cousin is getting the longest section of the race, but truth be told he's the only one on the team who's been running with regularity. He's put me to shame each of the last few times I've seen him, having just returned from a run. The last few years, he's come to watch me finish the marathon, and this will be his first race. His mile pace has been in the sevens, so he will probably be beating my marathon time soon. Having just turned 16, he's the youngest member of the team.
Leg 4 (4.5 miles): Yours Truly
Bio: You've been reading my blog for how long? Check the archives. This will be my sixth consecutive year participating in the Akron Marathon. The last five, though, were in the full event, so this will be my first time running the relay -- or any relay for that matter. My section of the race is the hilliest, traveling through Sand Run and climbing out of the Merriman Valley.
Leg 5 (5.5 miles): Mrs. Viper
Bio: Racing her longest distance ever, my wife was dead set on finishing at Canal Park stadium. Coming off two surgeries and a big work event, she's looking to knock out some stress. Both of us are considering this the beginning of a training cycle, rather than an end. I'm looking forward to cheering her on at the finish, as she has done for me countless times before.
Wish us luck!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Holy Crap: 10 Days
As some readers know, the maths are not a strong suit around Team BHI headquarters. But let me see if this is correct. Today's date is Sept. 19. The Akron Marathon is Sept. 29. Simple subtraction: 29 - 19 = 10.
(Author checks arithmetic against calculator. Verifies correct answer.)
Yes, that means there are 10 days until our relay race.
Holy Jesus Toast!
That's not long, folks. In fact, that's only a week and a half to get these legs in proper condition. Instead of doing push-ups, maybe we should try running.
Let's face it, though, there's going to be a lot of walking for certain members of the Booze Hounds Relay Team. And that's OK. We're in it for the free stuff, which actually costs $40 per person.
My sole goal is to get that (here comes that number again) 10-year commemorative medal. My secondary objective is to use this race as a catapult into consistent winter running. (Yikes! Already?)
Mrs. Viper has already broached the subject of maybe entering a Turkey Trot this fall. And my brain keeps tripping on the idea of maybe running the Cleveland Marathon next May. But that's a lot of maybes.
Do NOT call me, "maybe."
(Author checks arithmetic against calculator. Verifies correct answer.)
Yes, that means there are 10 days until our relay race.
Holy Jesus Toast!
That's not long, folks. In fact, that's only a week and a half to get these legs in proper condition. Instead of doing push-ups, maybe we should try running.
Let's face it, though, there's going to be a lot of walking for certain members of the Booze Hounds Relay Team. And that's OK. We're in it for the free stuff, which actually costs $40 per person.
My sole goal is to get that (here comes that number again) 10-year commemorative medal. My secondary objective is to use this race as a catapult into consistent winter running. (Yikes! Already?)
Mrs. Viper has already broached the subject of maybe entering a Turkey Trot this fall. And my brain keeps tripping on the idea of maybe running the Cleveland Marathon next May. But that's a lot of maybes.
Do NOT call me, "maybe."
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Some Actual Running
It was a struggle, but we did it. We woke up early. That was the hard part. The running was a piece of cake, a piece of cake with a couple walk breaks and wardrobe malfunctions.
The alarms went off before 6 a.m., and we finally got out the door about 45 minutes later.
Mrs. Viper is supposed to be the morning person in this relationship, but I was the one who finally rousted us out of bed.
I chose to go barefoot. The ground was cool. It was a pleasant morning for a run.
We ran a three-mile loop from the house. Mrs. Viper looked strong. Despite feeling a bit itchy, her scar didn't bother her too much. We covered more than a mile before our first walk break.
My right ankle was feeling a bit wonky. Apparently, it has gotten used to my slothful ways.
My wife's shoes started to bother her feet. First, the one seemed too loose. Then she wanted to take out the insert. Then the other one felt weird, so we took out that insert as well.
Because of her scar, it was too painful to reach down and mess with her shoes, so I bent down to do the task. The scene of a barefoot guy tying his wife's shoes amused me.
The final mile proved a tough test, what with its long slow incline becoming steeper as we returned to the Highland Square area. We had another couple of walk breaks, but we finished strong.
As I write this, Mrs. Viper is registering herself and the rest of our team. It's official. We're in training mode.
The alarms went off before 6 a.m., and we finally got out the door about 45 minutes later.
Mrs. Viper is supposed to be the morning person in this relationship, but I was the one who finally rousted us out of bed.
I chose to go barefoot. The ground was cool. It was a pleasant morning for a run.
We ran a three-mile loop from the house. Mrs. Viper looked strong. Despite feeling a bit itchy, her scar didn't bother her too much. We covered more than a mile before our first walk break.
My right ankle was feeling a bit wonky. Apparently, it has gotten used to my slothful ways.
My wife's shoes started to bother her feet. First, the one seemed too loose. Then she wanted to take out the insert. Then the other one felt weird, so we took out that insert as well.
Because of her scar, it was too painful to reach down and mess with her shoes, so I bent down to do the task. The scene of a barefoot guy tying his wife's shoes amused me.
The final mile proved a tough test, what with its long slow incline becoming steeper as we returned to the Highland Square area. We had another couple of walk breaks, but we finished strong.
As I write this, Mrs. Viper is registering herself and the rest of our team. It's official. We're in training mode.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Setting the Date
My wife is nothing if not determined. Mrs. Viper made it known last night that she's ready. Despite still feeling pain from her recent surgery, she declared her willingness to test the proverbial waters.
"Let's go running Wednesday morning," she said.
Asked whether she was ready, she expressed her desire to finish her leg of the race feeling strong. I wouldn't mind that either. That is, I would like to see her finish strong.
Mrs. Viper has supported me so many times in my previous races. I want to return the favor. The challenge will be finishing my own leg and then getting to the finish line to cheer her on.
Our training window for the 2012 Akron Marathon Relay is slowly narrowing. The clock ticks ever onward. The terminus is Sept. 29.
So tomorrow is our first running date. It'll be a challenge to roust ourselves out of bed to run around the neighborhood. But do it we must.
"Let's go running Wednesday morning," she said.
Asked whether she was ready, she expressed her desire to finish her leg of the race feeling strong. I wouldn't mind that either. That is, I would like to see her finish strong.
Mrs. Viper has supported me so many times in my previous races. I want to return the favor. The challenge will be finishing my own leg and then getting to the finish line to cheer her on.
Our training window for the 2012 Akron Marathon Relay is slowly narrowing. The clock ticks ever onward. The terminus is Sept. 29.
So tomorrow is our first running date. It'll be a challenge to roust ourselves out of bed to run around the neighborhood. But do it we must.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Some Almost Running
While we wait until Mrs. Viper heals enough to go jostling her fresh scar by running, I've been engaging in some core exercises to help get my body ready. Usually, it's sit-ups and push-ups, but Saturday's little floor routine included some hundred-ups too. Up, up and away!
First, I did 50 reps of the minor exercise. Then, it was 50 more reps of the major. My hip flexors felt wobbly afterward, which makes me hopeful for my pending return to running.
In fact, my urge to run is growing every day. There's even been some consideration of a significant spring 2013 race.
After all, it has been a while since my last Cleveland Marathon. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, here, folks.
My recent track record calls into question my dependability on the running front. One step at a time, as they say. The first order of business is devising a reasonable training plan for my wife and me to get ready for the 2012 Akron Marathon Relay.
The goal is, when she's ready, to begin training in the morning before work. The nature of her job makes the prospect of later runs a bit unrealistic. And considering the hot temperatures this summer, early runs actually seem more ideal. That's saying something from this staunch anti-morning person.
In the meantime, I'll continue working on my core strength with various home exercises.
First, I did 50 reps of the minor exercise. Then, it was 50 more reps of the major. My hip flexors felt wobbly afterward, which makes me hopeful for my pending return to running.
In fact, my urge to run is growing every day. There's even been some consideration of a significant spring 2013 race.
After all, it has been a while since my last Cleveland Marathon. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, here, folks.
My recent track record calls into question my dependability on the running front. One step at a time, as they say. The first order of business is devising a reasonable training plan for my wife and me to get ready for the 2012 Akron Marathon Relay.
The goal is, when she's ready, to begin training in the morning before work. The nature of her job makes the prospect of later runs a bit unrealistic. And considering the hot temperatures this summer, early runs actually seem more ideal. That's saying something from this staunch anti-morning person.
In the meantime, I'll continue working on my core strength with various home exercises.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Recovering to Train
Mrs. Viper wants to run this weekend. We're locked into the Akron Marathon five-person relay team on Sept. 29. She just had minor surgery yesterday.
The procedure was a follow-up to the one she had about a month ago to remove a skin lesion. She's not supposed to lift anything more than 15 pounds for the next week, but otherwise activity may increase as she feels able.
Last time, my tough wife went back to work too soon and likely prolonged the recovery time she needed. This time, however, she's taken time off to ensure faster healing.
Neither of us has run anytime in recent memory, and we have to get in shape to take one of the five legs of the marathon, which means getting in shape to at least run five miles. More would be better, but less than six weeks to get ready doesn't allow optimal time for such training.
I'm waiting to run until she's ready. We need to help each other through this endeavor. I'll need to keep myself from thinking I can just get back out there and run for an hour with no trouble. Mrs. Viper will also need to make sure she doesn't try to do too much too soon.
We don't want to wind up as a limping, bloody mess on our maiden voyage.
The procedure was a follow-up to the one she had about a month ago to remove a skin lesion. She's not supposed to lift anything more than 15 pounds for the next week, but otherwise activity may increase as she feels able.
Last time, my tough wife went back to work too soon and likely prolonged the recovery time she needed. This time, however, she's taken time off to ensure faster healing.
Neither of us has run anytime in recent memory, and we have to get in shape to take one of the five legs of the marathon, which means getting in shape to at least run five miles. More would be better, but less than six weeks to get ready doesn't allow optimal time for such training.
I'm waiting to run until she's ready. We need to help each other through this endeavor. I'll need to keep myself from thinking I can just get back out there and run for an hour with no trouble. Mrs. Viper will also need to make sure she doesn't try to do too much too soon.
We don't want to wind up as a limping, bloody mess on our maiden voyage.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Team Booze Hounds Inc. Rides Again
Is it wrong to have a 16-year-old on a team with "Booze Hounds" in the name? Consider it a lapse in judgement. For K's birthday, we got him registration to this year's Akron Marathon five-person relay. It's officially game on, now.
We're giving the youngster the longest leg of the relay, considering he's the only one who has actually been running consistently over the past few months. My leg will be the second hardest, since I'm so experienced and whatnot. Mrs. Viper wants to finish in the stadium, and although that leg is the second longest, it's also mostly downhill.
Rounding out the rest of the team will be my brother-in-law E, who gets to toe the starting line and take the shortest leg, and our friend R, who gets what's left.
With just six weeks to go before race day, the wife and I will be struggling to get our own training in gear. This "running blogger" hasn't run in three weeks (as of tomorrow). Mrs. Viper will be recovering from a second minor surgery (also as of tomorrow). Chronicling our upcoming foibles in training should be entertaining.
We're giving the youngster the longest leg of the relay, considering he's the only one who has actually been running consistently over the past few months. My leg will be the second hardest, since I'm so experienced and whatnot. Mrs. Viper wants to finish in the stadium, and although that leg is the second longest, it's also mostly downhill.
Rounding out the rest of the team will be my brother-in-law E, who gets to toe the starting line and take the shortest leg, and our friend R, who gets what's left.
With just six weeks to go before race day, the wife and I will be struggling to get our own training in gear. This "running blogger" hasn't run in three weeks (as of tomorrow). Mrs. Viper will be recovering from a second minor surgery (also as of tomorrow). Chronicling our upcoming foibles in training should be entertaining.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Game On! Really?
Mrs. Viper sends me a text yesterday, when my job had taken me to Wisconsin, and she informs me the relay is on.
Many months prior, we had floated the idea past her cousin who has watched me finish the Akron Marathon the last couple years.
The idea was that I'd run the marathon as usual and then Mrs. Viper, her cousin and three others would run the five-person relay. Then we kind of forgot about it.
It turns out, her cousin has been training hard and has his heart set on running in the relay. So, apparently, we have to quickly get in shape to run a leg of the marathon.
At the most, I'll have to get in shape to run eight miles. In about six weeks. So I guess I should run again, eh?
Of course our team consists of Mrs. Viper and me. As for the rest of the group, we'll go all Men In Black and only use their first initials: Mrs. Viper's cousin "K," her brother "E" and friend "R."
That's three males and two females. Some have been running, some haven't. The race is Sept. 29.
Time to get busy.
Many months prior, we had floated the idea past her cousin who has watched me finish the Akron Marathon the last couple years.
The idea was that I'd run the marathon as usual and then Mrs. Viper, her cousin and three others would run the five-person relay. Then we kind of forgot about it.
It turns out, her cousin has been training hard and has his heart set on running in the relay. So, apparently, we have to quickly get in shape to run a leg of the marathon.
At the most, I'll have to get in shape to run eight miles. In about six weeks. So I guess I should run again, eh?
Of course our team consists of Mrs. Viper and me. As for the rest of the group, we'll go all Men In Black and only use their first initials: Mrs. Viper's cousin "K," her brother "E" and friend "R."
That's three males and two females. Some have been running, some haven't. The race is Sept. 29.
Time to get busy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)