Indy Mini-Marathon Race Report
So not training really is the new training! Who knew, and I’ve wasted all those years training. Just kidding. I didn’t break any speed records, but for only running a few miles in April I finished the mini last weekend with no problem at all – except for the giant blister on my foot. And you know I took a picture of it – the same familiar blister I get anytime my feet are wet or sweaty.
Packet pick-up was a little scary because race numbers went from zero to 54,000. That’s a lot of people. I think only 35,000 ran the mini and the others the 5k. I picked up a few items including some margarita flavored Clif Bloks in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo.
This mini was huge. I was really surprised how much it had grown since I ran it in 1993. (Yes, I’m old) It was a fun race and it was good to have family and friends around. My sister dropped off Marta (who I ran with in San Diego), John and I around 6:15 AM and we wandered around until the start. It was cloudy and 55 degrees – perfect for running. I was in corral G and they were in A & B or whatever the super-fast corrals were. I was, however, secretly thankful I wasn’t in corral Z.
In the starting corrals, the officials threw in a few giant black and white beach balls for the crowd to toss around before the start. It was fun until the runners started playing competitive volleyball and I was getting pelted along the side of my face. The music in the corrals at the beginning was nice, but I missed the theme music to the movie Rocky they played years before.
I was pretty tight the first few miles; I could feel the 16-hour drive from Texas to Indiana lingering in my lower back. At mile three it was nice to see Leah and Jason, cheering fools they are. I so like those two kids. Their cheering got me through to mile 7 where we entered the Speedway. I had forgotten how hard the surface was and how hot it could be now that the sun was out. I was glad that it was only a 2.5-mile loop. It wasn’t long after I exited the Speedway that I saw those cheering fools Jason and Leah again around mile 10.
I trucked along until the finish, missing my mom and sister at mile 12.75 but I met up with them and Marta and Milka in the reunion area at letter M. I waited around for the other RBFers but never saw anyone. When we arrived home I noticed that Leah had called but I reckon I didn’t hear my phone ring over the crowd.
I finished in 2:34. Far from my PR of 2:04, but for not training I was happy. I finished and never really felt winded or overly tired. A half-marathon is a forgiving distance. I’d like to think I have a great base and that is why I can run a half without training, but I’m not so sure.
After the race we all cleaned up and went to my Dad’s favorite Mexican Restaurant, and in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo we drank margaritas.
But the best part of the entire trip was when my sister Amy, while in a delusional and somewhat comatose state, put her name into the New York Marathon lottery. And, in front of witnesses, Amy said if she got in the marathon, she would run it. And you know what that makes Amy? Not just my sister, but Sister Runner Amy! Hee, I couldn’t be happier. Pop over and congratulate her on her 1st marathon entry!
The drive home was uneventful except for the torrential downpour from 8 hours of thunderstorms through three states. And as an unexpected surprise – Michael connived with Mother Nature to build Donkey a water park in the back yard. This could go into an entirely new post entitled “My House Hates Me, Part 9”, but I’ll spare you the details.
Okay, maybe a little too long – but forgive the typos and spelling errors and move on to the race pictures here.
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HOLY COW!!! That’s a lot of water and I KNOW what your back yard is like normally! You have your own little lake, make sure you put that down on the description when selling – LAKE SIDE PROPERTY!
By the way, when you get back I have a ton of questions to ask you about landscaping and dry riverbeds, and flagstones, and other assorted fun stuff…
Congrats on a race well ran! It was fun seeing you during the race and too bad we couldn’t meet up afterwards. Next time for sure.
It looks and sounds like a lot of fun.
I’m a little worried about that last photo though.
Nice job on the casual fun filled race with no training! Lucky Donkey!!
I told you not training was the new training!
Hooray for Cinco de Drinko and a successful 1/2 Marathon. And double hooray for Amy finally coming over from the dark side. “Never” is a really long time….I so hope she gets picked.
fun times!
Way to go!!! I don’t think I could have done that well without training, so I am very impressed. And, I love the lake in your backyard. Get some floaties and join Donkey!
I saw on the NYC marathon website that the chances of getting in are 50%. That seems awfully high and I’m positive that wasn’t made entirely clear to me before I entered my name. And I know there was crack in my margarita.
Susan, we have matching blisters ‘cept mine was on my heel (see blog picture for the gross details!). Great job during the Indy Mini.
Nice job with little training. It shows your experience at completing distances and knowing how much you can push yourself. Congratulations!
someone erased my comments instead of posting them. hm.
congrats. love the blister. me likes your inner frankensooz.
looking forward to seeing the pictures of indy. (must click later).
did you do 30 to 40 to 55 to 57 to 70? one of these days, we’ll do it together and i’m totally using you to get out of scary family stuff.
p.s. did teh other runners get jealous of those read shoes?
A backyard pool for the dog – what an awesome pet parent you are! And sounds like a fun race, in spite of ol’ blister foot.
Susan,
I have worried myself sick due to your lack of training! I am so thrilled that it came together for you…now get your ass back to the gym!
Great pics — except the one of your yard. Love the sunglasses pic and the fam at the cinco de mayo/margarita table!! Nice job on the Half.
yay, come cheer on your sis, and I can meet you.
oh yes – congrats on the no-training half. amazing stuff!
Susan Thanks for sharing! You encouraged me to run my First Half-Marathon AND FINISH!!!
This past weekend – without as much training as I had envisioned. Thanks much! I even told my race friends all about RBF! 
Congrats on the Mini!
Holy Water Donkey!
I’d like to sign up for the non-running club membership, please.
Runner Susan is a finisher of marathons and halfs. Was there any doubt about that???
That picture of Donkey swimming around is funny. I think I can spot a diving board.
Happy running and I hope you’re enjoying the new place.
Great race, I might try that no-training plan myself one day, as soon as I can wean myself off those daily runs.
Imagine how fast you would have been if you’d run with two shoes!
Susan can you get me a pair of those bottle glasses for my next video clip
maybe all is NOT lost for me either! (Despite stupid comment from roller-blader.) Congrats, way to go, huzzah, you rock!
Mmmmmmmm. Babes in big hats.
I bought the margarita flavored Shot Bloks too and was disappointed I was still sober within 15 minutes of taking all six :-).
You are a studette, Cinco Suso. And I hope Amy gets chosen!
Congrats! Sounds like a phenomenal Cinco for all!
I wish I coulda been there. It woulda been more cinco fun that a backyard full of swimming donkeys.
glad the race went well for you and more importantly that you found margaritas afterwards!