| Week of May 4, 2001 |
Weight:
221.50
Total Loss: 109.00 |
PLEASE SIGN THE GUESTBOOK
The organizers of the race have developed an interesting starting strategy. You are classified into different "color" groups, based on your estimated completion time at registration. The different colors are then assigned to different sidestreets in the downtown area. At race time, the colors are stagger- started at 15 minute intervals, with the faster racers first, followed by the slower walkers.
In all, it works relatively well. I surprised myself by being able to jog about the first 2 miles, before hitting Cemetery Hill. The number of runners made the going relatively slow, which was the pace that I could maintain! Hitting the hill, I broke into a fast walk. However, I found it more difficult to maintain a rapid walking pace rather than a slow jog.
Conquering Cemetery Hill, I proceeded down and up the next small hill crossing mile markers 3 and 4. At the bottom the the next hill, one could see the sharp right turn and the incline that traversed up the mother of all hills, DOOMSDAY HILL. This part of the course is probably so named since it threatens to break the spirit of any non-serious runner. This nearly mile long hill traverses up the side of a deep ravine, and contains the marker for mile 5. Needless to say, I walked up the long, steady incline. Once to the top of the hill it is a fairly level run to the finish line.
The route passes a few churches along the way, with chiors outside, singing the runners on. Also sprinkled along the route were four bands, complete with large loudspeakers. Runners were also treated to several spots along the route where kids and "thoughtful" residents were standing in their yards with garden hoses set to spray the passing runners with anything from a pleasant mist to a steady stream.
The bystanders were generally supportive and their constant cheering us on made the race go even quicker. At the end, I found my mother-in-law (who finished about 6-7 minutes faster than me!) and we waited for the walkers to complete the race. Afterwards we had group photos taken (waiting for the results).
It was a beautiful day, in a beautiful part of the country. I look forward to doing it again next year!
Thank You for Visiting!!
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Author: VernTallman( VTallman@aol.com ) Home page: http://members.aol.com/vtallman/index.html