Bi-Lo Marathon - Canceled

A month ago I was planning on running 16 marathons in 10 months to finish the 50 States quest.  Then during my first year of the year with a little bug planted by a friend I decided not to run 16 marathons and push my completion date to Oct 2011 instead of Oct 2010.  The schedule I built did not allow for any hiccups since South Carolina only has two marathons (Feb/Dec).  Well if I hadn't decided to delay it on my own, the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon would have done it for me.

After a week of snow in DC there was a break in the weather and everything looked good to get to MYR on 12 Feb.  Even with a new storm brewing in the Southern US, it didn't appear that it would cancel or significantly delay any flights.  Apparently my concern was in the wrong spot as it was the marathon that I should have been worrying about.  Around 1pm I started getting e-mails saying that city officials were debating on whether or not to run the race.  They said 5pm would be a decision point and by 5:30pm the race was on.  So at point I had a decision to make, not travel to MYR, cancel the hotel and cut my loses.  My flight to CLT was delayed so I had time to make this call.  By 6pm, MYR Marathon put out another message saying a final decision would be made at 10pm on whether they would cancel the marathon.  My 5:13 flight was now delayed until 7:15 but I had a three hour lay-over in CLT so I wasn't in any real danger of missing my connection and still had to go just in case the race was on.  At 8:10pm we finally take off after a 1.5 hour delay for snow in CLT.  We arrive into CLT with about 3-4 inches of snow on the ground and huge delay for departing aircraft due to only four de-icing vehicles.


We board the plane, doors shut at 10:25 and at 10:30 the decision was made to cancel the marathon.  Here is the official press release:
We regret to report that the BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon have been cancelled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 13.  The city staff has monitored weather conditions and delayed making a decision as long as practical, in hope that the forecast would improve.  Unfortunately, the forecast consistently calls for snow accumulations overnight, raising concerns about the safety of all involved in the marathon. 
 
The marathon course is not completely closed, which means that runners and cars must safely co-exist on city streets.  Given the potentially dangerous surface conditions which may exist tomorrow morning, that would not be the case.  Safety is paramount for the runners, motorists and volunteers who assist, as well as for city employees who set up the course and monitor the intersections. 
 
The BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon is valued by the entire community, and we do not make this decision lightly.   We are disappointed by the cancellation, but believe this action is necessary to ensure the safety of our guests, volunteers and staff members. 

I finally arrive into MYR at 1:30am.  The rental car agency was closed so I got a taxi to my hotel, grabbed some Budweisers and then ate the ramen soup I brought with me.  Yeah it was snowing but it was 34F and the snow was sticking to the palm trees and grass but pretty much melting on the roads.

I got up at 7am to see what the conditions were like and the roads were clear of snow (not from plowing but rather from melting).  I went back to sleep and finally got up and made my outside for a run about 10am to get my bib that was supposed to be at a hotel near the finish line.  Here is a picture of the conditions at 2am vs 7am

The bib wasn't there but they were handing out medals.  This is what I think of the medal

 

 I ran about 10 miles and there were people running with their bibs on and medals around their necks.  I felt embarrassed for them and just because you were out for a run must have meant you were part of the marathon because cars were blowing their horns and people were yelling and cheering as if you were actually running the race.  

I make my way to the airport where I encountered an airport where you still have to show your boarding pass to the TSA agent by the metal detector.  I didn't have it out and when I took it out I showed it to me on the other side of the detector and must have made a move towards him with my wallet out and in a stern voice he yells out, "Sir, stop and put the wallet away!"  Holy shit, I thought I had a gun in my hand instead of my wallet  the way he was reacting.  

The flight from MYR to CLT was uneventful and I actually got to track it because my Garmin was on:

But the flight from CLT to IAD was pretty cool because there were four empty seats in First Class and they moved all active and retired military up to first class.  Props to United Airlines!

This morning I'm greeted to the news that the MYR Marathon will not be issuing refunds.  While I didn't expect a refund; I was hoping for something to make a negative situation a positive one but so far nothing.
http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=11981844

Race director: Full MB Marathon refund 'not an option'

Posted: Feb 13, 2010 5:21 PM EST Updated: Feb 14, 2010 10:42 AM EST

 MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Race organizers with the BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon met Saturday morning to discuss runner compensation opportunities after a winter storm forced the cancellation of the 2010 race.
Shaun Walsh, co-director of the marathon, says a full race entrance fee refund is not an option for runners. Due to the nature of advertisement for the event, organizers with the Myrtle Beach Marathon report they are not financially equipped to give runners a complete $85 refund.
After deep deliberation Friday night, City of Myrtle Beach officials felt they would be acting in the best interest in all registered athletes to cancel the event after heavy snowfall blanketed the downtown race course.
The following statement was released by the City of Myrtle Beach on the heels of Friday's decision:

"The city staff has monitored weather conditions and delayed making a decision as long as practical, in hope that the forecast would improve. Unfortunately, the forecast consistently calls for snow accumulations overnight, raising concerns about the safety of all involved in the marathon. 

The marathon course is not completely closed, which means that runners and cars must safely co-exist on city streets. Given the potentially dangerous surface conditions which may exist tomorrow morning, that would not be the case. Safety is paramount for the runners, motorists and volunteers who assist, as well as for city employees who set up the course and monitor the intersections. 

The BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon is valued by the entire community, and we do not make this decision lightly. We are disappointed by the cancellation, but believe this action is necessary to ensure the safety of our guests, volunteers and staff members."

Walsh adds the race will not be rescheduled due to the extensive organizational efforts that go into planning the mass event.
"The issue with Sunday is that this is not an event that is as portable as people think," he commented moments after the cancellation. "You just can't pick it up and move it. We have over 1,500 volunteers in the event. Sunday is a worship day. People have things to do. People have plans."
While the Myrtle Beach Marathon was canned, Walsh says Sunday's cycling event will be pushed back from 7:30 a.m. to a 9 a.m. start time.

Here is my thought on there decision:
Mr. Walsh,

You can't control mother nature but you can control your Plan B! The forecast for snow was known for more than 48 hours and didn't change during the 24 hours leading up the cancellation decision. (I'm a meteorologist so don't say anything differently about the forecast and I can and did read the NWS discussion and TAF).

If you are going to cancel - either cancel Friday morning before people travel to MYR or cancel at 7am. If you know the snow is coming and you know things needs to be set up at 1am set up as much as possible before the snow starts so that you can minimize setup time in the morning. Mile 21 doesn't need to be ready at 7am. Would a start at 8am been possible? Every race I've been in has a max time limit and after that you are on your own to find it to the finish line.

While safety may have been at the heart of the reason to cancel, I found that an excuse.  Cars can skid into runners in the rain or even on dry pavement. So if the concern is cars near runners then close the course to cars. If that is the case then the marathon itself is not safe regardless of the weather conditions.  What if someone sprains their ankle in a pothole during the marathon?  They can still sue, right? Isn't that a safety risk? Running is an inherent risk - if you are afraid of getting hit or hurt then go run a trail marathon where you can get attacked by a bear or sprain your ankle - oh wait that isn't safe either.  And while there were slick spots from the slush, it is far cry from black ice since it wasn't really cold enough long enough to develop black ice.

I spent 12 hours at airports and on planes to get to MYR and I was not thrilled to travel all the way there to run 10 miles to get my packet and useless medal (only to find out my bib wasn't at the Sheraton).  I could have run 10 miles at home.  If you canceled at 7am, then that is fine because you waited until the very last minute (10:30pm is not the last minute).

I bet if city officials made the call at 7am instead of 10:30pm and reduced the max time limit for the course and started at 8am there wouldn't be unhappy campers right now. Hindsight is 20/20 but it didn't seem like there was a coherent plan in place before the panic ensued Friday afternoon. If the bike start was pushed back on Sunday then it could have been pushed back on Saturday because most Saturday mass/services don't start until 5pm, etc.

I'll gladly let the officials keep my registration fee, let me race for free next year and spend the $60 to develop a contingency plan.  I realize you won't make everyone happy but I could have saved well over $300 by not going to MYR this weekend.

Thanks

Michael Mills
P.S. I've been to MYR Beach twice before but I will not return or attempt to run this marathon again unless something "positive" comes out of this.  I will run a marathon in a place I don't want to run due to price (Kiawah Island, SC) just to complete a marathon in South Carolina and possibly miss a race here in DC that I've run every year since the inaugural race.

MCM (Manchester City Marathon)

43rd Marathon, 35th state

- Final state marathon of the year - next up Arizona in Jan and 16 states by next October
- Decided Friday night with a little help actually a lot of help from Caeli to run the marathon as a Caps player
  -- Brillant idea since it was the day after Halloween and the temps were supposed to be around 45F at the start

- Arrive into Boston and begin the drive to Manchester
- Stopped at the former home of Robert Frost - it was closed for the season but the grounds were open
- Got to listen to FSU beat NC State - I love XM satellite radio!
- Got my packet, expo was kinda weak
  -- Got a shoe alignment test and the guy was convinced he could fix my ankle/knee alignment - ha!
- Made my way to the hotel, relaxed a bit before heading out for dinner and a minor league hockey game
- Weird thing about this race is that it mirrored El Paso a bit in that I stayed in a Hilton Garden Inn, watched a minor league hockey game and the course went right by the hotel and it was sunny and dry
- Dinner was alright, poor service (seems to be a New England thing as it happened in Maine and the Boston Airport)
 -- The game was better - is was the farm team of the Kings vs Sharks (since the Monarchs scored four goals, McDonalds offered up free fries with a ticket stub)
- As I left the arena it had already rained but was misting as I made my way back to the hotel
  -- No more than five minutes after I got back to the hotel the skies opened up
- Got a glass wine and a sugar cookie from the bar and made my way up to my room
- Stuffed my face with leftover lunch and then fell asleep with the lights and TV on - woke up about 1am
- Finally got ready for bed and was back in bed and woke up at 7am
- Made my way to the hot tub for a few minutes and then a quick dip in the pool before the marathon
- Suited up: fleece helmet, mini-stick, girdle hockey pants, socks, and Caps jersey
- Got to the start and with nearly 2K runners - I'm the only one in a costume
  -- The runners didn't seem amused but the spectators were pointing me out
- People asked why I dressed up?  Maybe they don't celebrate Halloween in NH - it was 1 Nov after all - not 1 July
- Started out okay with partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid 50s, not mid 40s as forecasted but there was a cool westerly breeze
- By mile 6 and 6 miles of hills - was not thinking the hockey outfit was a great idea but the spectators loved it
- I heard a wide range of comments: Go Bruins (go figure), Alexander, Ovechkin, dedication, outrageous, outlandish, Mr. hockey guy, look at that, etc- one guy said he was gonna send pictures to the Capitals website
 -- Can't imagine what it was like for runners to see me pass them when they were cramping or walking
- I hit every aid station on the course and only had to go to the bathroom one time - I was caked in salt
  -- Suiting back up was not fun, dropped my Gu on the floor, not sure why I picked it up and carried it with me but didn't use it

- Around mile 22 - saw a guy who was dressed like a cow (who I saw at the game the night before) playing ball hockey with his girlfriend so I stopped and he let me take a few shots, no goals (seemed like he was waiting on me or heard about me running)
- The last 4 miles seemed to drag on and of course there were more hills and the walk breaks became more frequent but by this point I was running right into the sun - a nearly cloudless sky
- My goal at this point was to finish in 3:45 and at mile 25 I knew I had room to spare
- After one final hill - it flattened out as I neared the finish line
- Crossed at 3:42 and change
- Today was not a day for time but while it was fun it something I probably won't do again (dress up)

MDI Marathon

- 34th State to include DC; 42nd marathon

- Drive from Bangor to Ellsworth was very familiar - remembered a lot of it
- While the leaves were supposed to be at peak color they didn't seem too vibrant and there was not a lot of red - plus a lot had already dropped
- Race expo was okay for the size of the race - not a big expo fan anyway but the free bottle of beer from Bar Harbor Brewing Company was a nice touch
- Went into Bar Harbor - snapped a few pics, played tourist and searched for a lobster roll
-- Asked some locals where a good place to get a lobster roll and you'd think I just asked them the depth of the Makran Trench, (head scratching) to them all lobster rolls are the same - they eventually point me to Testas
-- Get to Testas and wow - $18 for a lobster roll and chips
-- Why wow? Maine Lobster Prices Low
- Skipped on Testas looking for a cheaper lobster roll
- Stopped to buy a souvenir and then asked the cashier where a good place to get a lobster roll - it was like me asking which McDonald's in the area serves the best Big Mac
-- Apparently all lobster rolls are the same - while they might be, some might have more meat, more mayo, less mayo, made to order, I could list a few more possibilities
- So I go to the place they recommend and it was the worst service and little tiny roll for $15
-- Also learned, not a fan of Pumpkin spice beer :(
- Stopped into an art gallery to buy a painting of some landscape but walked away with a still life of a white bottle on a table
- Make my way back to to my hotel, watch some football and then headed down for dinner
- YUMMY! Lazy Man's Lobster Campanile (lobster, pasta, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, oil) and nice white wine and oh yeah Summer Onion Soup
- Make my way back to my room and try and go to sleep around 10pm
-- Up at 11:15pm, 11:40pm, 1:23am, 4:15am, 4:40am and 6:15am with my alarm - nothing new for the night before a marathon
- Check the weather, 34F forecasted for the start, cloudy, winds out of the north 10-15 mph but thankfully no rain!
- Get to the start and I'm the only fool in pants, 98% are wearing shorts (with l/s shirts and winter hats) and one sane dude only has shorts and socks/shoes on
- At 7:55am we get to hear how scenic the course is and that it will be featured in the Jan 2010 Runner's World magazine
- 8am - we are off, it is flat for a 1/2 mile and then it was all up hill (at least it seemed that way) for the next 25 .7 miles
- Love hills, settled into a decent pace and enjoyed the scenery with one eye and eyed the oncoming traffic with the other
- Not really much to write about on the course except not a fan of open road marathons
- Still hanging in there when I come across an educational marker near the Somes Fjord at mile 16
-- If there is a marker on a course I will stop and read it
-- Kinda cool to understand what we were running by
- From there until Mile 24.7 it was mostly uphill, walked a little on one hill when I realized I was walking as fast as people were running
- Gotta go back to mile 11 and mile 21
-- Mile 11 - hear someone mentioned Tallahassee - six runners from TLH - good to have FSU fans on the course
-- Mile 21 - kept seeing this truck go by with Florida plates so I finally ask him, "Are you from Florida?" His response, "Go Seminoles, I mean Go gators!" There is always an asshole in every crowd
- Back to Mile 20->Mile 25 - this guy in the truck kept parking and driving away and parking, he was giving his buddy water and support and whatever else he needed (the go gator dude's friend was from Albany, NY area - spoke with him earlier)
- At Mile 23 I realized a time of 3:30 was slipping away from me and then I got a little inspiration, while the gator fan wasn't running, I could at least beat his friend
- Crested the hill at 24.7 (so said the sign at the "Top of the Hill" restaurant)
- After that, didn't see the white truck/gator fan again :)
- Got passed by another runner at Mile 26 and did my best to pass him but ran out of distance
- The last .2 mile - might has well been running the last .2 miles of the Egyptian Marathon
- Sidewalks filled with spectators, both lanes of traffic moving and a 1.5 foot emergency lane that was all crumbled, not a lot of good/safe running room
- Crossed in 3:30:49 - goal was under 3:30 but considering I wasn't trying to win, two days removed from a hockey game, wasn't gonna set a PR, I'll take it

-- Manchester Marathon up next (New Hampshire)

Haul'in Aspen

(Where were the Aspen?)
39th overall, 31 State


- Haul'in Aspen was not my first choice for my Oregon (Orygun) Marathon
-- Crater Lake was (held the day before) but I would have had to miss another hockey game
- Arrived on Sat arrived and set out to Crater Lake - spectacular!!
-- Pictures do it no justice
- After driving around the lake, realized it would have been a poor choice to run, not because of the terrain but because of the scenery -- would have stopped every few feet for pictures
- After a late dinner (poor service and DC prices) it was off to my hotel/resort
- Never ask for directions in a local taco joint or ask a pierced teenager for directions either - all you will get is "ok" and "Ugh, I don't know)
- I finally made my way to the hotel and was in bed by 10pm (that would be 1am East Coast time, after a 6am flight, and after a 10:45pm hockey game Friday night)
- Never count on breakfast at a hotel/resort at 5:45am, better yet don't forget to back a banana or breakfast bars and don't ever count on the race putting food out before the race
- So that means all I had to eat before the race was water--not a good idea on a trial marathon

- The forecast had been for temps in the mid 80s well someone forgot to say that it got cold in the morning, it was approx 45F at the start; may have reached low 70s by the end of the race
-- Most people were standing between the shadows cast by the spruce pines to catch the warmth of the rising sun
- GPS batteries died before the race (time for a new one) but that meant I was running this race blind, no time and no mile markers except at the 7 aid stations
- 7am were off, the gazelles leading the way
- Started noticing white flour on the course with the occasional "X" and thought it was odd the marathon would use flour to mark the course
-- It wasn't until the CB 4 (Check Back 4) that it was from the hash the day prior, then two runners to my left from Eugene shout on-on (they didn't run the trail)
- After about a 2.86 mile loop we were back at the start - I sucked down the first of my four GUs and then it was all up-hill until mile 15
- As I may have written before I do prefer uphills and this course was ideal as I started to pick-off people right away and by mile 11 I must have passed over a dozen runners
- I passed Will, the runner I would run with for the next 15 miles, around mile 11
- At mile 12.5 I was doing great but made the mistake of stopping to get water and gatorade-that stoppage was enough to take the wind out of my sails and before I knew it I began to walk (from 12.5 to 14.5 it was uphill 1,000 ft)
- Will was a beast, he ran the whole 2 miles up the hill but I think he used too much energy because I would walk and run and catch him or pass him and this cat and mouse went on until we hit a reasonable incline around 14.5
- We hit Mile 15 at approx 2:10 - from here it was all downhill on technical single track
- Not a fan of the downhill but will Will a few feet in front of me I made sure I stayed with him and basically had him push me (vice-versa)
- Single track had a few bike obstacles, rocks, roots, hairpins turns, at times couldn't really see your footing with the waist high bushes acting as a small canopy
- We must have running close to 7 min/miles until we came upon Mile 21 and the merging of the half-marathon course
- Grrr, cramps and slow runners make for a slowing of one's time
-- Hamstring and calf cramping was horrible but I kept running through it and at times I could feel the cramp move around my calf from near the ankle up to my knee - it was like something alive was moving inside me
- What was even worse was runners who didn't move over when you announced you were passing
-- One woman, whose headphone I could hear from 3 feet away, got stepped on and an elbow as I went around her - not my fault I announced it three times w/o any acknowledgment
- Crossed mile 24 and there was a sign posted, less than 2 miles to go, that was the longest two miles of any run I've done
- I could see Will in front of me but had no chance of catching him but did manage to pass another marathoner at Mile 25
- Crossed the finish line at 3:37, 13th place and 2nd place in my age group
- Will, in his first marathon was 12th, 1st in his age (he was a rower and said that is a great leg workout, I might see myself using the rowing machine at the gym)

Post Marathon
- Walking wounded crossing the finish line was a sigh to see; 30% of the runners covered in blood; 100% of the runners covered in dirt
- Tied with the Flying Marathon for the amount and variety of food
- Cascade Lakes Brewery - awesome beer
- The watermelon was the sweetest I've had since I left Florida
- Meet up with some ladies awaiting for the award ceremony (mom/daughter/friend), mom was 72 (first in her age for the half marathon), daughter was third in her age group for the marathon
-- Got invited over for hamburgers and beer, they lived 1/2 mile from my resort
- They gave me a ride back from the race to my resort and as I get in the car, the daughter asks her dad (Toby) guess who got first in her age group, Toby responded with, "The old-bag!" I knew it was gonna be a great night as I nearly snorted chocolate milk through my nose (plus mom and dad were going to the Green Day concert in San Jose in a few weeks)
- Mom and her husband lived in Fairfax years ago, daughter lived in Seattle
- At 5:30pm I got a walking escort to their place (where Green Day was playing) and then proceeded to talk and drink beer for the next five hours - Bend hospitality at its finest
-- Talked about maps, running, collections of necklaces/leis from around the world
- It was a great way to end the weekend!!

Never rate trips but this is almost as close to perfect I've had for a race (9.8/10)!!

Race recap from the Bend Bulletin

Leadville Marathon

30th State, 38th Marathon overall

- Arrived on Thursday, played a round of golf (first time I played since I left Japan in 2005) at the highest golf course in North America: shot a 49

- Went to Quincy's Steakhouse - as we enter the receptionist asks, "Are you familiar with our menu?" No, she proceeds to read us the menu, (I'm thinking just give me a menu, no need to read it) "We have a filet mignon, baked potato, bread and a salad for $6.95 (6 oz ounce)
- Decided to test the altitude and run to packet pick-up (1.1 miles)--approx 9mins
-- Not sure if it was the incline or the altitude but it wasn't the easiest run
- After packet pick-up went looking for the Swiss Boy Mine in Winfield, CO
-- Didn't really find it but did find something from that era buried in the Aspens
- Made our way back to Leadville for dinner, had too much wine but wasn't really taking tomorrow's hike that seriously

- Up until Leadville I'd only run one other race that went to such an altitude and that was Mt. Fuji half-marathon (DNF)
-- Still use that race for motivation to this day
- Wasn't sure what to expect from the steepness and altitude of this marathon but was convinced it was not going to be tougher than Mt. Fuji

- Could not have asked for better conditions on race

- Race started at 8am to a "shotgun" start

- Had a goal of walking running walking running but the steepness changed that goal to more of fast hiking, less running and more walking
- Had a few conversations with folks ranging from how the altitude was kicking their asses (these were people from Colorado) to first time marathoners
- Actually ran with a "bandit" who was using the marathon as a training run for the Leadville 100 (he didn't use the aid stations) for several miles
- Once we cleared the woods it became single track for about a mile

- After the single track it was time to breakout the camera again for some of the old mining operations

- From this part of the course it was the last downhill before the ascent to Mosquito Pass

- After loading up on junk food and sunscreen it was all uphill; at this point I was running with Chris who had quite the sense of humor and was calling every woman we passed (full/half participants were together at this point), "Momma", let's go Momma"
"Great job, Momma"
--It was enough to take your mind off the uphill we were facing
- After what seemed 3 three hours of running and hiking, finally made it to the summit in approx 2:50 (Mt. Fuji took 4:13 to go 20km))


- From this point on, it was downhill except for the uphill on the elevation map above
- As I approached the single track again, the sky started getting gray/dark and then Thor let loose his anger

- Great, on the top of a bald mountain with no shelter, which makes one the tallest object on the mountain
- I'm a sissy when it comes to lightning and this was not an enjoyable moment but I still managed to snap a few pictures of flowers??

- Just as a I entered the woods, the lightning picked up in intensity but fortunately I wasn't struck (otherwise I'd probably wouldn't be writing this)
- Came across the last aid station just under 5 hours with 4 miles to go so my "goal" of 5 hours was not gonna happen
- At this point all I wanted to do was finish and I ran the last few miles in a group of about five runners
- Crossed the finish line in 5:38


Post Marathon
- Went to a bar where it was 2 PBRs for $1, won't find that in DC!
-- Talked with a retired Air Force SMSgt, saw him later, he could barely walk
- Saw a few minutes of the CO Army NG Band in the Old Opera house
- Meet up with another runner and then partied until 2am (I think?)
- Sunday, off to Denver to catch a Rockies game

Non-Marathon Run

After deciding to knock out either 15 or 16 marathons between Jan and Oct 2010 and doing a whole host of other things over the last few days I needed to go for a run.

I just wanted to do 3 miles but then 3 turned into 4.8 then 8.5. I can't remember the last time I ran more than double what I set out to do. Maybe it was the i-Pod, maybe it was running into a friend I hadn't seen in almost a year or maybe I just needed to go for a long run and clear my head. Not sure how much I could clear in a short run especially when I can't do that during a marathon.

I hit Rosslyn, made the turn to the Marine Memorial and then sat down at the Netherlands Carillon (my favorite vantage point of DC) and thought about the last few years here in DC along with the twists and turns. For some reason, I could remember some things like they happened yesterday, the good and bad. Not sure what brought it on and whether I got what I needed out of it but all I know is it was cut short after getting bit three times by mosquitoes.

As I went across the Memorial Bridge all I could do was focus on the Lincoln Memorial and then drifted back to an e-mail I sent 3.5 years ago to a friend describing my favorite running route in DC and all the landmarks it took me by. After coming off the bridge, I sat down on the steps overlooking the Potomac/Arlington got a glimpse of the last few rays of the setting sun poking through the clouds and then turned back towards the Lincoln Memorial and decided to run over there and sit there for a while.

Man, does the Lincoln Memorial ever not have crowds? Went to the back side overlooking the Potomac, soaked it in for a few minutes and then was off towards to Georgetown. After a few detours due to construction I was off across the Key Bridge and back into Rosslyn, and up the hill towards Courthouse. About that time my i-Pod died on me but I was nearly done with my play list so it didn't matter.

I guess after it died, I was able to think back on things and realize, no regrets, things happen for a reason, (it is what it is/too bad so sad - can't keep sulking about things because eventually it will eat at you for years), need to practice patience - I do at times but 100% of the time would be better, appreciate the things that I liked about DC when I first moved here and get back to that point, understand the basis of why I can be so insensitive and why I can't show emotion (observed couples on my run and one dude looked like he was crying in his wife's/girlfriend's arms - not saying I need to be that dude) -- basically get back to be the person I was in 2005 and early 2006.

God's Country Marathon (or Stomping of the Forest Tent Caterpillar Marathon)

38 Marathon, 29th State

Not impressed with this marathon (route - what we were running on/next to and minor items that added up)

- Only fourth marathon that driving was the primary mode of transportation to get to the marathon

-- In my effort to hit animals with my car, two mice ran in front of my car, got one, the other one was lucky

- Took 7 hours driving time to get to Coudersport, Pa from Arlington, VA - where is Coudersport? Not a clue except it was a long drive and the only radio station I could get was from NY

- Rte 6 in Coudersport is the same route as the marathon so I got to drive the course from Galeton to Coudersport

- Arrived at the hotel around 9:45pm, dropped my stuff off and went to get some gas and Gatorade

- Got to bed around 10:30pm only to wake up at 1:58am; 3:43am and 4:58am and then again to my alarm at 5:05am

- Got to the bus staging area located near the finish line at 5:30am and boarded the shuttle bus

- Arrived at the starting line, got my bib and then stood in line for 20+ minutes just to use the bathroom

- Made it to the start with about 1 minute to spare

- Wasn’t mentally prepared to run and really didn’t want to run, different feeling of not wanting to run like I get before every marathon

-- Usually don’t fare so well when I have a lot on my mind or when significant things happened in life

- First four miles were on a “closed” road but it wasn’t too closed with cars on the road as runners were attempting to make the turn-around at mile 2

- Stopped for about 40 seconds to let my GPS synch up but after a minute it didn’t so I gave up (it eventually did about mile 5)

- After mile 4, it was time to run on the shoulder of the road - open traffic with semi-trucks (Rte 6)

-- Rte 6 was open to traffic and spent most of my time running on the gravel just off the left side of the shoulder (we were running into traffic)

-- Took me 13 miles to realize that running on pebble/rock strewn uneven ground might lead to a blister (which it did ½ by 1 inch blister)

- Didn’t realize how slow I was running until I got to the half way point and saw the clock register a 1:45:46

-- 1:36 half two weeks earlier at Key Bank in which I set a 3:12 PR

- At mile 15 and the base of the hill, I guess I was tired of getting passed and looked forward to “Conquering the Hill”

- Next three miles ran a 8:58; 9:02 and 8:52 pace but passed six runners over those three miles and got comments from the spectators, "You really look strong!"

- At the top of Denton Hill gave Smokey the Bear and high five (and told him he looked bigger on TV)

- Crested the hill and ran the next two miles around a 7:10 pace passing a few more runners; from there on in, it was all “downhill”

- Seemed like every mile I passed another runner and was feeling stronger and stronger with each “roadkill” I passed or dodged (rabbits, opossum, etc)

- Seems fitting to mention that the Forest Tent Caterpillars now

-- According to the local newspaper, there was an explosion in their population this year

-- Apparently they have done a lot of damage to the trees/forests in the area of Rte 6 this year (very visible)

-- Must have been tens of thousands dead on the road, trying to cross the road or getting crushed by runners; they were everywhere

-- Not to mention the gray flies that were all over the place too

- Back to the marathon - stopped at an impromptu aid station near my hotel (it was a nursing home - not my hotel but the aid station); got some water and thanked a WWII vet (who was out taking in the sights) served in the Philippines and Korea and then continued on again

- At mile 24 I would pass my last runner of the race; around that time frame I started to get indications of cramping so I took a few walk breaks and that did the trick

- Turned the corner onto Main St and crossed the finish line in a time of 3:29:40

-- Good enough for a 1 minute negative

- Not pleased about the non-focused first half and my fifth place age-group finish (3rd place was 3:27)

- Pleased about passing approximately 10% of the marathon field in the second half and getting over “Denton Hill” with relative ease

--- Next up Leadville, CO

- Was told during the race that I have to visit the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon -- so I did

- Doesn't look like anything like the Grand Canyon -- looked more like the New River Gorge still impressive