RunFasterDaddy

Locked Out = New Opportunity

This has never happened to me before.

Probably one week after the Cape Cod Marathon last October I started looking for my next marathon to run. It was then that I found the Hyannis Marathon scheduled for February 28th. So, I went about picking a plan, started my training (which admittedly has NOT been going quite as smoothly as my training for the CCM) and began counting down the days to my next marathon. This past Friday marked the early registration deadline for the marathon. Registering after that date would mean a price bump of $5. So Friday night I went on to the Hyannis Marathon website and was rudely met with a big black box message stating that the marathon, half-marathon, and marathon-relay were all full.

lockedout

How does that happen? How do all three distances fill up on the exact same day? How do more people (2000 limit) register for a marathon in February than in October (only 793 marathoners)?

Needless to say I was miffed, bummed, melancholy, WHINING…

When I was much younger and in between girlfriends, one of my friends said to me, “Nothing gets you over the last one, like the next one.” At the time I thought that was pretty callous advice when referring to girlfriends, but when it comes to races it might be just the thing. So, I jumped on CoolRunning.com and started looking for similar races around the same time. Mango mentioned that he saw something in Runner’s World about the Half at the Hamptons.

So…I am now signed up for (read as “PAID and REGISTERED for”) the Half at the Hamptons. I was looking forward to running on the Cape, but from the course reviews and race reports that I’ve read about the Half at the Hamptons, it might be a blessing in disguise. The course sounds beautiful and past runners have commented about how well organized and executed the race was.

Probably the coolest thing is that I am now going to complete the “Will Run for Beer” Race Series. I already completed the “Hangover Classic 10K” on New Year’s Day and it turns out that the “Half at the Hamptons” is the second race in the series. There are six races between now and June 6th and if I can compete in 5 of them 6, then I’ll get the series jacket. I looked ahead at the schedule and the only race I will not be able to do is the one on May 2nd (day of my Providence Marathon).

So, assuming all goes well with my training, by June I’ll be sporting a new series jacket. The series looks like fun too. There is one 5K (series finale), one 4 miler (April Fools 4 miler), one 10K (Hangover Classic that I already did), and two Half Marathons (my current favorite distance).

Needless to say, I am no longer bummed about Hyannis. Although I have learned my lesson about signing up earlier than usual for races now. Justin was bumped out of the 2010 Boston Marathon too. It just seems like there are more runners than ever and races are filling up earlier and earlier.

Race Report for Hangover Classic 10K and Polar Bear Plunge

Yesterday was the 29th Annual Hangover Classic in Salisbury Beach, MA. They had a 5K course and a 10K course. I ran the 10K course and took advantage of the optional Polar Bear Plunge after the race. Justin, Kathy and Val also ran this race and all three of them, as well as Justin’s Mom, proved that they were cool by doing the ocean dip too.
I wasn’t feeling tip/top for this race. Justin asked me before the race how I felt I was going to do. I predicted a 48 minute time. Justin sped off, as per usual and Val and Kathy ran together. I fell into a comfortable pace and around the beginning of the second loop (10K course was just a two loop run of the 5K course) I decided that I didn’t feel too awful. At the 4 mile water/beer station I opted for the beer. Why? Because they had beer. By mile 5 I was regretting that choice. I felt like I was going to hurl. The problem was though that I did the math in my head and figured out that if I pushed it for the final 1.2 miles I would end up with a PR for the race. So, I choked down the vomit feeling and ran.
I ended up with a new 10K PR, 46:28 (7:29 pace) and finished 135th out of 427. It was a fast field. My last 10K I was a little slower and took third in my age group and this race I doubt I was top 20 in my age bracket. Last year Justin ran the course in a 39 something and took first in his AG. This year he took two minutes off his time and ran it in 37:13. He didn’t podium this year. That is amazing to me. The top 16 people ran the 10K in a 5 something pace.
Kathy and Val both ran well. I was proud of Kathy for pushing through some cramp issues and Val ran her longest race yet (with me anyway) despite her New Year’s Eve hangover.
Then the real fun started. We all jumped in the ocean. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. (click to enlarge):