Richmond Marathon - Part 2
Parking, parking, parking, where the hell can I park. Come on, I need a parking place. Why are there no parking places? Why are the streets closed already? Guess I should have paid more attention to street closures and suggesting parking spots. Wait, there’s one. Cool, grab my bag, my gatorade. Got everything? Check. Let’s go get snotty!
Wow, look at all the green shirts. Too bad it’s raining or Too bad it’s cloudy or Too bad it’s Sunny or Too bad it’s snowing or Too bad it’s a hurricane or whatever. Where are my navy, orange, green, silver, neon, indigo, purple, yellow, red, teal, blue, pink or black peeps. How cool. So should we head up to the starting line? Not yet, no hurry, we’ll be there in plenty of time to drop bags, hit the potties and get in the Corrals before the gun goes off. Why does Ed keep saying - be calm? He doesn’t look calm at all. Look at all the nervous smiles - everyone feels the same way. Calm and Confident! This is gonna be a great day….
LET’S GO! You mean we have to walk up the hill to the start? That sucks, what about my energy, what about my legs, what about my shoes, what about my breathing? Hey, why’d you smack me? Okay, I’ll calm down. Just keep breathing, breathing, breathing. Where are the UPS trucks? Oh, never mind. Which one do I go to? Bib number, I see, I’m glad Wade told us to put our bib numbers on the drop bags. That saved time. Porta-john time? Where are we meeting - by the _________ sign, okay. No problem. wow, this line isn’t moving. There are more porta-johns up by the National and no one is in line there. Still lots of time, not a problem. It’s time for the Half to start - “woo, clap, clap, clap - good luck!” “No the second half is easier than the first half, it’s just that you’re tired - that’s what the Coaches told me. You’re welcome. First time? Me too. This is gonna be great - what’s your goal? Wow, that’s a fast first Marathon, I just want to finish” Good Luck!
Yikes, what the hell happened in that porta-john? Oh well. find the sign, find the sign, find the sign. Here we go. I don’t see J(*)* yet. Where is she? I hope she doesn’t miss the start. National Anthem. Drop the extra clothes OUTSIDE the corrals. Who is that talking? - what did he say? Oh well, couldn’t have been too important for today… Time to start - let’s go!!!!!!!!
There’s the gun. Start running, wow dead stop. No hurry, haven’t crossed the start line yet. here comes the starting line……We are on the Road!! Woo hoo„, look at all the people. Stay calm, why is someone grabbing my…. Oh, Perry, what are you doing? Slow down? Why, I feel great. Today is the day. This is going to be amazing, I’m definitely crushing my goals. What, you mean I can’t guarantee Marathon times in the first 800 meters? I feel great though. Okay, I’ll slow down and let it come to me.
OR
There’s the gun. Start running, wow dead stop. No hurry, haven’t crossed the start line yet. here’s come the starting line……We are on the Road!! Woo hoo„, look at all the people. I feel like crap. This is not going to be a good day. Maybe I should just jump out here and wait for another race in December. I’ll feel better in December, I’m sure. Hey Suzanne, I’m gonna jump out and wait for a December Marathon. What? Why not? It will be way better. I feel like crap at the half mile. What am I gonna do? This is gonna be the longest day ever, I will fail and then what will the last 24 weeks mean? What, run with you for a bit? Okay but only up to the Boulevard, then I’m walking back. Yeah, training has been good. The weekend runs have been fun. I did speed work and hills. I ran with the Wednesday night Fan Run group too. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been good. The first water stop? already. Hey that was easy. Here’s the Boulevard, no way, I’m on the way. I feel great!
Either way - we are moving forward
First two turns on the course, remember to hold my line. Run the tangent but don’t cut anyone off. Left turn followed by a quick right. Monument Avenue - what a great site. Hey, who knew this was uphill? Look at all the people on their front patios. I’ll have one of those mimosas, that looks reallly good, just kidding. I’ll come back next Saturday, save one for me! High-five the little kids standing on the side of the road. it’s like instant energy. I’ll have to remember that for later.
It’s still a ton of people around, Lots of green jerseys. There’s Uncle Reggie and Aunt Louise - HEY!! Thanks for coming out! Thanks for the Sign - “GO ______, We love you!” That just makes me want to run faster, but I need to control my pace. Only 4 miles in, stay calm and confident.
Another turn and a waterstop. Gotta get some fluids here. Grab two cups, run to the end, now walk and drink, walk and drink, back to running. Great job. XX minutes in and just moving along. Arms and shoulders are relaxed, breathing is under control. Remember my plan, the first half is about getting ready for the second half. “Who is from out of town?” Where you from? Minnesota? That’s a long trip. What brings you to Richmond? Welcome - have a great race! What’s all that noise? There’s a turn coming up - it’s the turn onto Grove. Look at all the green shirts! It’s the Coaches….almost all of them - it’s so loud. This is energy I need to store for later. We’re comin’ up on the new section of the course……
Stay tuned more to come……..
