Talk about sensory overload. Thank god we went on Friday, not Saturday. I was not prepared for all the activity and people. Chris bought a set of white cotton throw away gloves for each of us. The Erin and Chris disappeared for a bit. I went around and saw all the technology and wizbang stuff for running. Chris kept trying to have me get a fuel belt. I kept resisting. I figured if I trained one way I should go to the race that way as well. That meant carrying one bottle of Hammergel and one bottle of water. The problem here was that I left the water bottle at home. I finally warmed up a bit and started talking to these two young ladies at the Ultima sports drink booth. They gave me a sample asked what I used to rehydrate. With a big grin I answered water. I got two looks as if I had just said Ugh na ennem halwka ini. Google this location, it is not far from where I live. 51°13′34.54″N 6°56′57.49″E. So a brief discussion ensued, properly humbled I bought a few for their drink packages. It actually tastes decent. It is light and some what sweet. My real purpose there was to buy a water bottle from them. They said I could just take one. Mission accomplished. I am not much of loiterer. So, I ended going two booths over and buying a hand full of GU packages. The guys started off on caffeine and which ones had it and which ones did not. I tried to poke fun at it but once again I was made to feel very ‘behind the times’. He started going on about these caffeine strips that work like the nicotine patches. My quatsch meter had not gone off yet, but my leg definitely felt longer. Also looking around, I managed to buy a black running jersey with the eagle globe and anchor on it. I also managed to exchange $5 in quarters that the metro had dumped on me for a crisp $5 bill. By his point I was done and thankfully so was Chris and Erin. Next time I will have a better idea on what to expect and what will work for me. I am still not sold on the fuel belts etc. But, the Gu and Caffeine will have my business again.
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Buford (AKA ‘the Pachyderm’
