Geo

Howdy y'all (you'd think I was raised in TX).

Kerry and I are coming to Phoenix this weekend for the marathon. She's coaching for Team in Training and I'm running the half-marathon (I had too many interruptions in my training to run the full this time).

Anyway......

We may have a little time to meet with some folks from Phoenix if y'all are interested. Don't know where or when yet. The weekend will be a bit crazy since Kerry is the official coach for our chapter meaning she has a number of responsibilities. But, I'd like to meet some of y'all. We're staying until Tuesday so hopefully we'll be able to find some time somewhere.

Anybody game?

Oh, and if y'all don't have anything to do on Sunday morning, come on out and cheer on the runners and walkers. I expect to finish the half in around 3 hours. I'm part of the Penguin Brigade. There is a special title for me out there for "Hey, wait for me racing" but I haven't come up with it yet. I can do slow. But hell, when you see me you'll wonder what I'm doing out there at all.

M758

Welcome to Phoenix!

Temps should be a cool 40F - 50F or so Sunday morning warming to 70 or so. Just a typical Arizona day. Staying untill Tuesday? When are you getting in? Friday evening?

Geo

Awesome! I've been worried about the temps. A starting temp of 40 would be fantastic.

We're arriving Friday morning and leaving Tuesday afternoon.

We are staying at the Hyatt downtown.

I've been to Phoenix before in 1988 and I spent the night there in 1998. This should be fun.

azmi951

I would be up for meeting up for dinner on Monday night.
I will be in Tucson all weekend working on my 951.

Geo

I'll try to keep y'all up to date. I'll have my tablet with me and the Hyatt ought to have wireless (for the room rate it ought to come with hookers).

M758

They Hyatt is the nicest place to stay downtown so you WILL pay through then nose especially in the high season like now. Only places more expensive are the "resorts" in Scottsdale or Carefree.

Monday evening seems like a good time. Friday could work, but I would guess you would be "in training". Monday is good day to celebrate finishing!

Geo

Monday may work. I'll have to see. My best friend lives in Phoenix so I have to coordinate with his schedule as well.

My cell number is: (281) 773-8726

Friday may work well. Not sure. My biggest concern about Friday is I need to get a really good night sleep. While I usually sleep well the night before an event (years of racing karts and cars have helped), occasionally this is not the case - especially since I'm somewhat under-trained.

Geo

Well, we're in the hotel. Getting ready to go out for dinner. Turns out tonight was not going to be a good night. Still having to play tomorrow by ear.

If any of y'all come out to the half marathon, my bib number is 37863. And my time this weekend will epitomize "Hey, Wait For Me Raing." But, like racing cars, I may not be the fastest by any stretch, but I'm out there.

GO TEAM!

M758

GO GEORGE!!!!!



Are we on for Monday?

Geo

I'll know more about Monday a little later. I'd like to get together if only for a drink or two. My schedule keeps tightening though.

Turns out another Rennlister (Rob in WA) is in town for the marathon. He started a thread in OT, but I think I replied too late in the day for him to get the message.

Geo

ust back from finishing the half.....

By my watch, 3:00:07 (gives "Hey, Wait For Me Racing a whole new meaning - It's all about being out there). We'll see tomorrow what the timing chip says. Bigger marathons all use data acquisition these days. You wear a little chip on your shoe and it automatically records your splits at various points and of course the finish.

I would have been in comfortably under 3 (by a minute or so) but I saw a PF Chang's Team in Training person struggling at mile 12.25 or so. He had a bad knee (locking up) so I stayed with him until I could find a coach to bring him in.

My wife is coaching today and she cannot leave the course until the last Team in Training person is off the course. The Team in Training coaches do a great job.

Oh, about the PF Chang's bit..... PF Chang's is a national sponsor of Team in Training and they send at least 1 person from every restaurant to this event (we have several of them with our team - for most of them this is not a race but a moving party!). This year is a special event for them. They recently lost one of their original employees to Leukemia. This one's for Michael!

Go have dinner at PF Chang's. Support those who support the fight against this wretchced desease. Team in Training raised over $600,000 just for this event alone for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Help us find a cure.

GO TEAM!

Geo

Oh yeah, now for an ice bath...... brrrr! And I'm not even drunk.

M758

Great Job George!




BTW... I can't make a Monday evening GTG. Wife has too many plans for me...

Geo

Turned out my schedule just grew like a roach in a nuke explosion.

I'm sure I'll be back before long. Probably some time this year.

I'm really sorry we weren't able to hook up. I was looking forward to meeting and having a beer or two. Next time.

M758

Yep Next time.