Part 2:

The run started, and within 1/2 mile I needed to walk. In fact, I almost quit.
I came really close to just bailing altogether. I turned around to see a FEW
people behind me. Argh. Major depression set in. I will be last. <tear> Then
I decided what the he!!, I came to run and I'll run, and I'll finish. My new
Garmin was freaking out, beeping like crazy ---- I don't know why, except I had
set the HR parameters last week, but I wasn't wearing the HR strap --- but maybe
that was why???? Oh, well............... I settled into my usual run/walk pace
and just stayed there, doing what I normally do.

It turned out to be 3.8 miles, not a 5K. I passed a few people, then a few more
(yea me!!). Among them was a 7 year old girl way up in front of me, and I
caught her. I just couldn't let a 7 year old beat me. Uh - uh. Nope.

I finished, I wasn't last, I was in the low - mid 13s (which pleased me, I'm
working my way back, but I'll never be FAST).

The advertised "breakfast" (which has traditionally been scrambled eggs,
sausage, bacon, muffins, biscuits and gravy, cut up fruit and juice and coffee
--- and NOT VERY GOOD --- with extra breakfast tickets available for $9 --- for
spouses, etc) turned out this year to be yogurt, bagels and cream cheese,
muffins, OJ, coffee. Much needed improvement made there, but another surprise.
And then we discovered : NO FINISHER MEDALS. Dang. NO BLING! And, "awards" 3
deep (that are usually trophies with a picture of the bridge) turned out to be
PAPER CERTIFICATES!!! Well, more bumming going on, I can tell you. Instead, we
had a lanyard in our packs (????) and a wrist band for a party that was to be
SATURDAY NIGHT...........got you into the party in the park, but then you had to
buy your own food and beverage. Total waste if you weren't staying 2 NIGHTS. We
did get a t-shirt. Just like the other 5 I have. It needs a change too.

I can understand the changing of the course due to lack of
communication/cooperation with the bridge people, the workers, and the local
police, but NO BLING??? If this had been my first bridge run, I doubt I'd be
back. But I know it has been better in the past, and I think the people in
charge are going to get an earful so maybe they'll go back to their previous
basics. I hope so. They gave us a certificate good for $20 off on
registration for the new Fall run, or the 2010 Memorial Day Bridge Run. I
wonder how many will use it. There won't be construction (repaving) for another
10 years.

We went to a pancake place downtown for breakfast and gourged ourselves on bacon
and eggs, and French toast. The service was pathetic, but the food was good.
Guess we can make that trade. Big doings in the Mackinac area for Memorial
Day.........re-enactment at the Fort, big parade (well, billed as big),
fireworks Saturday night over the bridge. We (Marilyn and I) arrived back home
in Charlevoix by 1 pm. Mary D stayed for the fireworks/

At least the weather was nice. Sunny, but cool. Just right for running.

It was good to see Mary D. She had a great run, despite being sorta sick --
recovering sick. We had fun, but it was a bummer not to run the bridge! We'll
see what happens next year...............

Louise, MI

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]