To say it was
hot and humid hardly covers it. I looked at the costumes of some of the running
folks: lederhosen, velvet vest covered blouses and waist hugging sashes and
knew they would be having regrets after just one block. Saturday September 19th was not a
pleasant, sit outside, and drink mimosa kind of day – unless one does not mind
dripping into one’s drink (OTH, a lemon drop shot – and you might not care!)
But this was
Oktoberfest and these are hardy excited folk.
Some were serious about this race, others, like me, just came out for a
fun time. Watching folks in colorful
German-Austrian costumes is always fun.
One fellow abandoned his shirt but, fortunately, kept the
lederhosen. There were runners who got
their buzz on before the race, hydrating on beer carbs, while most of us
searched out and socialized with pals. I
found my Nog Run Club group and yakked. No warming up for a fun race.
early beer ID verification queue -- got much longer |
I moved to the
back of the pack, just in front of some who planned to walk, and, as it turns
out, right by a lady in the same 65+ AG as me, who remembered me from last
year.
Not to worry, says, I – I don’t
plan on much running, I’ll be taking photos.
What I did not tell her was that I did not feel like running at
all. Earlier in the day, I was quite a
mass of ache, but after a few sessions with the roller and an Ibuprofen, my
aches were gone. However, I still lacked
energy and therefore enthusiasm. But then the race started.
I enjoyed
shuffling to the mat. Once beyond the
mat, movement picked up as folks surged ahead, opening space behind.
I trotted
down Blount St then followed the pack left around the corner then left again
onto Person St. As I went along, my
energy picked up. I would trot at a
decent pace and then, of course, walk for a bit. I saw my pals. I would pass and then eventually be
passed. I attempted a few photos of the
crowd ahead. Not being as adept at this
as Shannon Johnstone (of Landfill Dogs fame) - who can take amazing photos without even looking at the screen, I got a few of the
pavement behind or of the sky when trying for something of interest to the
side. The one good shot I got resulted
from running ahead, stopping, and then waiting for my prey (a running pal) to come into view. This was not so easy since people were
streaming by. I was afraid I would miss
her. When I did see her, it was hurry up,
focus, and snap before she was gone. (turned out to be a terrific photo of her) The
rest of the photos I took while on course were taken while moving but at a slow
speed.
Oakwood cemetery |
run fast past here! |
on the move -- passing 3-mile marker |
I still had energy and now
attribute it to listening to music – something I never do. It perhaps both distracted and motivated.
I stopped at
both water stops, gratefully! I drank
about half of the cup and poured the rest down my back. It helped.
Later, I heard of folks who poured the whole thing on their body. I felt the heat, but it was tolerable –
especially after dousing with water. Oh, yes, the heat: at 3 p.m., race start, was 85°F with a dew point of 63° (a dew point >60 is uncomfortable) and
by 4 p.m. it was 87°F with 61°F dew point.)
I expect that many of the folks I saw walking were doing so because the
heat got them. I was feeling the effort
when we veered onto Watauga St and ran an uphill incline. Walk time. A little bit of energy returned on Franklin
and when we turned onto Person, I was happy to be on the way back.
When we got close to Moore Square I dragged, because I knew there were
still two or three more blocks to go before the turn onto South St and then
back onto Blount to the finish.
Truthfully – I flagged on Blount.
Barely above a walk. Until the
ending block where I began to run and ended up in a full out sprint with
another lady to the Finish. Now, that
part was glorious!
sweat wet Garmin -- 5.03 miles; 53:45. official time 53:41. |
Winning times
for those who want to know: Brian Basilli (23) in 26:52.387 and Dominique
Stasulli (24) in 32:02.313. Hey – their last names rhyme!
I managed to
drink the whole gratis Bond Brothers Golden Ale beer while enjoying the
costume, beer stein holding, brat eating and limbo contests. (the winner of the
male limbo was amazingly flexible!) You can’t beat the Nog Run Club signature
events (Oktoberfest 8K, St. Paddy’s 8K ) for full out fun!
women's costume contest |
Allison -- 4X winner of brat eating contest |