Anyone else run this? It was my first one. DeVillain was cheering people on, but I didn't see too many other familiar faces.

I didn't run this one but i did the Colubus Marathon 2006 and it was great. Columbus is nice and flat making it FAST which is nice for ultra distance races.
you gonna do a whole one now?

Well, I fought my way to drive around it in order to run with my sister around Goodale Park, does that count? I might get into 5k-shape here shortly, but not ready for a half-marathon anytime soon.

Every year I cheer my cousins on in this race, and every year I say to myself "I could do that! I know I could!" I did run cross-country in high school, after all. Then winter rolls around and sucks all will to run out of me. If the race was bumped back a little later into the spring, I think I could get into training for it, but I guess getting motivated during the cold months is part of the challenge. I'm very impressed by Shorts and everybody else who prepares for this during the most unpleasant time of year.

Devil-
if you really want to do one (half or full marathon) you've got plenty of time to train for the Columbus Marathon in October. Go buy yourself a copy of "the non-runner's marathon trainer" work your way up to being able to run 3 miles without stopping and you'll be ready to go by October. It's a 16 week training program and it worked out very well for my first marathon (high school and college xcountry background for me). Make sure you READ THE ENTIRE BOOK!

Thanks DeVille. It's the kind of thing that seems unattainable until you're into it. But anyone can do it. If you can get your feet on a treadmill in the winter that helps a lot. And it's good for catching up on music. February outdoor runs, with sweat freezing into icicle dreadlocks, is sorta unpleasant fo sho. (But kinda exhilarating?)

I am thinking of a 26.2 in the fall, encouraged and surprised by my time for this 13.1.

I'm pretty sure that growing a beard is the first step in preparing for a winter/late spring half-marathon.

Winter is the best time for running. In warm weather, you sweat, it is miserable, and you need to carry lots of fluids for long runs. Cold weather running is great after a few uncomfortable minutes of getting warmed up and you rarely have to worry about replacing fluids/electrolytes. I ran three or four times a week in Columbus this winter and was only forced indoors by the weather twice. Snow is nice and soft for running on and as for ice patches, run slowly and carefully--solved (and yes, always always grow a beard for winter running).

I guarantee that you'll enjoy your cold December and January runs training for the Capital City half more than you'll enjoy your scorching July and August runs training for the Columbus Marathon.

Yes. The wolves came in 89th overall, right fucking behind me. When I got to the finish line I grabbed my medal from the volunteer and jaw-whipped those yelpy fuckers with it.