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Womens Finish Boston 2009

An absolutely amazing finish. If you didn't see this you are missing out!

Quote of the Day

-- "Boston... Now that's a mans course!"

Boston Marathon Pictures

Race Day -- Boston Marathon

Race day was partly cloudy and the wind was gusting from 10-15 mile per hour. Shev woke at 5 am and dressed for the day. We went downstairs to the café in the Jewel. Being so early, it was dark and unattended. Item's needed for breakfast were sitting out and ready. Mouldi Sayeh, the proprietor had been up late the evening prior. In addition, his wife wasn't feeling well. I suspect she’s the glue in his life. I’d really warmed to his company and hospitality. Finding the light switches took a few minutes. As it should be, the Jewel's espresso machine is always on so I prepared the morning java for me and my wife. The machine for me became a highlight. This was not my first go at using it. It's a beautiful gold Rancillio four group machine. The Jewel needs a steaming pitcher and I prefer skim milk for lattes. If I should find some Algerian patterned coffee cups and a steamer I will send them to him.Most modern coffee-drinkers are probably unaware of coffee's heritage in the Sufi orders of Southern Arabia. Members of the Shadhiliyya order are said to have spread coffee-drinking throughout the Islamic world sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries CE. A Shadhiliyya shaikh was introduced to coffee-drinking in Ethiopia, where the native highland bush, its fruit and the beverage made from it were known as bun. It is possible, though uncertain, that this Sufi was Abu'l Hasan 'Ali ibn Umar, who resided for a time at the court of Sadaddin II, a sultan of Southern Ethiopia. 'Ali ibn Umar subsequently returned to the Yemen with the knowledge that the berries were not only edible, but promoted wakefulness. To this day the shaikh is regarded as the patron saint of coffee-growers, coffee-house proprietors and coffee-drinkers, and in Algeria coffee is sometimes called shadhiliyye in his honor.

Shev really didn’t have the perfect pre-race breakfast. She choose bread and cereal with whole milk. I could sense her concern. Rich came down about ½ hour later and he had the foresight to bring some instant oatmeal. I wasn't worried. Shev left about 6, kissed her for luck because everyone knows, the marathon is all about luck. She left for the commons area to catch her bus. Rich still had a while to wait around so we headed back to our rooms. Last night, as official wine taster, I had my marathon so I headed back to bed. I really needed the extra shut eye. Haufnaui, Mouldi’s son wanted to go with me the night before but he wasn't around when I was needing to leave. Later his dad said he wanted him to sleep in. I had to hike a few blocks farther than normal to catch the train. Most of the stops near the finish are closed on race day. Surprisingly, the outbound stations aren't too crowded. I thought it best to head as far out on the green line as I could because the trains would be getting pretty crowded with people heading back to watch the finish. So I went to the Cliff gel stop at mile 17. Turns out it was a great spot to spectate. I could see the course really well. It was exciting to see the women’s elite so tightly packed at that point. I could tell it was going to be a battle. I took this photo. Ok. You gotta admit. Kara Goucher is hot!!! Whooooaaa boy! Even Shev would understand my excited electrons when it comes to this girl!!! She can melt hard iron on those abs! Wow. My life is complete.

By the time shevs group came by It had gotten so thick with crowds and runners I missed Shev completely! Oh well. Shev ran an AWESOME race. Negative splitting and achieving her pace goal of 3:25. I finally caught up to her after the race.  No wonder I didn't recognize her! WHERE did you get that outfit!?! I'm just kiddin :-). You paid more for those threads than you would have for anything at the Gucci boutique. ITS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN THE MONEY... You just can't buy it!!!!!!! WAY TO GO SHEV!!!! I LOVE YOU!

Boston Update

Today is Sunday and it is a BEAUTIFUL day! The weather was supposed to be really bad with rain and wind but it just might miss us. Regardless, Shev and I slept fitfully. New noises and the Newbury Street night life were not noises we are used to hearing. On top of that, the seagulls were making such a clatter. If you are too rowdy and get killed after being at a bar, you must be reincarnated as a gull. I am groggy but I don’t care. I’m a quarter block from the Expo and a block from the finish!!!! This is Boston! The history oozes from these sacred roads. The lack of sleep will be remedied by the day. After the packet pickup, we have all day to nap and chill out. The Jewel of Newbury is run by a charming man Mouldi H. Sayeh with a beautiful family. His faith in god is unbending and he is very generous.. Shev, Rich and Pam joined us. I really enjoy the Gieblehousen’s. A great couple to travel with...they’re a hoot! Peg is brilliant like my wife. She was making literary references that spark conversations between her and Shev. Rich or I could barely follow the conversation. We are more interested in our next beer. I say leave the literature to the literate!

We went downstairs for Breakfast and there was a new girl I didn’t recognize. Shev asked where her father was and she blushed. She informed us with a grin she worked there and was not a related. I asked for an espresso but she didn’t know how to run the machine. I offered my services and to my surprise she accepted my invitation. Mouldi prepared an interesting omlet (and I use the word omlete in a very open and generous way. It had many spices and fresh spinach, onion and mushrooms and did I mention spices. I nicknamed it the Persian Grand Slam. It was HUGE and SPICY....And Spicy! All qualities you don’t usually seek in the breakfast meal, but I didn’t care a bit. He had a groovy Rancillio espresso machine. I was given the privilege of playing with it every morning. It had plenty of a very good ground bean. I enjoyed learning the in's and out's of how to get a decent shot from it. We didn't have a steaming pitcher so I simply added whole milk to Shev’s double and she enjoyed the drink. Peg slumbered down in the middle of our breakfast and we still had plenty of deep dish omlet to go around. After breakfast Rich Shev and I headed to the expo. How cool it was to be so close. I went ahead and picked up my packet. Besides not having shoes or running a step for the last three weeks I entertained the idea of stepping on the course. Man, I had a low bib. Under 3,000! Oh to be healthy and fit. NEXT YEAR!!!


Vibram 5 fingers had a booth. I happened to be wearing my pair. There was MUCHO interest at the booth. My pair are 2 years old. I really believe in those shoes. They make your feet fit. Also a highlight was seeing Team Hoyt. Last year, I had a chance to talk with Dick in person. He was in Chicago but this year Dick brought his son. It was busy around the booth so I did'n speak to him but I was curious if they planned on running the marathon. They both looked great. THIS is is the picture I snapped.

Mr. and Mrs Fennell Go to Beantown

The spring marathon season didn’t pan out like I thought. I hoped to be running the Boston Marathon on Monday but it’s not going to happen. Greg put together a great plan but some of my parts just couldn't withstand the abuse. I don’t much like getting old. On Monday I will be with Shev in Boston cheering her on. She will no doubt finish the race with personal best on a very tough course. She’s done the work and has a vast pool of discipline. Now she needs to execute her strategy. I am expecting she will come across the finish line in under 3:25. Just prior to my tendon issues, I asked to just run with her at her pace. I was surprised by how hard she worked me.

Shev got up early Saturday (as usual) and did an easy 40 minute run while I got the last of my much needed beauty rest before we left town. We were flying out of Bloomington at 9:30. I fixed my last great latte for the next few days and we headed out. Not being one for details, I waited till the middle of breakfast and 10 minutes before we went out the door to get on the computer and input my cell phone number for tracking Shevs progress. After all the trouble, I forgot my cell phone on my way out the door.

Checking in at the ticket counter I ran into Matt Eckberg. We did a few long runs together this spring. He’s strong and fast and running really well. I would not be surprised if he turns in a 2:50 or better on Monday. As tough as he is, his little brothers are even faster. The brother he’s staying with has a personal best something wicked like a 2:27. He’s going to run as well. Rich and Peg Geibelhausen booked a room with us at the Jewel of Newbury. I am excited for the prospect of staying at the Jewel, a nineteenth century Victorian in a quaint part of downtown Boston in the history Newbury area. Peg was looking forward to looking around and perhaps finding a few items. From the printout Peg showed me in Chicago I’ll have plenty of coffee shops to enjoy. I am really looking forward to getting to know them both a whole lot more. Peg I am coming to realize has a bit of a competitive streak. Rich shares my love of great beer. It’s going to be a seriously fun weekend.

Rich is injury free has been running quite well. He has a bit of arthritis in his knee that’s he’s accepted with a certain grace. Price of admission he jokes. I expect he will have a strong performance. He’s hoping to run a 3:50-4:00 race. Break a leg Rich!!! I am enjoying my role on the side this year. Being a spectator is kind of nice. I can spend attention drinking in the the lifestyle aspects of the Boston Marathon experience.

Quacked!

Coolest Marathon Ever!

If you are looking for an extreme challenge marathon look no further than here!

Good Luck At Illinois Marathon!

BACK TO SQUARE ONE......damn....

On Sunday I planned to complete my week of training by running my long run from home to the tower and down to Running Central. The plan was to go out semi-easy and come back as close to goal marathon pace as possible. I've been having spiratic runs as of late because of pain in the groin and knee. I figured I had some sort of muscle imbalance. From talking to folks I thought this was irritating the IT band. I haven't been running right since Delavan.

I have missed nearly 3 weeks of training and I wasn't feeling all that confident in my fitness. I got to the gas station at the corner of Forrest Park and Knoxville (about mile 6) and decided to call it quits. My hips never really loosened up and my knee was beginning to really bug me. The irritation becoming more noticeable the further I ran. I was pretty grumpy about not being able to complete my run. I turned around dejected and beaten. I slowed to a jog. When I got back to Central and War Memorial the pain in my knee had increased. I walked up the the Danimals home. Thankfully he was at home. Demi his daughter was there and so was LeAnn. I had coffee and he showed me the shelves he was putting up. The guys are regular Bob Villa. Thanks Dan for the lift back to my place.

On Monday I went to see Dr. Ryan at IPMR downtown. I have been diagnosed with IT Band Friction Syndrome and Osteitus Pubis (WTF?!?). The later diagnosis was from an x-ray of my pelvis. The front of the pelvis is joined by the pubic symphysis. The x-ray showed sclerotic (thick) bone edges and evidence of inflammation. The treatment is anti-inflammatory and a break from running to quiet the tendonitus. Physical therapy to increase mobility and stability. I am going to miss not only Boston but also Steamboat (bummer).


So after all the talk of the importance of doing strength training and stretching I failed to heed my own advice. When my schedule got tight, I dropped the stretches and strength training and for a while it worked. I was getting faster. Now I have a setback. Bummer.

SIGN WITH UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES