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......
