The vicious circle: Smuttynose Palooza Indoor Half-Marathon

First, a disclaimer. I did not run the Smuttynose Palooza Indoor Half-Marathon. I would like to say it’s because I had the lurgy and was feeling … as though I had just run the Smuttynose Palooza Indoor Half-Marathon. But really it was because there is absolutely no way I could possibly manage that distance this early in my running career. (For now, it’s 5K all the way.)

Attentive readers will note that I had originally planned to do the outdoor Cabin Fever 5K, which was part of the aforementioned Palooza, but illness coupled with the early-morning insanity of that locationally challenged prospect – it was in Middle of Nowhere, N.H., otherwise known as Milford – kept me under the covers. Did I mention this past weekend was appropriate only for polar bears and snowbunnies?

The capacious Hampshire Dome in Milford, N.H.

Hubby, however, did run the 13.1. And it was such a cool event that I couldn’t resist giving it a mention. Anything that’s called a Palooza and is sponsored by a beer company deserves at least that. (It was part of the fabulous Will Run for Beer series. And yes, while Hubby ran, I sampled. Order was restored.)

The run-around

There was no chance of making a wrong turn in this race (something that gives me The Fear). It consisted of 68 laps – plus a teeny bit extra – around the toasty Hampshire Dome. Yes, 68 laps. If you ever wanted to get a really good idea of someone’s running style (or lack thereof), this was the place to do it.

I started out enthusiastically snapping photos of Hubby each time he whizzed by (note to self: do not give up your day job to become a running photographer) and generally sending out encouraging vibes between sips. (Hey, I had to sample the sponsor’s wares!)

The ghost of the Hampshire Dome. Or Hubby. It's pretty hard to tell.

Eventually, though, this demanding trackside pursuit made me weary, and I sat down to write an overdue email. When I popped my head up 15-20 minutes later, there the athletes were, still going around, and around, and around, and around. As I pondered which of the 50 dizzy runners was going to lose his or her lunch energy gel first, I noted that this wasn’t the most picturesque event, but I guess the course made up for the lack of scenery by being flat, fast and, er, not outside.

Hubby did well considering this was only his second whack at the distance, although he did look like he was going to stab someone during the final couple of miles. This may have had something to do with the fact that he wasn’t wearing his glasses, couldn’t see the monitor and so had no idea how many laps he had left (the announcer had forsaken him). Exhausted as he was, he pulled it together in the end and I was extremely impressed.

I expressed my admiration with a beer.

The event: Smuttynose Palooza Indoor Half-Marathon
The location: Milford, NH
The date: January 14, 2012
Hubby’s time: 1:47:43
The T-shirt: Lime green long-sleeved tech shirt
The aftermath: Pizza, beer, Larabars, coconut water, bananas

Oh, by the way, lest you think I’ve completely lost my mojo, I ran a 5K the next day (post to follow), so 52 Weeks, 52 Runs is still on track, so to speak.