Jose's Flat Foot Blues

I just completed my first ½ Marathon race.  I am very excited about the accomplishment and glad I took on the challenge.  Here are some pros and cons about the race:
 
Pros
 
Beautiful course
It wasn't too cold at the top
Lots of port-a-potties at the top
Lots of people
Great volunteers
Nice downhill grade along river trail after Bridal Veil Falls
Lots of spectators at the end
Great band at the end
 
Cons
 
No port-a-potties at end (ridiculous!!)
Virtually no port-a-potties throughout the course
No timing chip (my "official" time was off by more than a minute)
Started with 4 miles of steep downgrade
Course changed to include uphill on pavement between Vivian Park and Bridal Veil.
Never-ending loops at Riverwoods
Crappy cotton t-shirt (nice design but cheap thin cotton)
Started race fifteen minutes late
I injured my right foot (this one was my fault)
 
Overall Impression
 
I should have chosen Hobble Creek instead of this one as my first ½ Marathon.  Curt organizes this race like if it was a 5K fun run.  The ½ marathon distance deserves a bit more organization, structure and rewards that what it gets in this event.  I may run it again but there is no doubt that organizers need to change things.  Curt needs to get with the times and offer a nice t-shirt, use timing chips, get good sponsors for the race, and definitely increase the number of aid stations and port-a-potties.  That being said, I am glad I ran the race and I appreciate all the volunteer effort.  Very gracious volunteers and wonderful fellow runners.  Overall it was a good time.

Well, I finally gave in to technology.  I bought myself a Garmin Forerunner 305.  This thing is awesome.  Since my foot is still healing I have not been able to run with it but I did go on a bike ride today, mostly to test it out.  Having time, distance, pace and heartbeat all in one easy to read screen was very nice.  The HRM was especially interesting.  Biking definitely does not get me the same workout as running by a longshot.  I am sure that under the right conditions and effort I can get a good workout on a bike, but running definitely does it faster and more powerfully.  I haven't tried out the computer interface so far but even without it the purchase would be worth it.  No more riding around in the car to measure distances or relying on obscure landmarks in Gmap-pedometer.  I'm sure I'll still use Gmap-pedometer but I won't have to guess at the landmarks for accurate distance .  Sweet.

As far as my foot goes, it is feeling much better. Tomorrow I go in to pick up my orthotics and I am hoping that they provide me with much needed relief.  My flat feet will need all the help they can get to complete my training for the TOU marathon.