About 35 of us gather for the 5:00 a.m. early start on the campus of North Idaho College. Even this early we have plenty of available daylight, albeit diffused by cloud cover. We work our way through downtown and north through residential areas. At the north end of the course I go through Dalton Gardens and then come back south on the course's longest straight stretch, some 2.75 miles on 15th Street. I chat with Kendall (from Atlanta, whom I met at Gobbler Grind) and Jan (who also lacks only 10 more states after today for her 50 & DC).
The gravity that helped me coast to the turnaround has now taken on a less agreeable tone in the middle of m18 as I begin the gradual climb back up Bennett Bay Hill. After its crest I have to tackle the steep downhill carefully. The return lets me enjoy an even better perspective of scenic lake views over the next couple of miles.
A left turn on 17th ends the out-and-back. I find the m23 sign and the next mile and a half brings a series of turns that keep my mental compass disoriented: right, left, left, right, right, left, right, left, right, then left after the final aid station. Then I have a mile or so through downtown, City Park (with very little activity for a Memorial Day weekend), and a loop back around the University campus to the finish. At least I get to enjoy a 15-minute massage (only $10!) before I head back to the hotel. Just as I shuffle my way to the car a drizzle begins.
Chuck's 50 & DC Marathons Starting Line UCSC/ACSC | YIA | AHS Class of 1974 Camp Wiregrass | Coral Gables Congregational Church Concerts | Is There Anybody Out There? | Presidential Election 2004 all images and text © chuck bryant
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