The 2009 Marathon
May 4, 2009 – 10:15 amRace day. Up at 4:30 AM. At the Netherlands Hotel by shortly after 5 for team pictures.
Didn’t recognize anyone in purple shirts when we first walked in because they were from the TnT Michigan group. Lots more TnT folk today than usual. Will post pictures when I get them.
From our group: Glenna, Rick, Dave, Shelley, Helen, Melissa, Chuck, Joe, Dennis, Jamie, Sarah, Troy, etc. The usual crowd except all here for race day.
I almost lose my cousin Jamie during team pictures. After the pictures, can’t find him anywhere. The team is out on the street headed for the race. He comes out of the rest room to an almost empty hotel.
Down near Paul Brown Stadium it’s packed as usual. Here’s a pic of a few of us huddled inside out of the drizzle.
When we finally find our corral time, we hear the announcer say “10 minutes.”
Our group is now down to Rick, Glenna, Sarah, Jamie, and I.
Starting off, everything feels good. Sarah and Jamie set a pretty good pace. Actually, faster than we should be. But I still feel pretty good so am going with it.
In summary, my race went like this. Half marathon: 2:01. Felt great. Good pace. Eating well. Staying w/ Jamie and Sarah. Lost Jamie at about 12 miles.
In Mariemont, at about 17 miles, I lost Sarah when I had to take a pit stop. 19 miles. Still good pace. But starting to hurt and slowing down.
At about 21 miles, things are not going so well. Switching to the walk and run. What happened? I don’t know.
By 24, Rod and Thomas help run me in. If I run too much, I start feeling like blacking out. Thank god for their help.
I still manage to finish in 4:34, a half hour better than last year. But they take me to the medical tent where they say I’m dehydrated. I lie down and have some water and 15 minutes later am feeling much better.
All in all a successful marathon! Was really great to see Mollie near the finish line. Rosie was there too but on the other side and I didn’t see her.
Here’s a picture of my cousing Jamie and I after the race. When you give people medals, it goes to their heads!
