Wednesday, November 5, 2008

What does it take?

To run a marathon? Endurance. Motivation. Support. Determination.

What does it take to stand out in the cold for 2-1/2 hours being pushed around by the crowd while waiting to cheer on your runner? Endurance. Motivation. Determination.

Ha.

Mark finally reached his goal of running in the New York City Marathon this past weekend. It was his 10th marathon in four years. His first one was in Chicago in 2004. His most grueling marathon was last year in Chicago in unseasonably hot 90+ degree weather.

After all that, I missed Mark when he ran past me. I was concentrating so hard on looking at the runners trying to see him that I gave myself a headache. I'm still upset that I missed him.

I got a few pictures of some other characters, like Marily Monroe...

A bunny man...

and Minnie Mouse.

Later I learned that Mark had made friends with Minnie Mouse while waiting for the marathon to begin in the morning.

Here's Mark with his running friends Deirdre and Jeremy.

It was cold and windy for the NYC marathon. He said the bridges were killers. He wanted to run it in 3:50. Because of the conditions he ran it in 4:05:18. I think that's awesome.

I wanted to take a cab back to the hotel after standing outside for 2-1/2 hours. Instead, I walked 19 blocks. And I stopped at Barnes & Noble for a hot drink along the way. That was awesome.

He's not hanging up his marathon shoes just yet. He still has plenty of endurance, motivation, and determination to keep running marathons. And I'll be supporting him all the way.

3 comments:

Jenn Maruska said...

Yay!!!! Congratulations!!! : D

Jonara Blu Maui said...

wow..thats awesome!

Mellisa said...

Just discovered your blog- as a fellow "supporter of a runner" I totally agree with the dedication, sacrifice (hello, start line drop off at 6am?!) and pressure involved!