- What did it cost to enter the race?
- $120.00
- Did you lose any weight during the training?
- I weighed about 168 at the start of the training at the end of June. My lowest weight at the height of the training was about 159. The schedule is tapering down, and I'm around 161 now.
- Did you lose any of your mid-life gut?
- A disappointing 1 1/4 inches, which will likely return during the Christmas season.
- How many miles will you have run training for the marathon?
- 484 miles.
- How many are racing?
- There are 994 entered for the marathon, and 1001 entered for the half marathon which runs simultaneously.
- Where do you expect to finish in that field?
- Among the marathon runners, I expect to finish 525th with a time of 4 hours 8 minutes, roughly.
- What's your biggest concern at this point?
- Getting sick before the race. Even a cold would wreak havoc.
- Do you think or talk about anything other than the marathon?
- It's pretty consuming, I confess. Try it and see what you think and talk about.
- Can't you think of anything better to do with your time?
- Well, yeah. What's your point?
Here are a couple of questions which a few people actually asked:
- Did you adjust your diet for the training?
- Nope. Tina has always cooked healthy meals for us. And I continued to occasionally eat the same junk food I always have.
- How long did you actually train?
- I'd say I officially started on June 20.
- Do you eat anything during the race?
- I've been drinking Ensure a little during the long runs, but I'm not sure that's the best thing. They make some goo junk for nourishment, but the one I tried was awful. I also eat a couple handfuls of candy corn (the Halloween type) starting at about the midpoint of the long runs. You won't find this tip in any training guides.
This question wasn't actually asked, but I could see it on the person's face:
- What's next?
- I can hardly wait to get back into a regular running week, which I picture being 3 runs of 3-4 miles and a long run of 6-8 miles on the weekend. And then I'll go back to running 5 k's (3.1 miles). For those races, you run like the devil the whole three miles, get a t-shirt, then go out to breakfast.
6 comments:
My FAQ is, what would supportive friends do during the race to encourage you?? Just be there, throw food, yell encouraging words, throw drinks, make cool signs or throw snide remarks?
I only see you for moments during the race, so all the above are relatively insignificant. Knowing in my head that you are there is what is most encouraging.
Ok. In that case I will opt for the snide remarks.
Well, OK then. Here are a few suggestions:
- Hey Brent, is that all you've got?
- Hurry up, we've got places to go.
- All the other old people are ahead of you.
- You look like you're exhausted. (Or the more crass - you look like crap.)
I was thinking about...
"Hey Brent! What's so hard about this??"
or
"Get a move on it slow poke!"
or
"All that training and you still look horrible."
Will those be helpful?
Very helpful. Could you bring a megaphone so I'll be sure to hear?
Post a Comment