One Hundred Marathons of Solitude

Forward

In 2006 I allowed my siblings to set me on the slippery slope of running a marathon.  For lots of reasons it was a dissatisfying experience.  I reasoned however that perhaps, under different circumstances, a marathon could be more satisfying.  I tried it again ... and the activity became a staple of my existence.

After running marathons for a few years, an idea was hatched: complete marathon #100, in my home town, 50 years after high school graduation.

As I near #100, age is letting me know there aren't too many more of these events up my sleeve.  It has, nonetheless, been a wild ride.  I hope to hit #100 this fall.  In the meantime, here is coverage of this year's marathons.

#95 - Los Angeles (did NOT prove too much for the man)

I first ran LA last year.  It is by far the largest field I've run in.  In 2019 there are 23,000 runners.  My division, this year and last, had over 180 runners.  I sometimes run marathons with a smaller field than that.

Awaiting start

Approaching drop off point

And they're off

Filling the streets

Pacer carries flag in harness

Disney Concert Hall

Woman pushes cart with girl.  Earlier there was a dog attached.  I didn't think to see if it was in the cart.

Humor with Spanish 'J'

At my age ... I can only DREAM of running like a cheetah.  Sigh.

One of the nice neighborhoods

Almost to the finish!

Shortly after the finish: Our Lady of Perpetual Endurance Events

#96 - Wenatchee (magical sequencing on a 10 mile loop)

The event is part of the Apple Blossum Festival.  The scenery is dazzling: blossums in the foreground, snowcapped peaks in the background.  There were three starts: early marathon, at 6:30 am, half marathon, at 8:00 am, and the combined marathon and 10k, at 8:15 am.  Not only the times, but the directions, are carefully thought out, to minimize conflict, for the runners, and logistics, for the organizers and volunteers.

The start, for all, is at the plaza at the convention center, on Wenatchee Ave.  From there one goes north, ties into the trail, and continues clockwise.  And then various things happen, depending on ones distance.  For the marathon, one goes out 5k, returns (to rack up 10k), then continues, counterclockwise, for two laps on the 10 mile loop trail.  The trail has great variation in terrain, scenery, people and ambiance.  It's always exciting.

There's a reason it's call the Ten Mile Loop Trail

The scenery dazzles runners, every step of the way!

The snow capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains loom in the background!

There are three bridges as part of the Ten Mile Loop.

Pedestrian Bridge over Columbia River

Climbing up to US-2 Bridge

Pedestrian Bridge over Wenatchee River, where it enters the Columbia River 

In addition to the many residents using the trail, for walking, running and biking, there was an MS run.  Never a dull moment!

Blogger nearing finish, listening to just the right tune!

The plaza, at the Convention Center, on Wenatchee Ave, is a great setting for the finish.

Perennial podium dweller, and all around nice person, Carla Stewart

#97 - Wisconsin (Kenosha)

This marathon had intrigued me, ever since I learned of it, a few years ago, for a collection of silly reasons:

1. The course is barely in Wisconsin (tucked away in the SE corner of the state)
   
2. The event has a cheesy theme
   
3. The organizers are from Chicago

Kenosha is considered the northern limit of the Chicago metropolitan area.

#128 - Wenatchee 2022

I drove over on Friday evening.  I waited to leave my place until the Mariners' season opener was on, figuring that would pin down about 50,000 people.  It was sad to have missed it - Ishiro threw out the first pitch.  I can imagine the crowd chanting his name!  Still, it was slow getting through downtown, and then fine.  Snoqualmie Pass was clear and dry.  Going up Blewett, the warning sign said APPROVED TRACTION DEVICES RECOMMENDED.  Yikes!  All I had were my Wisconsin driving skills.  It was 19° on top, but the wet pavement was clear. 

I did the early start for the marathon - 6:30 am - because I’ve become darn slow.  wunderbra said it had hit 30° over night, setting, or perhaps tying, the record low for the date.  This was about 15° below normal.  I had to bundle.

The event is on the 10 mile trail, a scenic loop around a portion of the Columbia River, between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee.  This completely paved trail passes through an impressive collection of local and state parks.  The marathon starts with a 5k clockwise out and back.  That takes cares of the 6.2 miles; what’s left now is two counter clockwise laps on the trail.  

It was sobering to have the lead runner (preceded by the escort bike) catch me at about Mile 9 (regular start time was 8am).

The half marathon (8:20am start) does a 1/4 marathon counterclockwise out and back.  I arrived at their turn around shortly after the lead runner (and a few other marathoners) had caught me.  From there I had lots of company, back to their finish (my Mile 16).  Just before getting there, the lead runner passed me again!  The escort cyclist turned around, heading back to, I assumed, pick up the lead marathon woman.

For my last lap, things were a bit quiet.  At about Mile 20 an unassuming woman from Vancouver, BC caught me and deigned to chat.  She said her first event, since BC (before COVID), had been the recent San Diego half.  She had initially been disappointed, with how it had gone for her, until discovering she had had COVID.  And just in case you’re not already convinced she is one tough cookie, her last words to me were "I hope it’s not snowing on the pass - I brought my motorcycle."  OMG!

The last two runners (marathon, regular start) passed me around Mile 21.

When I finished, the rather elaborate finish area was nearly completed torn down.  The finish mat was gone, of course.  No other runners were present.  They gave me a medal AND a beer glass (for division winners, though I probably was that).  I couldn’t remember if I had ordered a shirt but they gave me one anyway.  The person in charge threw the entire contents of the food table at me.  With the help of the shirt, I managed to transport it all to my car.

I was the last finisher, #91, the same as in 2019 (the last time the event was held), only this time I didn’t make it into the results.  I've contacted the timing company, with my Garmin results.  Perhaps they will deign to acknowledge me.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/8652559734

Driving back, I opted to go over Stevens Pass.  The ski area was still open.  It was raining lightly.


The Medal

Stevens Pass

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