Week of 05-15-06 including race report:
Mon- 0 miles
Tues- 0 miles
Wed- 0 miles
Thurs- 4 miles
Fri- 0 miles
Sat- 2 miles
Sun- 26.2 miles

Didn't get a couple of runs in that I wanted to at the beginning of the week due to trying to get work finished up so I could take Friday off and not be too far behind.
I did mange to get out Thursday and get a good 4 miles in. I forgot my watch and enjoyed running with out so much I almost ran the marathon with out it, but I just couldn't pull the trigger and do it.

What a fun weekend. I flew into Milwaukee on Friday morning and drove to Green Bay. The rest of the group was due in on Saturday, so I just relaxed Friday night. The hotel was next to the Research Center Arena and when I checked inI was told the Green Bay Blizzard, GB's arena football team, had a game that night and tickets were only $9.50. So after eating dinner at Brett Farve's restaraunt I decided to check out the game. Even though Georgia has 2 teams, I have never been to an arena football game. It was a fun "event". I am pretty much an old school football fan and this was way different, but kind of fun.

On Saturday morning I went out for a 2 mile run in a nice neighborhood I wanted to take a tour of Lambeau field. When I got there I got a surprise. The Packers were practicing as part of their 3 day mini camp. After watching the remainder of practice I decided to go on the tour, but as I walked up the stadium, I noticed there were players that had come back to the stadium and were signing autographs. After watching for a minute I stepped up and asked for Cory Rodgers autograph. He was signing pictures, helments, paper, and all I had was my Best Western room key. He looked up and said, "Best Western? How is it? You know I am a rookie and if I get cut I may need to come stay with you, is it nice?" What a great personality he had.

In the P.M. I went to the expo. I saw Lori, then Nels/Lyra and family, then Len and his friends Mike and Sara.
Saturday night we went to dinner where I finally got to meet Rhonda W. and Bob.
After dinner Rhonda, Bob, Len and I went to meet Phil Van Ess and Nels for a drink before retiring for the night. While were there, we were given a sheet of paper announcng the upcoming vibrator races that were to start in a while. We didn't stay for that!

One thing of interest. While we were waiting for Phil to call to tell where we were meeting, Rhonda said "there's a Kenyan." We watched him talk to a couple of people then bound in to the restaurant. I joked that I should go get my picture taken with him and get his autograph in case he won. Well- while watching the news Sunday night, it was him. Yes, he won. And for the 2nd year in a row.

Sunday morning Len and I met Rhonda and Bob in the lobby where we also saw Lori and her friends. We some pre race pictures and then off to the start. After rushing through a chaotic bag check, I had 3 minutes to get to the start line. I jumped through the crowd to run to my corral and oh crap!!!! I am staring at the start line and all of the elites. I took off to the other end of the line, jumped the fence and got in the corral with a little time to spare.

It was cold and windy waiting to start- finally we were off. I wanted to go out and run a very controlled race. My training was less than desirable (to me) but I thought if I ran a smart race I would be ok.
The first few miles went by more quickly than I expected. Around mile 4 I saw Tina (one of Len's friends' friend) and cheered her on. Then just before the 7 mile mark I saw Lyra, Audrey, and Jorgen. After high fiving Audrey I asked how Nels was doing. He had not been by yet and I thought he must have gotten caught up in the bag check mess and had to line up further back. Somewhere aroung mile 11 he came cruising by looking great and liek he was out for an effortless Sunday morning run. As he was splitting off for the Halr marathon finish he turned and graciously said, "Man, I am glad I amd not running the full and get to stop in a few minutes." Thanks Nels!!!

After the split off it got hind of boring. The runners were kind of spread out and no one, at least around me, was grouped up running together. Once we got to the bike path portion of the race it was a beautiful run with the Fox River on one side and nice neighborhood on the other.

We made a turn at the end of the bike path and over a little bridge, then started our long, 5.5 mile straight stretch toward the finish. This part of the run was a very slight uphill and into the wind. Looking at my splits I can see exactly what the wind did. I was pushing trying to keep the same pace I had but couldn't. My hamstrings started to cramp a little but never fully cramped. I took 3 quick stretch breaks during miles 22, 24, and 26. Finally we turned the corner and headed in and around Lambeau field and then exited towards the finish. Down the last straight away and cross the finish line all smiles.

After the race I waited around the finisher area and watched for Lori and Rhonda. I saw Lori shortly there after but never saw Rhonda. After having a beer I headed over to the massage tent and had a wonderful massage.

Got back to the hotel and as I was going to get my ice for my ice bath I saw Lori and her friends and others sitting in the pool area have a beer. After my ice bath and shower I headed down and sat with them for a beer and trading of race stories before we all went our separate ways. A little later that whole group met up at the Stadium Grill and Bar for a drink and food.

I had 2 goals for this race- 1- to run the whole race, and 2- to run 3:45 to 4:00, but to break 4:00.
I met both goals (with the exception of the 3 stretch breaks). But even better than that- I feel like I ran my most controlled, smartest race out of the 11 marathons I have run.
The marathon specifics are:
Mile 1- 8.42
Mile 2- 8.39
Mile 3- 8.21
Mile 4- 8.21
Mile 5- 8.32
Mile 6- 8.28
Mile 7- 8.42
Mile 8- 8.34
Mile 9- 8.26
Mile 10- 8.37
Mile 11- 8.26
Mile 12- 8.30
Mile 13- 8.32
Mile 14- 8.46
Mile 15- 8.54
Mile 16- 8.50
Mile 17- 8.59
Mile 18- 8.51
Mile 19- 8.53
Mile 20- 9.18
Mile 21- 9.07
Mile 22- 9.43
Mile 23- 9.23
Mile 24- 9.41
Mile 25- 9.19
Mile 26- 9.31
Mile .2- 1.49 (9.05 pace)

Total Time- 3.52.08
Avg. pace- 8.51

It was great to see Len, Nels, and Lyra again. And it was great to meet Lori, Rhonda, Bob, and future tapers Audrey and Jorgen.