The truth of two turkeys

I am not going to use names in this post because I don't want it to show up in any search engines.  If you are aware of the situation, you will know the cast of characters.  I am ONLY representing MYSELF in these opinions and this timeline of events.  If you have a beef, take it up with me.

The reason I am telling the whole story is that I believe in the philanthropic vision of an organization and I am defensive that the reputation not be tarnished by a few misguided people based on their egos.  People are being lied to in the name of charity and I find that reprehensible. 

The story for me starts a few years back when there became a more active involvement in what was a financially successful venture.  After the first year of "major" involvement, the suggestion was made that the event had gotten large enough that a committee should be formed because, at least behind the scenes, we could see some large cracks that would likely become major issues.  Help was offered and avoided the first year by the person in charge. 

After the next year, it was insisted upon that help be accepted.  Some help was accepted, but there were still some major issues that were not resolved and they were becoming larger and more obvious to those who organize these events.  Details were obsessed upon while large issues were ignored, even on race day when the primary contact would go for large chunks of time not responding to calls for answers.  As an organization, the primary concern is the safety of the participants and this was becoming a problem - whether it be the route, the congestion, or having water for participants.

Finally, last year there were more defined roles.  One person took the registration role.  One person took the volunteer role.  And the primary role remained the same.  Over the few years, people were slowly seeing an issue with a person becoming very flustered, to the point of rude, under pressure.  Last year, it crossed a threshold and several bridges were burned.  There were threats made that a resource was "incompetent" and that the race was going to be sold to someone who could do it right - per the primary event director. 

After last years event, the announcement was made by the primary contact that they were "done with it" and no longer doing the event.  Concurrently, enough bridges were burned that many from said group resource also said they would not work with the coordinator.  And to finalize the decision, from what I understand, resources were alerted that due to safety and complaint issues, that a permit would not be provided for the same old venue.  Personally for me, I had issues that the main charity was told they were not to be on site, I believe it was due to parking concerns but not 100% sure; and once I found out that money was being taken from the charity for personal payment, my final bridge was also burned in regards to the event.  But that's a personal ethical decision and I understand that. 

Given the primary director being "done" and the verbalization of there being no permit, an organization decided that they would move ahead with a more appropriate venue that could accommodate such large numbers safely - to guarantee that a race would continue on this important date and benefit the same very important charity.  

From my understanding, initial person was invited to participate in the new event but refused. Once initial person learned of the permit that was obtained, I can only guess that ego took over and moved ahead, which is why planning was delayed. 

I truly find it a huge shame that ego took over working together to create what will ultimately be a larger, more safe event for all involved.  For if it was truly in the name of philanthropy, that would have indeed been the best solution. 

Nautica South Beach Triathlon

Packing for a triathlon is worse to me than packing for a two-week road trip.  I get that "can't forget anything" feeling and go through the race in my head about 4 times to make sure everything is laid out.  I had already planned to drive over with T2 partner, Cindy, and while I was getting ready I received a message from her to meet 15 minutes later because of some repairs to her car.  No prob.  Got everything together in my big back pack (easier to carry while pushing a bike) and packed the car to go meet.  When we arrived, she told us that earlier in the day when she was leaving the grocery store, she found a hole in her back passenger window, nothing was stolen so she is wondering if it was a rock from a mower or something.  She got the window out and used plastic and tape to cover it - couldn't find anyone in Naples to fix it immediately, but someone would meet her at the hotel in Miami to fix it.  So we packed up her car and were on our way.
Pretty quickly into the ride, we found out that the plastic was just way too loud and would probably come loose anyway flapping in the wind, so we stopped and took it out.  The ride was much more quiet and we happily chatted along the way across the Alley.  Everything was great until we got off the alley and the sky opened up.  Torrential, like tropical storm, downpour for the last 45 minutes of the trip.  The back of the car was soaked, but the worst part was every time we stopped in traffic, the wind would blow the rain all around inside of the car soaking both of us.  We laughed our way through it, since there was nothing you could do and we knew it was quite the memory in the making!
She dropped me at the Hilton, where they half-way kept us under umbrella while we unpacked my bag and bike.  I checked in and got to my room just in time for the rain to slow down.  Luckily it appears my back pack is water resistant-proof, so almost everything was completely dry.  Cindy headed next door to the Marriott to meet her window repair guy and to check in.  We decided to try to still make packet pick-up since we both like to lay our stuff out the night before so she brought 2 Marriott umbrellas and we walked down.  They stayed long because of the rain, so we got our numbers and packets, headed back to the hotels, and made reservations for dinner.  We met fellow T2 Chris and his wife Michelle at the Italian restaurant and had a great dinner together.  Then headed back and tucked in for the night.
I was probably asleep by 10, which to wake up at 5 would get a decent night sleep.  Those plans were ruined about 3:45 when a group of really loud people on my floor must have been coming back from a bar where one of them was so upset, she felt she needed to let the whole area of the floor know about it.  Yelling and crying and slamming doors... security came up and decided to deal with it right outside of my door despite me asking them if they could deal with it somewhere else.  The marble floors only echoed everything even louder.  I called the front desk twice and no one answered.  I was PISSED!  This whole thing went on for about an hour, so there was no going back to sleep.
I got up and prepped for the race.  Got everything together and headed down to the venue.  Got the bike racked and everything laid out.  Found Cindy & Chris and we all wished each other a good race.  Cindy and I were in the same purple wave (#6 of 6) so we walked down to the swim start and waited for it to go.  Horn went off at 6:50 for the first group and we were appx 10 minutes later when we were sent off.
The swim starts by running in and then swimming out, making a right, and then after the 6th buoy making another right to head to shore.  I felt great for my swim.  I was passing a lot of people from the earlier waves (cap colors) and just felt strong.  I did feel a little side stitch which never happened to me swimming before but it went away pretty quickly.  The water was perfect, maybe with a little current pushing to the shore (I would look up to spot and be at a 45 degree angle).  Swimming one buoy to the next to the next... I came out of the water in about 44 minutes, which isn't GREAT, but I was happy with it.
Heading to T1, for some reason people come out of the water and walk to their bike.  So I again was passing more people, which always feels good.  Got to the bike, helmet, shoes, swig of water, sunglasses, and we're off to bike.
Bike started out well.  Legs felt a little tired, maybe I was kicking more in the swim?  Not sure.  But I was feeling OK.  Then, maybe 2 miles in, I heard what sounded like someone popped a soda can.  My first race flat!  On the back tire!  I had taken the flat class, so I got the wheel off, had the tire and tube out and was just starting to replace it when bike support showed up and finished it for me.  I got a drink while they finished and headed back out.  There was so much glass on the side of the roads, I'm sure that must have been what happened but couldn't find anything specific on the tire.  The whole thing probably cost me about 10 minutes.  Of course TONS of people passed me while all this was going on, which is so deflating.  From that point, I just felt wiped out.  I don't know if it was the mental break that did it, or the physical break and losing the momentum, but I just hated the whole rest of it and just wanted it to be over.  I kept going back and forth in my head of just stopping vs. just finishing, since I knew my time was compromised at this point and I was hurting.  I knew I would be mad at myself if I quit, so I just kept going...
Was SO happy to head into T2 and get off that bike.  Ran the bike in, racked it, took some water, switched shoes and headed back out working on a Gu.
Going into the run always hurts.  The legs by that point are trying to shake off the bike portion and get into the running motion.  Probably about a half mile in I saw Shawn and the girls.  He brought them over that morning so they could see me do a tri. It was really nice of him and always motivating to see the girls.  Puts me in a happy mindset.  That mindset didn't last long, though, when my stomach cramped and felt exactly like a big bloated water balloon.  I have no idea what happened.  Unless I drank too much water?  I still have yet to figure it out.  Maybe I didn't have enough salt in my system?  Regardless, it was so painful trying to run with the stomach pain, I had to stop and walk (GRRRRRR!!!!!)  I tried to restart a few times, and just couldn't.  It was really painful.  Finally, I could feel some burps coming up and felt good enough to start trying to jog again.  It was off and on like that until about mile 3, when it finally felt like it was letting up.  I tried to push the run as much as I could at that point.  Around mile 5, I had some pain come back but by 5.25, I was running again.  Saw Shawn & the girls again just before the final turn to to the finish line on the beach.  Once you can hear them announcing names, you know you are close.  So I just did what I could and finished.
I am proud of myself - even with the flat and the stomach pain I PR'd that distance by 5 minutes.  I gutted it out and did finish, which was hard in-and-of itself.  I was pretty disappointed, too, though, since I felt like I trained SO HARD all winter for this and was not able to show a great result from it.  I look forward to discussing it with my coaches and seeing what else we can do.  I know I need more work on the bike.  That is probably where I failed the most.  The causeways/hills just killed me AGAIN!
I'm not signed up for another Tri until the Naples Fitness Challenge sprint in June, which is just a fun flat home-town event.  So I have time to collect my thoughts and get back on track.  Just think I need a few days to get past the feelings of the race so I can look at it objectively and dissect it.
That and a few days of sleep...

Here is the link to my results... yay... http://results.active.com/pages/oneResult.jsp?pID=124626304&rsID=123920

And a little video that Shawn shot... I look pretty miserable... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg62Kbk7RbM

Hooters Half Marathon

Clearly off my blogging game, but I'll at least try to cover "events". 

This morning was the 2nd Hooters Half Marathon I've done.  Last year, I ran with Michelle & Christy as a fun run... it was also when I told M I was doing Chicago and by the end of the race, she was pretty much signed up, too. 

Last night around 9, I decided I was going to do a playlist.  Haven't run with music since the 2010 Naples Half, but it seemed appealing to me for some reason, so I did.  I'll add the playlist at the end since some people like music entries.

This morning it was 77 and windy at the house before leaving for the race.  Not ideal for most, but I always prefer hot over cold, so I didn't really have any concerns (at that point...).  Arrived at Hooters around 6, found Tasha for my Endurance Sisterhood singlet (we RUN this mutha!), changed, found Christy and the gang and just got ready to start.

Note to all race directors, no need to give long-winded speeches at the start of an event.  No one cares and no one can hear you.  Christy at some point had said that she hoped it would rain.  I reminded her of that about 1/4 mile in, when the sky opened up.  I wore a hat just for that reason and was SO happy I had it.  It was pouring so hard, the raindrops hurt as they hit us.  A cold front was coming in and bringing the rain and wind with it.  Thank goodness no lightning, though.  I decided I was just going to do what I could do enjoy it.  I felt pretty good physically and running is so mental anyway.  At that time, I reminded myself that kids love to run in the rain and jump in puddles, so for 3 miles, I was a 7 year old. :)

The rain stopped and we got to about mile 4 when C & I took Gu and water.  At that point, she wanted to take a break so we high-5'd and split.  Our agreement has always been "if you feel good, go".  I'm not terribly observant when I run a race so I miss a lot.  I remember a lot of turns in the first half and several wonderful people who were standing out in their driveways playing music and cheering us on.  I always try to acknowledge people who volunteer and show up like that, but in these conditions, they got an extra "woo hoo!!!". 

At mile 6.5 you get to the relay split where fresh people come out and start passing you.  I hit that point around 1:07, so I was a little bummed that I knew there was no way for a PR at that time.  I decided to just run by feel and see how the rest of it went.  Took another Gu right before the Edison bridge, which is not a nice hill.  At one point, I might as well had been walking it, but I keep toodling along.  Got to the base and turned around, but on the way back the wind was at our backs, so it actually was enjoyable.  Notable ironic songs that randomly shuffled in over and back on the bridge...Maroon 5's "Misery", James Morrison's "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You", and OK Go's "White Knuckles". The music gods were in a funny mood apparently.

I had been running a little conservatively anticipating the bridge, but after the bridge, I decided I wanted to just push it.  If I blow up, I blow up, but you never know what you can do unless you ride that edge.  Then when I got to mile 10, I realized that I was on PR pace and could actually do it if I did low-9's.  Took a Gu as insurance (I think I use a lot more than most, but I've had my blood sugar bottom out in the past so I'm a little cautious that way) and decided the hammer was going down.  I chick'd quite a few people and was feeling good most of the way in.  There was no point in the race that I felt like I needed to stop, which might be a first for a half.  Last mile, that PR was SO tight, but at that point calculations are hard.  Just gave it all I had.

Hit the line and stopped the watch at 2:12:10, which was spot on for the recorded chip time.  In the end, I missed my PR by 21 seconds but considering I PR'd in St Pete on (what I think) was a relatively flat course on a clear day, I have to be pretty happy with my effort.  Negative split that included the bridge in the 2nd half, mind you.

By the end, the cold front was in.  About 20 people asked me if I knew my lips were purple.  After about 3 bottles of water, a half of a bagel, and a half of a beer it was time to head home.  Even got a hot chocolate at DD to try to warm up.  Could have stood in the hot shower about 4 hours or so.  Then the precious nap that I treasure so much... which was shortened by a call from work. 

Playlist:

Do better, do better, do better

I'm really not good about this blogging thing, I guess.  I'll frequently think of things that I should have blogged about then time passes and it's not pertinent anymore and then who wants to read it anyway? 

So I'm going to mention some random thoughts that have occurred to me as of late. 

One thing is that I can't believe that people still smoke.  I just don't understand how it can still possibly be appealing to the teens that first pick it up and the adults that continue to do it.  What especially is amazing to me is that so many people in the medical profession do it.  As a dietitian, my first question to anyone asking diet advice is "do you smoke?".  If they say they do, I tell them that I'm not going to waste my time and theirs until they quit smoking.  Because it doesn't really matter if your BMI is 19 or 50.  Although losing weight and eating better will benefit everyone, it's not worth the effort if you're willing to suck on cancer sticks.  Worst thing you can put in your body.

Another thing that I just saw came from a photo.  How can anyone still wear fur?  There are so many other options.  I personally don't buy leather, down, sheepskin, or wool items either.  There are so many man-made fabrics that do a fine job for warmth and style.  Why skin an animal to do it?  I know... Eskimos and bear skins kept them warm, blah, blah, blah.  Yeah, well we used to be able to get everywhere on foot or bike and that hasn't stopped people from moving on, right?  This is not to say that you won't see me in leather shoes... what it means is that those shoes are more than 10 years old.

I try not to pass judgement on people as we all have our issues, but some things just seem plain and obvious to me.  Maybe people don't want to be better and do better. 

Kind of tired now.  Been fighting a sore throat HARD for 2 days.  Going to win because there is no time in triathlon training for being sick, right?

Be there by 6 to get your chip...

3 days of working packet pick-up is a good lesson in public relations and patience.  Repeating the same things over and over, answering the questions, and having fun with other GCR folk.  Of course, some people just can deal with the way things are.  "Why aren't the chips in the packet?"  Because people are generally unorganized and they will lose them or leave them in their hotel and then we have to reassign you in the morning when I'm a lot more grumpy.  "Why 6?"  We've got 2000 people to park, chip, and potty.  If you're really a runner, you're used to it.  "$70.  It was $35."  Yeah, 6 weeks ago.  Sign up earlier next time.  And then people have to toss their opinions in.  One person thought we should start chip pick up at midnight.  Bwahaha!  OK, you going to be there to help hand them out?  No?  Suck it up. 

OK, so these are the things you really want to say to people.  Honestly?  It's a foot race.  Give yourself time.  If you're late it's not my fault and don't expect me to treat it like it's my problem. 

So, here we are, at the highest sign up ever, so things must be OK.  Almost 2000 people will be having fun tomorrow at gun time 7:00.  Yes, gun time.  We have a chip time, too, but awards are based on gun time.  Honestly?  Just run.

New Year's Resolution??

I've been pretty bad at this blogging thing.  Trying to include it in my frequent to-do's but not being very successful.  Maybe I'll make a 2012 goal of being better at it.  December came and went so insanely fast, as I have heard from many others.  We spent a few days in NYC - cold but fun, but otherwise just trying to keep up with the whirlwind of the end of the year. 

So as a closing for now, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and is setting goals for 2012 that include health and physical activity.  I'm working on the list... I'll try to remember to post it.  :)

There will always be faster, stronger, better...

Today was the second time I ran the Naples On The Run 20K.  For some reason, I thought it was the third, but maybe that's because it follows generally the same route as our long Saturday runs.

20K is right around 12.42742 miles (-ish), so it's a good gauge to see where you are in half marathon training.  Wanting to PR at the Naples Half in January, I wanted to race it smart.  Unfortunately, I don't really have much of a grasp on racing smart.

The main theme was that I really didn't want to start out too fast and not be able to hold on - which is a frequent issue with distance.  Michelle wasn't feeling well enough to come to the race, so it was me and Christy covering the distance.  We passed Lowdermilk Park (the usual Saturday starting place) just shy of 2 miles, so I tried to tell myself that we were really just starting then.  I told Christy just to look at it like our normal Saturday run, but that someone stole our cars so we had to run all the way to NOTR.  I don't think she found it a very funny suggestion. 

Between 2 & 3 I had a little back pain on my lower right side (probably the stupid mattress) but otherwise felt good.  That good feeling held through mile 7, which I was really happy about.  Right around mile 8, I had a Clif Shot and we turned back from Gordon to Gulf Shore.  At that point, Christy was ready to slow it a bit.  I had initially said that if I feel good around 9, then I would push it, but since I didn't want to slow down at 8, I figured it was a decent time to break off.  4.5 miles is a maintainable distance.  So, I squeezed the trigger a little and sped up.  It felt good, especially as I was passing people.  There was a little back and forth around the water stops but I eventually caught those who passed me and didn't let them catch me again.

I felt thirsty between the last 2 water stops, but other than that it was a really good run.  I don't like being cold, but was probably dressed a little too warmly for the last half of it.  But I'd always rather be too hot than too cold.

But I was POOPED!  Came home, unloaded the car of all the timing stuff with Shawn, ate lunch, and took a LONG nap.  Couldn't stay awake for the Eagles game, but it didn't seem like I missed much.  I woke up and saw the 14-14, then the field goal, then the Eagles lose it once again.  Sucks that we're still paying for the Season Ticket, but I guess you always take that gamble... especially with the $$$ that they have spent to buff up the team this year. 

Anyhow, the moral of the story is that while my time for the 20K wasn't fast by any good Naples runner standards, it was a PR for me!  2:04:58.  There will always be faster, stronger, better, but if you put work in and improve against yourself, you have NOTHING to feel bad about.  

I wore my Run Happy shirt today and was reminded a few times through the race that if you're not running happy, then you're kind of missing the whole point.