Homebrew Dreams & Buttercream Faces

Summer's late season heat finally rolled around and lucky for us it would be just in time for an outdoor wedding. Luckily, we planned it to be a casual family picnic-type affair - so we weren't too worried about. It was what we were hoping it would be, a perfect end to The Wedding Summer.

I had always envisioned my name in
lights, but I'll settle with confections.

Because they thought it would be cool, my place of employment decided to throw a "groom shower" for me. I reluctantly agreed to this, but they meant well it wasn't a horrible thing. Among the fun stuff was a cake with photos of L and I hijacked from my Facebook page. I got a kick out of telling folks, after all of the things I've done to them, they could finally have a piece of me. Their effort was appreciated and doing something of this nature for a jerk like me is impressive. This proves I can, sometimes, grow on people.

Before the summer long planning was put into effect, I followed up the August half marathon with Columbus Running Company's Blazin' 5 Miler the weekend before L and I took the plunge. I would be running this one by myself as L decided to relax and watch me suffer in the humidity. Having had fall-like temps at the Goodyear Half Marathon, we would have a race start temperature warmer than nearly that entire half marathon day. There is a reason why the five miler is called "Blazin'".

Last year, I took 8th in this race at 30:18 - finishing behind now CRC Westerville Teammates Seth & John. A bit disappointing as I was wanting break the 30:00 five miler barrier for the first time since my Morehead State University Cross Country days and came up just short. With the same goal, and much better training behind me, this was again my focus - though how much the half marathon the weekend before would effect me would be key. I spent the days before doing some light workouts as those leg muscles were showing signs of fatigue. As for L, she was fighting allergies that were being spread through the summer air.

The Blazin' 5 Miler is be an out and back jaunt starting at the Jerry L. Garver YMCA in Canal Winchester and then a left onto Long Street which runs directly into the Blacklick Creek Trail, which winds along the Blacklick Creek from Reynoldsburg to Groveport. We would follow the trail past Portman Park and to the right, crossing both Gender Road & Brice Road, before making the turnaround at a roundabout portion of the path at the 2 1/2 mile mark - flat and (depending how well you are feeling) fast.

Come race day it was humid, but not blazing hot. At the start I follow one of the CRC Elite women hoping to stick with her for as long as I can. There was a dude directly behind us who had a horrible case of heavy footedness, making it hard to concentrate. Luckily, shortly thereafter, he went around us. Moments later there is another tagging along and at mile one I'm at 5:41. I am one who only looks at my watch once the mile marker signal buzzes to see my pace, but I didn't have to do this here. The dude behind us had his watch set so that an automated voice would tell him how far he'd gone, his pace and time at each marker. Yes, this - too - was annoying.

Still sticking with the CRC Elite woman as we meander about the rolling paved trail terrain, we dodge oncoming Sunday morning bikers. The three of us are pretty close-knit and hoping to have enough on the return trip to improve last year's finish. At mile two we're at 6:03 and we pass, coming the opposite direction, the bike lead and lead runners. The bike lead throw's out some encouragement, "The turn around is just ahead, looking good folks!"

Reaching the turnaround loop, the three of us are still sticking together and we pass those who were a bit behind us. I don't see Traffic Panther Gary, this only meant he wasn't far behind and is within striking distance. Moments later I pass L and we give one another a thumbs up.

A bit more than halfway back, I'm feeling the fatigue. The dude with the annoying watch has over taken the CRC Elite woman and I, but she is on his tail and I'm drifting back (mile 3: 6:14). Focusing on form and keeping my stride long, I'm hoping to maintain the rest of the way in. There isn't much incline on the course, but the return trip felt it was ALL up hill and I'm wearing down in the humidity and those in front are long gone (mile 4: 6:24).

I'm working on reaching the final straight stretch in order to pour what I left into it, but before I can - a sharp pain shoots through my right calf. I'm taken back a bit, hoping after a few steps the pain would subside - but it doesn't and it is enough to force me into an awkward "run-limp" type movement. I'm disappointed and ticked, but I'm not going to come to a stop with less than a half mile to go. The pain isn't going away and I can't push off with any sincere effort - son of a b***.  I was hoping to "pegleg it" to the finish without anyone passing me - but that didn't happen. Traffic Panther Gary flies with about 100 meters to go. I finally finish and stop my watch to see 30:58, :40 seconds slower than last year and full minute slower that what I was expecting.

Limping to the finish - not a proud moment

A medical staff member gives me an ice pack to apply to my now swollen calf, my last mile end up being 6:35. Checking to see if I was still among the living, Gary finds me, "Sorry man, but you were a wounded duck - I had to make sure I caught you." I ended up 7th overall, one spot behind Gary. The two I had been running with for most of the race - the loud watch dude - finished in 29:48 and the CRC Elite woman in 30:11.

Not long after, L is making her way in and she doesn't look good - the allergies are eating her alive. She did finish 25th in 42:36, but she struggled with breathing as the remnants in the air played havoc with her sinuses. She did, though, win her age group - but being as competitive as she is, she didn't think she deserved it having not being able to run her best race. On the way home we grabbed breakfast at Tim Horton's, L laughed saying we had to stop there instead of one of tastier local places because our performances were sub par.

Come to find out, I have a calf strain and the only way to get over it is to ice frequently and to take a break from running...this will be hard for me as I'm not one to sit still for long. It is nice to know that the next event isn't until September 29th with The Dam Half Marathon & 10k, circling a large portion of Alum Creek Lake. And, well, I - or WE -will be preoccupied having taken the next two weeks off of work for the wedding and ensuing honeymoon. How did these turn out you ask? We will see in the coming weeks...

**We back EVERY pair with 

FREE Replacements if Lost or Broken**

**Each order also secures 11 meals 

to fight hunger through 

Feeding America**

We are an independent sunglasses company for those who don't want to buy from a massive, faceless company that has been operating the same way for decades 

shadyrays.com

(Two weeks or so later)

...Holy cow, we're married! And did it without killing any relatives, having the authorities called on us or having some weird confession being blurted out by a random whatnot who hates happy people and likes to see people suffer. Oh, and my beer didn't contaminate anyone, BOOM! You laugh, but trust me - we have a history of backwardness that'll make your head spin, this was an accomplishment for us.

We did have a rather hilarious error a few days before the event. We created a wedding Facebook page and sent our friends & family a message to like and follow it. This way we could share details and what not with everyone, then have them post pictures and such from the wedding on it as a way for us to commemorate the day. One of the pre-event posts I wrote included the phrase "downtown delaware". Not realizing it, Facebook had auto-tagged the Downtown Delaware organization.

Imagine my surprise when I get his message sent to us via our Facebook page from a concerned resident: "... downtown Delaware posted your last message in to the public. You might want to give them to take that down." 

What!? HILARIOUS!

Upon investigation I did see the post was shared. To make sure we didn't need to produce enough food to feed ALL of Delaware City's 40,000 residents, I kindly sent the Downtown Delaware folks a message asking if they could "un-share" our post. They apologized saying their social media manager shares all the posts they get tagged in and didn't really notice what it was they were sharing.

They apologized, and obliged, within minutes but not before our post had reached over 730 people and produced 430 engagements from Facebook users. Downtown Delaware wished us luck and was happy we weren't upset, just surprised and amused. Though, I was impressed with our popularity since that post had 700% more traffic than all of the others. Maybe I need to start a business promoting events via Facebook, hmmm?!

I wrote back to the concerned citizen who alerted us to the error and thanked her. She found it amusing as well, telling us, ".... well I guess I'll take the China back! Haha. Congrats to Lauren and Craig!"

It was definitely an experience, doing all the food, decorations, music and preparing the venues ourselves- with family and friends assisting. The morning started with heading out to garner nine bags of ice, then making sure our house and yard (the reception location) were prepared for after the picnic and ceremony at the park. As for L, she and others decorated the venue at the park. Shortly thereafter we traded locations, she headed back to our place to continue preparing while I headed to the park to fire up the grill and start cooking the main course.

Married!

Fixing food for about 60 people wasn't something I've done before, so it was a bit nerve wracking hoping to cook/smoke the chicken thoroughly and not have it be overdone or taste like tree bark. People began arriving dressed in their Sunday semi-casual best and mingling while I, still dressed in what I essentially woke up in, smelling like briquettes and smoldering wood chips. It was weird for me, so it had to be different for others hanging around the grill with the guy cooking the food for the wedding feast who would be leaving shortly to shower & dress to return moments later to play the part of the groom.

You couldn't have asked for a more perfect late August Sunday, mid 70's and full sun. When the chicken was finished, I promised our family and friends that I would return, high-tailed it the mile home, showered & dressed and returned just in time for L to announce our buffet was reading for everyone to dig in to. Somehow we had the venue prepared, the food cooked and were dressed for an outdoor picnic/wedding just minutes after the noon hour - after four months of gathering, tweaking and collaborating - our target event start was right on time!

As our guests ran through our makeshift buffet line and sat down to eat, L & I walked around welcoming and thanking folks for helping us celebrate. Before we knew it, the food had evaporated and it was time for the ceremony. Our officiant arrived and we moved off to an area of the park we had selected for the wedding and moments later....L and I were officially a married couple. It went so fast and I still find myself pausing for moment or two thinking, "Holy crap! I'm married!?"

Everyone who wanted to then traveled to our house for a reception of adult beverages, games, camaraderie, celebration and more food. Our neighbors from across the street provided portions of the games and our next door neighbors offered their giant livestock feeding trough they had purchased to use as the beer cooler for their son's wedding weeks before. And, of course, we used it in the same manner.

Somehow, L & I and our crew of family and friends had pulled off this entire day without a single misstep or woulda-should-coulda to be had. And the food brought down the house:

Warren Dunes State Park - this was snow covered
the last time we were here.

• Out of 24 lbs of smoked chicken thighs, there were three left.
• The sweet & sour pickles L made were gone.
• The pickled peppers we made were gone
• The pepper jelly L made was gone
• Lauren's mom's Slovak potato salad was emptied
• Out of the 100 wedding cupcakes made by my nieces (ages 14 &11), there were three for us to enjoy - Calli & Abby out did themselves.
• The sliced peaches and homegrown tomatoes & cucumbers were gone
• The mac & cheese was destroyed
• My mom's baked beans were eliminated
• L's Aunt Marci's Quinoa salad was left on life support with recipe requests coming from all directions.
• Only a quarter of the ham (purchased to suffice those who may not have wanted chicken) was left
• Four of the wedding beers I produced survived
• Five purchased beers (for those who wanted beer made by actual brewers) remained
• And the tray of 40 sampler subs we ordered for late date noshing at the reception had dwindled to just three lonely sandwiches. Though, since I hadn't eaten anything all day, I inhaled these in about 2 1/2 minutes when our guests had finally moved on and I had time to relax.

We spent the following day recuperating and relaxing, basking in amazement at how everything went better than we had planned - Tim Horton's was our breakfast as we were in no mood to do anything else. Two days later we headed for our honeymoon: South Haven, Michigan and the spectacular shoreline. It was a fun-filled five days and discovered what we already knew - it is just as fun in South Haven in human weather as it is during arctic weather. (Yeah, we were there last February when everything was frozen over - including Lake Michigan)  We even stayed at the same B&B to get the full alternative experience and explored a handful of area breweries (Saugatuck Brewing, Waypost Brewing, Harbor Light Brewing, Three Blondes Brewing and The Livery).

Sunset in South Haven

Again, it is amazing to look back at all of the work put into the planning & preparations then have that day come and go in what seemed to be a blink of the eye. With that said, one can only imagine what we have to look forward. We aren't sure how it will evolve, where it will go or even how fast - so, as a courtesy to you - this is the final warning folks: We have joined forces, buckle up and hold on...the L & C amusement ride begins in 3...2...1...

Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors - Family

Family, singing in the kitchen

Family, running thru the yard

Family, going on vacation

Family, on the credit card

Family, all in this together

Family, we’re taking a chance

Family, like birds of feather

Family, kick off your shoes and dance

Family, on the way to the city

Family, laughing in the rain

Family, it ain’t always pretty

Family, can drive you insane

Family, got the keys to the kingdom

Family, take it a la carte

Family, all four seasons

Family, well bless your heart

You don't choose ‘em, you can’t lose ‘em

We all have a song to sing

Some are crazy, some are amazing

All got a little bit of everything

Family, sons and daughters

Family, like a photograph

Family, baptized in the water

Family, put me on the map

Family, all in this together

Family, taking a chance

Family, like birds of feather

Family, kick off your shoes and dance

Photos

Eating myself, cake leftovers

A close up of the edible us.

On the weekend before the wedding, we had a severe
thunderstorm and our neighbor's tulip tree littered our yard
with it's canopy. Lisa - our neighbor - felt bad and wanted
to drag it to their yard for disposal. Their Irish Wolfhound,
Murphy, was of no help to her.

The Downtown Delaware folks understood and were
helpful.

Harbor Light Brewing in South Haven

From the pier, South Haven at night

Reception cornhole

Lake Michigan in the summer.

L at Warren Dunes State Park

The  morning after the wedding

 One of the wedding cupcakes

Storm cell over South Haven

The view from our B&B

At Saugatuck Brewing

Watching kitesurfers from the beach

Crazy waves in South Haven

L enjoying an unfrozen Lake Michigan

Warren Dunes in February

Warren Dunes in August

Don't Mind the Maximum Security Safe in the Basement

Assumptions can get you into trouble, but then sometimes your assumptions are right on target - which can be just as disheartening.

Our neighbors, the folks on the other side of the duplex, let us know about a month ago that they had planned on moving soon to a place with more room. They were a friendly, quiet group - keeping to themselves mostly, but would make conversation when we were both outside. One day this past spring, after we had purchased some seedlings, they voluntarily moved those seedlings into our carport when a blustery storm rolled through suddenly while L & I were at work keeping our precious plants from their one-way ticket to the merry ol' land of Oz.

No, not a scene from a gangster
film. Just next door in present day
Central Ohio.

They were mostly indoor people and rarely used their backyard, which allowed us to us their portion for extended activities when we wanted. They were more than decent neighbors, so it would be hard to complain. Though, they had an odd schedule of random visitors. At any time, a vehicle would arrive and folks would make their way inside for anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, then leave. If they were accompanied by someone, that person (or persons) would simply stay in the vehicle. Now & then those who arrived were alerted they need to come back at a later time for whatever reason. And these folks were never the same, it always folks who were new to us and the neighborhood

For awhile we paid little attention, then it became more frequent with an even more mixed bag of random folks. We joked to ourselves as to what was going on, then L was approached by an employee of our landlord at her place of work.

He asks, "So, what do you think of your neighbors?"

     "They are quiet and seem to be nice people", she says.

"Do they have a lot of visitors?", he says in a prompting tone.
     
     "Yeah, they do. A random string of cars almost daily."

Shaking his head in agreement, "That's what I thought. We've had your neighbors mention it to us."

Apparently, the nonessentials

Since we had only witnessed the random arrivals and departures - as well as the handful of security lights they placed around the house - we just kept our thoughts to ourselves. On an off Friday for me during the last week of July, I was stretched out on our front room floor after a twelve mile morning run. I heard folks next door, but thought nothing of it. Then the sound of objects being moved about sparked by curiosity.

I get up to take a gander out the window where the sounds were coming from and I see a truck holding a giant safe with a digital lock that had been removed from their basement. I understand folks have safes and this one in particular could be one in which someone locks away their firearms, but I've witnessed too much goofiness happening next door to truly believe this is for anything of that nature.

I head outside moments later to play in our carport and I see our next door neighbor, Lisa, working in her yard. I stroll over and casually ask if she sees what is in the back of the truck. Her eyes light up, "I guess it could be a gun safe, but I've never seen them with anything. If that isn't it," as her eyebrows raise and lips begin to pucker, "I don't WANT to know what's in it." 

This was also my thinking.

No one seems to be living there anymore, but someone does swing by every few days to pick up some of the things they left - a random assortment of appliances and non-essentials. Of course, we could be just feeding our wild imagination as to what was taking place over there and they were just popular folks who held home security in high regard. Though they aren't too worried about the security of the HelloFresh meal kit box delivered two days go that continues to rest near their front door.

From the moment we moved in our other neighbors introduced themselves and we have become a small community family with no reason to be vigilant about security as we tend to look out for one another. The only thing L and I would want to be more secure about is warding off those damn rabbits who have eaten just a many of our garden tomatoes as we have, leaving the half eaten portions still attached to the vines - like children sneaking cookies out of the jar but forgetting to replace the lid.

Sooner or later, one of those cute little produce bandits is going to slip up and L & I will enjoy some smoked hare while using the soft cuddly pelt to wipe the BBQ sauce off of our faces as it's horrified mammal family watches from the edge of the creepy woods in our backyard as punishment.

Anyway, having signed up for it several months ago because I thought it would be cool to return to where I used to live - we made a weekend trip to Akron for the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10K. A  part of the Akron Marathon Race Series, this event starts on Goodyear's Akron Proving Grounds before making it's way to the company's historic World Headquarters and campus.

I lived in Akron for about three years (2006-2009) while working in radio and have only driven through since then. We would revisit some of my old hangouts, see where I used to work & live, and hit up some of the many breweries that dot the area as well as run a race that navigates many of the areas I once covered as a radio news reporter.

**We back EVERY pair with 

FREE Replacements if Lost or Broken**

**Each order also secures 11 meals 

to fight hunger through 

Feeding America**

We are an independent sunglasses company for those who don't want to buy from a massive, faceless company that has been operating the same way for decades 

shadyrays.com

                                      

What made the half marathon event challenging was it's course. Wanting to test myself on some less than level terrain, the race would have a slight decline and return to level ground for the first five miles. Then beginning with mile six we would have a yo-yo like up and down until the final two miles. For L, she had the benefit of running the 10k portion and miss the backend roller coaster ride.

With it being mid-August, we lucked out in having mild summer weather. It was bright and sunny, but a high of 60 at race time. The pink partly cloudy sunrise at the 6:30 start was quite refreshing. Having the half marathoners and 10k participants go at the same time meant forcing myself to not go with the faster crowd and be patient.

I think I did a pretty good job of this, using some of the 10k-ers to keep it up-tempo but not out of my realm. Cruising along with a small group, things are comfortable and with mile one at 6:08 I'm happy with my pacing. This mixed group of male & female 10k and half marathoners keeps bouncing in and around one another as we trail a much faster group that seems to be slowly separating.

This stress free pace feels really good and despite mile two being a bit slower (6:15), I'm still just as swift as I want to be. Our group, too, begins to thin out. The 10k folks drift ahead, but I keep them within striking distance and use them as my pacers. As we hit mile marker three (6:22) there is a reggae band jamming away, I point to them as I go by thanking them for their effort. The lead singer yells back - in mid song - "No, you the man!". 

We are headed back toward where we started along the slight incline. I'm just behind about four or five, but I hear no one behind me and stick to my current pace with mile four at 6:26. At this time, I'm well aware each mile thus far has been a bit slower. Wanting to end that trend, a push just enough on the uphill to satisfied my mind. Sure enough, as mile five arrives I'm at 6:22 and the 10k & half marathoners reach their split. The small group I've been following becomes even smaller and larger uphill portion begins. I'm about 30 meters behind the nearest group, but I'm keeping pace - otherwise, I'm on an island.

Race day morning on the test track was a bit ridiculous

Focusing on mechanics and methodically working the hill I see one of those just ahead is falling behind and I'm quickly gaining. Just beyond mile six (6:33), I pass him and his body language indicates he isn't doing to well. "We're halfway may, lets go!", I yell as I drift by hoping some encouragement would benefit him. "I know.", he replies and within seconds I can't hear him anymore. Now working a downhill, the group ahead is still about the same distance away and I'm using them to keep focus and pull me along the mile seven decline (6:18).

As promised the rolling residential hills are in full swing and as I work the elbows & knees mechanics, and in between the official water fueling stations, a few residents have set up their own race watching parties. They offer support as well as a cold shower of the garden hose variety for you to run through, which are greatly appreciated. Miles 8 & 9 (6:33, 6:36) sees the group ahead thinning out, some move further ahead but I'm slowly reeling in the trailer.

At this point, with each passing mile, I repeat to myself how much is left. A little personal motivation (Okay, just four miles to go; less than a 5k now, you got this) works through my mind as the mile 10 (6:24) decline is precursor to the winding uphill of mile 11 (6:44). The locomotive-like running motion is in full swing, but I still feel slow. From the onlooking residents I hear some encouragement, "At top of the hill you have less than 2 1/2 to go!" 

Reaching the aforementioned summit, the course turns left and we have the full view of the Goodyear Headquarters Campus below. It is nearly all downhill to the finish and I let the momentum force the leg turnover while using my arms to keep upright. Quickly gaining, then finally passing, that figure I had been creeping up to for the last 15 minutes along mile 12 (6:18), I wondered if he is just playing possum in order to return the favor moments later.

My wrist vibrates from the buzzing of my watch indicating one mile to go and I'm working the arms & legs as the course flattens out a bit. Passing the remaining 10k-ers as the courses merge back together, I hear footsteps from behind. To my surprise, it isn't the gentleman I passed moments ago. It is another and he is on his horse, drifting by and increasing his lead with every step. Not sure where he had been the whole time I stick to my effort and reach the final stretch into Goodyear Headquarters and the race clock is in the 1:24 range - here I notice L hanging over the barrier on my right and yelling at me to push all the way through.

Cruising through and stopping my watch, I look around and see only race volunteers with finisher's medals. An official comes up to me and I ask, "Where is the water?"

"It's just ahead," she says and hands me a lanyard "and congratulations! You finished third in the masters division!"

"No shit!", I say without thinking and with a wry smile, "Um...I mean, No way! That's awesome!"

Finishers!

She laughs at me, "Make your sure you stick around for the awards ceremony!" Turning to her race volunteers, "Get this man some water!"

Without sounding perturbed, just tired, I offer her my unsolicited opinion, "You need to have the water closer to the finish line." (It was a short walk beyond the finish)

"We will keep that in mind for next year, thank you," she says, sounding sincere and not like I was telling her how to run the race. It was an out of the ordinary cool race for mid-August, but if it were any other were we would have all melted by this time.

My watch says 1:24:39, my second best half marathon and 45 seconds from a PR - placing 17th out of 848. This is significant in the fact that it the elevation here was much higher than the PR, indicating - at least on this day - an improvement on pacing on a less than level course. Shortly thereafter, L finds me and we load up on post race food, including free Galley Boys from Swenson's. This is the best double cheeseburger you will ever have, just saying. Search it out if you ever find yourself in Northeast Ohio. 

She tells me she finished with a two minute 10k PR, 51:05 - placing 143rd out of 1,335. Not bad for someone who started running less than a year ago. My age group award was an insulated drink holder/mug, which was pretty cool. Though, it didn't compete with the Goodyear Blimp ride and set of new tires the overall winners received. 

Hard to see, but that's my orange BibRave hat

Something else pretty cool took place at this event, 71-year old Grandmother Jeannie Rice of nearby Mentor, Ohio broke the 70-plus Women's World Half Marathon Record with a 1:37:07 - it took my first three half marathon tries to run that fast! She broke her age group world marathon record in Chicago last October and is hoping to continue breaking records starting with the Berlin Marathon next month. I'm just glad I beat her, she's a beast!

A couple of days afterward I found a selfie photo taken by Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan with the race crowd behind him and, yes, I'm there and it makes me laugh. Why? I was a radio news reporter in Akron about a decade ago and covered Akron City Council weekly. Mayor Horrigan, at that time, was a council member and I spoke with him countless times. And now, there we were in the same picture - but in different capacities - ten years later. I don't miss radio, but I do miss portions of Akron and the surrounding area - it exudes history.

So, L and I are less than two weeks away from officially completing The Wedding Summer (August 25th). With most of the prep work in place, it is now all about putting it into practice and producing an actual ceremony & reception without too many hiccups and speed bumps. I will be squeezing in the Blazin' 5 Miler: A Southeast Scorcher, a local race with some Columbus Running Company cohorts, the weekend before in hopes of breaking the 30 minute five mile barrier - but it is probably more of a way keep myself sane for a few days.

The Summer is winding down, but we are just getting started and are ready to take the plunge. Are there some butterflies about the deep waters ahead? Of course there are, but I think we have enough Chlorine to help oxidize those undesired contaminants....

Penelope Isles - Chlorine

You left your head out

I hope it clears

Your swollen ears

You laugh your head off

For all these years

And all those tears

You made it worse

Jump in with all your clothes

And break your nose

The depth, who knows?

Chlorine you itch my feet

You make me clean

Or so it seems

You make me smell a certain way

Photos

A flight from Massillon's Paradigm Shift Craft Brewery

Akron's Akronym Brewing

At HiHO Brewing Company in Cuyahoga Falls

Lock 15 Brewing Company in Akron

Preparing for takeoff 

Race SWAG

The final stretch

Finishing!

Third place, age group...and still holding my post-race beer.