Rock ' n Roll Reflections

I learned a lot from the R & R St. Louis Marathon. In no particular order of importance, here's a few:

1. Competitor Events puts on a quality event (if you're willing to shell out big bucks).

This was the most I've spent on a race besides the Boston Marathon, and I've got some advice for you: save your money for a real big city race like Chicago, or Boston, or London--anything without the name "Rock 'n Roll" in the title.

I've already had to submit two request for them to correct my finishing time. The first results had me running a 1:57 half marathon. Now they have me running a 2:58:06, and losing to the Brown brothers (which I didn't). I don't care how I placed (OK, I care a little), but I'd at least like an accurate finishing time.

I invite all readers to submit an estimated finishing time for me, based on the two photos below. Currently the results have me behind the two runners I finished in front of: Right now they have me starting 1 second after the gun, and I'm positive I was not 1 second from the start line. I also didn't get any splits from my chip after mile 10, so go figure.

Coming into the finish with 2:57:46 on the clock.

Greg and Patrick Brown ~ 4-6 seconds behind me.

So if you are thinking about running a Competitor Events race, I can't wholeheartedly recommend them. If, however, you're excited about music every few miles (though you'll never hear an entire song unless you're running slower than a 2:30 half marathon or 5 hour marathon), you've always wanted to pay for text messaging runner tracking, and you don't want anyone else to pick up your race packet under any circumstances (check their policy, as you MUST be present at the expo to pick up your packet), then Rock 'n Roll is your kind of race.

2. I cannot slack on core and glute exercises.

 When I went in for PT on my left knee (taped together in the above photo), my left quad was still atrophied and I had a hitch in my stride. No wonder my knee was acting up again.

3. Overall mileage isn't everything.

Yes, mileage is important, and for the marathon, mileage is king. I, however, probably hit my sweet spot averaging 55-65 miles a week, and peaking around 70. I can handle more (see my hundred mile week), but there are definitely diminishing returns, such as an increased risk of injury, a lack of time for cross training, and an abnormally high grocery bill.

5. The Lew (warning, Country Grammar) is fun!

We wished we could have stayed longer and visited more friends. Our time was tight, however, and we wanted to spend time with Andy and Stephanie, who are finally back stateside after doing mission work in Turkey, Germany, and various locales in Europe and Africa.

Here's some shots of the trip:

Red fountain for the World Series Cardinals

In front of the stadium

In front of the Arch

Andy wrapped Stephanie and my birthday presents after a long day of studying Greek (he studied Greek, I did not)

The crew after the race.

Post-race Anheuser tour