Martian Marathon and Half-Marathon, Northville, Mich.
Saturday, March 29, 2003Race report from Marcella...
Date: Sun Mar 30, 2003
Subject: My first medal! Martian report and pics
Hi all! I had an awesome time in Michigan!! I headed down to Detroit just before nine a.m. on Friday, experienced no delays at the bridge and smooth sailing all the way to the Ramada Limited hotel. Mary DeMattia arranged for our rooms at this hotel, which was conveniently located, very clean, at a super rate including a wonderful continental breakfast!!!
I went over to Mary's house with Kathryn Lye in the afternoon and we had a great time chatting and watching Mary cooking up a storm!!! The place smelled heavenly and I don't think I've ever seen so much pasta in one house in my life!!! I've included a great picture [below] of Mary and Kathryn looking ready to devour the goods!
Just before Carol and Wrayjean from Indiana arrived, I started to develop this headache which came on very quickly and ferociously. I had really wanted to go to the Elder's home for the pasta dinner, but my headache was so intense that I felt jittery and nauseous and decided to rest at the hotel that night. The temperature in the afternoon was in the low seventies in Detroit, but there was a fierce wind and soon into the early evening there was a tremendous thunderstorm and downpour. The rapid change in air pressure may have contributed to the big headache. Anyway, I was really sad to miss the dinner, but I did end up getting a good night's rest on Friday.
So now it's Martian day ... I'm feeling much better and was happy to see the Toronto Penguins for breakfast at the hotel. We were all a bit concerned about the weather because we were told that we might have rain, snow and cold temps to deal with. It was chilly, especially compared to the day before, but the rain and snow held off, so besides a bit of a wind, we had good racing weather.
I started the race power walking beside Kelly and Mau, but then decided to jog a bit with them for the first little while anyway! I had such a great time with these two ladies!! I loved the running for 7 minutes and walking for one - I really didn't feel tired, so I decided that I would stick with them until I felt I couldn't anymore. Well, we had a great time chatting and meeting up with the other Penguins and although I fell behind a little bit toward the end of the 1/2, I caught up to the girls and we finished the race together!! I had no idea when I went into this race that I would be running because I had trained to power walk the race! I actually cheered when I crossed the 10K (6 mile) mark, because I've never run a 10K race!! My time was 1:10 according to Kelly. Kelly and Mau were so supportive and shared stories of their racing experiences. They are amazing women!!
The race volunteers were great, especially the guy at the turnaround, who had us all laughing!! When we crossed the finish line, (2:43.53) we were greeted by Toni Hall who was so cold she could hardly get medals around our necks! Linda Bearss (GeoMom) was also at the finish line, and I was excited to finally meet her! I thought I'd see her at Violet's on Saturday night, but she had to head back to Northern Michigan that afternoon. I'm considering doing the Hartwick Pines trail races in Gaylord, Michigan, so maybe I'll get to visit more with Linda and the other Michigan Penguins at that time.
There were 8 of us Toronto Penguins, plus Toni Hall for lunch at this great Mexican restaurant across from the hotel!! We gorged ourselves on some fine Mexican food, and in Julie's case, dessert! Isn't the food one of the greatest features of running!!!
After lunch all the Toronto Penguins headed back home, except for Kathryn and myself who headed over to Mary D.'s for some more laughing and chatting along with Carol and Wrayjean. Later on, Mary indulged me by bringing us all to Whole Foods in Ann Arbor, where I was in my glory grazing through all the organic and healthy foods!! While I was busy filling my shopping cart, the others were having a great time getting free samples of food at a bunch of the displays!
We headed over to Violet's house where we had some great Chinese/Vietnamese/Thai and Korean take out food, great conversation and lots of laughs!! The enclosed picture [above] shows Cher's leg, Milt, Kathryn, WrayJean, and Violet hiding behind Millard. The Elders are wonderful hosts, and their two cats are pretty neat too!! It was hilarious to listen to Mary and Cher's recounting of their grouchy experience at the New York City Marathon, which is so opposite to the positive and joyous experience Kelly recounted last fall!!
After our huge dinner and some great vino, we headed off to the blues bar. A bunch of the ladies sitting on the outside seats were personally serenaded and "vibrated" by the sax player who was not too bad on the eyes, I must say! I would have to have been sitting in an inside seat - darn! I did buy the band's CD though and had a great time listening to it on the way back to the Sault!
I have to thank all the Michigan Penguins for their gracious hospitality and especially Mary, Violet and Millard who went out of their way to make the Martian event a truly great one!! I also got to spend some time with Kathryn Lye, and I want to thank her for taking care of me when I wasn't feeling too well, and for just being a great person! It was good to talk to someone who enjoys hiking as much as I do!
I highly recommend this race for others to enjoy next year, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Toronto and Michigan Penguins at some future encounters this year (Hartwick Pines?, Dances with Dirt, Mackinac Island Lilac Festival 10K, Dagmar...)
Bye for now,
Marcella, who's quads are hurting today - I'm looking forward to my massage tomorrow!!!!
Race report from Kathryn L...
Date: Wed Apr 2, 2003
Subject: Kathryn Hikes MarsI didn't get to train this winter...the comeback trail from the sinus surgery has had its ups and downs. But I have been walking more and getting to hike with my friends on Wednesdays. And my sister-in-law and I have plans to walk in France in June. SO, I thought I could use a half marathon distance (which just happens to be equal to most group hikes) to harden up my legs by walking on the road in my boots. So that is what I did.
I got to walk with Julie and Tash from Toronto. Julie took tons of pictures, we yakked, waved, chatted, told everyone thank you on the course (GREAT course support), reveled in the early Spring weather, thanked our lucky stars that the drowning rain and winds from the previous night had passed on to Ontario, and generally romped and stomped our way along a beautiful course. Thank you Tash and Julie for your support, your silliness and your good spirits.
The Penguin Encounter was Awesome....truly, awesome. MaryD greeted me at her store on Thursday afternoon (I will shed a tear right here because KarenB was not there as planned. We missed her terribly but she was in our thoughts as she comforted her dear kitty Dusty before she had to let him go on Monday. Our hearts were and are with you, Karen. Peace bbe with you.)
Mary sent me off to REI to do my shopping..I must say Exofficio makes THE best travel underwear I have ever used...takes about 2 hours max to dry. They wear forever. After Mary got off work, we went to run and play with her Thursday running group...Mary has run with this group for over ten years, they are dear friends. These people are wonderful to be with---comfortable, silly, and they give Mary a hard time (MY kind of people!). They ran and I walked around Northville. Then we had dinner at Poole's, a pub-type eatery. The March birthdays were celebrated, beer and cookies were shared.
Friday Mary began her Penguin Pasta Preparation (the sauce she had previously made was in huge containers in the freezer). She boiled pasta, spattered sauce, made all sorts of noises (I am just quoting now, please excuse my language...science demands accurate reporting by this anthropologist): OH, Damn, OW, Shit, Look at That!!, What a mess!!, Good Lord, this stuff is EVERYWHERE!!
In the afternoon, I went and retrieved Marcella from the hotel to come visit with us at Mary's. Marcella brought amazing homemade pasta goodies from her mother to share with Mary and Violet. They looked so good. Carol and Wrayjean arrived looking ready for a party. I was happy to meet penguins I knew from the list but had never seen. I still can't get over how many wonderful people are in the penguin rookery. We are blessed, people.
Violet and Millard open their home and their hearts to us Friday night. The Pasta Dinner was truly fabulous. Mary's pasta was superb. Violet served baked marinated asparagus, marinated green beans and all sorts of munchies. We sat at tables which was nice and probably saved Violet's carpet.
Saturday, we had a great time at Martian. Wrayjean amazed me with her speed. The woman can move. Each penguin brought honour to the rookery! Even me.
After the race, some of us went for pancakes..and some of the wilder ones went for Mexican food. Remember "Moons over Antarctica"? Think "Bras over Michigan". Thought the Crazy Canucks might get deported. Clearly a senior moment for me. Outside the restaurant, Maureen and Marcella serenaded us with utterly beautiful singing...it was a priceless moment for me.
Saturday night we had Asian take-out at the Elders (have you ever had red wine with Chinese food...it works). Then we went to enjoy the night life in Ann Arbor...Firefly blues/jazz club. Good music, great company. Sexy saxophone player.
Sunday morning I had an easy drive back home to my sweet baboo. I had so much fun on the weekend and yet was so glad to be home.
Life can be so sweet.
Thank you to every penguin at Martian--you each made my hike on Mars one to think about and SMILE.
Flipper hugs to one and all,
Kathryn aka Hikerwanda
Race report from Myra...
Date: Mon Mar 31, 2003
Subject: Space CadetsI've been to Mars and back!
The highlights of the weekend? There were so many.
The stress free drive and easy border crossing at Sarnia. Great driving pals.
The** delicious** pasta made by Mary D
The great company and run chat at Violet and Millards' home in Ann Arbor
Pick up of our run packs at the pasta dinner
Delicately roasted asparagus with to-die-for seasoning.
Chilly, but rain free run conditions...and choosing the right clothes for the run.
Not having to run the race by myself (thanks, Liesha!)
A fairly scenic out and back, relatively flat course. The hills we were warned about were non-existent!
Tim Horton's café mocha at the end of the race
Peeps in the microwave ;-)
A race t-shirt that actually comes in a size small!
Black bean soup.
Pay Days - I love 'em, too!
Watermelon flavoured Aquafina H20
Finishing 21km (my longest run in well over a year), feeling totally blissed-out, amazon-strong and 10 minutes (yikes) ahead of my pace band. No post race pain.
Big hugs and thanks to everyone I encountered who made the weekend a great one.
Myra
Race report from Liesha...
Date: Mon Mar 31, 2003
Subject: RE: Space CadetsI agree...nothing quite like those peeps in the microwave....how asparagus affects the bladder...sleep talking....the seniors' rate at the hotel (Bless Mary D)...my extremely elegant trip on the run...road rash accompaniment...the Tim bits at the end...my puffy jacket waiting for the others to finish (best investment I've made this year)...a beer at lunch...almond joy a bit later....the discussion about past love lives at the Elders'... learning how to pronounce NOVI (No- V- Eye)...the blown out buildings in Detroit on the way home...Mau's sense of direction....(or lack thereof)...the non talk re: war in Iraq...Fabulous weekend...great travelling buds...great comraderie...great food....
Liesha
Race report from Mary D...
Date: Wed Apr 2, 2003
Subject: MY Martian report!!!!OK, now the truth will out. After reading everyone's reports, I feel that I simply must relate the truth. It was mahvalous, truly beauteous. A good time was had by all. I just wish we could have gotten in with Geri O. I talked to her shortly before she had to leave Sun morning. Just a case of crossed lines somewhere.
And, did you all notice>>>> NOWHERE did anyone mention me falling asleep!!! I stayed awake and alert the whole entire time we were all together. AND I EVEN WENT OUT AND RAN ON SATURDAYMORNING (unlike another nameless little penguin who sat and drank coffee in Tim Horton's after sending us all on our way!)
And hey, I like calling Milt and Millard M&M. Fitting. And I did NOT curse and swear while mixing pasta and sauce. Well, maybe a little when I forgot to use the potholder to grab the pan! Or when it splattered all over. Doesn't everyone like polka-dotted cupboards??
And don't let WrayJean and Carol say anything about being unable to sleep in my queenly accommodations. When I left at 6 Saturday, they were both SOUNDLY sleeping. Gee, even Kathryn slept through everything.
And I would like to publicly thank Julie and Tash for the most delicious maple cookies and the REALLY COOL hand made penguin pillow case. Its on my bed!!!!
And speaking of the Toronto group. WOW, now I know why I love them so much. And of course, I think they may make the front page of our local paper. Something about bra waving in local restaurant????
Anyway, the weekend was so much fun and was over much too soon. Violet and Millard were so great to offer their house. And you should have see Cher. She was ecstatic at finding someone shorter than she was!!! Right Marcella???? And Marcella brought the most delicious food for Violet and me to share. (But don't any one tell Violet I kept all the stuffed eggplant!!) haha
Toni, Linda and Chris kept everyone going during the race. Kept us all on course.
Oh yes, to be nice to those from Toronto, I did NOT wear my Red Wings Jersey! Why rub it in, right? :) (Love ya Kelly)
I did my best for the race. Storm the night before, but could not flood the road. And only a few snow flakes. And not too strong a wind. oh well -- maybe next year.
And lets get more of us next year, eh???????????
Mary D
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