Woke up at 3:55 to catch the very first bus at 4:40. I set out solo at 5:10 with no hint of dawn on the horizon. The first runner caught up to me in m5; he had at least a half-mile lead on the pack. Daylight had emerged by maybe 6:15 as I approached the big westward curve in m8 and began a descent over 6–7 miles.
Sunlight crept over the east mountains at about m10. Near I-25 I met and chatted with Chris, who works with race director Charlie Otero; Charlie's sisters started Jazzercise 30 years ago.
About halfway down 4th Avenue, I met Chris again, and Randy, whom I met at roughly the same point in Okoboji. We kept together awhile, but after I stopped for a sock adjustment I couldn't catch up to them. I enjoyed the scenic multi-purpose path (below); I wish the course included more of it.
Randy (left) and Chris |
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Finally the main drag, Rio Grande Road. I kept struggling but couldn't get into a groove. I just pushed forward through the final mile and found a small but cheering crowd at the finish line. Charlie Otero gave me the very unique "petroglyph" medallion and an Achievement plaque.
Well?
You gonna cross
the finish
line?
Or just stand there
gasping, waving
at the
ambulance?
Hey—you OK?
Great finisher's medal!
Wish more marathons
would try something creative like this
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