Several of my Armelian friends traveled from Wisconsin to South Carolina for the Myrtle Beach Marathon, which was canceled just hours before the start.

 

Here is the recap, written by Don Scott:

 

The South really blows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we arrived at the expo Friday afternoon we were told that as the result of us being on the verge of THE STORM OF THE CENTURY (2-3 inches), the start time would be 7am instead of 6:30.  No big deal since it was going to be windy and 32 deg.  Well, we went to the pasta fest (not too bad), watched the Olympics until 9:30 and turned out the lights to dream of marathon success.  Boota and Chuck both woke up at midnight and noticed the snow had stopped (it had started about 6:30).  We woke up at 5am, opened the drapes and looked outside.  Yeah!!!  There was an inch or two of snow on the grass and trees but the streets were just wet (a little slush on the sidewalks.  We starting wolfing down our bananas, bagels and coffee as we got ready to run.  I turned on the news and noticed in disbelief that the news people were talking about the marathon having been canceled at 11:30pm!!   We couldn't believe it.  We had never heard of a marathon being canceled 8 hours before it was to start.  Not even Kevin has that kind of luck . . . .  We were really devastated.  We were in denial. What to do?  We noticed a lot of guys outside running anyways.  Actually, the news reporter was talking to several people who had come to the start not knowing the race was canceled.   Obviously, they were very pissed.  To those of you who think we went outside and ran the marathon anyways, hold that thought.  It is a great story.  Keep believing it.  Everyone else, please read on.

 

We took showers. got dressed and went to the all you can breakfast pig out where we met many other disgruntled marathoners from around the country.  No one could believe this crap.  We thought of going downtown to smash windows, set fires and turn over police cars. We all thought we'd skip the turning over cars bit as marathoners have the upper body strength of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.  Afterward we walked up to the starting line in a tourist trap area called Broadway at the Beach.  It was about a half mile from our hotel.  As we walked we just got more pissed as the running conditions were fine, the snow melting and the sun peaking out.  Several groups of people passed us as we walked.  We cheered them on, clapping and yelling "looking good" or "you can do it"  We could have used Karen's cow bells.   They all waved back and smiled.

 

At Broadway at the Beach we stopped and watched the workers clearing snow with coal shovels and pressure washers.  How sad!  We also got yelled at for walking in the dangerous slush.  We could fall and get injured!  As it was only about 10:30 at this point, and the bars didn't open until 11, we decided to visit the cigar store.  The clerk told us the mayor was an idiot and the citizens were trying to recall him.  I guess canceling the marathon wasn't his only bonehead idea. 

 

At 11am sharp we ran over to the Liberty Bar.  They had ten different micro brews.  We decided to go through the list twice and throw in a few bloody Marys, too.  We met a lot of interesting people including a nice late 30's couple (Chuck and Karen) from Georgia and two brothers that were rabid Yankee fans, and our wonderful barmaid, Nicole.  Around 4 we went to Victoria's Secret to do some serious shopping.  It's all kind of a fog but I don't think we embarrassed ourselves too much.  We got back to the hotel around 5 and decided to go to the post marathon party at the House of Blues.  Free food, music and beer. What more could you want?  Oh, forgot to tell you . . .  . the taxi ride was $35 each way.  I guess it REALLY wasn't free.  Plus a guy next to us decided to jet puke all over the floor, hitting two people in their backs.  Boota helped him to the mens room (he can tell that story).  We got back to the room around 9 and some of us drank more beer and consumed mass quantities of cashews.  We watched the Olympics and at some point passed out . . . .

I opted to run the John Dick as a training run, just to get in the miles, and to spend time with friends.

 

Temps were good - 20s.  Wind was present but we were mostly sheltered from it.  Trail conditions were tough.  Though it wasn't the hidden ice we had last week, we had grainy loose snow, it was like running on the beach.

 

The John Dick is a 10K loop course.  Feel free to do as many loops as you want.  Very low key, relaxed event.  This year, like the last 2 years, was run on the Moraine Ridge horse/snowmobile trail.  Start and finish at the John Mackay picnic area.  Run down to the trail.  And out and back to the west/northwest, and a shorter out-and-back with a loop to the east.  Manned aid station at the east end, unmanned aid station at the northwest end.

 

By loop 2, I was ready to be done, and didn't know if I could finish.  Just plain tired.  My running friend Dennis really wanted to do the whole thing.  If he weren't there, I am sure I would have bailed.  But when the 2 of us run together, often we are like a couple of silly giggling schoolgirl BFFs, and this was definitely one of those days.  So, I opted to keep going.

 

We ran a bit with fellow Armelian, Neighbor Jim, but couldn't keep up with him.  He did great.  His first ultra and he looked strong the whole time!

 

We saw lots of familiar faces many times, which is also lots of fun, including local ultra legends: Mary Gorski, Tom Bunk, Robert Wehner, Paul Gionfriddo, Christine Crawford and Kathy Rytman.

 

Loop 3 was definitely the biggest stuggle for me.  Once you get that one down, mentally, it gets a little easier, and I started to feel a little better. 

 

As we finished loop 4, I could have definitely called it a day.  But Dennis was determined to do all 5.  He iterated "I am pretty sure I could find my way by myself."  Uh, yeah.  After doing this loop 4 times, and seeing all the footprints that the course has gathered over the last few hours, most folks would be able to do this.  But Dennis' ability to navigate a trail is just about as good as my ability to talk about football.  Prbably even worse, God bless him.  Last year, we did the Scuppernong green loop about 100 times, and he still didn't know which way to go at the Ice Age crossing.  So, figuring that runnning the last loop with him would be much easier than leading a search party for him, I opted for that last loop.

 

I only looked down at my watch occassionally, and did make note of the fact that we were nearly last.  At our last trip to the manned aid stations, there were only 2 lonely bags left at the bag drop.  The volunteers seemed in good spirits, which seemed to be directly related to the beers in hand.

 

We got done in just over 7 hours.  When we arrived at the hut, we received a very warm welcome as the whole place cheered.  Think they were drinkin too.  Keep in mind, the finish line is the doorway.  You open the door, and every one cheers like you are walking into a surprise party.

 

Shortly after we arrived, 2 more folks finished, and we were able to do the cheering.  And those were the only 2 after us.

 

We enjoyed some food and beverages and chatted with Jim.  Ashley Kumlien, the young woman who will be running across America starting next month, joined us also.

 

As fatigued as I felt, this is going into the books as one of my favorite runs.  Seven hours of running with Dennis included many silly conversations.  Several times laughing so hard I had to break stride.  As we neared the end, lots of high school humor at how slow we were running, and speculating at what the headlines could be for the recap.  I will let you figure them out.

When Disney does it, they call it the Goofy Challenge.

 

Half marathon on Saturday, and full marathon on Sunday, on an indoor track at the The Pettit National Ice Center that surrounds the speed skating oval.  47.6 laps for the half, and 95.3 laps for the full.

 

Though I do prefer to run outside, I have never minded running at the Pettit.  I have run 20+ miles in low zero temps, and enjoyed that too.  Many of my running friends grumble when they opt to run at the Pettit in winter on a dreary Saturday morning.

 

Here's what I like about the Pettit running track:

100% predictable conditions - consistent temp, and no wind.  Wind is the only thing I don't like to run in.

Easy access to hydration and nutrition - put your bottles and gels at the edge of the bleachers, and you are never more than 0.275 miles from it.

Indoor potties - it's just so nice to know they are there for you.

Last but not least - Socially favorable - run laps with people that are close to your pace, you meet new people, and its easy to see friends that do not run your pace.

 

So, a half marathon and a full marathon on the track in one weekend.  Yes, I was called insane more that once, and do not argue with that designation.

 

Well, the scenery would not be in my top 10 favorites, but it wouldn't be my last either.  There's one in New Berlin that's pretty bad, I won't mention it by name, but it rhymes with Pear and Mortice.

 

There are no hills on the running track either, but I guess that is a nice change of pace once in a while.

 

 

So here's my favorite part - being able to see all the runners throughout the event.  All running their own paces, we passed each other many times, and could have short conversations.  Ashley Kumlien, Mary Gorski, and Pam Grzbowski also ran both events, and my dear friend Dennis Hanna spectated on Saturday, and ran on Sunday.  It was so great to see them during the events!

 

It helps break things up when you can see a friend ahead of you, and can catch up to them again.  Dennis insisted that I tell him something funny every time I caught him.  Well, I could only come up with one: "Cialis and Boniva should trade names."

 

Here's what's tough - when you start to feel like crap, the spectators and volunteers are able to watch you progressively deteriorate.  And you know it.

 

I felt good the whole time on Saturday, and for the first 22 or so miles on Sunday.  (Read - felt like crap for last 4 miles.) I chuckled to myself when volunteer Gerry Cameron emphasized that I looked really good, during that last stretch, because I knew my discomfort was starting to show, and Gerry knew I needed a little encouragement.  Thanks Gerry!

 

I really enjoyed the challenge and uniqueness of this event.  It was very well organized.  Great awards and prizes from InStep, Nathan Hydration, and Lakefront Wellness Center.  Great job RD, Chris Ponteri!