Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon
Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana, featured a flat course past many historic monuments, houses, churches, and buildings on a sunny, 52 degree day that was somewhat windy. The historical view was quite interesting and made it a little hard to concentrate on the race. My time suffered some, but that’s okay. Water/Powerade stations were locate every 1 to 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Most intersections were controlled by police and volunteers; however, some lesser intersections were unmanned and runners had to trust the good judgment of the drivers. Many intersections had massive traffic jams which will have to be lessoned in the future if this second year event, which had 5000 entries, expects to continue. The pre-race exposition had Hal Higdon and Dane Rausenberg. It was a very enjoyable event.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana, featured a flat course past many historic monuments, houses, churches, and buildings on a sunny, 52 degree day that was somewhat windy. The historical view was quite interesting and made it a little hard to concentrate on the race. My time suffered some, but that’s okay. Water/Powerade stations were locate every 1 to 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Most intersections were controlled by police and volunteers; however, some lesser intersections were unmanned and runners had to trust the good judgment of the drivers. Many intersections had massive traffic jams which will have to be lessoned in the future if this second year event, which had 5000 entries, expects to continue. The pre-race exposition had Hal Higdon and Dane Rausenberg. It was a very enjoyable event.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Manchester Half Marathon
Manchester, New Hampshire
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009 was a wonderful day to do the Manchester Half Marathon in Manchester, New Hampshire. A 48 degrees temperature was accompanied by sunny skies and a gentle breeze. The course was very challenging with many hills. Water/Gatorade stations were located every two miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. With the exception of one clueless police officer who was stopping the runners to let the traffic flow, the police controlled the traffic to ensure a smooth operation of the race. Many spectators lined the course and cheered for all the participants. The pre-race exposition featured as speakers, Bill Rodgers and Dane Raushenberg. It was a well organized, enjoyable, third year event.
The event was extra special for my wife, Gerda. When she crossed the finish line, she reached the outstanding accomplishment of successfully completing a half marathon in each of the fifty states and brought her total number of half marathons to 108. Congratulations!!!
Manchester, New Hampshire
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009 was a wonderful day to do the Manchester Half Marathon in Manchester, New Hampshire. A 48 degrees temperature was accompanied by sunny skies and a gentle breeze. The course was very challenging with many hills. Water/Gatorade stations were located every two miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. With the exception of one clueless police officer who was stopping the runners to let the traffic flow, the police controlled the traffic to ensure a smooth operation of the race. Many spectators lined the course and cheered for all the participants. The pre-race exposition featured as speakers, Bill Rodgers and Dane Raushenberg. It was a well organized, enjoyable, third year event.
The event was extra special for my wife, Gerda. When she crossed the finish line, she reached the outstanding accomplishment of successfully completing a half marathon in each of the fifty states and brought her total number of half marathons to 108. Congratulations!!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tower of Terror 13K
Disney World, Florida
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I race walked the Tower of Terror 13K in Disney World, Florida on October 24, 2009. The event began at 10:30 PM in the parking lot of Hollywood Studios, took a tour around the Wide World of Sports Complex, returned to the Hollywood Studios for the last two miles, and finished near the Tower of Terror Ride. The course was almost flat with water stations located every 1.5 miles. The temperature was around 72 degrees with almost no wind. As usual at a Disney race every thing was extremely well organized and geared to everyone having a good time. As a result the major rides at Hollywood Studios remained opened until 2 AM so the competitors could ride after they finished the race. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I even rode the Tower of Terror twice.
Disney World, Florida
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I race walked the Tower of Terror 13K in Disney World, Florida on October 24, 2009. The event began at 10:30 PM in the parking lot of Hollywood Studios, took a tour around the Wide World of Sports Complex, returned to the Hollywood Studios for the last two miles, and finished near the Tower of Terror Ride. The course was almost flat with water stations located every 1.5 miles. The temperature was around 72 degrees with almost no wind. As usual at a Disney race every thing was extremely well organized and geared to everyone having a good time. As a result the major rides at Hollywood Studios remained opened until 2 AM so the competitors could ride after they finished the race. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I even rode the Tower of Terror twice.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Baystate Half Marathon
Lowell, Massachusetts
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I race walked the Baystate Half Marathon on Sunday, October 18, 2009 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The temperature was 40 degrees. The wind was blowing. A steady combination of light rain and sheet continued the whole race. In other words it was a miserable day for a half marathon. The 1700 participants in the half marathon for the most part did a two lap course along both sides the Merrimac River utilizing two bridges making the course mostly flat. For the first 3.5 miles, the course was closed to traffic, and then it had the participants use the side of the road that contained much traffic. Thus, passing opponents or dodging puddles often required using the road and watching out for traffic approaching from behind. I was not very happy with that. Water/Gatorade stations were located every 2 to 3 miles and were manned by plenty of volunteers who braved the terrible weather. Many police officers were along the course at intersections and store entrances as well as patrolling by motorcycle. It was a well organized event.
For my wife, Gerda, finishing the half marathon meant that she has now completed a half marathon in 49 of the 50 states. The fiftieth state will be New Hampshire on November 1, 2009.
Lowell, Massachusetts
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I race walked the Baystate Half Marathon on Sunday, October 18, 2009 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The temperature was 40 degrees. The wind was blowing. A steady combination of light rain and sheet continued the whole race. In other words it was a miserable day for a half marathon. The 1700 participants in the half marathon for the most part did a two lap course along both sides the Merrimac River utilizing two bridges making the course mostly flat. For the first 3.5 miles, the course was closed to traffic, and then it had the participants use the side of the road that contained much traffic. Thus, passing opponents or dodging puddles often required using the road and watching out for traffic approaching from behind. I was not very happy with that. Water/Gatorade stations were located every 2 to 3 miles and were manned by plenty of volunteers who braved the terrible weather. Many police officers were along the course at intersections and store entrances as well as patrolling by motorcycle. It was a well organized event.
For my wife, Gerda, finishing the half marathon meant that she has now completed a half marathon in 49 of the 50 states. The fiftieth state will be New Hampshire on November 1, 2009.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Baltimore Half Marathon
Baltimore, Maryland
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Five minutes before 7500 competitors started the Baltimore Half Marathon in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, October 10, 2009; a light rain began to fall. The drizzle continued on and off for the duration of the event which had 20000 entries in the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and 5K. The temperature remained around 65 degrees and there was a light wind. Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately every two miles; however, there were not enough volunteers and tables to keep up with the demand of the competitors for liquid. The course was hilly, but had no challenging hills. Intersections were controlled by from one to four police officers which meant that there was more than two hundred on duty. At least half the course went through the ghetto where at least half the buildings were boarded and unoccupied. The people living along the route cheered enthusiastically from the windows of their residences and the sidewalks in front of their residences even though the light rain continued intermittently. There was quite an economic and racial contrast between the competitors and the spectators where for a few hours everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I know I did.
Baltimore, Maryland
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Five minutes before 7500 competitors started the Baltimore Half Marathon in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, October 10, 2009; a light rain began to fall. The drizzle continued on and off for the duration of the event which had 20000 entries in the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and 5K. The temperature remained around 65 degrees and there was a light wind. Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately every two miles; however, there were not enough volunteers and tables to keep up with the demand of the competitors for liquid. The course was hilly, but had no challenging hills. Intersections were controlled by from one to four police officers which meant that there was more than two hundred on duty. At least half the course went through the ghetto where at least half the buildings were boarded and unoccupied. The people living along the route cheered enthusiastically from the windows of their residences and the sidewalks in front of their residences even though the light rain continued intermittently. There was quite an economic and racial contrast between the competitors and the spectators where for a few hours everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I know I did.
