Richmond Marathon - Part 3
Wow, glad they moved the course to Maple, there were a ton of people at Libbie and Grove. What did that sign say? “My husband loves my runner’s butt” Why do I want to know that? Oh wait, another sign - “So does my boyfriend” Yikes, there’s some advertising. Look someone wrote on the road - “Don’t poop your pants!” That could only be one person - where is that stupid coach? Hey Bob, how ya feelin’? Ya, it’s early it will come around. How was training this year? Navy Team? Oh I ran with the Navy team a few times, great group of coaches. I was a Sunday runner. We had a good group though. Here’s the big downhill. We need to control our pace here. It will be a bit faster but I don’t want to get caught sprinting. Wow, I didn’t realize how long this hill is. Free speed is nice but gotta stay in control.
Unbelievable! Look at all the people at River Road Shopping Center! it’s one of the NBC12 partyzones but I never thought there would be so many people. This is insane. It’s channel 12, maybe we’ll be on the wrap-up show. We’re on camera - wave and cheer! Running on the Hugenot Bridge with no cars. This is great. What does that sign say? “Try Not To Suck” - who does that sound like? Almost to the River. Wow, time is flying, I feel great. Are you feeling better, Bob? Bob? Where are you? Hey wait up! I’m not sprinting to catch him, I’ll stay at my pace and catch him later. Hey, how are you? Coach Faith from the Red team, nice to meet you. Yeah, I’m doing fine. I was running with Bob but he took off. I’m good right now, go help someone else.
I’m passing too many people. I need to slow this down, one of the hard parts is just around the corner. Here’s a group of green shirts, I’ll tuck in and run with them for awhile. Hey - My name is *(&^ from the Green Team, what’s up? Yeah, Snot rockets if you must. It isn’t that funny. So what are you all planning to run? Hey, me too. This will be good, a group of about 6 people all trying to run the same time. I’ll just tuck in and enjoy the company for awhile. Did you all follow the schedule? me? Probably about 80%, I did pretty good. I missed some of the mid-week short runs but got all the long runs in. Are we to Pony Pasture already? Some of the hills are sneakin’ up on us.
Crap, I can’t believe I have run all the way to mile 10 and haven’t thanked a single volunteer yet - not good. Bad Karma. Start thanking the volunteers, Law Enforcement and spectators! That will definitely keep me moving. Big hill, this is hard. What’s the secret? Oh yeah, lean forward a bit, lift the knees and pull yourself up with your arms. Keep it going, keep it going. Whew, made it. That sucked. So did anyone go to the Pasta Dinner? It was good. I was ready to run after dinner. The skit? it was lame as always but did you hear about the….
Forest Hill Avenue - we’re gettin’ close to half way. I need to hold it together. What? No, I’m fine. Just focusing. Stay focused and keep running. This is a good group. Change up the cadence a little to add some variety. Stay in the game. There’s the CVS and another Party Zone - tons of noise that’s great adrenaline. Okay, back to it. No I didn’t hear that story. What happened? Really, almost hit by a car? Yikes that would have been bad. When is everyone doing the gu? Next Waterstop? Sounds good, that’s right on my schedule too. I’m going to walk through this waterstop to be sure I get enough water for the gu. The 14 mile waterstop on Semmes is right up here. That will be a good boost for the Bridge.
Thanks volunteers, great waterstop. Thanks! Um, yeah, no, we’re not almost there but we’re keepin it together…
So now I’ll have to catch that group. They shouldn’t be too far up the road. Just nice and steady. Find a comfortable cadence, find that rhythm. I hope I don’t get stuck on the bridge by myself. There’s no one around. This is not good. Keep it up, keep it up, keep it up. Don’t worry about the bridge, just keep moving forward. it’s fine, the bridge isn’t that long. Hey Coach Greg - what’s up? I would love you to block the wind on the bridge - thanks. Down the hill to the bridge, it’s getting a bit warm out here. I need to drop this long-sleeved shirt. I’ll throw it to the side. I’m keeping my gloves just in case, some of the shadier spots may get chilly.
Here’s the bridge. Hey a green shirt walking, let’s see what’s up. Hey, you okay, come on run with us, Coach Greg is blocking the wind. You can do it, just over the bridge then you can walk. My name is *(&^ from the Green Team, you? From Indigo. Yeah, there’s a porta-john by the next waterstop. Hope you feel better, see ya later. Yikes. Well that kept my mind off the bridge, success, now up the hill to Main Street, thanks Greg. These miles are starting to click away now.
I caught ya. What’s up? I walked in the waterstop to get plenty of water and lost y’all. Coach Greg paced me over the bridge It’s fine, I ran with some guy from Indigo - they had a huge party last night? Not sure whose idea that was. Great waterstop at 16 - Midlo High School - Go TROJANS!!!
I forgot how long this hill to Main Street is. That’s tiring, keep it together. Pretty close to target pace and overall feeling pretty good. keep it up, keep it up. Hey Coach Jake - how are you? Good job in the skit on Wednesday. Here’s VCU approaching mile 17 - less than 10 to go. Gotta Stay in the game.
Oh crap, what the hell just happened?
It’s Wednesday. Do you know where your head’s at? You should be getting extra sleep, running just a little and staying calm. You should know what clothes you will wear downtown, what you will use as throw-aways, what you will wear for the Marathon and what you’ll wear post-Marathon. You should have an idea of what time you’ll be leaving the house for Downtown, you should know what you are eating on Saturday morning, you should know how to drive downtown. Get the arrangements out of the way today so that you are not dealing with them later this week.
First, Second, Fifth, Tenth, Twentieth or Bazillionth Marathon - it’s still amazing but you have to get to the Starting Line first.
All is well, Remain Calm!
Snot it if you got it!
Accept the greatness that is you!
