Grandma’s Marathon was all they said it would be. The course follows Lake Superior for many of the miles. The view is spectacular. After about mile 19, the course brings the runners through cute neighborhoods, and into town. The crowds were fabulous. People had their hoses hooked to the top of a ladder and left it on for runners to run through and cool off a bit. Kids were out giving high-fives and everyone was cheering.
But the weather was less than optimal for physical activity of this sort. It was hot. I heard 88 degrees and wondered why it felt like it was in the 100s. The humidity is why. It was about 80 percent I am told.
Not far into the course the first person when down. She was about my age and was having a seizure. She must have bit her lip because her emesis was mixed with blood. It was a horible sight. I slowed down to assess the situation. The people helping her seemed to be doing exactly what I would know to do. I continued on, and then felt guilty for not stopping for the next few miles. Later in the course others went down and out. Ambulances were passing frequently and I knew that I had just forget my BQ goal today and just stay safe. I wasn’t keeping pace anyhow, so it wasn’t a hard choice to make.
No matter how many marathons I do, it is never “easy.” Today was just a reminder to me of the magnitude of how physically demanding marathoning is.
I finished in 4:36, per the race clock, and just wandered in complete numbness. I felt so empty and alone. My clothes were soaked through and I am wiped out. To top it off, Verizon Wireless apparently could not keep up the demands of the 9,000+ runners making calls in Duluth – the network died. So I couldn’t call my family for a much needed Hello until I finally dragged my way back to the hotel.
Now, it is time to rest up. My flight leaves at 5 a.m. tomorrow.