Boilermaker 15K & 5K Road Race 2012

Sunday, July 8, 2012.

A day that will go down in the history books, well...for the Family Dunlap at least!

It was about a year ago my mother told me that I should run the Boilermaker.  She also told me that I should run it with my nephew, Adam, who is on his school's cross country team.  I had grown up hearing about the Boilermaker, but I never really paid attention to it...until about a year ago when I really started running.

Mom was onto something (moms usually are though, aren't they?).  My sister-in-law thought so too and she got in on the action as well.  And so, running became a family affair and Team Dunlap was born; and for the first time ever, not one, but three Dunlaps heard the bagpipes and crossed the finish line after running 9.3 miles in the 2nd largest Boilermaker on its 35th anniversary!  Registration was capped at 14,000 runners for the 15K event, and 11,360 crossed the mat.  By far the biggest race I've ever participated in, and so far the most meaningful and FUN!

I don't know if you want to hear about all the family fun time, so I won't recap that part except to say THANK YOU MOMMY AND BROTHER for making sure I had enough snacks and dinners and snacks and peanut butter for the yummy goodness that I know as carb loading.  And thank you sister-in-law for introducing me to what I like to call, Cherry Yum Yum.

Moving on.

Race weekend for me actually started the day before.  On Saturday morning, I joined sis-in-law, Jenn, and nephew, Adam, for an easy mile run with their running group, the Utica Roadrunners.  

Jenn, Adam and I (in the middle)
pre-run.  We're having fun :)

Me.  Post-run.  Oh my.  Aren't
I colorful...

A big shout out to the Roadrunners!  They are a great group of folks, who made this stranger that talked funny feel welcome AND they know how to treat their members post race...under the tent...with tomato pie...and right close to the porta-potties (this may be more important than the tomato pie....).  And for those that don't know about tomato pie....well, good.  That means more for me.  But I digress....

The Utica Roadrunners!

  
After the run, it was time to hit the expo

Me, getting my number.

Adam doesn't look as happy as I do...
He must be troubled by the
baby poop brown color of the bibs...

and preview the course.

driving down the Parkway

going into the golf course

a pretty view from the top of the golf course.

a wedding party thought so too

My niece, Jordyn.
She's having fun, trust me!

It seemed my camera skills were
suddenly lacking.

Then, after some family time, good spaghetti and meatballs (MEATABALLA), we hit the sack.

Race day saw the family up and about earlier than maybe it ever had before!  I don't know if we were all awake, but we at least were conscious.

a shirt we saw at the starting line.
a runner armed with her iPhone
sent it to me when she heard
"dang, i wish I had a camera...
that would have been perfect for my blog..."

I tell you, you have never seen so many people IN YOUR LIFE!  And they were all in line for the porta-potty before the gun went off.  We were probably in the middle of the 11,360 people...us with the baby poop colored bibs, waiting somewhat patiently.  We sang the national anthem, had a prayer and then we were OFF.  Well, the Kenyans and the Ethiopians and the Morrocans were.  It took about 10 minutes for us to actually cross the starting line.


The first 3 miles were filled with runners and spectators. Heck.  The course was lined with spectators for the ENTIRE 9.3!  The road had a very slight incline, but not so much to cause anyone any problems.  We then took the Parkway, tree lined and gorgeous, to the humdinger of a hill, the one that I was most worried about, going into and then another inside the golf course at mile 4(ish).  We made it back down from the golf course and back onto the Parkway.  It was at this point I looked to the heavens above and said "Thank you, dear Piedmont of North Carolina!"  I met those hills, the heat and humidity with little to no problem.  This is when the suffering of southern training became completely worth it!


From here to mile 6 or 7 was level for the most part.  The scenery here, not so nice.  We were on a highway for some and then behind a college for some.  But the people, oh the people, they kept you going with their shouts and clapper hand thingys and their tireless enthusiasm. Around mile 6 or 7, the course begins to take you into the belly of the city.  And it was at this point I was starting to fade.  You see, as much as I was worried about the hills at the golf course, I should have been worried about this little silent killer.  You know the ones I mean.  The ones that when you're driving don't seem like much of a hill until you get out of your car, lace up your shoes and run it.  That's when you learn about gradually increasing elevations.

By mile 8, that misery is behind you, you may (or may not) hear a drum line (I either lost the drum line, they were taking a break or they just weren't there...very sad...I love a drum line), and then mile 9 comes out of nowhere, you hear the bag pipes play (or a note...before they take a break.  sigh), and then you RUN LIKE HELL for .3 miles.


And then.  Just like that, after the months of anticipation and training, it was over.


And then you ask yourself, "Did that really just happen?"  "Did I really just do that?"


Hell yeah you did!


So next year, I invite you all to run or volunteer or spectate the Boilermaker 15K & 5K Roadrace.  It's an experience like none other.  And then...party at brother's house :)

Adam at the Finish.
Putting in a fantastic time of 1:21:40

Me at the Finish.
Ready for my half moon cookie
time:  1:29:45

Jenn got a little emotional :)
She started running in the winter,
Her first big race, and she chose a 9 miler.
You go girl!
So proud of you!!!
1:57:16

Post-race party at a brewery = a shit ton of people.

Yes, this is what a shit ton looks like.

Race Best-ofs

• Doing it with family, hands down.
• Running on the Parkway...just wish I could have gone to the zoo, I love the zoo.
• The amount of entertainment on the course, from porch djs, to belly dancers to live bands.  Fun, Fun Fun!
• The spectators.  Simply awesome.
• I got a pint glass instead of a race t-shirt.
• The winner was a male from Ethiopia this year (it's usually Kenya) with a time of 43:01, that is a 4:37 pace if anyone is wondering.  The first female finisher was also from Ethiopia with a time of 49:26, a 5:19 pace.  If you'd like to see all the results/times whatever...you can find them here:   http://www.leonetiming.com/2012/Roads/Boilermaker/

Race Not-so-cools

• Some runners were not so familiar with race etiquette.  I have no problem if you have to walk, I would just rather you not do it in the middle of the road where I trip and almost fall so I don't run you over.  Walk, please do, just do it on the side please.
• Navigating water stops.  You could never tell when they were coming up until people all around you were running you over while making a mad dash for the sides.  Big flags up up in the air would have been most helpful.  
• So, you had mad water dashers and walkers in the middle....you had to pay attention and it was pretty hard to keep a consistent and comfortable pace.

Here we go!

Okay folks -
It's just about that time for me to hop on that big white thing with wings, cut through the wild blue yonder and head up north for a historical edition to a long line of Dunlap adventures, participation in the Boilermaker Road Race!  Some will run, some will cheer and some will be getting ready to feed the hungry troops after leaving blood sweat and tears on the course.  But whatever our role, we do it all in honor of Team Dunlap!!

I hope to post from the road with rants and musings, course previews and race re-caps.

Until then...

TTFN!

A weekend recap and a look ahead

So, this past weekend, I decided to run in a local 4-miler race.  Our local coffee shop, Summit Coffee (best coffee shop EVER), has gathered some sponsors like New Balance and New Belgium Brewing Co and put together a race series this year to benefit local organizations.  Last Friday was the Summit Solstice, benefiting Our Town's Habitat for Humanity.  A challenging course to say the least, with some rolling hills, some serious up and downers getting in and out of the college's cross country trails; and the almost always and infamous uphill finish behind the town green.  Jyl was out of town, so Graham and I braved it on our own, without our fearless leader.

I don't have much to say to recap the race.  It was hot.  It was hard.  It was hilly.  It was cool to run in the company of an Olympian (read local news recap here.  Hubby actually got his picture made enjoying the show.  He's in the top picture, all the way to the left in the orange!).

But the after party with the band Cast Iron Filter, beer from New Belgium (Fat Tire, please!) and the best damn slice of "real" pizza I've had in THREE years, made it all worthwhile.  Here are a couple pics to prove I was there!

quoting gentleman that took the picture:
"Just think - if  4 miles is this much fun - 26 will be awesome."
Funny man, that one.

Me and Graham, after the finish, right before the pizza.

Saturday found me with hubby doing a little hike around Latta Nature Preserve with a packed lunch on the trail by the lake.  The day was followed by an evening adventure into the big city with a nice dinner and KICK ASS bread pudding dessert with apples and caramel and vanilla ice cream.  Shut yo mouth tasty good!  We capped off the evening with a latte of the day (hazelnut, yum) at Summit where the Vel-Crows were playing.  I missed what I like to call the "Hey Baby Rock Me Song", or what normal people call Wagonwheel, but all was good.  I did get to see my buddy, The Sockless Runner, play and sing a few before I had to turn in for my beauty sleep.

Yes.  We. Ate. It. All.

Sunday was group run day where lots of fun, laughs, conversation and coffee post-run were had.  GREAT TIMES!  The only thing missing?  Was Jyl :(

BUT, don't be sad folks, she's back in town after a wonderful trip with her family.  We celebrated by a no-holds-barred sushi bonanza.  It was so off the hook that, of course, I had to take a picture.  Now, don't be jealous, but damn was it good.

So, after the lattes, the sushi....the bread puddings, we are back on track and looking ahead.  In about two and a half weeks, I'll be heading to Central New York to run in my first Boilermaker Road Race 15K with my nephew and sister-in-law.  We designed shirts....It's going to be crazy!

Yet, after last Friday's race, I'm doubting my ability to tackle this 4mile uphill that awaits me at the start of the Boilermaker.  But, slow and steady, healthy happy, right?  We'll get through it.  Somehow we always do, don't we?  The magic of determination and desire always makes you marvel at what you can truly accomplish when you toe up to the line.

I'll let you know how it ends  :)

Lisa DeFlamingos: 6 Days to Go

Thanks to my sister AND my mother, I bring you a typical family conversation.

Lisa DeFlamingos: 6 Days to Go: oops.  I forgot to do my blog last night.  To my avid readers I would like to give you my sincere apologies.  To make up for it, I will give...

Dear Dad,

I haven't written or spoke to you in awhile.  And to be honest, I don't think about you as much as I used to.  I don't know why.  I guess I've just been busy with life?  I do miss you though.  You'd be 68 today...

I really don't like this date.  9/11/1991.  9/11/2001.  It's 5:30 p.m.  on 9/11/2011 and so far all's quiet and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Dad...do you think maybe you could talk to the Big Guy Upstairs and ask him to make something absolutely wonderful and happy happen on this date?  Something that can erase all the sad?

Anyway.  I just wanted to write and say hi.  I love you and miss you.  Maybe you can visit me sometime when I'm sleeping...I could really use a hug.

Love you lots,
Your Pigwart

Walk on Water (part I)

First I'd like to say that thanks to my beloved husband for being so very gracious and understanding, and an angel this weekend. Without complaint or opposition, he has driven me, my big brother and sister-in-law to Atlanta and back safely within twenty-four hours. He allowed me to see family that I haven't seen, as my uncle had put it, since I was knee high to a grasshopper. On that note, I would like to tell the Dunlap family how happy I am that I was able to see you all this weekend (and meet some of you for the very first time), and I hope we really do stay in touch!

Now I would like to thank ABC for showing newly aired episodes on the internet. Since my VCR had eluded me once again, I was in a panic. And then it came to me at 7:30 this morning. ABC.com. I quietly crawled out of bed, grabbed my lap top and made my way to the living room with my coffee cup. So, while Kevin, Gabbi, and Bailee slept, I indulged in my guilty pleasure.

Again, this was one of those episodes that evoked multiple emotions in a very short period of time. And this was only part one of a three episode arc. I don't know if my heart can handle the other two hours!

I'm really not going to go into Meredith's issues. I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride all weekend, and this did not help. Did she really mean to end it in the bath tub? What if Derek didn't come into the bathroom? Would she finally come up for air? Or was this some kind of glimpse into her future? All that could really come to my mind was the scenes from the Mothman Prophecies when Laura Linney was describing the dream where she "dies", and would have come true at the end if Richard Gere did not take the plunge and dive in after her.

Since there was so much devastation in this episode, let's talk about the cuteness! How cute was the Chief and his hair? How 'bout Christina with the little happy smirk on her face when she was trying to tell Meredith that she and Burke were engaged? And what about Addison, once again showing that Alex may be stirring some feelings within her when she observed him with the woman he pulled out of the water that was about to go into surgery? And Bailey. Gotta love Bailey!!!

Well folks. That will wrap it up for today. I have to go hit the books. Don't forget part 2 will air this Thursday at 9 and LOST is non-stop until the end of the season. I think we have 15 more episodes? So, until next time!!! (p.s. I hope my editor reads this soon. I am infamous about my typos!!!)