Fast Running Blog

Ok last year on the eve of the marathon the fast running blog put on a dinner for all those bloggers out there.  They had a good showing of 50+ people show.  It was hosted by Clyde and Mik'l last year at their house.  I talked to Sasha and Steve Hooper and they told me to post this to see if any St. Georgian was willing to host a similar party this year at their place.  Im guessing that the response will be similar if not more for this year so it could be overwhelming.  Please post a comment if you feel like you could or would like to host this party.  I can supply the Pasta and a couple of pots and a propane camp chef style cooker.  We can make this a pot luck style dinner to keep the preparations at a minimum. Im sure no one wants to clean up a mess all night before the big day.  Its a great way to put the names on this blog with faces! 

Well here's my idea. It really was overwhelming last year and this year I'm definitely not up to it again. And I don't think it would be fair to anyone else either, especially everyone getting ready to run the next day. So my suggestion is this:
Pasta Factory has a separate room you can rent and they do an all you can eat buffet with linguini noodles, marinara and alfredo sauce, chicken and vegetables, plus salad, breadsticks, and drinks. You have to have at least 20 people and it's $11.50/adult and $5.75/child. It holds 50-60 people. We probably wouldn't have that many at a time so it would work. I realize it's kinda pricey, but for all you can eat plus a place we can all mingle and then not have to worry about cleanup, I think it's worth it. I think we would need to reserve it pretty soon, so I guess everyone that is interested in this should post and we can see if we have enough interest. BTW, the food there is SO good.

Mikl - Sasha will absolutely HATE that idea. Donate that money to the blog instead. :P

Good idea, Mik'L.  I would have suggested invading a Subway, though we certainly all would not have fit...  :)

We don't necessarily need to have dinner together.  What if there were a park where we could just mingle and kids could play?  Everyone has their own pre race rituals for dinner anyway.  Just a thought. 

I like the park idea.

I like the idea of renting the room for pasta.  I would go, but I am solo so it'd just be a count of one for the Lowry family.

I ate at the Pasta Factory last year and we had to wait for over an hour.  I bet the reserved room is already been taken.  The food is good though.  But I definitely wouldn't get the all you can eat, because I don't stuff myself the night before :-).   I simple pasta and bread would be good.

I think just getting together at a park is a good idea. Too hard for runners to host it. Those you want to eat and do potluck can and those you dont can just mingle. ( I like to eat my own thing and pretty early on pre race night). 

I think the park idea is a good one, we could just have it at the marathon finish.  We could still do a potluck or something and just throw it in the trash at the park.  We should start it ealier like 4 or something.  But I would be game for the Pasta factory as well.  They have great whole wheat pasta:)

I am all for either idea.  Maybe someone in St George should check really fast and see if the Pizza and Pasta Factory is even an option.  We could even do both (eat and then meet at a park).  I am all for eating earlier as well (by 5).  Just my 2 cents.

Why not have the dinner/party after the Marathon or meet after the marathon.  That way everyone can get to bed at a decent time marathon night and not worry about eating something they normally don't eat.   Then we can all pig out afterwards.  Then I might not be going if I can't get a place to stay so my two-cents really doesn't count.

FYI, the Pasta Factory is available. Doing it after just never works, too many people leave and have other things going on. I don't really care what you want to do, I'm just throwing out an option! The reserved room doesn't give you any other options than what I originally posted, that's what they serve and that's the price to get in and eat.

I think that would be a good option, those you dont want to eat could come and just say hi and hang out and those that do can get a very good meal. I agree that after the race its always a little crazy. I am good with whatever. I will probably just eat at home but would love to come say hi to everyone!

Mik'L if you dont want to eat will they still let you come in and hang out??

I agree that we will lose to many people if we do it afterwards.  I like the PF if we are not obligated to eat, I will, but I hate to make people feel like they have to.   What are our options regarding parks and just having everyone bring their own food or just mingle?  With people traveling pot luck is really difficult. 

There's also the option of everyone meeting at the SGM pre-race pasta dinner, although I have done that before and it is kind of chaotic . . . I'm not sure if we would want to do the Pasta Factory thing or not, but I can talk to Lybi about it.  Right now, I would consider us to be open to either the PF or meeting at the park.  Lybi's mom is staying with our kids, so it will just be the two of us.  Will update later after I talk to Lybi.

My vote is for meeting Fri at a park somewhere.

Potluck is not that hard when traveling. Even healthy pot luck. We do it all the time. You just have to get used to the idea that you do not always need to eat a hot meal, and you do not need to eat meat every day.

I personally don't want to be getting used to anything on the day before a race.  I am fine with James idea of the pasta party the marathon puts on, the park or PF.  I am concerned no matter where we meet that it is comfortable enough to hang out.  So if we go to a park, I'll bring a camp chair because that's much more comfortable than being on a park bench.  We all should be sitting comfortably :)

St. George does have a Fazoli's correct?

Yes they do.

Ok so now that we have several options, I guess we just need to make a decision.  Mik'l can you find out how to reserve or if we still can reserve the PF and if not than we can definitely have option B which is the Park.  I can clearly understand that going to someones home is out of the picture.  Making someone sit at a park and cook isnt too fair also.  We would have to have most everyone bring something and try to keep the cleanup and mess to a minimum.  I like to get down there, get my packet and relax myself which Im sure everyone wants to keep the stress level down before this great race. 

I like the idea of getting together in a park, no food involved. 

Me too.

I would prefer to meet up in a park with no food. I developed a pre-race dinner ritual that involves breakfast food (eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, etc). That doesn't work in a pot luck environment, and it doesn't work at a pasta restaurant.

Park with no food is fine, but I expect good entertainment. ;)

I'll perform the drunk version of the Soviet National Anthem.

Please no!!! 

Anyone know where you can get get good Chinese in St. George.  I love the Lo Mein before a race.  I would love to come to the park as well but I wouldn't be there until at least 5:00 PM

So, it looks like we are down to a park.  Anyone know of a good one maybe close by where we have to pick up our packets??

Ok Mik'l looked into the Pizza Factory and they cant reserve or rent a room to us so due to the amount of work involved in prep and clean up I say we call this dinner a wash and do a meet and greet with some lawn chairs or what not at a park nearby the packet pickup hall or around a close nearby area.  All in favor "I "those opposed "neah."  And as far as entertainment goes, Im for the Russian dance myself.  I have a family tree line that stems from Stevensville Russia so I could use some practice.  Although good temporarily at the sprinkler and of course the running man I durst not provide my talent any further. lol 

We are good with meeting up at a park.  Sounds like we will have to rely on the "St. Georgeites" to find a park that is close enough to the convention center.  What time do we all want to meet there?  5:00?  As for dinner, Lybi and I will probably either go to the pasta dinner there at the convention center, or go to Fazolis.  If anyone would like to meet up with us at either, let us know and we can figure out a time.

Clyde thinks the finish line (Vernon Worthen Park) would be the best place to meet. There really isn't any park close to the Dixie Center. I'm going to suggest everyone do what they want for dinner, bring it if you want, and let's meet at the finish line from 5:30-7:30 to just hang out. Bring a chair or a blanket. They will be setting everything up, but the park is big enough we can find a section for our group.

Matthew- we always eat at Samurai 21 before the marathon. It is Japanese, but Clyde gets the noodle bowl with chicken, a lot like lo mein. It worked for him and Paul last year. :) It is across the street from the factory stores, next to Old Navy.

Yes, excellent restaurant.

Way to come forth and make a decision for us all Mik'L!  It's just that simple!  Bring your own food or eat before or after you come!  Thanks for taking the lead on this! 

Sounds great to me - we will plan on being there!

That sounds great to me!

Been following the topic and this sounds good to us.  We would really like to come and meet fellow FRB'ers so we will see you there.  Thanks for putting this together and for the recommendations on where to eat. 

I'll be riding down with Sasha so whatever he decides, but I will eat at Fazoli's... which I have done in several past marathon's.

My husband and I like PIZZA before a race.  We are going to probably pick some up at Costco (they have the BEST pizza).  If anyone else is interested, we could pick up a few and bring them to the park.  We will be arriving in St George early in the afternoon, so we have time.

I'm way late checking the discussion forum.  Sounds like some great pre-race party plans are under way.  I'll be there for sure with at least 1 if not 10 or more people in tow! I think the finish line park is a great idea.  I also like Hidden Valley park which is close to Dixie Center but probably too hard for out of towners to find.  Sam 21 is great, another good place for cheaper noodles is the Mongolian BBQ in the outlet mall.  I'll have out of town family staying with me or I'd offer some beds.  If anyone has any St. George related questions feel free to ask me! I'll plan on seeing ya'll at the Vernon Worthen Park on Friday!  (what do you think about bringing potluck style treats for the kiddos & non-running family? just a thought... optional of course)

Ok I guess I started this conversation with a meet and greet blog party so Ill take Clyde and Mik'ls suggestion to worthen park at the finish line between 5:30 and dark time.  Lets ice up our legs, get our stretching in and last minute runs and make a good showing for SGM!  PR everyone!

Thanks for doing all the hard work. I'll try and stop by. Walter actually reminded me of a good point. What options are there for a post race icing? TOU has the stream right there. I'm assuming there isn't something as cold near the STG finish, is that right?

I would go and buy some bags of ice and fill the bathtub up with cold water and ice:)

I say Sasha should sponsor a group ice pit, like a big plastic kiddie pool or renting a hot tub, so we can group ice :)