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February 5, 2005

Rogue Training Systems Pre-Race Pasta Party

Ruth and Steve have put together a great training program. The training is great and the perks are great. Tonight we had a group dinner at a restaurant right behind RunTex (and right near the marathon finish line.) As we ate we were treated to presentations from the pace group leaders (who got their dinner comped; those guys get a *lot* of perks!) and from John Connelly, the race director for the marathon. John took over the race directorship the first year I ran the marathon, so it was interesting to hear about how things have changed over the years. I got a little ferclempt when he was talking about how hard they've worked with the community. Apparently they'll be putting door hangers on the doors of people who live along the route this week. They'll have a goody bag with a cowbell, and the residents will be encouraged to go out on the course to cheer. I guess they'll also get a chance to win some cool stuff. I know they've struggled with residents in the past, and I think this idea is brilliant. They've really struggled with some of the churches on the course in the past, and this year one of the churches will have its children's choir out on the course and another is cancelling services and having a cheering station instead. Oh man ... I'm getting ferclempt again. This year both the Austin Police Department and the City of Austin are official sponsors of the race. Unbelievable. I love this town. I love this marathon.

Steve emphasized taking it easy this week. Funny. My section leader at work emphasized the importance of extra work this week.

I hit the elliptical for 45 minutes this afternoon. I got a good workout! I usually don't feel like I'm doing much worthwhile on that thing. I may try again tomorrow. I'd like my leg to feel near 100% by Sunday, but it's feeling pretty poorly still. I haven't run since Sunday.

Taper On!

Posted by jenandmats at February 5, 2005 8:51 PM

Comments

See my entry (I made the command decision to not run this week.). I wish you and I had side-by-side ellipticals during all this cross-training.

Thanks for spelling ferclempt for me. I never knew.

Andy's going to be a pace leader? Did I read that somewhere? Did he get free dinner and have to give speech? Free dinner good, having to give a speech bad.

My favorite spectators from last year were the couple sitting in lawn chairs, in their pajamas, drinking beer, and offering cans of beer to passing runners. This was at about 8 am. Them and the underpants man at about mile 24, a guy wearing his tightie whities on the outside of his pants, a cape, and a sign that said, "Underpants Man." I thought the crowd support was great. Sounds like it will be even better this year!

So, did that dinner psyche you up or what?

Good luck with work this week!
Meghan

Posted by: Meghan at February 6, 2005 6:25 PM

Meghan - when I passed those first two (way after you and Jen would have done) they were smoking and yelling out to us to, as they put it, "Give up and come over to the dark side." Glad to see that they were up early for you fast runners too!

Posted by: Richard at February 8, 2005 6:22 PM