Disappointed (2)

I got up early on Sunday morning (5:15ish) to make sure I had time to double and triple check everything I had laid out for the race AND to make sure I had given myself enough time to get on the Red Line from State to Monroe and walk to the Charity Village and get in my pace group corral. On the walk from the condo to the Red Line I already was beginning sweat a little (nerves and the temperature already in the mid 70s). I got to Charity Village found the American Liver Foundation's tent, dropped my stuff off, stretched, ate some breakfast, drank lots of water and gatorade, and headed off to the corral.

At the start of the race we all walked to the start line (which took about 15-17 minutes). As we (all my new marathon friends) crossed the line the excitement was just awesome - WE WERE OFF! I kept my pace really easy and stayed with the 4:30 pace group. As we came up to the first aid stop (which I had no intention of stopping for) we all noticed that the tables were either empty or turned over on their sides and stacked on the side of the road. This was the theme for the next 5 miles or so.

I had planned ahead and given Jen, Morgan, my Mom, Brea, Ronda, and Brea my waterbelt (a.k.a. my "utters", my "batman utility belt", and my "teets") to my support posse. I had planned on seeing them at miles 3, 11, and 20. As it turned out this was an awesome plan - with no water or gatorade for the first 6-8 miles or so people were running to the nearest water fountains or park fountains and dumping their water bottles or their entire bodies in to cool off! Knowing that I had water coming up at mile 3 allowed me to not freak out.

By the 3rd mile, there were already people stumbling around like the walking dead, being led by other runners to the side of the road, or asking bystanders for drinks from their powerade or water bottles. I was able to get my water/powerade from Jen, give Morgan a wet kiss, and thank everyone for cheering me own and I was off to tackle more miles. About the time I was needing some more water the aid stations were handing out empty cups and telling the runners to keep going further down the street (or cross the street) for the water and gatorade.

By this time the temperatures were climbing and the bodies were hitting the floor (road, sidewalks, front yards, etc). I found my support posse at mile 11 (which in the heat and humidity felt like mile 18). I was able to change out my insoles to my shoes (Brian/Papa provided the NASCAR commentary on the gear change - too funny), get some more water/powerade and an apple, and head off telling them I would see them at mile 20.