Running on the Cheap

[caption id="attachment_2197" align="aligncenter" width="490"] $10.00 at target for the pullover![/caption]

I was recently reading through my blog-roll here on wordpress, and read a blog-posting someone had written about how expensive running was.  Unfortunately, I can't find the posting to link to it from here (if you know of such a blog-posting, please let me know!!)  The reason that I bring it up is that I hate to spend money unnecessarily.  (Well, unnecessarily on clothing and such.  It interferes with spending money on doing cool things with my family.) But I disagree with that, and wanted to share my views on running on the cheap.

Starting the Cherry Blossom 10 miler Training Plan

I mentioned a few weeks back that I was fortunate enough to make it through the lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler.  One of the really excellent things about this (in addition to getting to run it,) is the fact that they will give you a free training plan.  All you have to do is sign up for the Beginner, Intermediate or Expert level.

I went for the intermediate, as that seems to fit with where I was (As opposed to where I wish I was) the best.  Today's run was listed as a 2-4 miles, so 3 miles seemed the obvious choice!  It was on a treadmill, so it was fairly dull.

#Janathon - Cake and Running Re-start.

[caption id="attachment_2350" align="alignright" width="150"] 1/2 of Yesterday's "Workout"[/caption]

I suspect that at this point, after being sick and then waiting for my injuries to heal, that 10 days off disqualifies me from claiming to be a Janathon participant.  At this point, I am looking forward to Junathon to actually pull it off!

On that note, lets update you on the recent events, just in case you weren't paying attention to the few blog postings that I have actually bothered to write.   On the 11th of the Month I ended up at an urgent care facility due to flu-like symptoms.  While two flu tests throughout the week said I did NOT have the flu, I was lucky enough to have the same effects - fever, achey body, coughing, etc, etc ,etc.  That finally cleared up a week later so that I could actually be at work.  Unfortunately, in the process of  constantly coughing (and here I thought it was a great ab workout), I seemed to have aggravated my existing hernia that hasn't had surgery (right side), and possibly REALLY aggravated my previous hernia that I had surgery on.  I don't know if I damaged the surgery spot or not (it was two years ago), but I seem to have many of the same symptoms on the left side that I had originally.

Product Review: Altra "The Instinct" Zero Drop.

Now, this review may be a bit different experience than some as I have been running in minimalist shoes for a while.  Max over at "Back of the Pack Max,"  told me that she loved hers from the first time she had put them on.  I get this thought - as I felt that way about the Vibram Five Fingers.  Like the Altra running shoes, they two are zero drop.  Since I am coming from the VFFs, it seems that a comparison is inevitable.

Possibly waving goodbye to this years MCM.

I can track my annual running, on the injuries I received (pathetic I know.)

Last year was my Plantar Fasciitis.

The year before? Pulled Calf muscles.

The year before? Hernia surgery (open, not laproscopic.)

So why do I bring this up?  Well, on Weds.  I was sitting on the couch coughing - and suddenly felt a pain in my left groin-area.  As the day went on - the pain was very reminiscent of a pain that I had felt - 3 years ago.  In fact, it reminded me EXACTLY of how I felt 3 years ago. 

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment - an excerpt from Craig Payne posted on the Podiatry Arena

This is an excerpt from a posting by Craig Payne - Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia from the Podiatry-Arena forum.  It is reposted with his permission.  Special thanks to Peter Bird for bringing this forum posting to my attention.  Pictures were added by me, to help illustrate.  The original posting had no photos or illustrations.


Ok, Mr Runner, you have got plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the load in the plantar fascia exceeds what the tissue can take, so we have only two things we can do. One is reduce the load and the other is increase the ability of the tissues to take the load. Reducing the load is easy and is something we can do today. Increasing the ability of the tissue to take the load is more difficult, takes time and is not something we can do in the short term.

[caption id="attachment_2329" align="alignright" width="300"] Low Dye Strapping -  photo from http://conejofeet.com/patients-guide-heel-pain/[/caption]

I know you have a marathon to run in 4 weeks. Is the plantar fasciitis interfering with your preparation for that? If it is, then we will use low dye strapping today to get a more acute effect of reducing the load. At least that will help the symptoms and start the healing process while we keep an eye on that marathon preparation.

#Janathon - Day 16 - Full Body Workout

[caption id="attachment_2319" align="alignleft" width="183"] After being stuck in the house for 5 days - I still look this suave. Honest.[/caption]

So, after an absence of several days - I have returned!  My Sinusitis turned upper respiratory infection (I think they are just guessing and throwing out fancy sounding generic illnesses) is improving, My temperature is only 99.9 now. But that is no excuse to miss Janathon is it?

So what sort of exercise did I do? A Fullbody workout!  I have been slacking for several days, so I figured I needed to jump right in.  Now I will admit that I did concentrate on my abs, my diaphram and my rib muscles.  I didn't stop there however!  My the scalenes, sternoclidomastoid, upper trapezius, levator costorum, paraspinals and subclavius for inhalation; and, the pectorals, serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi, and serratus posterior muscles also received a great workout and all with only one exercise!

#janathon day 13 and 14

I know you have all been dying to hear what sort of work out I did after I got better..

Well, I haven't exactly gotten better. Yesterday I was still rocking a fever of 102. Today I have been fortunate enough to have my fever down to 100.1, which, while it does still reek havoc with my internal temperature control - is a definite sign of improvement. I'm not so sure that I'm going to be able to milk this with another day off - I think dayquil will get me through tomorrow.

Thankfully.  I know its odd, but my work doesn't go away just because I am not in the office.

But lets not focus on work,

#Janathon Day 11 and 12.

So, I know you have been dying to find out what I have done for day 11 & 12 of Janathon!   After all, we all know that I have committed to running everyday this month!

So what did I do yesterday?  I waited at a walk-in  medical center for two-hours then a pharmacy for two hours.  With the flu that has been going around the country I wanted to get a doctor to check me for the Flu and give a prescription for tamiflu if it was.  Like most people, I don't have the time to be sick any longer than neccesary.  

I don't know if you have ever had the Flu-test before, but I don't think I will ever feel the same.  The test consists of a swab going up your nose and waggling around.  Its a bit... Unsettling to say the least.  The good news however is that I do not have the flu.  It seems that I have a sinus infection, and while this is far better than the flu.  Right now, with a fever going on I find it a thin blessing (but I am thankful it is not the flu none the less!)

So today's Janathon is consisting of sitting on the couch watching James Bond movies with my wife and son.

#janathon Day 10 - Early Morning Run

[caption id="attachment_2306" align="alignright" width="300"] This is what I risk facing when I have to go into a meeting in Alexandria[/caption]

It seems, that despite being up early and doing a nice run yesterday, I never posted about it!

I had a meeting about an hour past my office yesterday, so I had no idea what time I would be returning home. (An hour and a half because I had to go through DC.)  This meant I was probably better off working out in the morning.

(Plus someone at the dinner the night before had been talking about how crazy someone there was for getting up and running 5 miles.  I told him I probably would the next day - so I had to follow through!)

So at 20 minutes to 5am, my alarm went off telling me to get up. (it's NOT 4:40 am, because I promised myself when I got out of the military that I would not get up at any time that sounded like "four" ever again.)  Off I went to my treadmill.  At about 3 miles, I was really bored and thought about getting off of it - but this was one of those cases where I had told someone I was going to do five miles, so I had to live up to it!

I did run in my Sauconys, as I figured 2 days of running in new shoes - I should probably return to the faithful "Standby" for my long run.  It actually (other than being mind-numbingly boring) felt really good!

I was right on my traffic planning however, it did take me one hour and forty minutes to get there. (for the record, only 40 minutes to get home as there was no traffic at that hour)

The Plantar Fasciitis Trials – Part 4 – the excuses.

[caption id="attachment_2263" align="alignright" width="300"] Who knew there were so many foot pain comics out there?[/caption]

So, at the end of Part 3, I had a plan on how to deal with the Plantar Fasciitis which was:

1. Cortisone Shot. (Bad Move.)


2. Stretch my Calf and Foot (using standard calf stretch with wall, and stair stretch)


3. Footlog – the Doctor loved this.


4. The Stick – Because it is awesome.


5. Archstrap – immediate relief and support of the Plantar Fascia


6. Orthotics – because he is a podiatrist. And I was willing to try it.


7. Different shoes – grumble.


8. Foot Exercises

While my desire for an insta-fix was (expectedly) dashed to the ground, having a goal and a direction that would resolve my issues was fantastic.  The podiatrist had warned me that this might be a long process, and lets be blunt here.  Considering the lack of flexibility when he tested my ankle?  This (unfortunately) made an incredible amount of sense.

So, a couple of things I did right off. I knew my Orthotics weren't going to be ready for approximately 4 weeks - so I went out and got some blue ones from Dr. Scholls.  This combined with the Arch strap did give some immediate relief.  I was cleared to try running fairly quickly after my Doctor's visit - but my shoes hadn't arrived and I wasn't willing to attempt to run in the shoes that had contributed to my problem.  Not wanting to lose my fitness level - I attempted other workouts (Insanity), but I have to admit I only lasted a week or so at it.  I have an unfortunate problem when it comes to exercise.

#janathon - Day 9

Day 9 of Janathon COMPLETE!!!! I had to head into work early today, and back late (although it was late due to a truely lovely dinner. I have to admit, I did not follow my diet for dinner.)  I have been getting hassled by Max for not giving my impressions of the Altra Zero Drop running shoes I got yesterday, so my Janathon run was going to need to be something a bit more trying than my 3 miles in 45 minutes from last night.

I was in a hurry, so I headed down to the treadmill.  Rather than my leisurely 10 minute mile that I have a tendency to do there (I admit it.. the treadmill makes me lazy..)  I figured 7mph should be about right, considering what I have been doing out side and it had the added bonus, that 3 miles would be the perfect distance to finish up the TV show (Dr. Who.) I was watching.

Sorry for the short posting, just an update on Janathon!

Questions/Concerns on Children running long distances. How far is to far?

[caption id="attachment_1108" align="alignright" width="187"] Bryce running up a hill at his first 5k in DEC 2011.[/caption]

This morning my son Bryce informed me he wants to be able to run seven miles with me.  Now, since he is 10 - that means it is well within the limits I have heard whispered on the interwebs - that a child shouldn't run TOO many miles.

This got me to thinking - how is training a child different from how an adult trains?  Does there need to be limits on the mileage that the child is allowed to work up too?

I figured I would look up some of the items that I have heard from random places to verify them.   So I began using my favorite tool. Google.  We all know if it's on the internet it must be true - so this seemed like a flaw-less plan to me. 

#janathon - Day 8 - Father & Son bonding.

So, this morning I woke up (always a great way to start the day!) and although my legs felt better they were still tired/sore.  I thought that was a darn good reason end my running streak and do some yoga in the evening instead.  In fact I said "Self, since the legs are still a bit sore/tired why don't we do some Yoga tonight instead?" Really.  Right out loud and everything.

As the day went by, the tired/soreness faded from my legs, but I was going to stick with my plan and do Yoga tonight.

But then my shoes arrived.  "What shoes?" You might ask....



My new Altra Zero Drop Running shoes!  They arrived at my office today!

The Plantar Fasciitis Trials - Part 3 - The Podiatrist

So.. Picking up where I left off on part 2 - Off to see the podiatrist.

First, lets look at my thoughts/views/experiences regarding podiatrists.  I had never been to one (that covers experiences.)

I love research, so I had googled everything I possibly could in regards to  Plantar Fasciitis and (when I first got them) Vibram Five Fingers.  This had led me  to several Podiatry forums.  I read everything I possibly could on both topics - after all, these were the foot experts right?   Before I looked into Plantar Fasciitis and had been researching VFFs, I noticed a really common theme.  Podiatrists hated them.  This wasn't a huge surprise, after all Christopher McDougall had said the same thing in articles and in his book.  It was amazing to me the outright vehemence that the Podiatrists posted about them. The more common viewpoint seemed to be that any form of "minimalist" shoe was simply a horrible injury waiting to happen, whether you did "too much too soon" or not.  In fact, the whole idea of "too much too soon" as a problem was ridiculed.

The Plantar Fasciitis Trials - Part 2 - The pain.

To pick up where my story left off (while providing enough "Catch up" info for anyone that didn't read part 1), I had stepped on a rather sharp rock in my worn-down (not that there is a whole lot to wear down, but there is a difference) Vibram Five Fingers, while trail running.  I think that under the circumstances,  most people would assume, as I did, That I had bruised the bottom of my foot.

[caption id="attachment_1465" align="alignleft" width="300"] My ice bottle under my desk at my former job![/caption]

The pain really wasn't horrible at this point, in fact I would call it relatively minor. I avoided running (because slamming a bruise into the ground over-and-over for several miles didn't strike me as "fun,") and used an elliptical for a few days.  I was even bright enough to avoid running until the pain was pretty much gone, with only a residual tightness remaining.  (In hind-sight, I've never had a bruise cause "Tightness."  At the time I did not know what this could be indicative of.)  While not running was frustrating, I was pleased with myself for learning from my previous year's experiences. 

#janathon - Day 7 - a SLOW REST day!

OK, So I admit it.  I overdid it this weekend.  Apparently following a fast (compared to my recent running) 6 mile run with a fast short run wears the legs out.

If it wasn't Janathon, I would take today completely off from running and give my legs a chance to heal  But it is Janathon, so instead, off to the treadmill.  While it is only 45 degrees out this morning, I think I have proven that I can't be trusted to run slowly on my own. But that's OK.. Why? Because the treadmill will take care of that for me.

I hopped on, did my warm up walk and went to 6 mph.   And WOW are my legs tired! It felt like I was trying to run faster than I did over the weekend!

oh wait.. I hit 8 not 6... That is certainly not right!  Back to 6 where it belongs, and a nice easy mile ensued, followed by a nice stretching session.

There is no way my legs could do yoga today.  They are FRIED! (and sore.)

Ratatouille

So, upon the suggestion of a fellow blogger (thanks Bopspeed!) , I made Ratatouille for dinner last night!

I looked at a couple of different recipes online, and went from them.  I have to say, it was incredibly tasty!  I don't know that it was "right" of course, as I've never had it before, but this will definitely be on our repeat play to eat - whether it is "right" or not!

#janathon - Day 6 - The "rest" run.

Another gorgeous day here in Crofton, MD.  The temperature was a gorgeous 50 degrees.   Since I have just moved here, I have no idea if this is normal winter weather or not - but I am certainly enjoying it!  Two days outside in a row!

Today is a "rest" day, so I figured a mile or so would be good.  My shortest look is around 1.5 miles, so I figured I would just go out and run it slowly.

Oops.

My first mile was done at an 8:29 pace, and the second .6 of a mile was done at 8:36.

The Plantar Fasciitis Trials - Part 1. Background

So, I've recently had several discussion regarding my experiences with Plantar Fasciitis both in comments on my blog, and with several people in person.  This made me realize it might be worth taking the time to really take a look and explain what I have done, and why!  I'll start with the background.

[caption id="attachment_2188" align="alignright" width="210"] My first pair of Vibram Five Fingers[/caption]

It all started with my switching over to Vibram Five Fingers.  I didn't know at the time that it could contribute, or why.  Looking back, I suspect that a big part of it is the old "too much too soon" problem combined with my complete lack of flexibility.  I don't know that moving into the five fingers slower would have prevented this - but had I been stretching my calves/Achilles/hamstrings - the additional time would have helped.  But I might be getting ahead of myself.

#janathon - Day 5 - The long run!

I used to hurry a lot, I used to worry a lot
I used to stay out till the break of day
Oh, that didn't get it,
It was high time I quit it
I just couldn't carry on that way
Oh, I did some damage, I know it's true
Didn't know I was so lonely , till I found you
You can go the distance
We'll find out in the long run
(in the long run)
The Eagles, The Long Run

So today was on the schedule as my long run.  Of course, I don't really have a schedule, as I have found that I stress it when I miss something, then get hurt trying to play catch-up.  I suppose it was more of a "plan."  A plan based on the fact that its Saturday, so I can run while it is still day light out, which means I can GO OUTSIDE!!!!!  We ran our assorted errands (See the previous post for details,) got back to the house - and I gave my phone a chance to charge (after all, if it doesn't get logged in Runtastic, and posted on Facebook - a run doesn't really count!) and got ready to head out the door.

And my neighbor stops by.  I love my neighbors.

The Joy of Cooking (and shopping?)

I love the weekend.  With it is a new-ness, even if it is the "end" of the week.  There is the joy of being unfettered from what we do every day, of avoiding the "work" requirements.

For my family, Saturday means some of the same things every week.  We are going to go out to breakfast, followed by shopping and then cleaning the house.  Shopping has gotten so it is taking much longer than it has in the past back in NY.  My family is starting to eat much healthier and we have a lot more choices of stores to shop at.   We are buying far more produce (which means Wegmans, or if we go to Annapolis - Whole Foods Market and the Fresh Market), and some items specific to health food stores (Mom's Organic Market if we didn't go to Whole Foods), and then probably Safeway for the remainder.  If we need some basic essentials, we might also hit Aldi's.

Hitting multiple stores has become even more important with our new outlook on the New Year.  While we were at Wegmans, we had a cart that was around 2/3 full (the full size cart) of produce.  The cart was topped off with tabouli, hummus (spinich-artichoke,) black bean dip and the like.  It cost around $100.

After Wegmans, we headed over to Safeway to pick up some things we need that were on sale there - and it was around $100.  Now, if eating health is supposed to be so much more expensive - shouldn't that have been the other way around?

While I generally dislike shopping for to long, this one was kind of exciting.  Why?

1) Tonight's dinner - Confetti Enchiladas.  We haven't had these in ages, and they are sooooo good!

The Road Not Taken, By Robert Frost.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

#janathon day 4 - Serenity

se·ren·i·ty

[suh-ren-i-tee] noun  (From dicitonary.com)

1. the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil; sereneness.

Synonyms   - composure, calm, peacefulness, peace.

Day 4 of Janathon!  As you might recall (or be polite enough to pretend to), I ran a 5k in my Vibram Five Fingers on the first.  Now fore thought apparently is one of my strengths, in the same way that using the kinect is (total sarcasm there, just in case it wasn't dripping out of your screen.). This is definitely shown through my choice of foot wear that day.   You see, I hadn't worn them on a run over two miles in 6 or 8 months.

[caption id="attachment_2092" align="aligncenter" width="490"] My Five finger Collection![/caption]

#Janathon Day 3 - "Rest Day"

That's right, day 3 and I'm already talking about resting.  Kinda.

Since its Janathon, and I am running everyday this month, that must mean that even rest days have some minimal token effort right?

RIGHT!

Today's run was ONE mile on the treadmill, at the speedy pace of SIX miles an Hour!

I was gong to do my wife's Jillian Michaels Kickboxing video she had downloaded on Amazon Instant Video, but it seems that in addition to being to dumb to work the kinect, my intelligence levels aren't up to watching Jillian Michaels on the Xbox.  It was only playing in Spanish and I could not figure out how to get it to English.  I assure you that when my wife does it on the PS3, it is in English.

After 15 minutes I gave up.

Back of the Pack Max

One of my oldest friends (meaning I have known her a long time, she is still quite young) has begun writing a blog!  Now, there is a couple of things that we both know about you.

1. You enjoy reading great blogs, after all - you are here! (See the modesty there?)


2. You have read some great blogs and thought to yourself "Boy I wish I had been able to follow that blog from the beginning!

Well, this is a great opportunity to keep both of those truths going!  I know you want to read a great blog about a Runner/Brewer/Drinker/Wife/Mom/and a lot more!

So here is your chance to do so from the very beginning!

So Go read!  And Comment! And Like! --- Back of the Pack Max!

 

Better Diet. (Not Dieting)

[caption id="attachment_2070" align="alignright" width="240"] Ok, So this is "Bad." I get that part.[/caption]

So, I started thinking about what I was eating a while back and how I could improve it.  The first obvious step - is eat fewer calories than I am burning.  Myfitnesspal works well on helping me with that.  Not only that, its method of using basic math to lead to weight loss - definitely works!

Now, that I have "burn less than you eat"understood - I am attempting to move into the "make better choices" stage - Some of which I have already begun.  It's obvious that broccoli is a better snacking choice than cookies.   But there is obviously more to it than that.

Let me speak up here and say that I am not becoming a vegetarian.  I did it for quite a while at one point in my life - and have no real plans on going back to it.  I like Bacon Cheeseburgers, and a tofu-burger with genuine tofu-bacon on it does not come close.

#janathon - Day 2 treadmill run

I certainly wasn't going to mess up Janathon on day 2!  I had planned on heading outside when I got home, but it was cold and I didn't want to go back outside.  I changed and headed down stairs to the old dread mill!  I went without my usual Netflix and watched my son play Skyrim instead.  I went with my Saucony Kinvara 2 over the Vibrams (and will for the next few days) due to residual soreness from doing the resolution run yesterday in the VFFs.  (Don't tell my wife, but I MAY have ordered a new pair of shoes today.)



I did feel like picking up the pace from my usual slow plod, so I started off at 7 mph.  There is nothing like a road-race to remind me that I'm not quite as slow as my treadmill makes me feel.  Part way through the first mile I decided that a 20 minute run would be about perfect.  Good enough to get the blood going and burn some calories, but hopefully not to much for my sore calves.




That about sums the run up!  I debated extending it to three miles, but exercised this new running-self-control that I am working on using to keep from getting injured.  Yay Me!

Ultramarathoners are crazy.

Seriously.   I have tried  for two years in a row to train for a marathon - and once I hit "half-marathon-ready" status, all of my running form (and other) mistakes catch up to me - and I am forced to stop.

Yet these people train for 50, 100 or more miles.

[caption id="attachment_2058" align="alignright" width="203"] His cape must be at the dry cleaners.[/caption]

And they insist they aren't "super-men/women"

I think they are lying.  By now most people have at least heard of Christoper McDougall's book - Born to Run about the tribe of the Taramahura.  This is an entire tribe of super-runners.  I suspect, but can't prove, that all Ultra-Marathoners have Taramahura-Blood in them.  It's like a form of magic - think Vampire Blood, but no sparkles.

Or maybe, like Charlie Sheen - they drink Tiger's Blood. (Though I think the only form of ultra-marathon he can do, is one of drinking, partying and drug-use.. So that might be my flaw in this logic.

I'm not going to ask what would possess someone to want to run that far - I get that part.  The fact that you CAN, and others say you CAN'T is enough reason to try to do it.  It is the same thing that possesses people to climb Mount Everest, or Sail around the world - but no expensive gear is needed.

And then there is Dean Karnazes who ran across America.  Little known fact - his grandfather was named "Kalel."

Of course, once I manage to finish a marathon - we will see what my opinion of these superhumans is..

New Years day and #janathon!

Had a late night last night.... And a house full of people.



Talk about a perfect way to start the new year!  I only partook of a couple glasses of wine, so all I was this morning was tired and I am definitely OK with this.  My poor wife has been fighting a massive headache the last few days and it certainly doesn't approve of the late night.  The joy of half a hangover but without the enjoyable alcohol feeling from the night before.

She got ripped off if you ask me.  All the pain, but none of the gain...

After waking up this morning - I thought that a 5k (since I had signed up for a virtual one) was a great way to start off Janathon!  I found a Resolution Run up in Baltimore, and headed up there.

Nice race!  I won't go into it to much, as I did a "Race Recap" report.  But I enjoyed it, and came across the finish line around 26:20 - with negative splits the whole way.   My calves have noticed the exertion (wore the VFFs) but they aren't complaining to bad.

I've also returned to watching my calories, and am waaaaaay ahead for the day!

I think this is a great start to the New Year, and a fantastic beginning to Janathon!

Race Report: Charm City Run - New Years Resolution Run

So this morning, I thought that the best way to start Janathon - was with a 5k I found on the internet.  The Charm City Run - New Years resolution Run (Charm City Run is a chain of stores).  I headed up to Baltimore to the St. Elizabeth of Hungary church hall to get registered.  It seems that I wasn't the only one with this idea!  It was nice that they had two helpers right at the foot of the stairs directing you where to go and gt your registration form.  Unfortunately, after that - you were left to guess.  There was one helpful person working the registration table that was sending everyone to the end of the table to pay... Unfortunately, it was only where you paid for Credit Cards!

[caption id="attachment_2041" align="aligncenter" width="490"] The church hall 1 hour 20 minutes before starting time![/caption]

Signage would have helped.

There seemed to be plenty of room for everyone in the Hall - but maybe there were lots of warmly-dressed people outside.  I was glad I had thought to use the bathroom right after getting there - because the lines started forming after that.. The men's didn't get to bad - until the women took it over at 10-15 minutes of race time!  And I'm not complaining - they needed to if they were going to get to use the facilities before it started!