« Short day | Main | Another Monday »
October 29, 2006
Wishing I was out there
I was glad to have the extra hour this morning because I got up early to ride my trainer so I would be all done in time to catch the leaders at the 6-mile mark of the Marine Corps Marathon. I would rather have ellipticalled, but the gym doesn't open that early. I watched a silly movie where Reese Witherspoon's character has to figure out a way to convince her family not to pull the plug on her comatose self, and it was mildy entertaining.
Matt and I walked about 3/4 of a mile to the closest part of the marathon to our apartment. I ran MCM twice (in 2000 and 2001) but I don't remember if the course was exactly the same then as it is now. In any case, we were standing at the spot on Rock Creek Parkway where the runners make a sharp turnaround and head back down the Parkway and downtown. They literally have to go around a cone, which turned out to be most treacherous for the wheelchair racers and the lead vehicle, which was--don't ask why--one of those stupid duck tour boats. It was ridiculous and it almost took us out as it tried to negotiate the turn!
I ran into someone else from my club down there who I hadn't seen for awhile, so we caught up. I didn't know too many people running but it was fun to see the leaders and yell out for the club people and top locals who I can still recognize. Once it started to get really crowded, we headed back, since it was nearly impossible to pick anyone out. Interestingly, I recognized the lead woman as someone I met through my club back in 1999--she has since become a really good triathlete, I think--and just looked her up to find out she was on pace for a 2:59 at 23.5 miles but didn't make it to the finish. That sucks! I hope she's okay.
It was fun to watch the race but of course it made me wish I could be out there, too. It's amazing--I feel so far removed from the person I was only a few months ago, someone who took it for granted that there would be a marathon each season to run. Then again, I'm sure I will have more marathons in my future.
I did some body circuit stuff this afternoon and attempted to bike, but ran out of energy so I read my book instead. Speaking of energy, I must go get things ready for dinner as we have a few friends coming over!
Posted by becky at October 29, 2006 6:14 PM