Rock n Roll Arizona

The Looong Drive and Hello Tempe

Holy cow, Batman! Six hours in a car driving through the desert aint no fun! Nothing to look at, no place to stop. Remind me to fly next time. Finally hit downtown Phoenix and realized, duh, Arizona is on Mountain Time. Oops. Instead of arriving at 2:30, it was 3:30 and the mad Friday afternoon rush hour had begun. Found our hotel and walked around Tempe a little. We were right near ASU, but the only eats we could find were fast food and chain restaurant types. Bleh. Decided to take the car for a little tour of Tempe and found a Mexican restaurant. It was OK, but I was extremely dissappointed. I was sure we'd find good Mexican food in the southwest. My meal was OK, but my husband said the chicken in his tacos tasted like cat food. Wait, you mean he feeds my cats junk he wouldn't eat himself? I'm going to have to investigate further....

The Expo

Had a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, then took the light rail to Phoenix. Arrived at the Expo around 10 on Saturday and it was crazy crowded! I had wanted to check out the Sugoi sale merchandise from other RnR events, but I just decided to get my race packet and tech-t and get the heck out of Dodge.

Had a yucky carb-load dinner at some dive called Boston's and turned in early.

The Marathon

I had been fighting a bit of a chest cold, so I wasn't hoping to break any world records or anything. I would have been thrilled to make it in 5;30 or less. Ah, the best laid plans. I could feel a tightness in my chest very early and took a walk break at the first aid station at only mile 2.7. Pathetic. By mile 7, I knew it was going to be one long, ugly day. I walked most of the last 19 miles. I was just hoping to squeak in under 6 hours and managed to do so. Official finish time 5:59:56! Yes, a major suckfest, but at least I managed that sub-6!

During the race, I had a long talk with myself about all the racing and traveling I have been doing and have planned in the coming months. I am about 99% bailing on the Lost Dutchman Marathon next month. I have no desire to return to Arizona in the near future. As much as I'd like to run that one someday, it'll have to wait until 2011. Now, I have to find another Marathon for February!