Monday, 9/19/2016 to Saturday, 9/24/2016

I ran once in 6 days, 10.5 miles.

Monday, 9/19/2016, to Wednesday, 9/21/2016: Rest days.

I didn't really have much trouble recovering from the Rochester Marathon. That was probably because I didn't push myself during the second half. I was a bit stiff on Monday and had a bit of trouble walking down stairs on Tuesday but that's about it. I thought about running Tuesday and a bit more on Wednesday but it was too soon.

Thursday, 9/22/2016: 10.5 miles, 1:28:40, 8:27 pace, 82F, 48% RH, 5 mph WNW wind, mostly cloudy


I knew I wanted to run right after work but definitely didn't want to run the usual bridges route from Herrema's. So I headed down to Ontario Beach Park and decided to try a new route. I just did an out and back to Culver Rd. I had mapped it on mapmyrun.com and knew it was over 10 miles. The last 1/2 of the out was a gentle up to Culver Rd which did set up a nice down coming back. I set up a a bit faster than nice and easy pace and held it the whole way. It was a bit hot so I was drenched with sweat when I got done. But it did feel good! My splits were: 8:43, 8:33, 8:26, 8:18, 9:09, 8:38, 8:10, 8:14, 8:32, 8:11 and 7:37 over the last 0.5 mile.

Friday, 9/23/2016, and Saturday, 9/24/2016: Rest days.

Yeah, I should have done something physical on Saturday but I lazed around instead.

Sunday, 9/18/2016 - Rochester Marathon

I ran 2 times this week, 26.65 miles.

Sunday, 9/18/2016: 2 runs of 0.3 and 26.35 miles, 66F, 100% RH, 4 mph WSW wind, partly cloudy

I had set my alarm for 5:15 AM and wasn't awake when it went off. I got a bit less than 6 hours of sleep. I know that Christine didn't have that much since she had stayed up after I went upstairs. I weighed myself on the Withings WD-50 ... 164.4 pounds. I brewed some coffee and had my usual pre race bowl of cereal. I used almond milk since our regular milk had gone bad. I woke Christine up around 5:40 AM. She did want to stay home but realized that she had to drop me off near the race start since the Rochester Marathon is a point to point race. I quickly got dressed in a loose pair of Reebok shorts, my 2015 Rochester Marathon tech and filled my hydration pack with 2 liters of water along with some ice cubes. I had already filled my 2 flasks with HammerGel the night before. We left for Lake Ave and Seneca Parkway around 6:23 AM and arrived around 6:35 AM. There wasn't too much traffic. I shouldered my hydration vest, put my sunglasses in one of the pockets, kissed Christine goodbye and headed across Lake Ave over to the Maplewood tennis courts. I remembered to give Christine my eyeglasses (unlike last year). She continued onward to Frontier Field to volunteer in the food tent.

A selfie before the race

I was in plenty of time for the 7:30 AM start so I just hung around. I talked with some running friends, hit the porta-potty and took a tiny 0.3 mile warmup run at 9:54 pace, link here. I lined up next to Andy Ciaio. We were both concerned about how warm and humid it was. I could tell from the sky that it would be fairly sunny once the sun rose higher in the sky. My plan was to run ahead of the 3:50 pacer, hydrate every 2 miles and take HammerGel every 4 miles.

The start ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

And ... we were off. I laughed a bit when I heard Ellen Brenner say "make a friend, find a lover, do whatever it takes to get you through it" as she sent us on our way. It took 17 seconds to cross the start line. The start was a bit congested for the first quarter mile. I stayed next to or near Andy for a while.

Just behind Andy Ciaio in the light green tech ... photo courtesy of Jim Strowe

Passing under the 104 bridge after the start ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

The RFD hung a flag on Bridgeview Drive just before Lake Ave at mile 1 ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

He went ahead at the mile 1 mark. The run down Lake Ave and onto the Genesee Riverway trail was congested but not unbearable. The runners around me were mostly running the same pace so passing or being passed was done with no trouble.

Heading onto the boardwalk of the Genesee Riverway Trail at mile 3.5 on loop 1 ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

Runners on the boardwalk of the Genesee Riverway Trail on loop 1 ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

Coming off the Gensee Riverway Trail boardwalk on loop 1 ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

The run up the Thomas Ave hill was highlighted by a dead skunk in the road ... it stunk as I ran about a foot away. I remember I heard a trombone playing the theme from Rocky just before Cooper Ave. The run on St Paul was highlighted by the Winona Blvd area which had 3 distinct groups ... Easter with an Easter Bunny, St Patrick's Day with bagpipes and Christmas with a Santa Claus. It was a lively area.

Near St Paul St and Titus Ave just before mile 9 on loop 1 ... photo courtesy of John Brind'Amour

Heading up the pedestrian bridge on loop 1 ... photo courtesy of Jim Strowe

Then it was across the pedestrian bridge, a turn to the left and up to the Maplewood Gardens on Driving Park Ave. This is one loop I should have practiced more. All my practice runs had me coming up the pedestrian bridge and turning right to quickly head back to Lake Ave. I only practiced this once.

I ran well for the first 11 miles. I had kept ahead of the 3:50 pacer. I knew I was slowing a bit. Then ... the 3:50 pacer passed me just after I had made the turn at the Maplewood Gardens to start the second loop at mile 11. That took a lot out of me. I had wanted to run a 3:50 to qualify for Boston. I started my decline into a walk/run the rest of the way. The half passed in 1:56:00 by my Garmin (1:55:44 officially). I just lost all motivation. I didn't care. It had gotten hotter (around 80F), the sun had come out and it was just as humid. So ... I walked, I ran a bit, I walked some more. Down Lake Ave. The 4:00 pacer passed at mile 15 in the Riverside cemetery. The Genesee Riverway trail, the O'Rorke Bridge and Thomas Ave had far fewer runners since only the marathon runners were on the second loop. The 4:20 pacer passed at mile 20 on Thomas Ave. I tried to keep him in sight.

Coming off the Genesee Riverway Trail on loop 2 ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

Crossing the O'Rorke Bridge on loop 2 ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

Near St Paul St and Titus Ave just before mile 22 on loop 2 ... photo courtesy of John Brind'Amour

Up St Paul St, through the Winona Blvd section, across the pedestrian bridge and then up the the trail to Driving Park Ave ... getting there.

Heading down toward Middle Falls and the finish just after mile 24 ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

The Genesee River Lower Falls ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

I crossed Driving Park Ave just after mile 24 to head back to Frontier Field. Down the hill ... Lower Falls on my left, across the Middle Falls bridge onto Brewer St and up that **** Brewer St hill back to St Paul St ... a little more than 1 mile to go. Down St Paul St ... congested traffic on the left ... 1 Km to go. A slow run ... right turn to head over the Pont de Rennes Bridge ... the High Falls to my left.

The bottom of the Brewer St hill ... photo courtesy of Jeff Scheuch

The first sign brought out a chuckle ... photo courtesy of Jeff Scheuch

A photographer! Gotta run! ... photo courtesy of Jeff Scheuch

A photographer was at the top of the Brewer St hill so I ran the last 100 feet ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

The finish arch seems close ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

I saw the Fleet Feet finish arch in the distance. I hiked it up to a really slow sprint ... across Lake Ave ... the finish arch was still a quarter mile away. A little faster sprint ... I heard Andy Ciaio (in at 4:14:00) to my left ... in the chute ... Ellen Brenner calling my name ... and done ... the finisher's medal around my neck ... priceless.

A slow sprint close to the finish ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

Crossing the finish line after hearing Ellen call your name ... priceless ... photo courtesy of Gameface Media

I immediately realized I needed water. I gulped 2 cups down. I staggered around ... I heard Christine behind me. She caught up to me and led me into the food tent. She didn't go in for a while until I staggered around for a while. I had a banana. I really needed a place to sit but I couldn't find any chairs. I tried to sit on a table but it wasn't the same. She came in, found me a chair, plopped me down and found me some chips and pizza. She poured some water on my head too which helped to cool me off (she might have enjoyed that). She does seem to pick up the pieces when I push myself to the limit. I didn't want to go to the medical tent. I heard later that it was a bit crowded.

A selfie after I revived myself

I trudged over to Frontier Field to get my last 2016 Four Seasons Challenge medal, change from my wet running clothes into shorts and my 2016 heather red MVP Rochester Marathon tech shirt and get my cotton Four Season Challenge shirt stamped "Finished", Then Christine drove home. I learned that she had felt nauseous and had spent some time in the Cruze before she went to the finish line to see me finish. She knew that I was having trouble when I didn't finish in the time I had told her.

Soon I was in my customary post-race position ... on the couch, drinking a mug of warmed up coffee, uploading my Garmin and checking out Facebook. I was a bit disappointed in myself for not doing a BQ of around a 3:50 or so. But now that I think of it (others on Facebook have said this also) ... I finished in not so great conditions. I have run 3 Rochester Marathons (2008 in 4:29, 2013 in 3:51 and 2016 in just under 4:32) and two of them have been hot. Plus this new Rochester Marathon course is not BQ friendly with 1141 feet of elevation change. I had only one goal which was to BQ and no backup plan. When that didn't happen I lost my mental mojo and just folded. Yes, I finished. I made sure of that. The weather on the day of a marathon is always a crap shoot and it kicked my (and a lot of other runners) butt.

The obligatory medal selfie

All the 2016 Four Season Challenge medals hooked together

The Finisher shirt with all the Four Season Challenge hardware and Finisher's medals

I heard lots of other stories. Kathy Reardon had trouble holding the pace on her 2:15 pace group and had to give up her sign at mile 9. I passed the 4:20 pace leader with a couple of tenths to go. Kevin Klinefelter (who at age 60 is faster than I am) collapsed at mile 25 with leg cramps and had the EMTs bring him in.

Time for stats. I finished in 4:31:59 according to my Garmin, 4:31:42 officially. Gun time splits on the course were: 5K: 26:17, 8:29 pace; 10K: 53:20, 8:36 pace, 15K: 1:20:37, 8:40 pace, Half: 1:56:02, 8:51 pace. I was 150th out of 400 runners according to the runsignup.com link here. I was 6th out of 17 in my M 55-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:41, 8:31, 8:35, 8:14, 8:40, 8:41, 8:46, 8:45, 8:45, 8:59, 9:37, 9:35, 9:23, 10:36, 12:50, 11:19, 10:04, 12:42, 13:29, 12:06, 11:23, 12:35, 11:38, 13:23, 11:46, 9:26 and 8:29 over the last 0.35 mile.

So ... I didn't run my third marathon the way I envisioned. There will be other ones I hope. I need to work on my mental game of running a marathon. Today I didn't have a plan of what to do if I didn't run a 3:50. I didn't even think about it. I should have had a plan A (3:50), plan B (4:00) and plan C (4:10). Instead I just had plan A (3:50). I could have adjusted my hydration and nutrition but I don't know if that would have helped. My idea of using HammerGel in a HammerGel flask or Gu flask was a win. I didn't have to tear open Gu packets (which I saw littered around aid stations). I easily took nutrition on the run ... no muss, no fuss.

I should have done 2 FULL loops of the bridges (O'Rorke out to Maplewood) starting from the Maplewood tennis courts at least twice. I do think I will do an October or November marathon next in 2017 though. There is too much of a chance of a warm day in September. I don't do long distances well in the heat.

All in all ... a good day. I lost 1.2 pounds down to 163.2 pounds. I have been around 165 to 170 pounds. I run well at this weight. I made a lifestyle change on my 59th birthday (two days ago) that I hope to keep ... more on that at a later time. Now if I could just start working out my upper body and core ...

Sunday, 9/11/2016 to Saturday, 9/17/2016

I ran 2 times this week, 18.2 miles.

Sunday, 9/11/2016 and Monday, 9/12/2016: Rest days.

Yes ... I gained weight. I lose weight after I run long and gain it back on my rest days. I stay around 167. I think I will start tracking this. So I guess I run so I can eat. I am trying to stay away from alcohol but that will always be a work in progress.

Tuesday, 9/13/2016: 10.1 miles, 1:24:15, 8:20 pace, 81F, 45% RH, 10 mph W wind, mostly cloudy.


I did my last Bridges run before the Rochester Marathon on Sunday. Just a 10.1 mile run at a bit faster than marathon pace. 8:20 to 8:30 is my normal running pace for this distance. My splits were: 8:28, 8:05, 8:14, 8:21, 8:42, 8:34, 8:18, 8:02, 8:30, 8:10 and 7:56 over the last 0.1 mile. I took swigs from my 20 ounce hand bottle every 2 miles. I hope to hold it for 2.5 times this distance on Sunday. Here's hoping!

Wednesday, 9/14/2016, and Thursday, 9/15/2016: Rest days.

I had an eye doctor appointment on Friday so I had scheduled a rare day off. Well I got a phone call from them telling that my United Healthcare insurance doesn't work for them. I could have sworn that they were So I cancelled my appointment, looked at the UH client providers, selected one and set up an appointment for Christine and I. But I didn't cancel my day off!

My boss at Ricoh brought in a birthday day on Thursday since I was taking Friday off. That was very nice of her.

A delicious birthday cake from my boss at Ricoh

I saw a Facebook post about a pair of free Irondequoit Oktoberfest tickets from a woman in Gold Rush Runners. I answered first so I got them. She gets them every year because her property abuts Camp Eastman.

When I got home I found a box from HammerGel Nutrition. I had ordered a 26 ounce bottle of HammerGel in the Apple Cinnamon flavor, link here. I must say that they over delivered with a free 20 ounce HammerGel water bottle and several free samples of Heed, Recoverite and Perpetuem. Sweet!

Friday, 9/16/2016: 8.1 miles, 1:07:07, 8:17 pace, 75F, 47% RH, 4 mph N wind, sunny


I took today off so I slept in. I didn't get out for my last run before the Rochester Full until almost 1 PM. This made it a bit warm so I carried my 20 ounce hand bottle. I thought about doing 9 but settled for a 8 mile out and back. I tried to go really nice and easy but I did it a bit faster because of a wardrobe malfunction. I chose a pair of old red Brooks shorts that didn't have a drawstring. Well ... they must have stretched out in the wash because I had hike them up every tenth of a mile or less to keep them from falling off my bony ass. Well ... that probably made me run faster so I could back earlier. My splits were: 8:03, 8:09, 8:14, 8:21, 8:18, 8:22, 8:25, 8:26 and 8:17 over the last 0.1 mile.

Christine and I went to the Irondequoit Oktoberfest tonight instead of Saturday night. Rule: never eat anything weird the night before a big race. We didn't stay very long .. just a hour or so. We had the bratwurst dinner along with a HB beer. The O'Rorke Bridge was up both on the way to and the way back.

This picture doesn't do the full moon justice

Saturday, 9/17/2016: Rest day.

Tomorrow was the day before the Rochester Marathon. I headed down to Fleet Feet Armory on Culver Rd late in the morning to pick up my race bib and heather red 2016 Rochester Marathon tech shirt. I tried on a sweet pair of Brooks Transcend 3 running shoes. They felt pretty good. My current set of Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 running shoes have about 450 miles on them so I will need a new pairs of running shoes soon. But I was not happy with the retail price of $170 for the Transcend 3 versus the more normal retail price of $120 for the Adrenaline GTS16.

My darling wife, Christine, and I have been watching episodes of Downton Abbey have off the DVR. We watched more of them before we went to bed. I had laid out my running clothes for the next morning and filled up both my HammerGel flask and Gu flask with HammerGel. Then it was time for bed at 11 AM.

Sunday, 9/4/2016 to Saturday, 9/10/2016 - Dirt Cheap #6

I ran 3 times this week, 25.78 miles.

Sunday, 9/4/2016: Rest day.

Christine and I went out to the Pelican's Nest to meet up with my sister, Diane and her husband, Jim DeMent. It was our first time eating there. It was so nice to eat lunch out on the deck on the Genesee River. We may have found our new "go to" summer restaurant ... though a bit late in the summer!

Diane and Jim DeMent of Lexington KY

Christine and I

 Monday, 9/5/2016: 20 miles, 2:59:00, 8:57 pace, 55-68F, 94% RH, 5 mph WSW wind, sunny.

My weekday alarm went off at 5:40 AM ... a bit early with less than 6 hours of sleep but no matter. I knew what I had to do ... it was just a question of getting up the gumption and getting out and doing it. I had my usual pre-run bowl of cereal and banana, dressed in a pair of Brooks shorts and an old Rochester Marathon tech top, filled up my water bladder with about 1.5 liters of water, diluted the Gu that was left in my Gu flask, kissed my darling wife, Christine, goodbye and headed out to Herrema's. My task was to run my Bridges route twice and then throw in an extra mile.

I got there around 7 AM. I briefly kicked around the idea of heading back home to go to the bathroom one more time but knew that I didn't have to. So ... I shouldered my hydration pack, made sure that I had extra Gu just in case, fired off an eCrumb, fired up my Garmin Forerunner 220 and headed out at 7:17 AM.


My plan was go nice and easy, hydrate every 2 miles and take Gu every 4 miles after mile 6. That's what I did. I took Gu just before the pedestrian  bridge (mile 4) and found that I still couldn't get any Gu through my Gu flask so I just unscrewed the top and sucked a mouthful out ... no worries. I took Gu again just after the second time up the Thomas Ave hill (mile 10), just after running up from the 2nd time across the pedestrian bridge (mile 14) and just before I got off the Genesee Riverway Trail (mile 18). I started to really feel the run after mile 14 or so. My body was starting to complain and I started to listen to it so I slowed. I got stung by a bee at mile 16. I yelled out quite loudly but no one was around within my sight to hear it .... OUCH! I was at mile 18.55 when I crossed the O'Rorke Bridge so I headed up the Thomas Ave hill for a third time for about 3/4 mile before I turned around and headed back to the Equinox and stopped at 20 miles. I headed into Herrema's (the good thing of having started there) to purchase some post-run pastry items ... yummy!

It looks like I'm as fresh as a daisy ... not!

Soon I was home with my obligatory mug of coffee. I had my second 20, it was on the Rochester Marathon course and it didn't end badly ... nice! My splits were: 8:48, 8:25, 8:29, 8:57, 8:40, 8:33, 9:09, 8:09, 8:52, 8:41, 9:02, 8:36, 8:35, 9:18, 9:50, 8:54, 8:27, 9:33, 10:41 and 9:19.

I treated this run as a full dress rehearsal. I had my hydration pack and hydrated every 2 miles. My Gu flask didn't work. I took Gu every 4 miles by opening the top and sucking it out. I fixed the Gu flask when I got home by using two pliers to open the valve all the way. It was stuck ... but not any more. I have to try that Gu flask out with Gu. I think I will have to water down the Gu to get it to flow freely. I do like HammerGel better though. All in all. I still think that my next Rochester Marathon attempt could be a suffer fest but I will do it anyway. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and be cool and cloudy.

Facebook reminded me that I went out to see my ex-girlfriend, Christine Wisniewski, after running the Summerfest 12K on this day back in 2009. This may be old history to some but it bears repeating. I thought I was crazy when I crossed the OH border but I continued onward. I hadn't seen her in 32 years though I had thought about her from time to time. I made sure to kiss her within a minute at the bottom of the stairs and then at the top of the stairs. It was like we had never parted. Sparks certainly flew! We spent that Labor Day weekend together and several more before she moved to Rochester in November 2009. We got engaged after Summerfest 2011 and married on November 30th, 2012. She now is Christine DeWeaver, my wife.

My youngest son, David, came up from Scottsville to have some ribs with us. It was his time eating ribs and he did well. I may have another convert to the wonders of ribs!

Tuesday, 9/6/2016: Rest day.

Let me just say this ... if I didn't run I would weigh 200 pounds easy. I lost 2.2 pounds (down to 164.4 pounds) the day after I ran 20 miles yesterday. Update: I gained 3.3 pounds on Wednesday. I guess I have to run the rest of my life if I want to stay under 170 pounds.

Wednesday, 9/7/2016: 2 runs of 1 and 4.78 miles, 90F, 52% RH, feels like 95F, 7 mph WNW wind, partly cloudy

Tonight was the final Dirt Cheap Trail Race of the year ... tear drop! Tonight's venue was Stewart Lodge out at Mendon Ponds Park. I packed my usual running gear along with my trail shoes and a change of clothes just in case. I did sneak out of work a bit early so I got down to the Beach parking lot at 5:15 PM in plenty of time for the 6 PM start.

It was hot and I really didn't need any warmup but I'm a creature of habit so I made it out for a really nice and easy 1 mile at 9:54 pace, link here. I was dripping when I got done. I made sure that I filled my 20 ounce water bottle back up after I guzzled some water to quench my thirst.

The start ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

A bit later after the start ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

Down this hill and up the next ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

So I knew it was going to be a sweat fest of a race. I lined up at the start, fired off an eCrumb to my darling wife, Christine, ... and waited. And ... we were off! I eased into a really nice and easy trail pace as we headed up .... what else? A hill or two. I let runners pass me if they were faster. It was 90F and humid. My plan was to hydrate every mile and let the race come to me. There wasn't any mud to speak of. I started to speed up a bit after mile 2 and passed some runners.

Around mile 4 ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

I didn't hydrate at mile 4 because I figured that the race would soon be over but I was wrong. It was almost a 5 mile race. I could hear Ellen at the finish ... and one more hill ... done with 4.78 miles in 48:46, 10:25 pace. I was dripping with sweat and drank from my hand bottle right away. I wasn't hungry right away but had 2 pieces of pizza later before I headed home. It was a hot and humid race and I thought I came through it unscathed. I ran carefully, stayed upright and heeded my body in keeping my pace down and under control in the conditions.

I did OK. My splits were: 9:02, 11:34, 11:28, 10:16 and 9:33 over the last 0.78 mile. I was 65th out of 259 overall, link here; I was 52nd out of 152 in the male series overall, link here and I was 2nd out of 16 in my series M 55-59 age group, link here.

Thursday, 9/8/2016, and Friday, 9/9/2016: Rest days.

I fixed my reluctant to open Gu flask by encouraging the opening with two pairs of pliers. I used one to hold the cap and one to twist the opening. I found that it opened more that the less that 1/8 turn that my fingertips had opened it before. It really opens about 1/4 turn. It looks like it will be OK.

Saturday, 9/10/2016: 12 miles, 1:46:31, 8:52 pace, 66F, 94% RH, a bit breeze, partly cloudy.


I slept in until 6:30 AM so I was a bit rushed. I had my usual bowl with cereal and banana, dressed, got my gear ready, kissed Christine goodbye and headed out. I wanted to do at least 13 or so on the Rochester Marathon course. I thought about heading to Herrema's but that loop is only 9.5 miles and I didn't want to head up the Thomas Ave hill again nor do I want to go all the way up to Driving Park Ave. So I headed to Ontario Beach Park. I know that loop is 11 miles. I had my hydration pack filled with about 1.5 liters of water along a half full Gu flask. I didn't wear sunglasses since it was cloudy when I started.

I headed out around 8 AM at a nice and easy pace. I headed out to the lighthouse at the west end of the pier to add distance and head up Lake Ave, across the O'Rorke Bridge to my trusted and true Bridge route. I saw Fleet Feet WalkFit walkers at the pedestrian bridge and maybe some Fleet Feet HFM runners on the Genesee Riverway Trail. It was getting a bit hotter and humid so I tried to offer these women encouragement as I passed. I was a bit tired when I got back to the Equinox at mile 12 so I stopped. My splits were: 8:51, 8:41, 8:52, 8:35, 8:51, 8:39, 9:16, 8:38, 9:11, 8:18, 9:49 and 8:48.

I took water every two miles and took Gu at miles 4 and 8. My Gu flask worked but my Roctane 15 ounce container is also empty already. I don't really like Gu but I tolerate it. I like HammerGel better. I don't like to open single Gu or HammerGel packets on the run so that's why I want to use a Gu flask. I mean it's tough to open one of those packets when it's hot because your fingers sweaty. It's tough to open them with gloves on during the colder months and then it's hard to squeeze out the contents also!

Well, I guess I am ready as I will ever be. The second half will be worse than the first half but I will survive it. I may not be doing a BQ pace of of 3:55 or 8:58 pace. You need to beat the time by 5 minutes to be sure. A 3:50 marathon is 8:50 pace. I don't know if I can hold that pace for an entire marathon. I know I will start out too fast and suffer once I slow but I will get it done..

Sunday, 8/28/2016 to Saturday, 9/3/2016 - Summerfest 12K

I ran 4 times this week, 30.7 miles.
I biked once times this week, 16.5 miles.

Sunday, 8/28/2016: 16.4 miles bike, 1:16, 82F, 66% RH, 8 mph W wind, partly cloudy.

I was a bit of a slug on Sunday. My darling wife, Christine, and I just kind of lazed around and enjoyed the day. She gave me a haircut, her fifth one. I selected the 3/8" guard this time. She took her time and it almost didn't hurt ... but I was brave, lol!

I did get out for a bike after I watched a DVR of Avatar in the late afternoon. My Forefunner 310XT died after 12 minutes but I know the time of when I turned it on and where that was, link here. I also know when I got home so I can figure out that my average pace was ... whirling noises ... 12.95 mph. I guess that this is about my average  It was getting kind of dark when I got back to the townhouse at 8:10 PM but I did see a beautiful sunset. My headlight and taillight were definitely on. I just wore my regular glasses not my sunglasses either. Christine had gone to bed around 5 PM so I just made myself a meatloaf sandwich before I went to bed myself.

Monday, 8/29/2016: Rest day ...

Tuesday, 8/30/2016: 9.5 miles, 1:20:34, 8:28 pace, 82F, 51% RH, 7 mph NW wind, partly cloudy.

Garmin Connect Activity for Another run from Herrema's

Another Tuesday, another run from Herrema's. Yes, another bridges run. The same old, same old: bring my running gear, dress at work, fill up my 20 ounce hand bottle with ice, drive down to Herrema's, gear up, stretch a bit, send off my eCrumb and set forth. I tried to push it a bit but ended with a pace like usual: 8:28. There were more runners out this time on the Genesee Riverway Trail. My splits were: 8:35, 8:13, 8:31, 8:35, 8:24, 8:38, 8:28, 8:15, 8:53 and 8:04 over the last 0.5 mile.

Wednesday. 8/31/2016: Rest day ...

My stats for the month of August and so far in 2016:
I ran 16 times in August for 136.3 miles, 8.5 miles/run
3 of the 16 were warmup runs of 1.25, 0.5 and 1.25 miles.
I biked 2 times in August for 37.05 miles.
I ran three races in August (Bergen 5K, Dam Good Trail Race and Dirt Cheap #5)
I have run 136 times so far in 2016 for 975 miles, 7.2 miles/run.
I have biked 7 times so far in 2016 for 110 miles.

Thursday, 9/1/2016: 11.7 miles, 1;36:38, 8:15 pace, 72F, 57% RH, 11 mph NNW wind, partly cloudy.


The usual: It was Thursday so I put my running gear in the Equinox, changed at work and ran. I decided to push my route up to Driving Park Ave and to push the pace a bit. My choice of running shoes (Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 black) had a bit over 600 miles on them so I shortened my stride a bit to keep them from causing me too much ache. I picked up a quicker pace too ... hmm. The weather was perfect too ... a bit cooler and not as humid.

I saw John Muoio twice on this run: once on the pedestrian bridge and once on the Genesee Riverway Trail. He had his own gait and I recognized him from 100 yards away. I said "Hi John" the first time and he remarked that "we must be running the same route" the second time. We both had a laugh about it. I remarked about it on Facebook with him. He put in 13 miles by running from his house near Stone Rd.

My splits were: 8:30, 7:54, 06, 17, 30, 25, 07, 41, 7:58, 7:56, 8:30 and 8:11 over the last 0.7 mile. It was a great run!

Friday, 9/2/2016: Rest day.

Saturday, 9/3/2016: 2 runs of 2 and 9.5 miles, 59F, 82% RH, 4 mph WSW wind, sunny.

I slept in until 6;30 AM for my seventh Summerfest 12K (1:02:42 in 2009, 1:01:05 in 2010, 1:00:41 in 2011, 59:23 in 2013, a PR of 58:47 in 2014 and 59:27 in 2015). I ran the Summerfest 5K in 2012 in 22:02 as my comeback race after I injured my right Achilles heel back in late June 2012.

I thought about wearing my Brooks running pants this morning when I saw that the temperature was 53F at 7 AM but I chose my CW-X running shorts and a old Flower City half tech top. I'm glad I did. I asked if my darling wife, Christine, if she wanted to join me but she begged off saying that her "mind wanted to go but her body needed sleep"

I arrived down at the Beach parking lot of Mendon Ponds Park (MPP) around 8:15 AM in plenty of time for the 9 AM start. The parking lot was already 90% full. I got out for a nice and bit too long 2 mile warmup run at 8:39 pace, link here. I didn't have time to stop by the Equinox for a swig of water and had to drink about half my 10 ounce hand bottle as I walked up to the start arch. I had about 4 minutes to collect myself before the start.


I said "Hi" to Bill Sandow. I said I would try to draft him. He said he was slow ... I knew better. I settled in my usual place near the starting line. Boots gave his usual starting line announcements and ... we were off!

The start ...

Just after the start ...

I settled into a fast race pace. I am always surprised by how many rolling hills there are on this course ... and I was surprised again. I just tried to concentrate on keeping my stride short and just keeping my pace. My right thigh started to bother me around mile 3. I missed a cup of water at the second water stop and stopped to drink the last bit of water in my hand bottle. I got back up to speed but my right thigh tightened. I slowed for a bit just before mile 6.

Running down Canfield Rd about 1/4 mile from Douglas Rd

A bit farther down Canfield Rd

Then I told myself to "suck it up" and settled in at a faster pace. I just kept it in gear down Canfield Rd, up the small hill into MPP, left onto Douglas Rd, up the small hill by the cobblestone house, up the second hill by the Beach parking lot entrance, cross over to the right side of the road and right down the hill into the finish. I saw that the clock was close to 58 ... sprint ... and done in 58:03. I was parched and had a couple of cups of water right away.

I checked the race scoreboard and saw that I was 29th out of 237 and 2nd in my M 55-59 age group behind Bill Sandow; overall link here and age group link here. I had a hot dog and banana before I headed home. I got home and checked my lifetime times for the Summerfest 12K and found out that I had done a lifetime PR by 44 seconds! My splits were: 24, 50, 38, 28, 55, 8:33, 7:45 and 7:06 over the last 0.5 mile. I had trouble in mile 6 and still PRed! I guess the PRs of the one-a-year races out in MPP like Resolution Run, Spring Forward 15K and Summerfest 12K are kind of "soft" and might be ripe for lowering every now and then. And even though I had trouble in mile 6 with a pace of 8;33.

Soon I was sitting with my feet drinking a mug of coffee. My darling wife, Christine, was proud of my PR. I noticed that she was watching the first episode of Downton Abbey off of the DVR. Soon ... I was hooked and we binge watched Season 1 and one episode of Season 2. PBS is playing all six season while they plead ... err, advertise ... for money.

Oh, Facebook told us that Christine and I were engaged after 2011 Summerfest what seems to be yesterday but is really 5 years ago. We did manage to celebrate a bit after watching Downton Abbey.

Sunday, 8/21/2016 to Saturday, 8/27/2016

I ran 3 times this week, 40.6 miles.

Sunday, 8/21/2016: Travel day

Christine and I woke up at the Motel 6 in Streetsboro OH. I really slept in until 8:45 AM so there was no time for a morning run. We had to be out of there by 11 AM and just made it.

Here is my review of the Motel 6 ... basically, it's a cheap roof over your head. We had stayed there before when it was a Microtel. It was better then. Then they had a continental breakfast ... now just coffee. Then they had toiletries ... now just soap. Then they had Kleenex in the bathroom dispenser ... now either they don't or the housekeeping guy from Nepal didn't understand me. So ... the room had 2 queen beds, a 32" LCD TV that was hooked up to antenna not cable, a closet. It did have a refrigerator and microwave which was a plus. Another plus was just $135 for 2 nights which saved us $185 over the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls. Yes, it was 20 miles away but Christine and I drove to the wedding venue only twice.

We had a pleasant breakfast at Bob Evan's and then hit the road. We called ahead to Russo's Pizza on Long Pond for a large cheese and pepperoni pizza since Christine didn't want to make supper. We were home by 5 PM.

Monday, 8/22/2016: Rest day.

I forgot both my personal and work cell phones this morning. I guess I was still in vacation mode.

Tuesday, 8/23/2016: 11 miles, 1:32:45, 8:26 pace, 82F, 40% RH, 7 mph W wind, sunny.


It was a Tuesday and I know what I do on Tuesdays ... I run. I had the running gear in the Equinox, changed after work and headed to Herrema's like usual as of late. I made a slight detour on the way to Ontario Beach Park to hit the head before I headed out. So it was just a slightly longer variation in my usual bridges route. The weather was ideal: a bit warm but not too much humidity. I pushed the pace when I could and just enjoyed the run. I think I am getting the hang of this route ... or you could say that I am making these hills my bitch! My splits were: 8:19, 8:32, 8:13, 8:15, 8:28, 8:36, 8:54, 8:39, 8:11, 8:26 and 8:11. Christine had been cooking in my absence. The result was a delicious chicken ... yummy!

Wednesday, 8/24/2016: Rest day ... nothing unusual.

Thursday, 8/25/2016: 9.5 miles, 1:22:52, 8:43 pace, 84F, 62% RH, feels like 88F, 10 mph WNW wind, overcast.

Garmin Connect Activity for Back at Herrema's

Man, what a difference between the running conditions on Tuesday and Thursday night! It was much more humid tonight which affected my pace. I headed down to Herrema's after work. I was a bit late because I had to detour around an accident on Route 531 and I-390N. I set up a really nice and easy pace on my usual Bridges route. I made sure to hydrate every mile or so. Fleet Feet held a Pub Run from Hose 22 on Stutson St so I started to run into their runners as I hit the Genesee River Trail. They were mostly running my pace so I just ran with them. I thought about going to Hose 22 after my run but I was sweating profusely and also knew that my honey was cooking supper. My splits were: 8:53, 8:17, 8:31, 8:32, 8:49, 9:07, 8:44, 8:25, 9:29 and 8:14 over the last 0.5 mile.

I could smell food cooking when I got home ... ribs! I stripped and took a shower to cool off. Oh ... the ribs were yummy!

Friday, 8/26/2016: Rest day.

Saturday, 8/27/2016: 20.1 miles, 3:13:34, 9:38 pace, 63F, 94% RH, 3 mph WSW wind, sunny.


Well, I finally got a 20 miler done! It wasn't pretty but I got it done. I was up early at 5:15 AM and had a bagel and a bit of OJ while I waited for the sun to come up. I shouldn't have waited but I did. I got cobbled together hydration vest all geared up. I filled the 3L hydration bladder about half full and put as much Gu in my new Gu flask as I could. I had my doubts about whether I would be able to get anything out of it but I needed Gu. I set out around 6:45 AM. I set up a really nice and easy pace. My idea was put my pace at a "get it done" pace and just stick to it. So I did. I headed out on Edgemere Drive all the way (about 6 miles) and south on East Manitou Rd to Frisbee Hill Rd. I didn't like the north edge of Frisbee Hill Rd or some of the west edge of Lowden Point Rd. It was extremely narrow or non-existent with the road crumbling away. There was a lot of cars on the 1/4 mile stretch of Frisbee Hill Rd but luckily no cars on Lowden Point Rd. I had a decision to make once I got back to Edgemere Drive: go right and head back for about 16.5 miles or left for more mileage. I turned left. I didn't loop again. I just headed back out Edgemere Drive and then south for most of Frisbee Hill Rd and headed back. I thought I had enough mileage and I did. I was starting to get a bit pooped. I had started hydrating at mile 4 every 2 mile and I started to take Gu at mile 6 every 4 miles. I was correct about the Gu flask ... I couldn't get anything out of it. I solved that problem by just opening it up and sucking the Gu out. Not bad but I am certain that it was not intended to be that way. Note to self: contact the Gu people. Anything I was slowing and started to walk a tenth or two every mile from mile 16 on. I started to see the Fleet Feet Half Full Marathon (HFM) pace groups at mile 18. I saw Kathy Reardon who was pacing the 10s and also Amy Lord who was pacing the 13s or 14s. I was more than happy to stop after 20.1 miles. The coffee in the townhouse was already brewed and I drank a mug on the back porch while I toweled the sweat off me. My splits were: 8:51, 8:51, 8:46, 9:01, 8:59, 9:01, 10:07, 8:57, 9:13, 9:15, 11:12, 9:14, 9:43, 9:14, 9:44, 9:41, 11:25, 10:01, 11:10, 10:18 and 8:46 over the last 0.1 mile.

Now I have another decision to make: do the full Rochester Marathon on the 18th or drop down to the half? I'm pretty sure that I can do the full. It probably will be a sufferfest and it won't be a BQ. I know for a fact that I can't run a sub 8:58 pace (which is the current BQ pace for M 60-64) for a full marathon. I'm stubborn so I probably do the full. I have until the end of August to drop down without financial penalty. I signed up for the Summerfest 12K on next Saturday on September 3rd and plan to do another 20 miler on Labor Day, September 5th.

Facebook reminded me that my darling ex-girlfriend from the late 1970s, Christine Wisniewski, first contacted me seven years ago on August 27th, 2009. I learned that she had been married for 11 years (the marriage was just a week after I had married in 1980) and was known as Christine Ligas. Well ... long story short ... I had gone out to visit her just nine days later after I ran the 2009 Summerfest 12K. I didn't know what to expect and thought seriously of turning back when I got to the OH border. But I didn't, nor did Christine not open the door when I arrived. I made sure to kiss her within a minute of meeting her again. Sparks flew at the bottom of the stairs and again at the top of the stairs ... she did say that she got weak in the knees. It was a hot and steamy Labor Day weekend for sure! She ended up moving to Rochester in November 2009, we got engaged at 2011 Summerfest and married on November 30, 2012. So ... behold the power of Facebook to bring people together! We did celebrate appropriately after I woke her up, ;-)!

Sunday, 8/14/2016 to Saturday, 8/20/2016 - Dam Good Trail Race and Dirt Cheap #5

I ran 5 times this week, 28.22 miles.

Sunday, 8/14/2016: 2 runs of 0.5 and 12.98 miles, 77F, 83% RH, calm, mostly cloudy (thankfully)

Today's race was the Dam Good Trail Race, my seventh. I have run this race in 2:23:42 in 2009, 2:19:52 in 2010, 2:17:56 in 2011, 2:15:35 in 2013, 2:21:45 in 2014 and 2:21:35 in 2015. I missed 2012 due to an Achilles heel injury. I was up around 5:30 AM. I tried to wake Christine but she begged off for another 30 minutes of beauty sleep. I had my usual pre-race bowl of cereal and banana and got my gear ready. I woke up Christine and continued my race prep. I filled up my hydration pack with ice but didn't fill it with water. I pour about 4 ounces of Sea Salt Chocolate Roctane Gu from my Gu Flask (received yesterday) into an Ultimate Direction gel flask. It was going to be warm (low 80s) and humid so I just wore shorts and an 2009 Medved Madness tech shirt. I brought a change of shorts, shirt, socks and shoes ... because this was not my first rodeo, lol!

We left for the Letchworh dam around 6:45 AM. There wasn't much traffic and arrived around 7:35 AM in plenty of time for the 8:30 AM start. The temperature in Mount Morris was 78F when we came through. The usual trail people was out and about in the parking lot getting ready. I saw numerous runner that I knew. I met up with Andy Ciaio who let me borrow some bug spray for my legs and with Prem Kumar who gave me a fist bump. I got out for a 0.5 mile warmup run at 9:34 pace, link here. I filled up my hydration pack with 1.5 liters of water. I was surprised to find that there was still ice in it.

One of the Fanton sisters did the pre-race announcements and announced that after 8 years that this would be the last year hosting this race. The Goose guys will be taking over next year. Though the Fanton sisters will still be on the hook for the excellent post race baked goods ... which brought applause from the hungry trail runners awaiting the start. This race has a well deserved reputation for its post race food.



And .. we were off! I have run this course a lot between six (and now seven) times for this race and four Sehgahunda Trail Marathon and their training runs ... so I knew what to expect. I started out at a nice and easy trail pace ... keeping my eyes on the trail for any roots, rocks, tree branches or mud. The one quarter mile is wide enough for two runners to run abreast which is good for a start. Then everyone spreads out a bit. My hydration pack was swishing with every step. I resolved to take a sip of water every time my FR 220 buzzed at mile increments and to take a sip off my Gu flask every three miles. There is a hill at mile 1.75 which I power walked and took a sip of water. Just past that was the first aid station at mile 2. Onward. There was a nice scenic overview of the Genesee River gorge at mile 3.75. I made a mental note to take a picture on my way back. Onward. I came up on Tina Pellegrin around mile 4. She said that she was looking at a race of 4 hours as I went by. The second aid station at mile 4.5. The power lines were at mile 5. Onward. The lead runners were starting to come back toward me so I knew that the turnoff into the lollipop was coming up. I heard someone ringing a bell and there it was. A left turn and up to the third aid station. Halfway done, onward. I started to see slower runners when got back off the lollipop and onto the main trail coming back to the start. I tried to stay "Hi" or at least wave to every one. My hydration pack was getting low since I was sucking air and water. I stumped my foot on a rock and told myself out loud "Pick up your frigging feet!". I had water and Gatorade at the fourth (also second) aid station along with a sip from my Gu flask.

The Genesee River gorge at mile 3.75 and mile 9.25

Now the race was getting long. I had not looked at my FR 220 the whole way and I didn't now. I was mainly by myself just putting one foot in front of the other. I was drenched with sweat. I could feel a breeze now and then. Luckily it was mainly overcast with not too much sun. Onward. There seemed to be a lot more trail in front of me on the way back. I had just water at the fifth (also first) aid station ... only 2 miles to go. Just keep on going ... be careful ... one foot in front of the other one ... onward. The break in the trail across a parking lot ... only 3/4 mile to go. Onward. I saw someone who said "only 200 meters to go". A break up ahead ... the finish ... a high five from Mort ... done in 2:32 and change.

I must have looked a bit bad because a person asked if I was OK. I had some water right away and I felt better in a couple of minutes. Christine was right there hovering too. I asked her for something to eat and she got it but I have no idea what it was now. The Cruze was close by so I pulled a chair out of the trunk and sat down. I changed out of my sweat soaked shirt into a dry one, changed my wet socks and slightly muddy trail shoes into my dry socks and road running shoes. I was a bit cranky when Christine told me to put all my wet gear in the trunk. Uhh ... who just ran 13 miles in 2:32? I wanted to say "Darling, you have two hands also" or something less kind but ... I plunked everything down and silently just went off to get something to eat. I felt better soon and went back and kissed her as a form of unspoken apology.

I went inside to change out of my wet shorts into street short. Christine reminded me to make sure that I brought everything back out. I remembered that I had lost a pair of Brooks shorts here either last year or the year before. I had some more food, a couple pieces of cheese pizza along with some cookies and bread ... tasty! Soon enough we were on our way back to Rochester.

Mugs of coffee were soon consumed as we watched more of the Summer Olympics. Another Dam Good Trail Race under my belt! I did run my slowest of seven DGTRs at 2:32:27, 33rd out of 132 and 5th out of 14 in my M 50-59 age group, link here. But I did notice that I ran a 2:21:35 and was 55th last year. So I am thinking that I did pretty well in this year's conditions.

Monday, 8/15/2016 and Tuesday, 8/16/2016: Rest days.

I had a bit of tightness in my thighs when I walked down stairs on Monday. Tuesday was the usual rest day before a race on Wednesday.

Wednesday, 8/17/2016: 2 runs of 1.25 and 4.14 miles. 82F, 48% RH, 3 mph SSE wind, mostly cloudy.

Tonight's race was Dirt Cheap #5 held at the Magnolia Lodge of Durand Eastman Park. I loaded all my gear into Equinox, changed at work and headed out at 5 PM. I called Christine on the way to see if she wanted to come with me since I was heading right by Greenleaf Meadows but she begged off. I arrived at 5:20 PM in plenty of time for my first wave start at 6:30 PM. I had enough to talk running with Bill Murphy and Andy Ciaio. Then I headed off for a nice and easy warmup run of 1.25 miles at
10:03 pace, link here. The trail conditions were dry, it was a bit hot with no wind. I figured that I would need to carry water even though it was a short race.


I was a bit preoccupied before the race so I didn't have time to send Christine an eCrumb before the race. I barely had time to set up my Forerunner 220. So I started out a bit slow as I stowed my phone in my SpiBelt while holding my 20 ounce water bottle. I settled in at a nice and easy trail pace. Boots did find some hills. Jim McLaughlin and Jim Roche passed me around mile 1. I tried to give myself a squirt or two of water every mile. Then the course moved across Log Cabin Rd to the west side of Durand Lake. We were running on a side slope that was higher on the right than on the left. Then ... I slipped and fell. I hit hard on my right hip and right elbow.

I bounced right up. Andy Ciaio and everyone around was a bit concerned but I said I was OK. I started out a bit slow but got back up to speed. I was happy to run where I was instead of trying to constantly pass. I ran out of gas a bit after mile 3 but I kept on running. I was glad to see Boots at the bottom of a hill at mile 4 pointing us up and saying that the finish line was up that hill. And ... done in 43:26. I did OK. I was 79th out of 370 overall, link here. My splits were: 8:22, 11:08, 10:39, 11:24 and 13:20 over the last 0.14 mile.

I was parched and had a hot dog right away before I went to go to the Equinox for some water. I was dripping wet so I toweled off and changed into a dry tech shirt. I stuck around a bit and met a couple, Dan and Kelly, that met running 13 years ago! Awesome!

I was bit pissed when I got home. I found that my Vivofit 2 band had no electronics in it! Arrgghhh! It must fallen out when I fell and at any point afterward.

Thursday, 8/18/2016: Rest day.

I took an early lunch and headed back to Durand Eastman Park to look for my Vivofit 2 electronics. I knew it was probably a fool's errand but I had to look. I printed out my Garmin map from yesterday so I could look at it. I found that trying to find where we had raced the previous night was a lot different when there were no pink flags to mark the course. I think I found where I fell and I looked around but didn't find it ... :-(. Oh well, I probably had 4 million steps on that refurbished Vivofit 2!

Friday, 8/19/2016: 9.35 miles, 1:19;31, 8:30 pace, 66F, 100% RH, 5 mph WSW wind, sunny.

I took today off so that Christine and I could drive to Streetsboro OH to stay at Motel 6 in preparation for her daughter's wedding in Cuyahoga Falls on Saturday afternoon. I hope to help Christine avoid her stress points so that she doesn't any mental issues or another hospitalization. We avoided the rehearsal and its dinner so she wouldn't have contact with her ex (at least on Friday).

Garmin Connect Activity for A day off 15K

I got out in the morning for a 9.35 mile run on my 15K route at 8:30 pace. I took it nice and easy until I had to stop for a second at mile 6.3 to take off my shirt. It was hot and I knew that there was little shade the rest of the way. My splits were: 28, 15, 20, 27, 34, 15, 35, 44, 9:04 and 8:09 over the last 0.35 mile. I was very sweaty after my run so I went outside to cool off before I took a shower.

Christine head off to her therapist appointment at 2 PM while I headed down to Men's Warehouse in Henrietta to pick up my new gray suit. Once I was back I started to pack and then tried to be supportive while Chrisitine packed. We left at 4:48 PM and arrived at the Motel6 at 9:18 PM.

Saturday, 8/20/2016: Beth's wedding

Christine headed out to get her hair done with Beth and the bridesmaids around 8:30 AM and left me to my own devices. I hit up Bob Evan's (which was right next door) for breakfast and then hit the pool. Christine was back when I got out around 11:30 AM. She was disappointed that her hair had already started to fall down. We hung around for a while and then started to get dressed for the wedding. I just had to put on my new suit while Christine put on her blue dress. We cleaned up well and headed out to Cuyahoga Falls around 1:50 PM.

I had Googled for directions and knew where to go ... but not what to look for. We drove around a bit and luckily saw the groom, Nick Glaude, outside. I dropped Christine off and parked the Equinox nearby. The wedding and reception were held right in the same place ... which was kind of convenient. Christine's brother, Bill Wisniewski, was the marriage officant. Soon, Beth and Nick were married.

Presenting Mr & Mrs Nick Glaude!

Christine examining Beth's ring

Cutting the Viper cake

First dance

We clean up well!

Christine and her son, John

Then there was the usual lag while lots of pictures were taken. Luckily the open bar and appetizers helped pass the time. The food were quite different ... BBQ pulled pork and beef along with ice cream and cupcakes for dessert. The DJ put up a lot of hip hop instead of traditional wedding music. We left just as the party heated up and were back at the Motel 6 by 9:30 PM. Christine kept her calm, her distance from her ex (mostly), her daughter was glad that she came and Christine was happy she went. So ... a success!