« nothingathon | Main | the man in the ceiling »
October 13, 2007
take two
My four blissful days of Nothingathon officially ended this morning at 8.30am. I ran.
Actually, to be completely truthful, Nothingathon ended at 11.14pm last night when I hit 'register'.
Yes, I hit register.
I am running the Grand Rapids Marathon on Sunday October 28, 2007!
Why?
Good question.
I need closure. Like at the end of a bad relationship breakup.
After training for 18 weeks, running everyday for 100 days, there is a still a feeling of incompleteness (word). I know 100 consecutive days is a huge accomplishment which I am incredibly proud of, but it was part of training for a marathon. That goal still lumes. I started thinking seriously about it, yesterday morning. Then P sent me an email yesterday afternoon, suggesting Grand Rapids. I laughed.
Then I visited their website and I was sold. I found a marathon with personality. A small town marathon with heart and humor.
For example, they do have pace team. But with a difference. No 4.00, 4.05. 4.15! No the pace teams are based on Celebrity Marathon finish times.
Celebrity-Pace Pace Teams will include:
The Penguin Brigade 4:44:44 (endorsed by Runner’s World’s John “The Penguin” Bingham)
Team Oprah 4:29:30 (everyone wants to know if they can beat Oprah)
P. Diddy Pacers 4:14:54
Will Ferrell’s Sub-4’s 3:56:12
George W.’s Running Mates 3:44:52
The Billy Baldwin Racers 3:29:24 (We’re not really sure if he counts as a celebrity, but he’s Alec’s brother and we do respect his time.)
Pi’s Pacers 3:1415926 (geeky younger brother of Phidippides in ancient Greece, was more interested in mathematics than in running).
I am going to sign up for the Oprah Pace Team!
Here are a few of the answers to my favourite questions
Cutoff Times? Do you have cutoff times for either race?
YES! We'd really like it if you finish on some day ending in a "Y" Stay perpenicular and cross the FINISH LINE. We'll save you a beer.
Is whining allowed on the course?
NO! You signed up for this on purpose. Deal with it. I don't care if you were drunk when you friend talked you into it.
Finisher Medals, will there be any?
Yes, and thery're really cool too. Half marathon medals as well. Even something nice for the relay teams.
What sport drink are you serving?
Gatorade this year. In a variety of flavors & colors drink. GU at mile 8, 13 & 18.5 (vanilla and plain)
What's the course like?
It's long. 26.2 miles. Mostly flat. Actually, there are a few hills between 3 and 6 miles, unless someone comes through with a really big bulldozer between now and then.
Posted by Ali at October 13, 2007 12:23 PM
Comments
Good luck! I've never run GR, but I've heard a ton of good things about it - it's on my list of Races To Do Someday. I think you'll walk away from it MUCH happier.
Posted by: Dawn at October 13, 2007 1:21 PM
Good for you! It looks like it will be a gorgeous (and much cooler) race!
Posted by: Taryn at October 13, 2007 2:19 PM
Oh, That's great, Ali. They are clever -- sounds like a really fun one to do. Good luck!!
Posted by: Nancy at October 13, 2007 2:46 PM
I'm sold! That is THE perfect race! Well, it is now that you've signed up for it.
Posted by: Tea at October 13, 2007 3:01 PM
Oh Ali I AM THRILLED!!! I am sooooooooooo glad you are running that marathon!!!
I will be doing the Houston Half marathon on that very same day!
Posted by: Justjunebug at October 13, 2007 3:39 PM
Sounds like a nice marathon! And I'm happy to read you managed your 100 days non-stop-running successfully. That's a great feat. Hope you have a good race :)
Posted by: Lei at October 14, 2007 12:01 PM
That sounds SO FUN!!! Love the pace groups!!
Posted by: Allison at October 14, 2007 5:02 PM
you should let them know you are a chicago marathon runner. Vanilla said Denver was waiving the entry fee for those that did not finish Chicago.
Posted by: Pat at October 14, 2007 6:34 PM
Good for you!
I'll have you know that Oprah beat me in my 1st Marathon.
Posted by: ff_jeff at October 14, 2007 7:49 PM
Congrats!! So glad you are going to get a chance to complete this mission of madness and that site is too funny, it makes me want to run it and I haven't been training for 26 miles.
Posted by: Amanda at October 14, 2007 8:19 PM
Good! I'm sure you can beat Oprah. She didn't run for 100 consecutive days!
Posted by: Ewen at October 15, 2007 1:23 AM
ha! now that's a race with plenty of character!
Posted by: deene at October 15, 2007 10:28 AM
i think this is a very good idea ali! you are going to kick butt, the marathon owes you!! fun fun.
Posted by: brent at October 15, 2007 11:02 AM
You just can't be stopped! You are so still my hero. Yay!
Posted by: Susan at October 15, 2007 3:50 PM
Oh yeah! It sounds like a great race! I'm so excited for you that you signed up for it. Plus I'm excited for us that we get to keep reading about your training. Okay, so I'm selfish :)
Posted by: Andria at October 15, 2007 4:27 PM
Good luck! That sounds so exciting!
Posted by: Jes at October 16, 2007 8:44 PM
What a clever way to set the pace groups. Your right, everyone wants to beat Oprah.
But why no Lance pacegroup I wonder?
Posted by: jkrunning at October 17, 2007 4:40 PM
SOunds like a blast. Enjoy Grand Rapids!
Posted by: jank at October 19, 2007 6:07 AM