Martian Invasion of Races Spectating Recap

This past Saturday was the Martian Invasion of Races in Dearborn, MI. They offer a 5k, Meteor 10k, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, and a Kids Marathon (1.2 M). I had signed up for this race months ago to use as a tune-up race before the Cleveland Marathon (With plans to go sub-1:50 by running at my marathon race pace... alas we all know that didn't happen) and a few of my friends had also decided to run this as their Half Marathon debut. I wanted to make this race an extra special event for them so as I started putting together the blog/dailymile meetup, I also reached out to a few companies to put together a surprise swag bag for everyone that would attend.

Before I go any further I just want to say thank you to Ron and Punk Rock Racing, Arctic Ease, Bondi Band, Running Fit, and Build A Sign, because without their generosity I couldn't have pulled this off and I know the runners absolutely LOVED the surprise goodie bags.

I also added my signature "wrist rocker" to the mix

Now down to the good stuff; Friday after work Spike and I headed to Dearborn for the expo. After getting re-routed due to construction and driving through the not-so-nice areas of town we ended up safe and sound to meet up with Sun Runner, Jess, Tim, and last but not least Marlene!!! (I can't believe it's already been over a year since we first met in Orlando when I spectated the 2010 Disney Marathon!)

I didn't realize how much taller she was til I looked at these pics! LOL!

Considering this race is rather small potatoes compared to other races I've been a apart of I was genuinely impressed with the expo. Packet pick-up was well organized and speedy, there were a few running related vendors, other area races to check out, and Running Fit had racks of clothes, shoes, and gear. At one point I had to crutch out to hit the restrooms and was stopped by a girl who reads my blog! (It's pretty easy to pick me out these days, what with the red hair and crutches! Make sure you leave a comment so I can add you to my reader!!!) After the expo we grabbed some dinner, hit up the dollar store for some spectating balloons, and hit the hay at a fairly decent hour. Fast forward to 6 a.m. and we were up, grabbing some breakfast, and heading over to the Start/Finish area for the pre-race meetup. Because I'm on the crutches Spike was left to bring everything from the car down... he's such a trooper!

I felt so bad he had to carry all this! :(

I was so excited to unveil the awesome meetup sign I made at Build A Sign! (Do you like my tricked out Martian Green crutches?!?!)

I set up shop outside the packet pick-up area about an hour before the Half started and the bloggers/dailymilers swung by as the clocked ticked down to race time. It was so fun to meet all the different bloggers and see them all geared up and anxious to race. Pretty soon it was go time and I whipped out my cowbell to cheer them on their way. Jen B.'s hubby Jeff was sitting out the race and spectating with me so after the racers were on their way he helped me gather the spectating paraphernalia and we hobbled on over to the turn to the Finish near Mile 13ish. (The course ended up measuring long, at 13.4 M, and I was astounded at the speed of which the race director both acknowledged the situation and announced that results would be adjusted on the race Facebook fan page. Well done!!!)

Crutches make great balloon stands!

Jeff & I, spectators extraordinaire.

After her 10k Cara Jo joined us spectating. I frigging loved her sign, pure genius!

It seemed like we didn't have to wait long at all before all the Halfers started pouring in, I spotted nearly everyone, although some only at the very last minute, and we wildly entertained the other folks around us with our cheering, especially when Spike joined us after he finished. If y'all have never had the pleasure of spectating with Spike you have no idea what you're missing! Gems like, "Run faster, there are Martians behind you with probes!" or "Free water at the Finish!" are just some of the many. About 11 am we abandoned our post and headed over to Leo's Coney Island to make sure everything was set for the post-race brunch. I am so thankful to Leo's for accommodating us, getting everyone fed so fast, and letting us take up a significant section of the restaurant for almost two hours.

Blog brunching at it's best! We took up three different tables!

Can't you just see the radiating PR glow coming off of Marlene?!?!

Jess & Tim x 2!!! How crazy is that?!!? LOL!

Two of my fav girls and long time blogging buddies!

The blogging dudes

After most everyone was fed and we had snapped copious amounts of pics (you can see all the pics from the day on my FB fanpage HERE) it was time to call it a day. I had an absolute blast spectating and pulling together everyone for the brunch, it def helped fill the void not racing left in my heart. A big thanks to all who made it over, it was so great to meet you!

To end this post I'm going to link everyone's race recaps because there were some epic PR's and phenomenal race debuts that deserve a shout out, make sure you head over and give them all a congrats:
Spike - Running Spike - Half Marathon - Tune-up before Boston
Jen B. - Solitude Stew - Half Marathon Debut
Jess - Live~Love~Run - Half Marathon Debut
Tim - Neophyte TriDuRun - Half Marathon Debut
Sun Runner - Running into the Sun - 10k
Marlene - Mission to (another) Marathon - Surprise Marathon / HUGE PR!!!
Stephanie - Steph's 50 Marathon Challenge - Marathon (Recap to come)
Nicole - Runner Nic - Half Marathon #7
Jess - Run Jess Run - 10k
Steph - In Steph's Shoes - Half Marathon
Joanna - Joanna Runs - Half Marathon
Bill - A Runner in the Making - Half Marathon Tune-up for Cleveland
Fritz - Fritz's Running Babel - Half Marathon
Cara Jo - See Cara Run - 10k Debut

Mary Beth - I can has Marathon? - Half Marathon #3
Becca - Half Marathon Debut