The Good,
The Bad, NOT REALLY...
The Really Ugly,
Drama wasn't hard to come by in Sunday's 31st running of the 15-kilometer Utica Boilermaker Road Race and a monumental timing snafu that will leave 2008's runners forever wondering exactly how fast they ran.
Headlines from the Observer - Dispatch read
"ALL IN THE TIMING"
yup, the chip system failed and two Ethiopians go off course.... (The lead runners nearly veered off course near the end of the race following the media van)
Okay, now for the good newwwwssss.. ' cause I hate negative!!!!
The Good
What a fun weekend. Our drive down to Utica was nice, relaxing and uneventful. Good weather, good roads and great company.
There was a longer line up / delay at the border crossing than usual, but we made it through after twenty minutes....Thelma and Louise on a road trip....we got to Utica and checked into the hotel and headed off to the Sports Expo thirty minutes before closing. Pretty much every exhibit had or was closing up, so we got our race kit and did a quick zoom around to see if there was anything exciting left to check out. Nope, most of the exhibitors had already shut down....
We were going to meet some running friends for dinner at Delmonico's, (a fantastic Italian Restaurant on North Genesee), one of them being one of my friends who had just returned from the Comrades Run in South Africa and I wanted to hear all about his Ultra 90K race!! Dinner was as always FANTASTIC and as always too much food, too much fun, laughter, tall tales and news of the Comrades Run....unbelievable..check out the website!
After our meal and beverages, we headed back to the hotel to tuck in for the night.
"ALL IN THE TIMING"
yup, the chip system failed and two Ethiopians go off course.... (The lead runners nearly veered off course near the end of the race following the media van)
Okay, now for the good newwwwssss.. ' cause I hate negative!!!!
The Good
What a fun weekend. Our drive down to Utica was nice, relaxing and uneventful. Good weather, good roads and great company.
There was a longer line up / delay at the border crossing than usual, but we made it through after twenty minutes....Thelma and Louise on a road trip....we got to Utica and checked into the hotel and headed off to the Sports Expo thirty minutes before closing. Pretty much every exhibit had or was closing up, so we got our race kit and did a quick zoom around to see if there was anything exciting left to check out. Nope, most of the exhibitors had already shut down....
We were going to meet some running friends for dinner at Delmonico's, (a fantastic Italian Restaurant on North Genesee), one of them being one of my friends who had just returned from the Comrades Run in South Africa and I wanted to hear all about his Ultra 90K race!! Dinner was as always FANTASTIC and as always too much food, too much fun, laughter, tall tales and news of the Comrades Run....unbelievable..check out the website!
After our meal and beverages, we headed back to the hotel to tuck in for the night.
Race Day,
The Bad. NOT REALLY ~
Glenda and I awoke to dark skies, heavy rain and a sigh from me saying "you know, if you don't want to go today it really won't break my heart!" I have to admit, my heart wasn't in it....but, being runners, we got ready, packed up and headed off. (I didn't bring the camera because it was just too wet)
We had learned from last year it is best to park the car near the finish line and hop on a courtesy bus to the start line. We exited the bus and immediately hit the port-a-pottie line...good job because the lines were starting to become really long and as you know, when you come out of the pottie you head right back into line.
Luckily the rain was subsiding and the clouds were disappearing ! At least enough to leave low hovering clouds...but no rain.
The run started off extremely slowly for me and I truly was uninspired...my breathing, cadence and mental attitude just wasn't there. Glenda was having the same issues..From the gun until we crossed the start line was about twelve minutes...luckily I was wearing my Garmin, however, I started it at the first mat, not the start mat..oh well, it is only seconds...
Around the 4k mark I looked over my left shoulder to see where Glenda was and to see if she was okay....she gave me the nod that all was well and we were both getting our running legs under us!
Luckily the rain was subsiding and the clouds were disappearing ! At least enough to leave low hovering clouds...but no rain.
The run started off extremely slowly for me and I truly was uninspired...my breathing, cadence and mental attitude just wasn't there. Glenda was having the same issues..From the gun until we crossed the start line was about twelve minutes...luckily I was wearing my Garmin, however, I started it at the first mat, not the start mat..oh well, it is only seconds...
Around the 4k mark I looked over my left shoulder to see where Glenda was and to see if she was okay....she gave me the nod that all was well and we were both getting our running legs under us!
This is such an incredible race! The spectators truly make it!!! They are Unbelievable.Every district is involved and compete for "the best district award"
The race was fantastic, even though it was hot, humid and overcast, there was no rain....
HOWEVER,
the chip timer failed..no one, not one single runner has a chip time!!! ONLY A GUN TIME!
I had my Garmin, luckily, so I know I had a PB....!!!!
THE UGLY...
okay, here it is, the ugly..
READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!!
what is it with port-a-potties? Can you guys or gals not aim??? I walked into the p-a-p, of course vision is limited, walking from outside in and I did what I had to do, upon the ceremonial wiping, I notice a bodily function smeared along the the seat of the john....okay, I've just SAT ON THIS!!! GAH!!!!
W.T.F., WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE LAST PERSON IN HERE???
smeared is all I can say....gah, now I have gag reflex to contend with....
I won't go into all the details but .....GROSS ME THE F*** ##@@@$$$k out, between wiping everything my "momma" gave me and slapping my hands across the wet grass after expulsion of the P-A-P , washing my hands with every available liquid from the water stations, water bottles and pouring water down my A$$, I just hope I don't end up with some communicable disease, 'cause if I do...you know that I didn't get a Kiss with it!!!
YIKES....
Back to the Good
What a fantastic time! The Monsoon rains and ear cracking thunderstorms unleashed themselves long after most had left the Saranac Brewerey party at the end of the race.
We are home now and I'm on Staycation....
We are home now and I'm on Staycation....
If you ever have the opportunity to run The Utica Boilermaker, then let me tell you,
this is one of the best organised, the most locally supported, the most FUN and the most entertaining race to go to....
you just never know what you'll "run into"
Life's fun if you don't weaken....
Lily
