2011 Cleveland Marathon Spectating Recap

Otherwise known as the race that wasn't.

I'm not sure when exactly it was I decided to run the Cleveland Marathon but I can tell you that 17 weeks ago, I was primed and ready to go the distance and earn a BQ. The first nine weeks of that training cycle were spent kicking butt and taking names. My confidence soared with the completion of each week and paces that once seemed out of reach became comfortable. I specifically recall spending plenty of those training runs envisioning how race day would play out, writing my race recap in my head and struggling with how I'd name the post, "Best. Day. Ever." or "Happiest Girl in the World." I knew I had this in the bag, and if anyone had deserved it, it was me. After failing to complete my last training cycle and having to drop down to the half marathon distance for Grand Rapids due to leg gremlins, this was supposed to be my redemption race.

But it seems redemption just wasn't in the cards for me and y'all know what happened next.

The last eight weeks since have been an emotional roller coaster of pain, frustration, determination, excessive amounts of xtraining, and spectating every single race I had lined up for this training cycle. It might seem a bit masochistic to you, but spectating all the races I was supposed to run has been my retaliation against being injured. Although I was hesitant at first to still go to Cleveland, in a way going helped me prove to myself that I can rise above this miserable situation and not let it keep me down. So Saturday morning Spike, B.o.B., Jen B. (Direct from running her farthest run/race to date the Fifth Third River Bank 25k!!!), and I headed down to Cleveland...

Cleveland Bound.

Our trip to the Buckeye State was your typical talk each other's brains out, eat junk food, and make up new verses to classic songs. "So this is Christmas" will never be the same after we turned it into "So this is Cleveland" oh and there was the side trip to the jerky outlet for B.o.B... In her own words, "I'll take foods you shouldn't pre-fuel for a race with for 500 Alex!" LOL! After some four odd hours contained in the Spikemobile we arrived at the expo in Euclid, OH otherwise known as Sketchville, USA. I sincerely hope the race didn't have to pay to host the expo there because it left a lot to be desired and surely scared off all the out of town racers. The expo itself was pretty decent but we arrived so late that a lot of the vendors were either gone or starting the break down process. When B.o.B. picked up her packet they had run out of race bags and shirt sizes so she was handed her bib and a shirt a size too large. FAIL. (Tip for anyone racing next year: Arrive to the expo in a timely manner.) After the expo we headed to our hotel in Downtown Cleveland...

We collectively decided that "I am Legend" could have been filmed here.

After checking in to our hotel, which was awesome by the way, we headed right back out to grab a bite to eat at D'vine Wine Bar. I'm linking to it because if you ever go to Cleveland you need to go there! I'm far from a foodie but the food was amazing. I wanted to make out with my dinner and the dessert Spike, Jen B., and I shared was to die for. We pretended it was terrible though for B.o.B's sake, even as we fought over who would lick the plate.

Amazing dinner with equally amazing dinner dates.

After dinner we sent B.o.B back to the hotel to hit the hay and the three of us spectators headed back out for an adult beverage, or three. Let me tell you, Cleveland offers some great people watching and spirits. We hit a few places before ending the night on a decadent note at Chocolate Bar where we consumed sweet potato fries with fondue and washed them down with the most delicious martini's I have EVER had. It was then we decided Cleveland is really an awesome city, but best viewed after a few cocktails.

So De-lish!!!

We called it a night at a fairly reasonable hour and 5 am soon followed so we got around quickly to head over to the Renaissance Hotel to meet up with the rest of the Cleveland Runner/Bloggers: Jodi, Jenn, Dave, Joanna, Nicole, and Erika. There was a lot of nervous energy and excitement charging the room as everyone hugged and encouraged each other pre-race. All too soon it was time for the runners to head to the start and us spectators to prepare to take spectating to a whole new level...

A truly awesome group of runnerds.

And now the fun begins... As we were walking over to the pre-race meetup I had realized I had forgotten my camera's battery plugged in to the wall in our hotel. Spectating FAIL #1. We had to walk back to the hotel, grab the battery, and change in to our spectating outfits. B.o.B had no clue what we had up our sleeves but when I said I wanted to take spectating to a whole new level, I meant it and I was going to make sure no one missed us as they ran by!!! After we had changed and got ourselves weather appropriate (or so we thought, more on that later) we headed out to the first meet up point we had discussed with the runners, at a turn just before Mile 7 on 38th St., WEST 38th St. but when I mapped the intersection in my phone it took us to EAST 38th St., the exact opposite direction of where we actually needed to be. We unknowingly walked extremely far out of our way, through some seriously sketch neighborhoods, and ended up spectating the 10kers instead. Spectating FAIL #2. Once I figured out my mistake it was already too late to catch anyone at the real Mile 7 since I can only walk so fast, so we proceeded to the next location just before Mile 12. I was so upset with myself and kept apologizing profusely to Spike and Jen. As we headed back in the right direction we cheered on all the 10kers and they were all very appreciative because it's just not every day you get spectated by crazies like us:

Wigs + crazy socks + obnoxious guy with bullhorn = No chance you're missing us! (Unless we miss you that is...)

Once in place outside of Mile 12 the real spectating began, Jen and I rang our cowbells and cheered like it was our job and Spike took his spectating randomness to epic levels with the bullhorn. I'm quite certain everyone who ran past us got quite a laugh. "You see those socks? She had to kill Rainbow Bright for them!" "If you run faster LeBron James will loose tonight!" "Like a disloyal dog those pace groups will leave you!" "You guys are much better looking than the 10kers!" Heck he even got the lead guy to crack up by yelling "Most people run from the cops you seem to be chasing after them!" It's always a blast spectating with him.

"Ladies, if there is a dude in front of you PASS HIM!!!"

It wasn't long after we were in place that we saw our buddy Bill cruise by and then soon enough we saw B.o.B in all her unicorn tears glory arm pumping her way towards us!!!

GO Boo GOOO!!!

After B.o.B went by the misting rain started to get a little worse and we realized we weren't dressed as weather appropriate as we had thought. Spectating FAIL #3. While it was an absolutely perfect day to be racing; completely overcast, high 50's, misting rain, it most certainly was not for spectating. It was actually quite miserable and knowing my little Florida girl would be freezing post-race I sent Spike with her jacket to go find her while we waited for the rest of our runners to go by. First we saw Joanna then the rest followed, Nicole, Erika, Jenn, Sun Runner, and finally Jodi and Dave. It was definitely a mixed bag of emotions as each passed but I'm happy to report every one of them finished. Although I didn't see them I know that BMO & mojamala2 saw us, but I'm super bummed I didn't get to see The Enthusiast or join spectating forces with Viper.

After the last of our runners went by Jen and I headed back to the hotel to meet up with Spike and B.o.B. to warm up! We were soaked to the bone, our fingers were numb, and my leg was in pretty bad shape after having traversed far more than I had intended for the day. It was quickly decided it was not in our best interest to head back out for more cheering as we had originally intended. Spectating FAIL #4. I felt terrible skipping out on cheering at the Finish, especially after screwing up and getting us lost earlier, but my biggest concern was not aggravating my leg any worse than what it already was and so ended our spectating of the 2011 Cleveland Marathon.

I know everyone is still in the process of putting together their race recaps so I'll link every one's posts to their names once they are up. You can check out all the pics from the day and B.o.B's visit HERE. Congrats again to all those that raced yesterday and I hope you are all recovering well and proud of yourselves for the feats you accomplished!

Before I call this a post I have to give an extra special shout out to Marlene for her BQ and to Katie for her Half IM debut!!! Well done ladies! You are both such an inspiration to me!!!