2008 Coast to Coast Bicycle Tour!

Decided to do a little bike ride starting May 10, 2008 so no posts on the blog for a while. Check on my daily progress and sign the guestbook at this link: Three Spokes and a Mirror.

It should be an adventure...... Enjoy!

Marc
Adventure Cyclist

2008 Shamrock Marathon Race Report

 

Q. What does an Irishman get after eating Italian food?

A. Gaelic breath.

UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror


Hi Everybody!

Here’s the race report for the 2008 Shamrock Marathon held in Virginia Beach, VA on Sunday March 16th and sponsored by Yuengling. I signed up for this race a little late after deciding the ol’ legs needed one good long run before my solo cross-country bicycle tour in early May. Virginia Beach was an easy pick since it’s only a six hour drive from Charlotte, NC and several other friends were going to run there too. Plus, I got an invite to stay over after the race from my girlfriend’s cousin and her husband who live there. Sweet!

Motel accommodations were hard to come by but I did manage to find a room at the Quality Inn located right next to the Virginia Beach Convention Center where the Expo was held and 1.2 miles away from the Start line. I checked into the motel early on Saturday, met up with friends, Ricky and Sharon, then walked over to get my packet.

 

Ricky and Sharon made it!

 

Onward to packet pick-up!

 

A Leprechaun greets you at the door (I'd end up chasing this little runt all day long on Sunday).

This was a well organized Expo with smiling/upbeat volunteers willing to help you along each step of the way. The real test came when I walked over to get my free race T-shirt. Now for you veteran marathoners know what usually happens- during registration months earlier you guess what size T-shirt you need and hope it fits you when you get it. It’s usually way “too big” or way “too small” and lightning strike you dead if you ask for one that actually fits! The typical answer is “sorry we don’t have enough shirts to swap out”. Well that wasn't the case here- a very nice volunteer asked me to be sure to try on my long sleeve coolmax race T-shirt to make sure it fit before I left the area- now that's a refreshing change!

 

All the volunteers were happy and oh so helpful. Thanks!

 

Plenty of room for runners merchandise

 

Wow! My lucky number! How did they know that?

 

Giovanni's Pasta provided quality carbs. SQUISITO!!! Be sure to check them out if you're ever in Virginia Beach.

 

Filled to the brim (L-R) Me, Johnny, Gloria, Korre, Sharon, Ricky, Pam, Tom.

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

Most of you know my routine by now. I typically get up at least 7 hours prior to the race, perform some meditation, fuel, and center my energy. It helps......

 

Qigong anyone? I'm up at 0130 hrs to start the "Chi Ceremony".

 

Levitating while holding a bed over your head- Invigorating!

Weather Woes
Everyone was a little apprehensive about the weather. A strong front is pushing through bringing wind and rain. The temperatures ended up staying between 44-51 degrees with sustained NNW winds between 16-22 MPH. The maximum recorded wind gust was 33 MPH. I knew I should have brought that flying squirrel outfit!

 

I walked 1.2 miles to the start line. The rain stopped just before 0700 hrs. but it was still a little windy.

 

Funny how everything fell into place. I find Greg and his wife May at the start.

 

Ricky staying warm and dry pre-race.

 

(L-R) Greg, Me, Ricky.

 

Just before the gun,(L-R) Pam, Johnny, and Ricky getting fired up!

 

Seems like everyone in Virginia Beach came out to support the runners. You guys rock!

 

We ran through Fort Story and make it to the 20 mile marker. I'm pretty happy with the time considering the fierce headwind we had all day.

 

The Cape Henry Lighthouse around mile 22. The tailwind should start anytime now right?

 

AAARRRGGGHH! Thar be pirates about!

 

Along the boardwalk, Poseidon (known as Neptune to us Romans) points runners towards the finish line.

 

The final kick....

 

Hey, this is a cool medal.

 

We made it!

 

Pump those chests out boys! Well done!

The Results

Marathon
Pam Rickard- 3:49
Johnny Nolen- 4:00
Greg McDowell- 4:14
Ricky Scott- 4:28 (did 4:00 at Myrtle Beach just 4 weeks prior. Wow!)
Marc DeLuca- 4:29
My splits-
8:49 pace @ mile 6
8:58 pace @ mile 13
9:34 pace @ mile 18
10:17 Pace @ Finish
(I was very pleased with my times and learned a lot. I ran with the 3:50 pace group until mile 10 when the gradual fade began. I've never run so fast for so much distance. Yeehaw!)

Half-Marathon
Tom Rickard- 2:25 (His first half-marathon. Congratulations!)
Sharon Scott- 2:32 (Good Job!)
Gloria Nolen- 3:11

Was It a Good Marathon?

Yes, and one you should consider adding to your list! The Shamrock Marathon rated high because it had a good vibe- you could naturally tell everyone associated with the race was into it and that means a lot. While I'm not quite sure whose bright idea it was to place the start line port-a-johns so far away (and even hidden)there were plenty portable toilets along the course. Barring that minor inconvenience, the race committee deserves kudos for putting on a spectacular event.

Special thanks to all the aid station workers, police officers, and emergency medical staff for keeping the runners hydrated, safe, and healthy. The words of encouragement and music you shared along the way helped out despite the blustery conditions.

Finally, the finish line area was awesome. Runners were directed through a series of what's best described as "give-a-way" stations. It seemed like every time I turned around another volunteer was handing me something else to take- here's a hat, here's a space blanket, here's a goodie bag, here's a bottle of water, here's a banana..... you get the picture. I liked that and not once was I ever rushed by anyone to leave the area like you get at some other running venues. Besides all this there was a huge tent erected on the beach where even more festivities were occurring. I never even made it there and still had a wonderful time. Wow! Amazing!

Thanks for showing this North Carolina boy a good time. I hope to return soon.

Post Race Stay

 

Tom and Dana, my post-race hosts, went out of their way to make me feel at home. They treated me to pizza and the best cheeseburger on the planet, then even offered to push me around in a wheel chair- now that's hospitality!

Well that's it for this report. Thanks go out to Ricky and Greg for allowing me to use some of their pictures in this blog and Ron Horton of tricharlotte.com for his sage running advice .

Attention now turns to bicycle maintenance as I prep for the cross country tour. Stay tuned.....

Marc

Outrageous 2008 ING New York City Marathon Fees!!!!!!

UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror

Ron Horton of tricharlotte.com recently emailed me with news that the cost of running the ING New York City Marathon was going up again.

marathonguide.com reported the "Holy Cow" entry fee for the 2008 New York City Marathon would be $166 (USA) and $221 (International) plus an $11 processing fee. WOW!

But wait there's more. Here's a list of additional fees you'll probably pay in 2008:

1. Besides the entry fee, you'll pay a "per-completed-mile" fee- estimated to be $1.oo per mile.

2. Each aid station along the route will have a self service kiosk where you'll pay for each drink, GU packet, and orange slice you consume. All of this will be linked to your timing chip and credit card. CHA_CHING!!!!

3. The City "may" charge each runner a "road usage" fee.

4. Finally, want to use the Port-a-Potty? You'll need to purchase a $25 "bathroom access key" during the registration process (they'll mail it to you). Just swipe the key on the door when you need to go. Who knew the Port-a-Potty industry was so innovative?

Now all these nickel-and-dime-you-to-death charges are likely to cause some backlash in the running community. I predict a whole new breed of renegade runners groups will sprout up in rebellion to find ways to thwart the evils of these "Runner Technologies"- should we name our group now?

I could go on but don't want to scare you too bad.

Happy running,

Marc

Quit Wasting Time on the Telephone!

How many times has it happened to you? You call a company trying to get help or information and get lost in a sea of "customer service" telephone prompts. You know the drill- answer a bunch of dumb questions by pushing so many buttons on your phone, and to your dismay you never get what you came for or worse yet you get disconnected 30 minutes into it. AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!

The fact is, many companies using automated telephone systems actually try to steer you clear from talking to a real person. Why? Who knows!

But all that's about to change.....

Check out the website- www.gethuman.com . It's dedicated to showing you all the different ways to "get around" automated telephone systems and to speed up the time it takes to actually get to a human being.

Just locate the company in the database then follow the directions in the right hand column. You'll cut your wait time dramatically!

Enjoy!

Marc

I'm Picking Up HDTV for FREE!!!!!!!

Wow! Just ran down to WalMart and picked up a Magnavox Digital-to-Analog converter and an RCA amplified indoor TV antenna. This little set up allows me to pick-up local over the air HDTV signals on my TV set for FREE!!!

Boy what a difference it makes. When I first hooked it up the picture was so crisp I just stood there dumbfounded. It really doesn't make sense for me to pay the outrageous cable fees every month since I watch so little........and this way it's FREE!

Now I get a total of 26 super high quality local channels and it only cost me $49.00 for the converter and $29.00 for the antenna. SWEET!

Here's how it looks:


You should know during the HDTV transition(which takes place in 2009), you can apply to receive up to two $40 off coupons for approved digital-to-analog converter boxes. I've already submitted my application online but just couldn't wait for the coupon!

To learn more about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program visit this website: www.dtv2009.gov

If you're interested you should apply soon since the coupons are "supply limited" and good for only 90 days after they mail them to you.

Later,

Marc

Virginia Beach Bound!

UPDATE- Check out my review of the race here: Shamrock Marathon Race Report

That's right, I just signed up to do the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA on March 16, 2008. Had a bit of a time getting a hotel room but found one about a mile away from the start/finish line. Not bad! The plan is to drive up on Saturday, meet friends, run, then return.

Looks like a great course. Check out these links:

Shamrock Marathon Main Page

Course Map


Stay tuned for the report.

Later,

Marc

How To Become a Cross Country Cyclist in 10 Easy Steps

My cross country bicycle tour is slated to begin the first week of May. Check out my online journal; "Three Spokes and a Mirror" at this link:

Marc's Coast to Coast Bicycle Trip!

I continually get questions from people asking what it's like on a long distance bicycle tour. Well my girlfriend sent me an email recently from an unknown cyclist who happened to capture the essence of life on the road.

Given my experience touring across North Carolina (x 2) I can attest the description appearing below is pretty darn accurate. Hilariously accurate.......

Here it is- Enjoy!

"As many of you know I cycled coast to coast in 2000. As time passes a person forgets the hard parts and tends to remember the good parts of the trip. I remember what it was REALLY like after reading this epilogue from a friends website……….

Step 1.
Get a spaghetti strainer and several small sponges. Soak the sponges in salt-water and paste them to the inside of the spaghetti strainer. Place the strainer on your head. Find a busy road. Stand by the side of the road and do deep knee-bends for 8 hours. This will acclimatize you to a days ride.

Step 2.
Take some sandpaper and rub your rear-end and then insides of your legs for about 20 minutes. Rinse with salt water. Repeat. Then, sit on a softball for 8 hours. Do this daily.

Step 3.
Each day, take two twenty dollar bills and tear them into small pieces. Place the pieces on a dinner-plate, douse them with lighter fluid and burn them. Inhale the smoke (simulating car-fumes). Rub the ashes on your face. Then go to a local motel and ask for a room.

Step 4.
Take a 1-quart plastic bottle. Fill it from the utility sink of a local gas-station (where the mechanics wash their hands). Let the bottle sit in the sun for 2 or 3 hours until it is good and tepid. Seal the bottle up (kinda,sorta) and drag it through a ditch or swamp. Walk to a busy road. Place your spaghetti strainer on your head and drink the swill-water from the bottle while doing deep knee-bends along the side of the road.

Step 5.
Get some of those Dutch wooden-shoes. Coat them with gear-oil. Go to the local supermarket (preferably one with tile floors). Put the oil-coated shoes on your feet and go shopping.

Step 6.
Think of a song from the 1980’s you really hated. Buy the CD and play 20 seconds of that song over and over and over for about 6 hours. Do more deep knee-bends.

Step 7.
Hill Training: Do your deep knee-bends with the salt-soaked spaghetti strainer on your head, while you drink the warm swill water and listen to the 80’s song over and over (I would recommend “I’m a Cowboy/On a Steel Horse I Ride!” by Bon Jovi). At the end of 4 hours, climb onto the hood of a friends car and have him drive like a lunatic down the twistiest road in the area while you hang on for dear life.

Step 8.
Humiliation Training: Wash your car and wipe it down with a chamois-cloth. Make sure you get a healthy amount of residual soap and road-grit embedded in the chamois. Put the chamois on your body like a loin-cloth, then wrap your thighs and middle section with cellophane. Make sure it’s really snug. Paint yourself from the waist down with black latex paint. Cut an onion in half and rub it into your arm-pits. Put on a brightly-colored shirt and your Dutch oil-coated wooden shoes and go shopping in a crowded mall.

Step 9.
Foul Weather Training: Take everything that is important to you, pack it in a nylon bag and place it in the shower. Get in the shower with it. Run water from hot to cold. Get out and without drying off, go shopping at a local convenience store. Leave wet, important stuff on the sidewalk. Go inside and buy $10 worth of Gatorade and Fig Newton’s.

Step 10.
Headwinds Training: Buy a huge map of the entire country. Spread it out in front of you. Have a friend hold a hair-dryer in your face. Stick your feet in toffee and try to pull your knees to your chest while your friend tries to shove you into a ditch or into traffic with his free hand. Every 20 minutes or so, look at the huge map and marvel at the fact that you have gone nowhere after so much hard work and suffering. Fold the map in front of a window-fan set to high."

I can't wait!

Later,

Marc