Okay, now that it's half time, I have time to post a race report...

Got up at 4:40 and right off had a bowl of cereal, which is my usual morning fare, and I figured with an 8 a.m. start it would be fine. And it was, so that's good.

I went out to feed the animals and it wasn't raining yet but it was cold and windy, so I knew I was going to have to alter my original dressing plan to add a long sleeved shirt (so, I am not so brave/stupid after all LOL. ) So I ended up wearing: a tank, a short sleeved wicking, an underarmor long sleeved on top of that, and my Pearl Izumi whisper jacket on top of that, thinking, if I de-layer, it will be like having the advantage in strip poker, right? On bottom I had underarmour tights, shorts, a pair of sockguy socks with a pair of smartwool socks over that. I thought at first this might be too much but it was just right, and considering the puddles I ran through, the sock pairs dried very fast, which was good.

I also wore fingerless polarfleece gloves, a buff over my head and a baseball cap. That was a good combo for the most part. I covered my ears with the buff because I hate having cold ears.


We got to Newport and parked on a side street and walked to the start. It was pouring, and cold. My husband (forwhomiamsograteful) carried my bag, pinned on my number, helped me off with my warmups, helped me with my D-tag - all while I watched solo runners checking their bags with the gear runners. I was glad to have someone to take my gear and stash it in the car instead of wet cardboard bins. Then I went to line up for the start with 3,000 others.


We started at 8:08 and so my goal was that at every mile marker my watch time would end in 8, giving me a ten minute mile. I am blind without reading glasses but I can read an eight, so I was glad for that nice round number.


In the first five minutes I watched many garbage bags land in the gutter. And sweatshirts. Strip poker time! But I knew the winds would be different out of town, so I kept it all on. It was drizzling at that point, and I set into a comfortable pace. I saw a friend of mine running and we chatted a bit - kind of weird that out of 3000 people you see someone you know. A couple other women who I knew would be there I also saw, but did not stay with them. The course came along Thames St. to Wellington and we got the first taste of salt air. The first brief hill at mile two separated the walkers from the runners. At Fort Adams (mile 4 and 5) I saw some of the elite marathoners coming back down the road from the loop and I knew I was in a good spot, in the first third, perhaps.


I felt pretty good through the first half and focused on how I was feeling and my form, and when I was hot I unzipped my jacket, when it got cold I zipped it back up. I drank at every mile marker from my fuel belt bottles and took water from two aid stations and one from a gatorade station, but didn't walk through the aid stations as I felt like it was too cold to stop.


It was beautiful at mile 7 coming around the ocean drive with the winds kicking waves up over the seawall. The road is full of potholes and people were trying to run around puddles which made no sense to me - you could not be any wetter. I ran through the puddles.


I loved how, despite the gale force winds and rain, people stood under umbrellas shivering and cheering us on. Awesome.


At mile nine I still felt good and started to pick it up a bit... klomped along Bellevue Avenue amongst all the peeps with their ipods - it's a weird cultural phenomenon when you are all together like salmon and yet everyone in their separate ipod worlds. One guy ran by singing a Doors song in a heavy growl, oblivious to all. I was startled by a high-pitched rendition of something like Mariah Carey and Madonna singing a nursery rhyme. To those who wear ipods: those of us without can and do hear you sing. They missed the sounds of gulls screaming along the seawall on ocean drive... they missed the sound of sheeting rain on the road and in the trees on Bellevue. They missed the quiet, squeegee-like hush of hundreds of sneakers klomping along. The missed the little kids yelling, "You're really really good at running!" at Halidon Avenue. They missed the conversation between two old ladies about their cruise. And they missed the singing.


I followed garbage bag man for a few miles. He had a nice pace.


A woman in a pink tutu passed me by... I thought of you, Urlea!


At mile eleven I realized that I could go all out because, what's the worst that could happen, right? I'd get tired and have to walk. So I booked the last two miles down to the beach. Of course, once the sea opened up again there was a bitingly cold wind directly against us and it was very cold. I think that last mile slowed me down.


I came under the clock and then walked around looking for the Mister... after pizza and gatorade I found him wearing a deluxe parka which he promptly transferred to me. Instant warmth. Thank gawd for husbands.


We walked back up the hill to where he parked the car a mile away... it was better than waiting for the shuttle. The lines were long and there were only eight school buses for 3000 folks - not good. I heard a lot of miserable wait stories.


Lessons for next year, when I will be running the full marathon:


1. Park at the finish, and make sure husband packs entire woodstove.

2. it's okay to eat. I don't get sick.

3. when I think I can pick it up, I should.

4. Lunch at the Wharf Pub was almost as expensive as a new pair of running shoes. What was I thinking??? Red, if I'd thought about it, I would have just called you and come over and raided your fridge.


Happy to be home with the woodstove!

Thanks everyone for all the useful tips, and awesome race reports, that helped me prepare for my own. You guys rock!