Well, a little-birdy told me that hard work always pays off, at least in running world! Ya, the 3:39 was progress, and just chipping off the time a few minutes each marathon. But, I didn't do the negative splits in the 2nd half and a sort of reverse angle to our club's motto - in my case, run fast 1st half, then taper. That's not how I planned it, but the end finish goal the same. Oh well, what do I know, just one foot in front of the other, one mile at a time. And, the placing is nice, but I have yet to check into how many ran the marathon and just how many were in my age group. Considering how alone I was out there on the 2nd loop, there might have only been 2 runners in my age group. I will report later on that.

 

Just so you know, this is the first race I ever stood near an "elite" runner, let alone got to have words with him at the end of a race. My first words to him near the start line need to be taken in context that his Bib Number was 1. He looked like a Kenyan; you know, tall, light and with lean legs. He really wasn't a "world" elite, but by my standards, anyone that runs sub-3 hour marathons is an elite. In the case of Baton Rouge, December 6th, 2008, #1 finished first with a 2:47. That's not all that fast by world standards, but fast nonetheless. And when I came across the finish and saw that guy sitting on the turf massaging his legs, I asked him, "Do you have any aches and hurts?" He responded, simply, "Yes." My response was, "I feel good that we all (runners) share the same fate." He smiled, and said nothing more. I don't even know his name, but he lives in Indiana.

 

And, if anyone ever has intentions to run at Baton Rouge and has never done it before, I forewarn you, it is a strange approach to holding a marathon event. I experienced severe trauma, if not shear panic, in trying to figure out what was what. It is actually a pretty nice course, despite it being 2 loops of a half marathon, and can save you grief in what to expect or do in terms of going down there and getting ready. Simply put, Baton Rouge is "tonuge-in-cheek" and everything is "last-minute" in terms of set-up and information. Since it was the 15th anniversary event in 2008, I guess it works. And, in retrospect, I have to say it is a marathon with true heart in it.

 

But, I was dismayed with the origin of the "Running Chicken Track Club" and its logo. That's a longer story, so ask me if you care to know.

 

peace & love,