This is my friend Charlie. He writes a column for the Daily Sun about snack foods. That article doesn’t nearly demonstrate the sheer amount of crappy foods he can eat in one sitting, but hopefully it at least gives you some idea. Maybe this will help explain why my friends aren’t always the best dieting influence on me, and I’m probably not on them either! But seriously, read that interview… it’s hysterical. And for those of you who read this blog for health tips instead of humor (I would add a “ha” there, but it’s not entirely appropriate because my blog isn’t usually that funny either), he is interviewing a pretty well-respected nutritionist.
To link the random thoughts I’m having today, I will add that Charlie is still in school and his fraternity has an annual midnight pancake breakfast the night before Slope Day. Slope Day is the day before the Brooklyn Half Marathon, which is the day before another yet-to-be-decided half marathon. Does all-you-can-eat-pancakes two or three nights before a race count as carb-loading, or just gluttony?
For the second half-marathon, I have narrowed the possibilities down to Providence or Cincinatti (though I still haven’t learned how to spell Cincinnati – one ‘n’ two ‘t’s? Or vice versa?). If I go to Providence, my company will pay for the whole trip (not counting the race fees). If I go to Cincinatti, I have to use some hotel points and then it’s fully paid for… but it’s going somewhere further than Providence so that’s kind of cool. Thoughts? Or has anyone run either of those races and can share insight from that end?
(Clearly I don’t have time to write a good post today… apologies for that!)
Providence is brand new, isn’t it? Be prepared to be a guinea pig.
But, look! The Flying Pig has gotten great reviews on Marathon Guide:
http://tinyurl.com/5jyzqb
I think the choice is clear.
Either way, go for the pancakes. For your health, of course.
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months, but never commenting. I’m 25, live in the Boston area, and am currently training for my first half. Just wanted to introduce myself to another “sometimes-local” runner. 🙂
Julie, I saw some things that said Providence had been done in the past (and found an old 2004 webpage to back it up), and some that said it was brand new. It makes me think it’s under new sponsorship/direction or something? Being a guinea pig could be bad, and I wouldn’t do it for a full, but for a half it could be cool to be the first one 🙂
Flying Pig’s great reviews were a big part of what first got me interested in it. Also, Fodor’s features it in their Travelling Marathoners Guide (that may not be the exact title). Travel is just kind of a pain, and Providence is close to Boston (where I need to be on Monday), so it’s kind of an easier solution. Basically I love travel once I get there but tend to dread it when I think of packing and logistics 🙂
Jen, thanks for reading! Do you have a blog so I can learn more about you too?
Oooooo no clue on either of the HM’s. Hopefully someone will have an answer for ya 😉
To answer your question . . .I say 2 weeks off and he’s done. He won’t come back after that, I’m sure LOL
Cinci has super crazy hills. My friends from there won’t even run that race! And the pancakes totaly carb loading 😉
As far as Marco Island. It’s gorgeous but small. No real good place to complete a long run unless you decide to make a couple laps around the island itself. Head up to Naples if you can – more to see, eat, and longer areas to run. If you want some margaritas be sure to go to Nacho Mamas.
I’ve done The Flying Pig and had a great time. And, they give out great swag!
The course is hilly, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared. In fact, I was half way up the biggest hill before I realized I was on an incline.
And, to top it off, there are some good bars at the state line for a post-race celebration… 🙂
I have no idea about the 2 Halfs, but sounds like the Flying Pig is great, and I’ve read many places how nice of an event it is. Good luck on choosing. Now, I want to read that article you posted.
Ohio’s a sh*thole and the elevation profile on that pig thing just looks painful.
There is nothing worth a single hotel point in the state of Ohio. Unless you’re driving through it and only need to rest up to ensure you have enough energy to fully appreciate leaving the state.
People there = super cool… so it’s a split.
Sorry to pollute your comments with my bitterness :-). Providence advocate 🙂
No blog yet, Laura! Its something I’ve been thinking of, though. Have you ever done a half before?
Chia, your comment is great 🙂
Jen, let me know if/when you start a blog! I’ve done two half marathons before, but not in the same weekend. This should be interesting!
I just discovered your blog and I am also training for a half.
Providence to be exact.
I am a native Rhode Islander so naturally, I’d vote for Providence if you have not already decided. It is new(ish), like you suspected. Providence has hosted halves and fulls before but… this is a newly marketed race. The course is a mix of industrial, scenic parks, urban streets, and metro areas. There are not many KILLER hills but it is not entirely flat.
To be fair, I know nothing of the other race.
Feel free to ping me if you want more info.
Foxy – I JUST THIS MINUTE signed up for Providence, and went to check my e-mail to make sure I got the confirmation before I closed the window, and I saw your comment! So… I hope to see you there? I signed up for the 7 PM pasta dinner… feel free to find me. I’ll probably be the only runner who’s by herself and being anti-social in the corner 🙂
Oh yay!!! Good choice. 😉 I will not be at the pasta dinner – I have to go to a b-day party that night… but fear not, I plan to be in bed by 10pm!!
Look for me on race day. I’ll be the one in last place, huffing and puffing. 🙂 Seriously. This is my first so I am quite nervous… but uber excited.