The Marathon - That Was and That Wasn't

Last year four of us did the Music City Half Marathon in Nashville - Ryan, Marci, Janice (Ryan's Mom) and me.  Today only Ryan finished the half marathon and the rest of us cheered him on.  And there was plenty to cheer for!!  Ryan completed the course in 2:08, a full 18 minutes faster than his 2009 time.

The weather forecast was grim and the marathon organizers were warning that any marathoners with a less than 10:20 minute pace would be routed to the half marathon course.  Having prepared for and completed marathons on a 15-minute pace, I know how disappointing that would be.  However, sitting here now in the comfort of a warm house now vs. dodging thunder and lightening on a race course, the choice seems quite clear!

Ryan did finish before the thunderstorms started and we all had plenty of time to get back to our car without getting rained on.  This was Malenda's first marathon experience.  She jumped right in and welcomed Daddy at the finish line with a great big, huge smile.

As we walked into the marathon finishing area at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans, we spotted The Biggest Loser bus for Dan Evans, who was running the half marathon with his mom, Jackie.  They lost 136 and 80 pounds, respectively, and it looks like they are keeping up their healthy lifestyles.  Dan was also performing at the finish line with songs from his 2008 album "Goin' All Out", a country music album.

Now - the marathon that wasn't - the Knoxville Team Relay Marathon.  The Knoxville course is divided into 4 segments and our 4-person team of Marci, Ryan, Janice and me were trained and ready.  We picked up our race numbers on Saturday afternoon and were ready for a 7 AM start. 

When we got up Sunday morning and checked the weather forecast, it was already drizzling and a big green blob was headed straight for Knoxville.  Marci, who had the 1st 6.3 mile leg of the relay was ready to go, and could have finished her leg, and probably I could have finished the second 6.1 mile leg.  BUT.... Ryan, who had the longest leg of the race at 7.9 miles, was probably going to get wet.

Our team decision was to forgo the team relay this year.  So, we packed up and went to Katherine's house in the 4th and Gill neighborhood, which is on the course at mile 14. The whole neighborhood really gets out and supports this event so it's a great gathering place to watch the runners.  We got there soon enough to see the leader, who finished in 2:27, just a little more than a 5-minute pace.  These are speeds I will never accomplish, but I do enjoy watching others who can do this and, in my mind, I'm one of them.

As it turned out, at about the time Ryan would have been running by Katherine's house, the sky opened up and the rain absolutely poured down.  So, we congratulated ourselves on our decision as we ate bagels and Katherine's delicious breakfast.  One of her neighbors who was running the marathon, even stopped in for a quick break and stretch.

We also caught up with Kathy for dinner on Friday night in Market Square.  We were staying in a downtown hotel, and the evening before the marathon was beautiful.  We took Malenda in the stroller and walked past the convention center just as the Kids Run was  starting at the Clinch Avenue bridge.  This is a terrific event with each child completing 25 miles in the weeks leading up to the marathon, and running the final mile to complete the marathon distance of 26.2 miles on the evening before the official marathon.  They, just like the adults, run across the finish line at the 50-yard line in Neyland Stadium.

Since I skipped both the Knoxville and Nashville events this year, it has now been a year since I have completed a distance event.  The break has been good, but I'm feeling the urge to get back on the training routine.  Las Vegas has a marathon event in December - hmmmmmmmm.  Might be time for a run in Sin City!