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Post by ericjoe on Dec 8, 2008 10:09:26 GMT -5
I know several local runners went to the Run to Read Half in Fairmont this past Jan. Anyone planning running it this Jan? I have had it on my schedule for a couple months. Since my dad lives in Fairmont, I will go down Friday night.
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Post by burgrunner on Dec 8, 2008 10:21:55 GMT -5
This is a nice race provided that the weather cooperates. The course is not a real fast one and the elements can really come into play. There are several of us planning on making the trip up this year. If nothing else, it can make for a nice tempo run in a different setting.
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Post by Justin on Dec 8, 2008 10:49:11 GMT -5
I plan on running it, but not hoping to set the world on fire. I just need something to get me going again.
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Post by ericjoe on Dec 8, 2008 10:50:31 GMT -5
I assumed it would be a reasonably fast course. Thanks for the heads up. My brother may come down from Pittsburgh to run this one as well.
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Post by robinette7 on Jan 12, 2009 8:19:07 GMT -5
eric, congratulations on your run Saturday at the Run to Read 1/2 marathon. 1:37:02 great time for a 30th overall and 4th in the age group. That was a very wet and cold race. I'm glad the blacktop was at the beginning and not the end. i don't know about you but, that race was some great experience. (training, clothes, shoes, etc.) Anyway, sorry they missed you but, i just wanted to tell you great job and that it was nice too see some familiar faces.
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Post by ericjoe on Jan 12, 2009 8:57:04 GMT -5
Thanks Kirk. Although I wasn't thrilled with the weather, I was happy with my race. It was nice to see some familiar faces. I had never done this before but I dedicated that race to several people that were close to me and I lost due to cancer. (2 of which were my grandparents who lived in Fairmont)I had a couple survivors in mind too. I don't know if you noticed, but I had on 2 Livestrong bands (one on each arm--with the initials of people close to me that either lost their battle to cancer or are survivors). I even bought that bright yellow Under Armor shirt for that very reason.
Did you have as much trouble getting warm after the race as I did? Thanks for posting.
Eric
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Post by robinette7 on Jan 12, 2009 10:34:25 GMT -5
Wow, what a wonderful reason/cause for running that race.I wish we could have spoken longer before the race and you could have shared that with my son and I. Then that would have given me a much more"Reason to Run" and a apprecition and reminder of life itself. I am well sure the people you ran for deeply appreciated your sacrifice, because I myself do and you didn't run for me. That's just so unique what you did. Now, you have me all pumped up and motivated, plus given me more inner reasons for running. Thanks. As for your wristbands, I personally never noticed but, I knew you were wearing a yellow shirt because I was looking for you between the two different turn arounds. I don't recall seeing you in the first but, at the second one, man, I had a long way to go to the turn around from when I saw you and not to mention when I saw Flaren Jaron. You guys amaze me! Anyway, we accompished what we set out to do, personally I was shooten to come in under 2:30 my son started out too fast and I caught up with him at the 12.25 mi. but, if you know him like I know him, he wasn't going to let his Dad have bragging rights. Well, once again, great job and thaks a million for sharing your reasons. As for getting warm? When we left Pricketts Fort I jacked the heat on high, went all the way to Morgantown, up to thingys sporting goods, sat in my truck another 20 minutes with the heat up on high and thats when I finally started getting the feeling back in my body and espeacially my hands. Like I said earlier, It was definately a experience all the way around. Thanks, Kirk
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Post by kevinspradlin on Jan 12, 2009 12:52:33 GMT -5
Eric, the blame lies with me in your being excluded from the TriStateRunnur.com and Times-News write-up. My fault - I glanced at the results and went from there. I apologize. Please know it was not intentional. Shoot, and that after I patted myself on the back for seeing Rhonda Johns in there (a name I wouldn't ordinarily be on the lookout for).
Again, it wasn't intentional.
Kevin
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Post by ericjoe on Jan 12, 2009 13:01:59 GMT -5
No sweat Kevin.
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Post by frojoe23 on Jan 13, 2009 8:48:26 GMT -5
It definitely was a tough race. I can't say that it was an unpleasant experience. I really like this race - especially the food spread afterwards.
It took me a while to get warmed up after the race, but those tough conditions only make you stronger mentally.
I got what I came for - which was a very challenging race against a top-notch competitor in Dave McCollam. This guy is very strong and ran a beautiful race. I was lucky to not be as cold as he was at the end. I'm pretty certain that he just tightened up more in the cold than I did. I was very thankful for that or this would've been a different story.
Dave just ran 2:31 at the Philly Marathon a month and a half ago. I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to race a great runner. Plus, it is not very often that you get the chance to have a race between two decent 2:25 and 2:31 marathoners in the middle of the winter, in a downpour when it is 35 degrees, with no money on the line.
Just a great race. Maybe we'll luck out next year and get some good weather, but I'm not betting on it!
Also, congrats to Kirk Jr. and Colby Smith on finishing their first half at such a young age. Hope you guys had a good time.
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Post by kevinspradlin on Jan 13, 2009 16:32:40 GMT -5
If I recall, it was pretty cold in '08, too. I'm thinking it's a pattern for mid-January in Fairmont. Still, I plan on running next year. And yes, organizers do a great job with the food. Perhaps that part of the race is not highlighted enough.
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Post by robinette7 on Jan 13, 2009 17:11:16 GMT -5
This is kirk jr., I wanted to thank the person who got me a chair and something hot to drink. During the race I got pretty cold at about the 9th mile. What kept me to finish the race was knowing that I set out to finish what I started. Seeing QCstrider runners before/during/after the race motivated me to finish the half marathon. It took me about 30 minutes to get warm after the race. I ment two EX-WVU atheletes after the race at Cheddars resturant. They told me that they were proud of me and that I should be proud so I am proud that the people from the QCstriders give me the oppournity to run. I want to thank the QCstriders and all the mentors that motivate me to run. Thanks Flash (Jaron) Gordon for being ecouraging to me. Thanks for everything.
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Post by ericjoe on Jan 13, 2009 20:50:06 GMT -5
I think its absolutely fantastic for someone your age to get into road racing and complete a 1/2 marathon. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. Hats off to your entire family for being so active and doing a lot of races together. I have to agree that there are a great group of people in the Striders organization. I am really inspired by the hard work that these guys put in not to mention the lightning fast times they put up in races.
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