This kinda sums up my race

Above: My OTR 5K bib. 

Number 600: Gertchen Mahan

Even though I registered in person this morning and handed the guy a form with my name spelled correctly, he still made a hot mess of my name. Thankfully, I didn't have to tear this strip off at the finish because I love to document when my name gets destroyed. And thankfully, they only timed the lead 5 men and the lead 5 women, so my 5K time from this morning won't be in the public domain. Let's just say that after a very late night, a humid 5K on an empty stomach doesn't quite equate to PRs. Or even near-PRs like on Monday. Bleh.

So much for raising my game.

'Twas the first 5K of the Summer...

...And all through the town

ran the Hunger Walk 5K,

3.1 miles around.

3 years ago on Memorial Day, Dan and I ran the Hunger Walk 5K in the pouring rain. It was a small crowd of runners foolish enough to persist in spite of their soaked shoes and clothing. The out-and-back course started and finished at the downtown YMCA (read: one porta-potty). At the time, it was my PR (22:54) and I won my age group. My, how things have changed...

Yesterday's weather was beautiful and the crowd for the Hunger Walk was outstanding! The FreeStore Foodbank benefits from this fundraiser, and I can safely say the event has grown exponentially since 2005. This year, I registered through the 5000 Club at Christ Church Cathedral, since a) my running partner/neighbor, Mark heads the 5000 Club and b) the 5000 Club benefits from FreeStore food and services. A win-win all around. 

To sweeten the mix even more, I only had to step out my front door to start the race. MMMM yeah, that's right - the race started in Lytle Park. Now you're probably thinking that this story can't get any better, but what if I told you that my DAD was participating, too? Yes, my dad chose the Hunger Walk as his sophomore foray into the world of road races. Maybe due to the shorter distance, he seemed semi-confident prior to the race and easily blended into the crowd at the start. I, on the other hand, was pretty nervous since I hadn't done a 5K since October. My mouth was dry, my stomach was jumpy. But whatever.

Once the race got started, there was little to worry about. The course was flat and fast, with a nice downhill near the start. Mark and I had practiced the course a few times over the past weeks (albeit not always in the correct direction - AHEM, faulty Hunger Walk course map). The final hill up Sycamore to 4th was less stressful than I expected, and I coasted to the finish in 22:26. It was a way better time than I expected for the first 5K of the summer; only about 10 seconds off my PR.

So, here was the surprise of the day. I finished the race, grabbed some water and sat down with Dan and Mom in the shade to watch for Dad. With about 30 minutes on the race clock, Mom exclaimed, "I think I see your Dad!" I looked at my watch and said no way - Dad was probably doing 15-minute miles and would be around mile 2. But Barb didn't let up, she recognized Dad's orange Bengals hat cruising down 4th Street. He was jogging toward the finish - jogging! Plus, he was about 15 minutes sooner than expected, blowing his 10K splits out of the water. Dan grabbed the camera and I jumped up and down like a fool, waving my arms and cheering for Dad. He finished in 32:10.

Dad Cruising Down 4th Street

Almost to the Finish

Check out the race results here.

Mom and Dad didn't hang around for the awards, but Dan and I casually wandered over to the post-race refreshment / award zone, where he took in some hot dogs and I took home second place in my age group. I truly thought I might win my age division, but given the size of the field this year, I was pleased that I even placed. 

The woman who won the 30-39 age group was pushing a stroller with a little girl in it. I saw her on the course and marveled to myself at how effortless and agile she looked as I struggled to maintain sub-8:00s. 

Time to raise my game. Next weekend - the OTR 5K, followed by a trip to Fleet Feet to buy my dad some new running shoes.

Lessons learned - practice pre-race confidence, push harder on the course to PR, never underestimate Dad.

My Feet Had Soul

I wasn't dancing, but my marathon spirit was reborn. I went out on a lark with nothing to lose, I ran, I walked a little, I didn't fret (much) over my time. I just made sure I beat this one old lady, I can't stand to lose to old ladies. Young ladies, okay. And speaking of young ladies - when did the marathon become a 65-7-% female event. All ages, all events - the girls own the races. What is that all about? I'll tell you the other thing, the ladies crossing that full marathon finishing line in less than 3 hours and twenty minutes were in shape. Now, my other question. Why are the faster runners older? with few exceptions, it seems that the really young runners (early twenties) don't end up with faster times or near as fast as the 3o somethings and even early 40 somethings - male and female. I don't know the physiology of it. one of my theories is that Marathon running is such a mental sport - at the end of the day - that sheer youth and young muscle energy isn't necessarily the edge. It's seasoned athletic ability. People who have faced some adversity in life and know how to persevere and prevail. That's all folks.

otterbob

The Results Are IN

Dan before leaving the condo this morning. Typical race-day expression.

Urban Activity bloggers killed it on the Flying Pig Half Marathon course this morning!

After a delayed start due to a fire on Eastern Avenue, the Half and Full Marathon events took off to the strains of "Eye of the Tiger" - groan.

However, the Pig redeemed itself with a fireworks show erupting over the Roebling Suspension Bridge as the sun rose in the East - nice touch.

Crowd support along the course was outstanding this year, maybe better than it's ever been. Seventh Street felt like a throwback to the "old course" of 2001 & 2002; we ran from one end of the city to the other, with cheering spectators lining both sides of the street. Needless to say, the uphills were challenging, thus guaranteeing that I would NOT run a PR on the course. But the Gilbert downhill let me make up some time without shredding my quads. I finished in 1:48:26 - about 2 minutes off of my PR, so I was pretty pleased considering the course. Immediately after finishing, I ran around to the final stretch and caught Bob cruising down the last half mile. Bob registered on a whim last Friday at the expo, so hopefully he'll post his two cents about the whole experience.

Click here for my results from this morning's half marathon.

Click here for Bob's results from the half marathon.

After spotting Bob, I grabbed my gear, ran home to get the cameras (yes, PLURAL) and stiffly jogged to meet my parents by Adams Landing. We cheered for the marathon finishers tackling the final hill around mile 25, and caught Dan running by. Dan had a great race and finished in 3:40:22. He's within a minute or two of his PR, so it's possible that, had the full marathon course not been detoured by the fire on Eastern, he may have run his best marathon yet. Regardless, he felt great the entire race, so that's an accomplishment in itself.

It was nice reveling in the post-race endorphins for a while, but now Dan is half-comatose on the couch watching Full Metal Jacket. Nice uplifting choice. Can't he just watch something light like the Reds game or Malibu's Most Wanted? Sometimes I do not understand him.

Future post: a list of post-marathon movies to watch (and NOT to watch). Seriously, I can't watch this movie anymore; it's going to give me bad dreams.

Another Future Post: for posterity, a record of my panicked pre-marathon dreams. It never fails that I have crazy, panic-inducing dreams the night before a race and I always remember them.

More later.

Your Face on the Purple People Bridge

Random t shirt on purple people bridge

After the race, Dan and I walked to Newport for some Dewey's. This T-shirt with an ironed-on picture was draped across the side of the Purple People Bridge. WTF? I would be a little weirded out if someone ditched a shirt with my picture in plain view of all river-crossing riff raff. It wasn't like it was lying in a heap so no one could see the photo - someone carefully hung it so everyone crossing the bridge could take a good look. I almost didn't get this picture because three dirty old men were admiring it. Ew.

The post-marathon crowd

Faulkner Pride

Here's my dad enjoying a well-deserved breakfast at FIrst Watch after the 10K this morning. The Flying Pig 10K was his first race and he beat his goal time by 15 minutes. Check out the medal!

In spite of a wet start (he was drenched by mile 1), Dad got out and walked the course. I joined him around mile 2 and walked the course with him, dropping off just before the finish. Fortunately, the rain stopped during the race and we stayed dry as we walked across Downtown and throughout Kentucky. Appealing to his competitive nature, I convinced him to jog a few of the downhills. He jogged down the Taylor Southgate Bridge and to the finish under a 1:29:45 clock. Afterwards, Dad marveled at how exhilarating it felt to cross the finish line with people cheering for him. Watching him finish gave me the same rush and both Mom and I choked back tears. There's nothing like seeing someone you love accomplish a goal.

So, based on this race, I think he's hooked; he's already talking about doing the Hunger Walk 5K in just a few weeks. Maybe he'll jog that one, maybe he'll walk, but I'm super proud of him for "taking the plunge" today. Here's hoping that we'll share many more races and PRs.