Battle of Will vs Hills - States 21 & 22

Will 1 - Hills 0

On Oct 27 & 28, 2012, I completed my second double marathon in Greenville SC and Atlanta GA. Having completed a double last year in NH/ME, I was fairly confident about a finish but was a little anxious about the logistics and time elements of the trip. I had the luxury of having Aud and Chris with me on the trip last year as well as a few extra vacation days scheduled after the races. Here is how it all went down this year.

Fri 10/26
  - 6:45AM Orange County
  - 5:30PM Greenville via Chicago

(here is a photo of Greenville from the sky)

  - 6:00PM Packet pickup
  - 7:00PM Dinner
Dinner at Soby's was just okay.  I was a little disappointed at the restaurant as there were no pasta dishes on the menu other than the kid's pasta...  which came over cooked and bland.

I really enjoyed the downtown Greenville area.  Very cool and everyone I interacted with were friendly and helpful.
  - 8:00PM Hotel checkin
  - 8:30PM buy breakfast for next day, prep for race
Its a ritual that I always set out all of my gear the night before and go over it item by item to make sure nothing is forgotten. For Greenville, I went with the Maniac set.  These two races are dedicated to fellow Maniac, Pete Mingwah who passed away earlier this year.  I had his number put on my wrist band as a small gesture.

RIP 4440

  - 10:00 Bed
It had been a long day.  I was glad to hit the bed...  damn thing was way too soft...  so much for "heavenly beds" at the Westin

Sat 10/27
  - 5:00AM breakfast, shower, race prep, pack
  - 7:00AM Mile walk to the start line
  - 7:30AM Spinx Marathon

I really enjoyed meeting a group of Maniacs and 50 Staters before and during the run.  I, like most Marathon Maniac/50 Stater tend to look for one another at the races.  While we all come from all different walks of life (location, race, ethnicity, gender, age), we all share this cult like love for running and marathons.  Every Maniac and 50 Stater brings his/her story and inspiration and I am blessed to be able to meet each on this journey.  I've learned a lot in the last few years about what these chance meetings mean in life.  Life is short and precious for all of us.  Sometimes you meet someone for a brief moment and you never know if you will have to chance to see them again.  For that, I treasure the memories of all the good people who I've crossed path  with along the way....

(pre race, Spinx Marathon 2012)

The course of the Spinx marathon was scenic and fairly easy.  There were a few rolling hills but nothing extreme.  The out and back course involved many bike paths through beautiful fall colored trees as well as a tour of Furman University.  Here are a few photos during the run

Instead of a timing mat at the 13.5 turnaround, the organizers handed out wrist bands to each runner.  You've got to have a wrist band to get your medal.  I guess its Greenville's anti-Kip Litton insurance!
I did see something that stopped me dead in my tracks.  Had to stop to take a photo of this...  SMH...  I guess I am just not used to seeing something like this in CA.  I've become too used to political correctness... this is the South after all.

(I'd love to meet "TR")

(Here I am at mile 25 with Pete)

The finish of the race was inside Fluor field (Minor League Baseball Team stadium) and rounding the baseball field.  Very cool experience.  Official time 4:11:40.  I got a little tempted to go sub 4 (was on pace) in the first half but pulled back knowing there was another race tomorrow...  Probably should have ran a little slower...

  - 11:45 ICE BATH, Shower, pack

(think running a marathon is painful?  try an ice bath)

Got back to the hotel room in time to sit in the ice bath I had prepared in the morning.  It only hurts the first few minutes and then you just kind of go numb....

 - 12:30 Lunch - Henry's Smokehouse

(Henry's smoke house.  As advertised.  Great pull pork sandwich.  Damn good.)

  - 1:00 Drive to Atlanta
This was an easy drive of 2.5 hours.  It gave me a chance to call home and relax on the road.  The bluetooth in the Sonata I rented worked perfectly with the iPhone for navigation, music, and hands free calling.  I was in the city before I knew it.

  - 3:45 Packet pickup, buy breakfast
  - 5:15 Hotel checkin
  - Relax!
  - 6:00 Dinner at the Spence (Richard Blais' restaurant)
Aud and I are big fan's of Top Chef and Richard Blais.  While Richard got robbed in Season 4, he redeemed himself in All Stars.  I couldn't miss the chance of dining at his new restaurant, The Spence which happened to be about a mile from my ATL hotel.

The restaurant sits near GT campus on a vibrant street with several businesses.  The dining experience was fantastic.  Dinner for the night was Oysters and Pearls, Bone Marrow/Tuna Tartar/Quail Eggs, and Beet Pasta with Duck.  That bone marrow dish should be outlawed its so good.

All the characters from Life after Top Chef were present in the restaurant...  very cool to see.  Too bad Richard was not in the place.  But I had a wonderful dinner.  As I was walking out of the restaurant, guess who I bump into at the door?  Top Chef Richard Blais!  It is very unlike me but I stopped him and introduced myself and asked if I can take a photo with him.  Without missing a beat, he said "of course, let me get someone to take our picture".  This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!

  - 7:30 Prep for race, watch ESPN, packing
  - 10:00 Bed
You'd think that after running 26.2 miles, I'd be dead tired and be able to sleep like a baby.  I woke up at 12:00 and for the life of me couldn't fall back asleep.  not until about 2:00AM...  just right before the alarm sounded at 4:00AM...

Sun 10/28

  - 4:00AM three alarms on three devices go off at once.  I just had to make sure I got up...  long day ahead.

So you think the life of a marathon junky is glamorous?  Its all hotel buffets?  Think again...  this is a typical marathon breakfast for me...  Aleve is a must on a double.

  - 7:00 Atlanta Marathon

It was one of the toughest races I've experienced in recent past.  Especially tough on the second day of a double.  One word describes this race.  HILLS.  The entire course is laced with hills.  Think I am exaggerating?  See for yourself.  Follow the green line.

Insane.  Hill after hill after hill.  Just for a moment around miles 17-20 I thought about giving up.  I worried about not making back to my hotel in order to catch the flight back to Cali.  I cursed the course, I cursed the light rain, and I cursed the chill of the air.  Then I remembered why I was there.  I was there to challenge myself.  I was there to better my double time from last year.  I was there to finish these races with Pete4440...  I toughed it out.  It wasn't pretty.  Official time 4:52:09.  I had missed my goal time of 9 hours combined double by just three minutes.  But I wasn't upset.  I was happy to finish and to overcome those damned hills.

(at the finish line ATL marathon 10/28/12)

  - 1:00 PM lunch
In case you haven't noticed, besides running, I love to eat.  And I love good food.  After surveying the locals I found my way to Moe's Original BBQ.  It was a damn good find.  Honestly I can't think of a better post marathon meal than some deep fried goodness, mac/cheese, and of course some more good southern BBQ!  I got the cat fish platter for lunch and got the pull pork sandwich to go for dinner.  Forget airline food!

 - 3:00 at the Gate of my flight back to the OC
Exhausted, I can barely keep my eyes open.  I finally take a deep breath as this weekend comes to a close.  I look down at the new set of twins draped on my neck.  Aww, what a good feeling.  State 21 and 22 done.  Onwards!

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff

10/30/12