This past weekend 11/15/14, I helped with a race, I have heard that every runner should help with some races in order to be a better racer.  There were not very many photos taken.  I helped with aid station 5 at the 25 mile turn around for the 50 miler race.   We however also helped out station 2 which was on the course for the 50K and 50 miler.  What I enjoyed so much about this race is that no one cared how fast you ran it just as long as you finished.  Yet folks understood about those who dropped out due to injuries or feeling so sick.  This was the group photo one of them took.  I helped with the wascally group.   It was nice getting to know some of them.

In the photo is a dog of Brad and Stephanie. Brad is in the orange and Stephanie is taking it. We were at this time setting up the aid station. Due to the tree coverings we were not hot for long and it was a windy day.  We spent much time adding water to whatever water bottle that folks had.  Our aid station was said to have the best food of baked potatoes and salt.   Most folks dipped the potatoes into the salt.  Many wanted salt tables also not sure why but quite a few asked for them.  I will have research that one.  At the time they got to us, the folks had run over a marathon and had another 25 miles to go.   There were 29 50 miler entries, and 5 did not start.  We were looking for 24 folks to come through.   We did find out that two had scratched by the time the sweepers were letting us know that the aid station could be closed.  It was then that we went to station 2 to catch those getting to the second to last station.  We waited for our friends then moved on to the ending and watched them end.  I was shocked how many runners had beer while running.  I would be afraid to drink then run.   I know the calories they were burning the beer helped replace but how much would it help them stay on their feet.  On the second half of the race, I saw quite a few drinking some.  It was long day but fun one.  It did take me a few to feel human again.   I did not drink enough or eat enough that day.   I also did not drink when others in our group did.  I look forward to the next race and seeing some of these guys out running with me.  My next race is Dec 13th, the toys for tots race which is only a 5K but should be fun.   It at least gives some focus for me.  

I ran the two cities marathon Clovis Half on Nov 1, 2014.  My results were

I waited to write this so I could get my photos and official times.   I clocked this at 2:25:10 but I Started it early and ended it later.  That is also why I got over 13.1 miles.

This race was a lot of fun only because it has been in Fresno/Clovis for a few years.   Many moons ago (2007 or so) I was training for this marathon and got shin splints that kept me out of running for a few years.   This year since it was the first year I am back to running for reals, I only ran the Clovis half of this race,  This race showed what race and distance we were doing by color, since I was the Clovis Half, I got orange, I do know the Fresno Half got green, and the 5K folks got white.  

   Somehow in the past, I have forgotten something, so this time I made sure I had a flatter version of me with everything I needed for this race, It did start at 6:15 so I had to leave early.  I again had a rough night before the race but since I had set up everything ahead of time, I had everything I needed.   My only trouble was finding the parking area and drove around some looking for where to park.  I did enjoy the signs at this race and got complements on my socks from my sexy feet that I had won.  Each time I have worn them, I get complemented on them.

Here they are on my after the race,  They are fun and kept my feet from blisters during the race.    I have yet to buy a photo of me racing, but one day I will.   This time I liked only one of three photos so next time I will hopefully like more of them.  I did notice this time that I am still struggling to mid-foot strike for my stride.   The photos that I was stepping during showed that I was still heal striking.  It is a wonder I do not have shin splints again.  This is something I will need to pay more attention to in order to keep from re-injury.