Thoughts on the Philly Marathon

I actually did better at Philly than my expectations. I told Tom that I didn't think it was unrealistic that I would do something "around 4:30." The operative word here being "around." I didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't make my goal. And "around" can mean anything from 5 to 15 minutes in either direction. LOL!

I haven't done a marathon since Jersey Shore in 2004 so I really didn't know what to expect. Yes, I had done a few long runs prior, but in all honesty, none more than 18 miles (LBI). But I was determined about two things: I was going to stick to a pace between 10 and 10:30 minutes/mile no matter what and I was going to take 1-minute walk breaks every 2 miles whether I felt like I needed them or not.

This worked well until I got to the halfway point at 13.1. When I arrived there, I could have sworn that I just passed Mile 12 about a few minutes ago, 7:52 to be exact! I asked a runner next to me what was going on and he said that the 12 mile sign was actually for the half-marathoners. Well, that kinda threw me off base a bit because I was taking my walk breaks at the even number miles. Now, because of that snafu, I would have to change it to odd numbers. Not a real big deal but when you're running 26.2 miles, you don't need any added confusion thrown in along the way.

I actually felt pretty good up until Mile 21. I felt better doing this race than I did doing LBI because there was virtually no wind. It was a beautiful course, too, never boring. You went through shopping districts,the downtown Philly area, a park, alongside a river, even along a roadcalled Kelly Drive, which Tom pointed out. And, with the exception of acouple of small ones, no really big hills to worry about. The crowds were enthusiastic, too.

The stiffness hit at Mile 21. Fortunately, I had been taking inGatorade at all of the water stops so that helped to offset some of the cramping somewhat but it's not a permanent effect. You have to keep taking it. At this point, my walk breaks went from 1 minute to 1:15 minutes to 2:00 minutes. I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to finish. Amazingly, according to the course clocks and my watch, I was pretty much right about where I wanted to be timewise.

At mile 23, I saw a woman running with a bunch of balloons and a sign that read 4:15 pace. She soon passed me by, however, and there was no way I was going to catch up to her. It's true what they say, the last 6 miles of a marathon are a beast. As I got closer and closer to the finish line, people kept yelling "You're almost there!" At one point, I shouted back, "Where's there?" and they laughed. Seriously, it seemed as if the finish was nowhere in sight. And there it was, finally!

The clock said 4:25:05 but my watch (chip time)said 4:20:05. (As Tom, the Lottery King, later pointed out, my bib number was 4205...weird! Only Tom would make this connection.) This was not a 10minute pace, but a 9:55 pace--31 FREAKING MINUTES OFF MY LAST MARATHON IN 2004!! ! No wonder I felt tired, achy and queasy.

Afterwards, all I wanted to do was sit down on the curb but I was afraid Iwould not be able to get up again. I ambled on over to the food tent, looking remarkably like someone trying to take a sobriety test. I could not seem to walk a straight line no matter how hard I tried. I got a banana, some water, found a chair, called Catherine and Tom to let them know where to find me. Although I had stopped running five minutes ago, it seemed as if my whole body was still racing. I don't know if was from the physical effects of the marathon or just looking at my running watch in disbelief.

What a (use your own expletive)!

Gawker.com has something called the Douchebag Awards, intended for people who act like, well, douchebags. Maybe I should start something similar here although I would have to change the name of the awards to something else, lest I be accused of being a copycat and a plagiarist.

I found this little gem in my emailbox last night:

Do you have nothing better to do then sit on your computer and discuss the personal lives of people who you do not know? I am speaking about your comments about the Carbones being "numerous and breeders". People in the 1940's and 50's were know for having more than the typical 2.5 children of this generation. I would like you to know that May and Sam Carbone have left a legacy of healthy and successful adults who contribute to society. They are teachers, engineers, architects, mothers and fathers.

Sincerely,
Jaime
Granddaughter of May and Sam Carbone


My first reaction was wha...? I don't know any of these people, I don't know anyone in East Rutherford, I don't remember making this comment, and who is this (use your own expletive)?

But I decided to do a little investigation. Since it was obvious she was referring to Baristanet.com, I went to the site and typed "Carbone" into Google. I DO remember a discussion about East Rutherford and a reference to the Carbone family. But, I repeat, I DID NOT MAKE IT!

And sure enough, there it was, the aforementioned comment, attributed to another blogger who shall remain nameless.

So, Ms. Jaime, I ask you this question: Do you have nothing better to do then sit on your computer and discuss the personal lives of people who you do not know?

May I also suggest that although "May and Sam Carbone left a legacy of healthy and successful adults who contribute to society," that you might not be one of them?

No Surprises Here

Who needs an October surprise when you have asshats like this putting his proverbial foot into his mouth?

www.nydailynews.com/front/story/467194p-393105c.html

Keep 'em coming, Dems!