Sunday, December 31, 2006

Extra Credit Miles

The Last Chance Marathon went well and my knee held up pretty good. Rob, Steve, and I ran the marathon together with a time of 4:11:08. Both Rob and Steve had run the Flat Ass Marathon last week so they were gutting it out today. I thank them for running with me and providing lots of entertainment along the way. We were afraid we might be voted as the most obnoxious runners on the course as we had a lot of fun with the runners we encountered along the way. We joined Diana "Slug" Robinson for the last loop of the race and I think it helped us all to have someone new to hear from and talk to. Diana really picked up the pace for us in the last few miles and kept us under 4:15. I had to laugh at something Diana said when we were running with her. The year before she became a marathon maniac she ran 75 races in one year. I was like, "and what isn't maniacal about running 75 races in one year?"

The course was basically broken up into four 6 + mile loops, two loops to the north and two loops to the south. Since we were a full loop ahead of Michelle and Margaret Rob in his infinite wisdom decided it would be a good idea to run the last loop with them after we finished the marathon. I didn't think much of the idea at first but after some food at the finish and changing my running shoes I decided to join in on the idea. Steve, being somewhat more intelligent than Rob and I chose to stay at the finish.

Steve and Patch did end up walking out the last loop about a mile and a half and running back in with us for Michelle and Margaret's final miles. Bottom line, the extra loop isn't something I wanted or had planned to do but it helped me build some mental toughness and allowed me to finish the year with a nice 32 mile run.

Happy New Year!

Eric

17 comments:

Backofpack said...

And I thank you! Having you guys with us made it go by quicker and gave us a mental boost. It was a good day. Thanks for being my sherpa too!

Olga said...

Aww, ain't you nice...oh, wait, it wasn't your idea! :)
Good end of the year, Eric!

Unknown said...

We ended 2006 with a bang, well it was really more like a cap gun bang, but a bang nonetheless.

Anonymous said...

Way to wrap up the year! Now on to 2007! You've got an exciting year ahead of you with you big race in sights. Good luck with your training.

Thomas said...

Well, the term maniac was invented for guys like you. Well Done!

Dori said...

Did you notice the full page ad on the back of the January 07 Runner's World? I thought of you when I saw it. At a recent holiday party the host Tom, a marathoner (including the Great Wall Marathon) and 2-time Ironman, was telling me how he dreams of running the 100 mile. He fantasizes about wearing the belt buckle! I told me I "know" someone who's running that! Happy running in 2007.

Darrell said...

Sounds like a great time, extra mileage and all. Just considering a little headstart on the 100 mile training.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a fun run

happy new year!

Sarah said...

32 miles sounds like a fine way to finish out the year. And to do it with friends and family is the icing! : )

Wes said...

Happy New Year, Eric. Seems I need to synch my work and home laptops. I've been missing your posts!

Ryan said...

Happy New Year to you and your family
Running a marathon while having fun with family & friends and some maniacs is a wonderful way to end 2006!

Happy Running in 2007, especially the BIG BOY WS100!

CHEERS

Jon said...

Hey Eric, you planning on showing up for the Training Run/Clinic for this February or in May?

http://www.ws100.com/training.htm

Journey to a Centum said...

Jon,

I'll be at the May training runs. Are you?

seagull junker said...

I think you mighted earned some "points" for that nice gesture.

tryathlete said...

32 miles on the last day of the year? No wonder you're a Maniac! Congratulations and have a good 2007!

runliarun said...

I wish I could throw in a few extra miles with the same non-chalance. Happy running this year!

Jon said...

I wish dude! It's going to be awhile before I'm fit enough to get into ANY 100 miler, but if my first 50 miler in April goes well, who knows? Maybe I'll toss my hat in for 2008. :-P