I completed the Dallas White Rock Marathon today. 
Ankles were real sore for a few hours (even though they were wrapped) but are much better now. Have a few small blisters. Everything else is fine. I'm sure that I will be stiff for at least a few days.
Weather was georgous for spectators, a little warm for runners, but not bad. About 50 at the start. About 65 at the finish. It was great to run among thousands this time and with people lining the streets cheering us on. Not near as big as Chicago, NYC or Boston, but still wonderful. About 10,000 runners in all events. About 3,000 in the full marathon. Very well organized.
Started at about 10 min pace. Slowed at about 15 miles. Finished 4:39:59 (yes that 1 second matters)....ha ha Ran into (no, not literally) a few friends on the route. My wife met me as I left the finish area.
There were about 50 entertainment groups along the way. Rock bands. Dolly Parton impersonators. a handbell choir. One radio station had sequential banners like the old Burma Shave road signs. I remember these:
"Old runners never die, they just smell that way". (Hey, I resemble that remark)
and
"It isn't the mileage, it's the smileage". (Amen!)
It was a great day. Thanks y'all for encouragement. My plans are to jog shorter distances just for fun for a while and give the ankles and hamstrings some rest. I'm not ruling out another marathon, but need some healing and more family time. I still want to lose more weight.
Ankles were real sore for a few hours (even though they were wrapped) but are much better now. Have a few small blisters. Everything else is fine. I'm sure that I will be stiff for at least a few days.Weather was georgous for spectators, a little warm for runners, but not bad. About 50 at the start. About 65 at the finish. It was great to run among thousands this time and with people lining the streets cheering us on. Not near as big as Chicago, NYC or Boston, but still wonderful. About 10,000 runners in all events. About 3,000 in the full marathon. Very well organized.
Started at about 10 min pace. Slowed at about 15 miles. Finished 4:39:59 (yes that 1 second matters)....ha ha
Ran into (no, not literally) a few friends on the route. My wife met me as I left the finish area.There were about 50 entertainment groups along the way. Rock bands. Dolly Parton impersonators. a handbell choir. One radio station had sequential banners like the old Burma Shave road signs. I remember these:
"Old runners never die, they just smell that way".
(Hey, I resemble that remark) and
"It isn't the mileage, it's the smileage".
(Amen!)It was a great day. Thanks y'all for encouragement. My plans are to jog shorter distances just for fun for a while and give the ankles and hamstrings some rest. I'm not ruling out another marathon, but need some healing and more family time. I still want to lose more weight.
