July 2015 - What I Did / From What I Remember

On July 4th, I once again participated in the Firecracker 6 race in downtown Indy. The course had changed once again albeit slightly. This was the 3rd consecutive year I'd done this event but I don't think I'll do it again. Although I was able to register right after last year's event so my cost was only $14, there is a race (5K) closer to my house and unlike Firecracker, it gives out medals. Hey....I've got my priorities! 

July 9th found us downtown attending the final Concerts on the Canal event at the Indiana Historical Society. My husband's bank is one of the sponsors of this event. The band was pretty good but they needed to do more playing and singing and stop trying to turn it into a comedy show as well. But the crowd participation was fun! 

We volunteered again this year at the Eagle Creek Sprint Distance Triathlon on the 18th. Body marking to start the day and then course marshals at the transition area.  

Then the last full weekend of the month, I traveled to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania for the Rock The Challenge PA Grand Canyon Half Marathons. You can read about that HERE: http://skeltonadventures2.blogspot.com/2015/09/how-many-grand-canyons-are-there-in.html 
and HERE: http://skeltonadventures2.blogspot.com/2015/09/rock-canyon-challenge-day-1-july-25-2015.html 
and HERE: http://skeltonadventures2.blogspot.com/2015/09/rock-canyon-challenge-day-2-july-26-2015.html

(09-26-2015) Mill Race Half Marathon Recap

This race takes place in Columbus, IN which is about 60 miles south of Indianapolis. It was the 3rd year for the event which offers a full marathon, half marathon and a 5K. I participated during its inaugural year but a scheduling conflict kept me from doing it last year. I registered back on June 30th before any price increase and paid $54.75 with taxes and fees included.

Although packet pickup was an option race morning, it ended at 6:30AM; the race didn't start until 7:30AM. So not only would I have to get down there even earlier - which would mean I'd have to get up even earlier - I'd have to kill time for an hour before the race started. I opted to go down there Friday night and get my packet. Traffic was a hot mess and it took me over 90+ minutes to get from Carmel, IN to Columbus, IN. Seriously, is there any part of the Indianapolis interstate system (and surrounding areas) that isn't under construction?!?!?!

Packet Pickup takes place at The Commons. This is a large venue which allows things to be spread out and not congested when getting your packet. There were plenty of vendors and I walked around a little bit but didn't see anything of particular interest to me. Since it took me so long to get down there, I was ready to just head back home. I was in and out in about 15 minutes.

When I got home and began getting things ready for in the morning, I noticed what my bib said. It cracks me up when I don't remember doing this!

Everyone that completes the Half Marathon or Marathon has their name entered in a drawing to win a new truck. So I packed a change of clothes bag in anticipation of hanging around at the After Party for awhile because you "must be present" to win. What I eventually read in the race literature - after having loaded all my stuff in the car - was that the drawing wouldn't start until 4:00PM. It makes sense; they have to give all the marathoners a chance to finish. There was no way I was going to kill 5 hours down there after my half but I left the bag in the car and went to bed.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th: the alarm went off at 4:45AM. The plan was to leave the house at 6:00AM at the latest. That would give me plenty of time if I needed to make a stop on the way down, get parked and to the start line. I decided not to eat my "regular" pre-race breakfast of peanut butter toast and banana and opted to go a little lighter. I had a spoonful of peanut butter and the banana but packed some Sport Beans to eat if I started to get hungry on the trip down.

As expected - even with the construction zones - I made great time getting to Columbus but did stop at the Rest Area right before the exit to use the bathroom. Parking (which was assigned) was super easy to get to and was next to a Hotel Indigo so I was able to use the bathroom there one more time before walking to the start line. It was only a 2 block walk but I was surprised that the start was in a different location from 2013.

Although it sprinkled a little on my drive down, by the time I was walking to the start line it had completely stopped.

This was a waive and corral start and naturally, I was in one of the back corrals. I crossed the start line approximately 5 minutes after the first gun (train whistle?) went off. Funny if THAT is the "sound" they use because last year the back of the pack was briefly stopped by a train!

After the "different" start, the course picked up from what I remembered and headed to Mill Race park where we would run across the covered bridge. It was shortly after this point that my shuffle stopped working. I was hoping that using new/different headphones would have fixed the problem but sadly it did not. I knew better than to jack around with it this time and stepped off the course to switch out the headphones and put them in my cell phone. There were a few spectators standing there and one guy asked me if I was stopping for a smoke break. I gave him a courtesy laugh and asked if he had one that I could bum. So since my phone was now my music, I put it in the holder I have on my race belt. I hadn't planned on taking any pictures anyway since I'd run this course before.

Shortly before the 2 mile marker, my digestive system was not pleased with me and I really thought I was about to have a bathroom emergency. So I started walking hoping that it would subside. There was one porta-potty at the first aid station (just after the Mile 2 marker) and it appeared to not be in use. I contemplated stopping but I was feeling a little bit better and decided to press on. Thankfully this gurgly belly stuff completely stopped and I didn't have any other problems during the race.

As luck would have it  - since my phone was put away - I did see some things that I would have liked to have taken pictures of but I refrained. But here is a verbal description of some things I saw that I thought were funny:

• Just after the first aid station, there were some people dressed in Victorian attire cheering us on. I don't know if they were associated with the building they were standing in front of...which of course I don't remember what that was now.
• Near Mile Marker 5, I saw a guy looking back at a girl a few people behind him. There seemed to be a look of concern on his face for her. He reached back and took her hand....which she immediately pulled away from him. The only thing that I could imagine that was happening was he probably convinced her to do this race and she was NOT happy to be out there. It was totally a "don't touch me" moment between them.  It made me chuckle.
• While I don't remember for sure where in the race this was, I saw in the a lady cheering on participants while wearing her....um robe? (not structured enough)....snuggie? (too structured for that)...so lets call it a SNOBE. It was light purple and she wore it well!
• Next I saw a group of spectators having a cheering party in their driveway. It was reminiscent of people partying the night before the Indy 500. They had their driveway blocked off with checkered flag pennants. They had card tables and chairs out there. I wasn't sure if they were cheering us on or heckling us. But they'd gotten up early to be out there....or had they not gone to bed yet?!?!?!
• I noticed that it looked like on some of the mile marker, there were pictures that had been drawn by children. I've looked through the website and the guide they gave us but I don't see (and I could totally be overlooking!) if this was a competition for kids or what. 
• There was a guy that was running backwards.  I don't know if he was doing this for the entire race or not. Another gentleman joined him for awhile. I've actually thought about - once I complete my 50 state goal - of ways I can do something different in races as a new challenge and running/walking a race backwards has crossed my mind. Although I should just "challenge" myself to be a better/faster runner!
• Along the course, near the 12 mile marker was a section that had multiple "motivational" sign posted. Two of my favorite were: Last place is still a "place" and Your couch misses you. The "couch" sign was my favorite.
• And lastly - in typical fashion when the marathon course rejoins the half marathon course - I was about halfway through mile 12, when here comes the female marathon leader. She blew past me and finished her FULL marathon 4+minutes faster than my HALF marathon time.  (the life of a slow poke)

Eventually I did cross the finish line and found a volunteer to take my picture. That is one draw back at doing races "by yourself" in that you don't have a personal photographer.

I got my medal and snacks and then wandered over to the After Party. Sadly I'd forgotten to put money in my race belt so I couldn't buy anything and smelling all that food was making me hungry.  They had lots of vendors: food, clothing, crafts.

As I stated above, I would have to wait around for 5 more hours before the truck giveaway and I certainly didn't want to do that so I headed back to my car. But I stopped in the Hotel Indigo again to use the restroom.

The last thing to do before leaving was to take the medal photoshoot. It was windy and I was worried if I'd be able to get a good shot or not. There were two locations that I wanted to try; the covered bridge and the Robert N Stewart Bridge (designed by J.Muller International, this cable-stayed bridge is the first of its kind in North America and was completed in 1999)

Most of the covered bridge photos didn't really turn out. I couldn't get my phone to focus on just the medal. It kept getting the bridge. But these two are pretty good. 

This is the Robert N Stewart Bridge and it is also featured on the medal. It would have been fantastic if this session had turned out but obviously it didn't.

I tried to mix things up a little and include my bib on a picture as well. I took this on the floor of the covered bridge. 

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS RACE:

• I definitely liked it better this year than I did in 2013. It might be because the weather was cooler this year but I'm not sure.
• I don't know if I'll do it next year; it depends on scheduling
• But I would recommend this race.

June 2015 - What I Did / From What I Remember

June started off with us attending a function associated with my husband's employer as well as his involvement on one of the boards for the Indiana Historical Society. We went to the Historic Twin Oaks Home and Garden Tour (former home of Ruth Lilly). It was a really nice event. 

Yeah, we always keep it classy!

This home was gorgeous - both inside and out

Tiniest bathroom sink EVER!

This was Ruth's white Rolls Royce which she only drove on Sundays.

And by "she drove" I think that means she was driven (a la Miss Daisy)

And this is Seymour. He now owns this car.

 (as well as one that belonged to Barbara Mandrell.)

He was adorable.

The next big event was our anniversary trip to San Diego....but he ended up taking me to Paris instead. It was like a dream!!!! My husband always plans the most amazing trips but I think he really outdid himself this time. I can't even begin to summarize that trip here on the recap page so you'll have to check back later for detailed Blog posts - with tons of pictures - about this trip...but it was fabulous!!!!

Toward the end of the month, we ventured over to Ballwin, Missouri - for the every last time - for my husband's brother & sister-in-law's going away party. They are moving to Salt Lake City, Utah. This is a very big deal for my SIL because she has never lived away from her family. Selfishly, I'm super excited that they are moving because its a new place for us to visit!!

May 2015 - What I Did / From What I Can Remember

I'm the out-of-towner in the Brunch Bunch - they all still live in my hometown - but everyone thought it would be fun to come to my house for our May gathering. Since we were so close to Cinco de Mayo (Brunch actually took place on the 3rd), I named it Senorita Sunday. 

I think fun was had by all and we did a lot of reminiscing and laughing.

On May 16th, it was time for another half marathon that I hadn't trained for. This would be the 3rd consecutive year that I participated in the Seymour Half Marathon. You can read more about that here:  http://skeltonadventures2.blogspot.com/2015/09/may-16-2015-seymour-half-marathon.html

My Mom moved. Its a shame that this had to happen: she lived in a really nice apartment complex but we could no longer afford it. Technically we never REALLY could afford her old apartment but we made it work. I certainly couldn't have done this without the help of my brother K. As usual he's does his fair share and then some. We'd all be lost without him. But man, this was a month long (and then some) project! I don't know if it was better that we were able to "take our time" at the old place or if we would have made better decision if we'd been under the gun. I was over there at least one day every weekend in April/May. But again, it was nothing compared to what K did. Although it ended up costing more than the initial quote, I'm certainly glad we hired a moving company instead of us trying to schlep all that furniture into the new place.

File this under "First Time Ever", on May 23rd I did a legit Trail Run (the Indiana Women's Trail Run Half Marathon) and surprisingly I didn't hate it. You can read more about that here: http://skeltonadventures2.blogspot.com/2015/09/may-25-2015-indiana-womens-only-trail.html And if it works out, I might even signup next year. Once again, I had not trained unless you consider the half marathon the weekend before a training run! 

Then later in the afternoon after the trial race, I went to a 50th birthday party for my friend MKH. She lives in Florida now but her family had a celebration for her here in Indy. It was great seeing her and some of the other ladies I used to work with. 

BLACK FLAG - The Indy Women's Half Marathon

2015 was the 5th consecutive year for the Indy Women's Half Marathon and I had participated every year. That qualifies me as a "Streaker" but I prefer to use the term "Legacy" participant.  I think I read were there would be 120 of us that have done it each year so we would be getting a special bib and medal.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th: Packet pickup was held once again at the Sheraton Downtown. I had to wait until after work to get there and only put enough change in the meter for 30 minutes. I didn't really need to do any shopping - there isn't anything that I really need - and I wanted to get home and get everything ready for in the morning.

I saw my friend J.K. as she was helping direct people in the correct entrance so I talked to her for a little bit but then went in and got my stuff. I saw the race director and said hello to him but after a quick sweep of all the booths there wasn't anything that I hadn't seen before. But just as I walked out the Frank Shorter discount clothing section caught my eye and I went back in...and bought a sports bra. I really do need a few new ones. (Sadly once I got it home, its too small and now I don't know what to do.)

Since all of this seemed exactly the same as last year, I didn't take any pictures.

I got all my stuff ready and was in bed between 10:00PM and 10:30PM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th: The plan was to try to get downtown by 7:00AM. I never officially heard anything about a Half Fanatics picture or even the location for the 50 States Half Marathon photo. But it didn't matter. I think I encountered every red light on the way downtown and traffic was unusually busy for a Saturday morning...thus I was late.

We'd had a downpour earlier in the morning but it had stopped raining before i left the house but forecast was calling for more rain.

I walked out of the parking garage with a girl named Sara(h) and we were talking about the weather (both stating that we'd still be on the course during the next round of predicted precipitation) and races that we'd done and I mentioned that I was a 5 year participant. She then pointed out to me that I didn't have the "special" gold bib. Dang! I'd forgotten that we were supposed to get those. Would this now cause me problems getting my 5 year medal? Once we got to the start line, I headed into the Sheraton to use the restroom. The line for the ladies room was L.O.N.G. but there were several other smart ladies like me that decided the men's restroom was a good option. I was only about 7th in line for that!

Once I got back upstairs, I headed over to the race office/headquarters were I saw my friend TR. She was working the event this year so I asked her about the bib mixup. She said that a few others had brought that to their attention and that I shouldn't have any problems. They were making the folks handing out the medals aware.

Decided I better head back outside to the start line. I saw J.K, again with her 2:30 Pacing Sign and wished her well. Then toward the back, I saw the 3:15 Pace Sign and new that my friend A.L. was leading that group this morning so I went over to wish her well. This was her first time pacing and she was a little nervous but I know she was going to do a great job. I also looked for my friend MYMW but never did see her.

I settled myself in between the 2:30 & 2:45 Pace Signs and waited for the start. Eventually we heard the last part of the National Anthem so people started turning around to be facing the flag. With that many women, there was a lot of chatting going on so we literally heard only the last two lines. It didn't help that I think they only had speakers up by the actual start line. 

For some reason one the the girls behind me was holding the BIG pace corral sign. This wasn't some wimpy sign on a skinny stick. It was a big plastic(?) sign on a piece of wood. For some reason this girl thought the best thing to do was to just lay it on the ground in the middle of everyone after the Anthem was done and said. "Well, we don't need this anymore." I looked at her like she had two heads and told her that would be dangerous for everyone behind us and someone could get injured. So I picked it up and walked it over to the sidewalk and leaned it again the building. Aye yi yi!

It was about 10 minutes later before the wave started moving; I never did hear a starting gun or anything.

I only made it about a 1/2 mile up the road and then my shuffle started cutting in and out. So I stopped to move it to a different area where I thought that maybe the headphones (which I was hoping was the issue) wouldn't get jacked around. Back to running and I was able to get a picture of these service men who more than likely would be handing out our medals at the finish.

Unfortunately another 1/2 mile and my shuffle is still cutting in and out so I switched my headphones to my phone and listened to my playlist that way. The plan was to keep the phone away because I'd run most of the course a gazillion times. At this point it began to slightly drizzle so I slowed down to a walk again to put a baggie over my phone holder just in case.

As we got closer to the 2 mile water station, the sky opened up and the rain really started coming down. I also saw a flash of lightening but at the time I wasn't worried. I saw some women running back and I was confused as to why. My first thought was that they missed the 5K turn. Or did the race route the 5K back though the half marathoners? There was a bit of a cluster with that last year so I was hoping that they had "fixed" it but now I wasn't sure.

I made it another 1/4 mile and a race official was telling all of us to stop and that the race had been BLACK FLAGGED. I stopped my music and my Garmin and  - while still a little stunned - I asked if it was just being postponed or actually cancelled and he said CANCELLED. He told us we were to seek shelter and/or head to the finish line if we felt safe enough to do so. He said that we could pick up our snacks and medals.

I was still in a little bit of shock . The rain seemed as though it was starting to subside and while I still some a couple more flashes of lightening, it wasn't anything like what I had seen while doing HOTlanta last month. As I walked south on Illinois Street, I would wave my hands to other women still running and told them that the race was over. It was Black Flagged.

As you can imagine, the finish line was super congested since so many people were showing up at the same time. I had to ask where to get the 5 year medal. The guy looked for my bib and I told him that I didn't have it; that there were a few of us that didn't and then the girl next to him gave me the correct medal. 

There were tons of snacks for us to choose from (chips, cookies, granola bars, Fig Newtons, bottled water, chocolate milk, fresh fruit) but nothing to carry anything in. I need to reload my race belt with a plastic shopping bag! I got my rose and then headed over to the park area. The Xfinity tent was handing out red cloth bags so I took one just to put all my stuff in and I got it just in time. They ran out five people after me.

I stood in the "free picture" line for awhile but it was still raining, I was a little worried about my phone getting wet and still a little stunned about what had just happened, I just wanted to get home.

I saw my friend J.B. - who was also part of the event staff - and she was kind enough to take this picture of me. (If you enlarge this picture you can see all the women still coming in to the finish line area!) We talked about what a tough decision it was for the Race Director to make the Black Flag call but that it was also the decision of the local safety management people.

I texted my husband to let him know what had taken place and that I was on my way home. He said that his bike event had been cancelled as well.

I still feel guilty that I have this medal; almost like I have "stolen" it. And while I'll hang her with the rest of my medals, she will have an asterisk next to her.