Getting up at 4:30 am on Friday, Oct. 12th in order to fight the morning rush hour to make it to John Glenn International Airport and get through airport screening before our flight was a necessary evil. Though it was, at least, an informative experience. The airport shuttle driver from the parking lot to the terminal waxed about the facility's history as we struggled to keep our eyes open during the predawn hours. Did you know the CMH utilized to identify Columbus' airport stands for: Columbus Metropolitan Hangar? When established in the 1920's, the airport was more known for commercial cargo flights. When the facility evolved, the Federal Aviation Administration issued called letters simply stayed.
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| Downtown Austin: L, Brother Chad and Sister-in-law Steph hanging in the distance |
It didn't help as we were about to land in Music City, the woman sitting to my left sticks her arm in front of L & I and points to the flaps moving on the wing and quips, "Is that supposed to move like that?!" At the window seat, L looks out and then back at me with wide eyes and her jaw dropped opened as if to say, "Are we about to die?!"
Now, I'm obviously not a pilot but I have flown before. I calmly explained why the flaps were moving to the best of my knowledge, calming L down. The woman then follows with, "Oh, okay. That makes sense. This is my first time flying." (Well, no sh*t). Geez woman, it would help to NOT freak people out who are on edge to start with.
Back in good spirits just before touchdown, I tell L, "Remember what it sounded like when we took off? Get ready." Just then we return to Earth, L is jostled and goes through a range of emotions but is in one piece. From here on out, the ride was smooth and uneventful. Her only issue was the first time she utilized the restroom mid-flight, saying that flushing the toilet was "a little terrifying". I had to agree as not everyone is prepared for the sound of the universe being sucked into a black hole while held captive in the upright casket made for humans of less than average size at 10,000 feet.
We enjoyed our four days in Austin, walking everywhere and running & biking around the Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake areas. Watching the crowds of people going to and coming from Austin City Limits was quite entertaining. We didn't attend, though you could hear the music from my brother's backyard with relative ease. Oh, and Austin is not flat - my legs were given one helluva work out in those few days. Taking Monday off from running was most welcomed.
(A photo spread of our adventures can be found below)
As you can imagine it was quite hot in Austin. From Friday through Sunday, it was 90 plus degrees, sunny and beautiful - which was awesome. When we left on Monday, it was a different story. The bottom fell out and it may have reached 70 at one point, but it was actually warmer at home in Ohio for a time - and it was cold by our standards. It was like we were found out and The Buckeye State came looking for us, planting itself in the Texas Capitol.
It was also quite enjoyable to fly home surrounded by those who had attended the music festival over the weekend. Most were still wearing their 3-day pass bracelets and looked like death warmed over as they struggled to be coherent, utilizing the drop down trays as makeshift beds. We were tired too, but it was because it was early and the sun had yet to come up - not because we had been awake for three days.
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| It may have rained a little after we left Texas. |
Oh, and we apparently returned home at the right time, this was posted on Tuesday by The Trail Foundation:
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is CLOSED.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department(PARD) is closing the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike trail in conjunction with the Austin Fire Department’s waterway ban and the opening of various Highland Lake dam gates.
Due to heavy rain, large amounts of water are heading towards the Austin’s waterways. Water levels in Lady Bird Lake are expected to increase 2-3 feet over the next couple of hours posing safety hazards along the Trail. Trails may be impacted by water, erosion, and other hazards.
PARD strongly encourages park patrons not use the trail during the closure. Please obey signage and do not go on closed trails. The closure is to help prevent injuries due to high waters and unstable conditions
To say we dodged a bullet would be an understatement - sorry Austin. We didn't get the rain, but we do have barely above freezing temperatures to deal with.
The following weekend came the Nationwide Children's Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. Running in 30 and 40 degree whether would be a big change from the heat of Austin the week before, but I was hoping the cooler temps would assist in improving my finish from last year. I started out too fast and then a calf muscle I strained days before reignited, causing me to pull up and end with a less than desirable time.
Also, I'm in much better shape at this time than I was in 2017 and a more experience half marathoner. This was just my second attempt at this distance last year, this year - barring any weirdness - would be more of a mind game. Being patient and running my race, not attempting to beat the world.
And several members of the Traffic Panthers Buck Fifty 150 Mile, 24 hour, 10 Person Team Relay squad would be taking part in the marathon and 1/2 marathon, so there would be some familiar faces taking part as well. Awaiting her next 5k, L would be spectating and attempting to keep warm in the wee hours of a chilly October morning.
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The half marathon route would be exactly as it was the year before, a stroll around downtown Columbus along Broad Street (aka: historic U.S. Route 40), passing Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, through German Village and Brewery District and finishing in the shadow of The Arena District and North Bank Park. The marathoners and half marathoners start together with those of us running the half splitting off along High Street on the return trip to the downtown area.
A storm front came through Saturday night, dropping temperatures 40 degrees with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The following morning wee leave early enough to park in our regular spot for such events and under the cover of darkness, we walk to the start/finish area. On the way there, attempting to retain the little bit of heat we had in the car, we are moving quickly. We followed a sidewalk under the I-670 overpass and just as we came out on the other side, those in front of us departed the walkway like the retreating Red Sea. Not paying attention as to why they moved, L and I are then splattered with water droplets. Apparently, the automated sprinkler system in the lawn at the business we were passing had not reached it's seasonal end. We then, belatedly, moved off the sidewalk as well and continued to dodge the next few errant sprinklers as we made our way past them. A less then desirable wake-up call it was.
Arrival at the corral on Sunday morning was less than warm at 37 (it was near 60 the day before) degrees and quite breezy. As runners arrived there wasn't anywhere to shield one's self from the wind, but as the start time inched closer and the crowd began to swell, squeezing into the middle of all the humanity helped protect from the light - but piercing - gusts.
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| Just entering the corral, look closely - you can see the sprinkler splatter. |
On to Broad Street, I slide behind a group of three - a guy and two females - who are pushing the pace bit but aren't so completely out of my range. I skip the first two refueling stations and run through a personal checklist of how I'm holding up, at this point all is well. We are passed every once in while, but for most part we are holding steady with those in peripheral. I pass L throwing out some encouragement and can only imagine how cold it is for her, standing and cheering in the wind.
Turning right onto Drexel those I'm following get some distance, even still, the few times I have glanced at the running clock I'm at PR pace and I'm feeling good. Turning back onto Broad Street for the return trip, I can still see those I have been following - though they are well ahead. We are passing some later starting marathoners who are making their way down Broad Street on the other side going the opposite direction and at about mile seven I hear, "Craig Simpson is my hero!!", bellowed from that group. I don't look or turn, I just smile. I know already, his voice is a major tell, it's Traffic Panther Teammate Tom (one of the marathoners). Having played nearly every sport with him from elementary through high school, he is hard not to distinguish among the thousands running and cheering. It is a bit of an incline, but I'm maintaining.
Approaching mile eight I can feel fatigue rearing it's ugly head, but we have a decline for next couple of miles. I have lost some speed, but keep my arms and legs pumping. My follow group is long gone, but I'm rarely passed. L finds me, "Keep it up, you are still at 1:25 pace!" I then begin to wonder where Traffic Panther Gary is since I haven't seen or heard from him. I should have seen him by now or he should be passing me soon since I've lost some momentum. Near the same area on mile ten, just north of Schiller Park, where my calf strain returned last year, I can feel my lower back start to tighten up. Struggling to maintain, I focus on form and stride as miles eleven (6:50) and twelve (7:12) are uphill.
Headed north on High Street for the big straight stretch home, my arms and legs are rolling but I'm not getting any faster. The good part is that I'm not being passed like I'm standing still like in 2017. Though I am getting over taken by a handful of men & women and I'm unable to stay with them to block the massive head wind. After mile twelve it is a downhill to the finish, so I let gravity do it's work (mile 13 - 6:33). Annoyed with the knowledge that I have slowed down significantly in the last 5k, I'm hoping I'm completely off of my PR. Coming into the finish I hear my name called as they announce those reaching the summit. I cross the end line, stop my watch and struggle to walk a straight.
Starting my zombie-like walk through the finisher's corral, I glance down to see: 1:27:16. I'm :46 seconds off my my half marathon PR, but I'm ten minutes faster than last year - disappointing, but hard to complain. The finisher's corral leads you to the finisher's photo op in front of giant marathon logo screen and I take part, then it is on to the runner's trick-or-treat. You are given a bag and hit tables of sandwiches, snacks, chips, fruit, drinks, protein bars, crackers...you name it.
By now, the cold has set it. It is maybe 40 degrees, cloudy and windy. My once warm, set drench self is now shivering statue of fatigue. Traffic Panther Gary finds me and we congratulate one another. Fighting through recent injury, Gary finished behind me - but not by far. Traffic Panther Patricia finds us to offer congratulations as well. She attempts to give me her coat - noticing the chill is setting it - and I MAKE her keep her coat on (she wouldn't relent) as I am meeting up with L to garner my own jacket shortly.
Finally meet up with L, I get my jacket and pull the hood over my head and we walk briskly to the car. Once there, we crank up the heat to melt frozen toes, fingers and bones. Here I scarf down half the post race runner's SWAG. At home, we crash and I move off of the sofa when only it is a must watching football in a weary & sore state, but satisfied with how the morning turn out. L went to her city rec softball tournament and they came away with the fall league championship. A decent weekend all around, I must say.
We aren't sure what will happen next, but those holidays are on the horizon and the holiday themed races and events are a dime a dozen. Last year it was a super cold family Thanksgiving morning 5K we took part in. I'm not sure everyone would be up for that again this year because, well, we are a little older and some of us have a bit more of a curmudgeonly attitude toward less than average weather conditions. And here in Ohio "average" can, and will, be all over the place. Sometimes it is an effort to find that once youthful mindset of not caring about such things and it has to forcibly be recalled. Though, when found, the trick is getting it to stick around...
The Revivalists - Wish I Knew You
You shine like a star
You know who you are
You're everything beautiful
She's hot, hot like the sun
The loneliest one
Still everything beautiful
Well I'll be god damned
You're standing at my door
We stayed up in the city
Until the stars lost the war
So Friday night, holy ghost
Take me to your level
Show me the one I need the most
I need the most
I wish I knew you when I was young
We could've got so high
Now we're here it's been so long
Two strangers in the bright lights
Oh I hope you don't mind
We can share my mood yeah
Two strangers in the bright lights
I wish I knew you
I wish I knew you
Oh I wish I knew you when I was young
Truth, it's all that you need
You bury that seed
It's everything beautiful
And that sound comes from the underground
It's all inside you now
It's everything beautiful
But what you, what you, what you, what you running from?
And they got, they got, they got, they got you on the run?
So Friday night
Holy ghost
Take me to your level
Show me the one I need the most
I need the most
I wish I knew you when I was young
We could've got so high
Now we're here it's been so long
Two strangers in the bright lights
Oh and I hope you don't mind
We can share my mood, yeah
Two strangers in the bright lights
I wish I knew you
I wish I knew you
Oh I wish I knew you when I was young
Maybe we can share my mood
Hmm hmm hmm
Maybe we can share my mood
Hmm hmm hmm
Maybe we can share my mood
Hmm hmm hmm
I wish I knew you when I was young
We could've got so high
Now we're here it's been so long
Two strangers in the bright lights
Oh and I hope you don't mind
We can share my mood, yeah
Two strangers in the bright lights
I wish I knew you
I wish I knew you
Oh I wish I knew you when I was young
Pictures provided by Lauren B.
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| Random sign found...it is ours now. |
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| L and I - sampling Texas beers |
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| Gertie - the cat |
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| My brother and I |
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| My brother - after eating some way too hot sauce |
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| The top floor of Austin's main library |
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| L and I at the library |
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| Crashing at my brother's place |
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| Riding along Lady Bird Lake |
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| L and I, bike ride pit stop. |
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| My brother and I - people watching as the crowd disperses from Austin City Limits |
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| Hello Austin! |
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| Downtown Austin |
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| Along the bike/hike trail |
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| Chilling out at my brother's place |
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| At Gibson Street Bar |
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| At Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden |
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| At Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company |
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| At Uncle Billy's Brewery & Smokehouse |
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| Hamburger Inn in Delaware |
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| Inside the Hamburger Inn Diner |
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| Finisher's fun |
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| Arrival on Race Day |
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| Cold & tired post race |
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| Mile 12 incline |
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| In the gray in the middle mile 10 |
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| The end is near! |
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| Forced smile at the finisher's photo op |
