Rock 'N Roll Cleveland '13 Race Report

This is the one that started it all really.  I kinda roped some people in to go to this race, but I also got roped into another half marathon two weeks later.  It all worked out in the end.  I enjoyed the race two weeks later a little more than this one.  Not that this one was bad because it was my first half marathon.  With the two races and a practice half, that's three half's in 5 weeks.  WOWZERS!!

I was the instigator of get the group to go to this one.  I have a subscription to Triathlete magazine, and had seen several advertisements about the Rock 'N Roll marathon, half marathon, and tri series.  What drew me to the series was running with bands and cheer squads on the course. I had never seen that before.  Remember, I'm a relatively new runner.  I just figured you started the race, ran it, nothing going on around you, and then you wound up at the finish line, race over.  Well, with bands playing and cheer squads, and well....the most important ingredient, the BLING, I figured let's do this one.

After months and months of cajoling and convincing, I finally got one of the Run Crew (Stacie, Jeff, and Julie) on board and she got the other two to go with us in about 30 seconds.  Yeah, she's persuasive and I'm not.  Although I had to agree to do the Detroit International half 2 weeks later.  Yes, 2 weeks.  For you big time runners, you probably could do that in your sleep.  Me?  Not so much.

Anyway, we trained, we got hotel rooms, and a rental to drive us down and back.  On the big day, we loaded up at Stacie and Jeff's house and headed for Cleveland.  Stacie had to work, but we got going at a reasonable time so we could get there before the Expo closed, and we could get our bibs.

I was the navigator and did a piss poor job of it.  Once we got to Cleveland, I directed the driver, Jeff, to our hotel....or so I thought.  Turns out we were at the Marriott, but not the Residence Inn by Marriott. Those are 2 different hotels and in 2 different locations.  We had unloaded the car, it was valet parked, and we had gone inside.  I had noticed the start for the half was just down the street, and the Expo was across the street.  Well, not so much when we moved to the right hotel.  I think somebody was ready to shoot me, ok, maybe 2 people were ready to shoot me at that point.

We finally made it to the right hotel, dropped our bags off, and walked to the Expo.  Someone, not naming any names, got us lost a little bit....AGAIN.  Might have been me, but it was so long ago now, I don't quite remember.

But we made it and got there in plenty of time to get to the Expo and get our goodies.  

I have never gotten a bag before, again - first half - EVER, so this was all new.  We were at the very tail end, and the place had cleared out...A LOT.  We collected our bibs, shirts, and our tote bag with the Rock N Roll logo on it.  We meandered around, I don't remember if anyone bought anything or not.  I believe Julie may have purchased a visor.

After about 30 minutes, we decided time to head back and drop off our stuff then get some food.  Where does one go to dine when in the city of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?

Where else?!?!

Once done, we drove around downtown a bit and then heading for the hotel.  I put together my clothes and went through my bag o' stuff.  Nothing remarkable in there.

I had a suite that came with a fire place, so I relaxed a bit before trying to sleep.

Up and at 'em bright and early.  So early, the sun was not out.  We went down for the free breakfast.  I drank something but no eating, eating = puking.  Yeah, that's me.

Then the 6 block walk to 

The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and the start line.  It was humid and there was a bit of rain in the air.  They played the Star Spangled Banner a'la Jimmy Hendrix style.  Hard to hear.  I think they were halfway through it before my corral heard them playing it.  I was with part of the Run Crew, Jeff and Julie.  Stacie was a bit faster than us, and had gone to her corral.  We were going to run/walk/run it.  I think we started a 1'/1' pace.

Start line and we're off!!

I gotta say, it was pretty cool.  We ran around Brown's Stadium.  A couple of winding trips through downtown and some steep and I mean STEEP declines.  We made it to about mile 9 and all was going well.  We had run into some interesting Cleveland "city" people.  One young lady said to me, "Hey!! 8058 keep going straight, I'll meet you at the gate!!!"  I heard about that from Jeff and Julie for the next mile.

We crossed a bridge that lead us into a 5K triangle around a park before heading back and to the finish line.  I felt good but the people coming back across the bridge looked horrible.  I mean, like they may not make it.  I felt like this run/walk/run stuff was the way to go....little did I know.

We made it to about mile 9 1/2 and went down another steep cobble stoned path, looked like a driveway, to the park.  What I didn't know, if you're a fan, is that had I taken a right at this point I was about a block or 2 from the Christmas Story house.  Had I known that, I might have ended my day right then!!! Just to take a peek at the leg lamp....Hey!!! IT's A MAJOR AWARD!!!!

Anyway, made it around the park and my legs were burning bad.  I was slowing down a lot.  The humidity was getting to me.  To get out of the park and to finish that 5K triangle before we headed to the finish was a monster of a HILL.....NAY MOUNTAIN!!!  It was about 100 yards long, but the grade was probably 20% or more.  It seemed like 45% to me at the time.  It took out a ton of energy and I walked the whole way up.  I was done, cooked, put a fork in me.

I will say this about the people of Cleveland, they cheered on everyone.  A lot of people saw I was hurting and urged me on.  I hit the last water stop before we crossed another bridge to head to downtown and the finish.  I kept hearing, it's not that much further.  Ok, I'm dying...how far is "not much farther?"  Well, it was about 5K, and I was over it.  Everything hurt and hurt a lot.  I was plain miserable.  My hands were swelling up too.

BUT....

As a sports fan, this will always be the Jake and not Progressive Field as it is called now.  I was closer to the finish...but not close enough.  After the left turn at the bottom of the bridge (see above picture), the photo guys were in that area. I asked them how much more it was.  They were much more helpful.  Make a right and 200 yards after that...you're done!!

YAY!!

Well, I made it.  I finished.  And of course I got the bling.  My time was around 3:35.  That's 3 hours and 35 minutes.  A PR!!!! First half marathon = PR.  That's how I slog.

We took a few pics at the line, then headed for the hotel.  I think I got us lost yet again.  But we made it.  I did one of Stacie's favorite after race activities, a cold plunge.  She absolutely hates the cold plunge and Gu's.  I make sure to let her know each time I do either of them.

Before we began the trek home, we stopped at Melt.  If you've never been to Melt, look up Man v. Food on the Travel Chanel website and watch that episode.  I don't know if we were hungry or didn't care, but the food was very good.  I think the peanut butter banana grilled cheese was the biggest hit.

There were several other finishers there enjoying food and adult beverages.  I saw several people that were very stiff and had trouble walking normally.  This is why I do the cold plunge, so I can help my muscles heal.  I had trouble walking but I was not near as bad as some I saw more or less hobbling around the restaurant.

Once we filled up with food, all we had left was the ride back to Michigan and home.  The best part is Stacie and I had another half marathon in 2 weeks!!! oh joy......

Back At It AGAIN

Well, it's been a long time yet again since I blogged.  I'm going to give it a go once more.  Life has been just a touch on the busy side for me to keep this up.  My goal now is to blog at least twice a month, maybe less (yeah, I know how much less?), and see where things go.

LIFE UPDATE


Don't I look lawyerly!?!?

I've since graduated from Michigan State College of Law back in December, 2015.  I've also studied and taken the Michigan Bar.  Yes, it is as difficult and daunting as any bar exam.  No, I did not pass.  I missed by 3.5 points.  Yes, I was that close, yet I was that far away (in Michigan one needs a 135 to pass).  So, being the newly minted graduate with a law degree, I did what any self respecting lawyer-to-be would do.  I appealed.  Yes in Michigan, you can appeal your essay score.  That's what I'm waiting on now.  The appeal has been submitted, and now, I wait again for a score.

In the mean time, I'm looking for a job and running.  I've also joined this FAD called crossfit.  Have you heard of it?  My Run Crew, well one in particular in my Run Crew, has been pestering me...nay...NAGGING (that's a better term) me to join.  Well, I did.  I must say, it is a HUGE workout.  I joined a different crossfit gym than the one my Run Crew attends to be closer to home.  I'm going to regret saying this, but I like it.  Why?  Well.....

EXERCISE UPDATE

This is my theory on why I have stuck with running and with crossfit.  And is it crossfit or Crossfit?!?!  Anyway, its the group, the camaraderie, the fun that I have with the people who I interact with.  Honestly, I've been on diets, I've started exercise programs, and I've purchased from .... yes, from infomercials the latest and greatest ways to lose weight and keep it off.  Why didn't those work?

My opinion is because I went at it alone.  Sure those programs have online message boards or mentors you can connect with so you aren't "alone."  But you are.  There's no one there.  At least that's the way I look at it.  I can't touch them.  I don't hear them cheer me on when the workout gets to be brutal and I want to stop.  My mind is saying quit, but I know my body can keep going.  Do I run to the message board and type a post in 30 seconds and wait for a reply?  Well, in effect I've taken a break when I could have kept going.

I don't mean to say they are there to push me to my breaking point.  The Run Crew has been there to go on runs together to cheer each other on and offer encouragement.  I love them.  The Crossfit (I'm going with this one from now on) family that I've become a part of is there to make sure I keep going.  Keep reaching....keep pushing myself to get stronger.  

How do I know this is working?  I miss them when I don't run with the Crew or go to Crossfit.  I did not say I miss working out or taking long runs although that sometimes does happen when I wish I was out running instead of driving my car or doing errands or school work.  I miss the people.  I miss the conversations.  I miss my friends.  

This is what has kept me exercising.  My friends.  I'm not a lean mean machine anymore.  I've gained a ton of weight...well, not quite a ton, but a lot, since I started law school.  Juggling a full time job at the time, kids, study time,  and class time, all took a toll on me.  I've gained even than I thought.  I weighed myself today.  I'm down over 10 pounds.  I don't know exactly how much because I went over the limit of the scale I have.  Yep, I was up there.

I try to run.....ok, slog, at least twice a week.  My real goal is three times a week.  I also try to get to Crossfit once or twice a week.  I'm still trying to add my bike in there and a swim.  I'll get there.  I'm still shooting for a triathlon before summer is over, if not, then next year for sure.  I started this journey about 3 years ago when my long run was a mile.  Yep, that was my LONG run.  Now, this weekend it's going to be 4.5 - 5 miles.  I'll be Run/Walk/Running the whole way.  I'm excited.

In November, I'm travelling to Las Vegas to do the Rock N Roll half marathon.  I'm excited and it's good to have something to look forward to and train for.  Plus, it's VEGAS BABY!!!!  YEAH!!!

BLOG GOAL

Again, I hope to keep this up twice a month and see how things progress.  I'll be posting on my workouts and runs plus whatever else comes to mind.  

You can follow me on the Twitter (yes, I know it's just Twitter) and Instagram @phairston99.  

There will be a couple of race reports that I haven't done in there too.  I did manage to go to Disney World and run in the half of half marathon of the Wine and Dine last November with the Run Crew.  Then post race we jumped on the Disney Dream for a cruise.  It was brutal, let me tell you.

Until next time.....Keep Sloggin Along.

This Blog needs CPR STAT!!!!

It's been forever and I still want to keep this blog going.  I've not been able to do this because of work and a little thing called law school.

Well, work won't be an issue shortly as I intend to "retire" from what I'm doing to finish up my last semester of law school this fall.  I hope to be able to do a blog at least once a month through the end of the year.  I'll be preparing for the February bar and don't know how much time I can devote to this until that is over.  So, there might be another 2 month break from the end of the year until the first of March while I prepare and take the bar.

Looking back, I've still come a long way since I last posted.  I had and injury, ran a few more races, recovered from my injury, and I even bought a tri bike.  I've been able to run a lot more and my base is no longer 1 - 1 1/2 miles.  My base this year is 3 1/2 miles.  I'm started to use those dreaded phrases, "I only ran a 5K today."  I can remember when a 5K was almost a death march distance.

I've run a couple of 10K's late last year and early this year.  I have not been able to sign up for as many races as I wanted to because of work and school, and these other things call kids who also get in the way of my fun.  Priorities, right?

Now looking forward, I've signed up for a duathlon which is just over a month away.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm not worried about training.  I've been riding my bike on days I don't run.  The distances are 1.5 mile run, 12.5 mile bike, and a 5K run to finish.  I rode 10 miles today, but I was hoping to do 20.  My legs just didn't have any more juice in them.  I could have gone the other 2.5 miles of the bike in the duathlon without a problem though. 

I've already done 4 mile runs and plan on doing a 5 miler this weekend in Traverse City along the beach.  I just have to get a practice brick and transition in before the race.  

Then in November, I'll be headed down to Disney World for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon.  Very excited for this.  It will be my first Disney race even though I've been to Disney about a dozen times or so.  We also  get to attend the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  My wife has been dying to do this for years now.  Although, I might be getting a bit tired of all the Frozen stuff (horrors...I know) seeing the Magic Kingdom all decked out in Christmas decorations will be tremendous.  I'm also happy to know that when we run through Studios the Osbourne Family Lights will be up yet again this year.  I have never seen those.  The lights were supposed to have had their last year last Christmas.

That's all I got for now.  I'll update again in about a month, maybe less.  School starts back up for me on Aug. 24.  15 credits to finish this degree up.  Gonna be challenge, but I'm up for it.  

Have a great rest of your summer wherever you are.

Winter Doledrums

I haven't posted much this month since I haven't been able to get outside and run.  I'm getting some new shoes next week...yes, I know, that's terribly exciting.  School has me studying for midterm exams.  You might be able to tell, I'm not all that excited or peppy.

Like most people around me, I'm ready for spring.  I could do another race report, which I plan on doing soon, but it's just not in me.  I only have the 2 half marathons left and then I'm all caught up on my race reports.

This morning I woke up to -14 degrees F, and this is what I have all around me.

Not a lot of getting out and about and doing a run.  I know people who are out in this weather running in all temperatures.  I AM NOT ONE OF THEM!!! I'm a fair weather golfer too.  If it's hinting at rain and I want to play a round of golf.  I'm OUT!!!

I've been trying to get going on the treadmill.  That lasted a little longer than 2 weeks.  I got extremely bored and it just wasn't the same as being outside.  I wanna be outside!!!

So, winter - MOVE ON!!! Let's melt some snow, find a trail, some dry concrete that leads somewhere so I can go running.  If you haven't noticed by now, and you should have, it IS all about ME!!

OK, hopefully this will put to bed my winter doledrums and the weather will break, warm up and I can run outside. 

Thank you for listening.

That is all.......for now.

Cherry Festival 5K/15K Race

It's actually called the Festival of Races 5K/15K, but I don't think anyone actually refers to it as that.  Well, at least I don't.

This was to be a benchmark race for me to see where I had gotten.  No kids.  No friends.  Just me and my race.  I had planned for this one about a month before hand.  It takes place in Traverse City, MI where they hold the annual National Cherry Festival.  This small Michigan town has boomed and the Festival occurs over or near the 4th of July.  The town is located at the base of a peninsula in northern lower Michigan on the west side of the state.  Lake Michigan goes into 2 bays and makes for excellent water recreation.  They also have a ton of golf courses up there, and the views from above the town are brilliant.

My kids have never been to the Cherry Festival and I was always there growing up.  My grandparents had a house in Traverse City and we would always visit during that time.  I had friends who had run this race several times.  It was a 10K at one time.

My family made plans to go.  I continued to train.  I debated on doing the 15K, but there was a 2 hour time limit, because when the race is over on Saturday, the final BIG parade starts.  The organizers want the parade route clear.  I was no where near 2 hours for 9.3 miles.  I think I could a little over 4 miles in an hour if I really pushed it.

We stayed at a relative's house and they were kind enough to give me a ride to the start point. The start line is at a local college, but the finish is right down the main parade route so everyone who is getting ready to watch the parade cheers you on.  And they DO!!!

When I picked up my bib the day before there were only about 3500 preregistered runners.

And packet pickup was a MADHOUSE.  It was at a local elementary school.  The parking lot was not nearly big enough to hold all the cars.  The spill over went to the high school next door and there were people parking in the street.  Crazy.  They allowed people to register the day of the race.  I think my uncle told me the highest bib number he saw was around 7000.  So about half the runners registered that day before or the day of the race.  To me, this was amazing.

I jumped out and headed to the start area.  There are no corrals.  I think they should start having them though.  This was July 6 and the sun was just coming up.  I walked to the gathering spot for the race start.  I was having issues with vomiting while I would run and didn't want that to happen during the race.  I don't know what was causing it or why it was happening but would just involuntarily throw up for now reason.  I drank a Powerade, the store I went to the day before had no Gatorade, and a gel.  Then it was restroom time.  Me and 3500 or so of my closest friends.

I thought Color Run was packed WOW.  I did some stretching and headed to the start line. The organizers were going to let out a few hundred people out onto the course at a time every 2 minutes.  Well, that lasted about 6 minutes.  Then they moved some barricades and just let people funnel through to the start line and off you went.  I think the elite runners were out of the gate first somehow they had gotten close to the front.  After that it was a free for all.  I waited and waited, know I was a slow runner and needed to be near the end.  I stood for 15 minutes waited but the crowd and the line never seemed to diminish.  So, I hopped in the fray and headed for the start line.

I hit the course and it was and easy good start.  No issues with vomiting....yet.  I hadn't made it a mile yet, when I get a text from my wife saying that the first runners were crossing the finish line. Thanks for the morale boost.  Oh well, this is my race.  Near the start of the race, once you off the college campus is a the steepest hill I'd ever seen.  I thought I'd need a pick and some rope to get up it.  HOLY COW!!!! was it STTEEEEEEPPPP!!! I tried to run up it.  Uh yah, that didn't last long.  I had to walk it or my legs would have died there.  The one thing about going up this hill, is the down hill after.  Cruised down that thing.  

Once out of that area, you start heading towards downtown Traverse City where the race ends. I got to the bottom of the hill, and an intersection.  There is a police officer there who is doing traffic control, because traffic wants to get to downtown to see the parade.  All running ceased as we waited to be allowed to cross.  I wasn't there that long, but long enough.  After you cross the street, I headed by a park that had beach access. 

I also had to GO!!!!  1 1/2 miles in and I had to GO.  Good thing the park had bathrooms, and they were open. I hopped a split rail fence and sprinted to them.  The funny thing is I started a trend.  I was followed by about 5 people hopping the fence to head to the restrooms.  Hilarious.

After that it was smooth sailing to the main drag that leads to downtown.  The bad thing about this race is the last 1 1/4 is on a sidewalk that is barely 2 feet wide.  Runners are trying to pass walkers who are 2 abreast or people pushing their kids in strollers, but there's no room to pass. You can't jump into the street because its about 50 mph on that roadway and its busy with everyone trying to get to the parade.  Hard to go around the other side because people are lined up cheering you on.  Difficult to maneuver.

The other morale boost I got along the way was about that same time, runners were coming back at us.  Going against the racers.  I knew they were race runners because they still had their bibs on.  They were running back to the start line to do the 15K!!!  INSANE!!! Yeah, I know, insane only to me. 

We wound down  to a walkway that goes under the main roadway and then up onto Front St. which is the main road downtown and parade route.  Home stretch.  Everyone who is already lined up to watch the parade cheers you on.  It gets more crowded as you reach the finish line area.  Literally the cheering never stops along Front St.  AMAZING!!   It's just under a mile long. I was doing 1/1 ratio with run/walk.  I was beginning to tire, but pushing through.  I wanted to just run the entire way, but I couldn't.  I got a little upset with myself about that, but managed to push those thoughts out and finish the race.  I set a new PR at the time of 39:14.  That's not counting the stop at the intersection or the bathroom break.  Hey, it's my race. I can time it how I want.

I had finished for about 5 minutes looking for my family when the runners for the 15K crossed. Those kids, yes, they were kids.  They don't run, or slog, or jog, they SPRINT those 9 miles.  I could never and will never be able to do that.  Unbelievable.

Anyway, we grabbed some coffees and walked to the car and headed back to the house to enjoy the rest of the weekend.  I'm glad I did the race.  I'm still debating on whether to do it this year or not.  The deal with the course being on the sidewalk and no where to pass kind of bothers me some.  I'd like to be slogging along and not stuck behind strollers and walkers who are supposed to keep right.  My issue, I know.  All in all, I did enjoy it.  You can't beat the scenery.  Lakes, beaches, and cheering people.

Keep on Runnin'

A side note.  

One of my inspirations, that got me off the couch is Jillian O'Malley.  She has an amazing story and has competed a couple of Ironmans.  She just completed a 50K.  She has served her country and her husband still does.  She was just in the hospital but is now home recovering.  I want to wish her well and hopes she gets better quickly and is back doing what she wants.

You can read her blog at fattytoironmom.blogspot.com

Thanks Jillian!!!

Deciding to Run 13.1 Miles

How did I finally decide to run 13.1 miles?  That's half a marathon!!

When I started running in 2012, I didn't think I could go much past a 5K.  After doing a few, I finally figured I could do them all day long.  I wasn't going to win, but I could easily finish them. The challenge of doing a 5K didn't last long.

Also, I was looking forward to triathlons and completing them.  I knew in order to make it to the ultimate goal, Ironman, I would have to be able to run farther.  So, I began thinking what races I could start doing that were longer than 5K.  I was looking for 10K's, or 15K's.  Due to my school schedule, I couldn't find races that were conducive to my schedule.

Reading my Triathlete magazine, I kept seeing advertisements for Rock 'N Roll marathons. Cheer squads every mile or so, plus bands every mile or two.  Bands?? At a half marathon race, I'd never heard of such a thing.  I figured I'd just be trudging along listening to my music in my headphones.  Here was a race offering their own cheerleaders and bands.  It was very intriguing and I was still thinking I'd be running by myself and not with a group.  If I was going to go that far, this is the kinda race I wanted to do.

I've also been listening to Mickey Miles Podcast.  I'd heard Jeff Galloway on there quite often at the time.  He was saying that if you put in the proper training and run walk run, then anyone can do it.  I was becoming a believer.  

Mentally, I finally decided I could do it.  I looked at the time limit that most of the Rock 'N Roll half's allow and most of them put a 4 hour time limit on it.  Doing some quick calculations, okay, they weren't that quick, I was running about at 13' mile at that point, I could finish no problem.  I'd be around 3 hours give or take.  I could totally do it!!!  

My mentality about how far I could go was changing and it wasn't, "I can't go that far."  It was more, "I can go that far, how long will it take?"  Finishing is the objective, not how long it will take. The finish line is the goal, nothing else.

So, I began talking to my "partner in crime", Stacie, and told her where I wanted to go and if she wanted to go with me.  She'd done the Walt Disney World half and I knew she was going for a full in the same place.  I told her I was going to sign up.  She said she was going to do the Detroit International half but it was 2 weeks after the race I was planning to do, so that kinda put a damper over it.

She talked to her husband and our other running pal, and somehow they were game.  Well, Stacie just told them we were signing up and going.  We signed up to do the inaugural Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon in Cleveland.  And for good, bad, or indifferent, I signed up for the Detroit International half.  I'm such a DUMMY!!!!

Now, the training started, but I had a goal, and that goal was to finish a half marathon!!!!

Keep on Runnin!!! 

Lansing Color Run '13

Yes, I'm still behind in my race reports, so I'm gonna catch up with one now.

It was supposed to be my entire family: my wife, all the kids, and I.  Well, as it worked out my aunt came in from Memphis, TN, and my daughter's club lacrosse team had a tournament in Kalamazoo.  My wife was going to take my daughter to that, so they couldn't go. I had paid for all the bibs in advance.  So, I asked my aunt if she wanted to join the boys and I.  At first she said yes, but as the week wore on, she was unable to run with us.

I began working Facebook and my friends to see if anyone wanted a free bib.  My buddy Jeff and his wife decided to take us up on the offer and they already had other friends doing the "race".  You'll see why I call it a "race" later.  

My normal running group was coming  in from Howell and we were going to try to meet up to do it all together.  I snagged waiver forms from everyone in Howell so they didn't have to make the trip to Lansing, which is 30-40 minute drive, just to get their bibs and head back.  There were no issues picking up the bibs.  The Color Run was out front of packet pick up selling tons of merchandise.  Everyone got a Tshirt, head band, color packet, and tattoos in their packet.

For those of you who don't know what a Color Run is, it is a 5K with 4 color stations set up throughout the course.  At the color stations, they "throw" color at you.  The color is made up of corn starch and some people become a color mess by the end.

 There is a Color Run in Ypsilanti, MI that's been going on for years.  The one in 2013 sold out in a mere 45 minutes.  Lansing was no exception to this.  It sold out, but not in 45 minutes.  We were given 3 start times, a half hour apart, to choose from when we registered for the race. There were 15,000 people signed up to do this Color Run.  Yes, you read that right, 15,000.

So, plans were made on where to park, where to meet, all sorts of stuff and then the day arrived.  The best laid plan was...well, you know the rest.  It was a nightmare in downtown Lansing.  15,000 runners, family, friends, and spectators descended upon the city.  I was in almost constant contact with my buddy, Jeff, who was driving around trying to find a place to park so we could meet up, and then my running group who had listened to me, unlike Jeff, and had gotten there early to get spot to park.

The boys and I were waiting and waiting and waiting.  Finally, Jeff found spot somewhere no where near where we were waiting for him, so we ambled over to Michigan Ave and the front of the capitol building to look for him.

Do you see him?!?!? No....

Now do you see him?  Yeah, me either....

Holy hell this place is crowded.

Found him, finally!!!

Ok, enough with the pictures in front of the capitol with 15,000 of our closest friends.  Let's "run!!"

See the caution tape in the above picture.  They make their own "corrals" and that's how people started.  Just basically get in the crowd and follow the caution tape up to the front and every 5 minutes they would release about 1500 people.  There was lots of music, a DJ was pumping people up, and they were throwing Color Run swag to people near the start line.  Of which, my tallness came in handy and I was able to get some.  I caught yellow knee high socks, gave them to my kids, and a bandanna.

Then we were off!!!  Now I call it a "race" because there's not much racing going on.  It's more of a walk.  We tried running, and we did run, until we got to our first color zone, and then applied the breaks.

Once we got through the first color zone, we "ran" some more until the next color zone.  Again, full stop.  After that, everyone was more or less walking the course.  Whole groups of people were curb to curb and you had to zig zag through them or around them to keep running.  My oldest son went on ahead with Jeff and his wife and my youngest and I took our time. 

We were able to run towards the end of the course until we got close to the finish, then there was a big bottle neck to get into the park where a big stage was set up to "throw" color.

Here's what we looked like after the race and had hit all the colors.  If you can't tell, one of us took the Color Run to heart.

Every 15 minutes they "throw" color.  Everyone had done it but Carter and I.  So, we go up close to the stage and wait.  We got relatively close, not too crowded.  There was a little space between us and the people in front of us.  We both had our packets of color.  With about 1 minute to go a group of 20 somethings walk between us and then promptly stand in front of us.  At first, I'm thinking, "really? of all the places to go and stand, you couldn't stand behind us, but you had to occupy the 18 inches in front of us!??!"  Carter couldn't see the stage anymore and I had to go and get him because I didn't want him to get lost in the crowd.  Now, he is directly behind one of the guys who cut in front of us.

I decide to keep my mouth shut, which turned out to be a good thing in the end as you'll see. Let's have some fun and throw our color and hopefully, Carter won't be all that unhappy.  If he sees me having fun maybe he'll get the message.

The count down begins and we throw our color.  Carter dumps his color down the back, like down his collar so its going inside the shirt of the guy in front of us.  I couldn't help but start laughing hysterically.  I basically high fived him right then and there.  He didn't do it intentionally, he's only 10.  He just couldn't throw it like everyone else.  Priceless.  Just rewards.

Here's what it looks like when they throw the color.

And when you come out, you look like this.

After that, we were a bit hungry, thirsty, and very colorful.  We headed out of the park.  Here's an issue I had.  We had to go out away from our car.  There was an "in" where the runners entered the park from the street and an "out".  We couldn't go out the "in".  We had to cross a bridge, then walk back to the street and then back to our car.  I didn't mind so much and neither did Erich, but Carter was sort of having an issue with it because we had to walk another half mile after the 5K.  Little guy was a bit on the tired side.  But we made it, and headed home for showers and trying unsuccessfully to get the color off of us.  About 99% of it came off, but there were still some residual color for about a week.

All in all it was just OK.  I doubt I'm going to do it again this year.  It was just fun though.  If you plan on doing one, unless you get there early enough and are one of the first "corrals" released, forget get about time.  It's just impossible to do for time and even then, you'll miss all the color on the course.

That's that for now.