White Rock a Year Later

[tommy]

I went to White Rock yesterday, not to run the marathon but to "work" it. I just couldn't stay away. I was a split timer at mile 18. I got to call out the time every two seconds. There were two of us spotting each other for about 5 hours.

So you'd think that I would rest my voice during my breaks. But nooooooooooooo! I walked up and down our stretch of the course encouraging people on. I'd never seen a whole marathon before - every runner spaced over hours give you a chance to actually see them all. It was an amazing array of people - sizes, shapes, and levels of fitness. Some had awesome levels of ability, other awesome levels of courage and fortitude. I was excited for them.

I had a nice chat with a couple of gals from the American Heart Assoc. They were on the team of encouragers for the Train to End Stroke runners. I told them about our VR family and some of the other valvathoners. They laughed when I used the words valver and valvathoner.

White Rock ran a new promotion called the gender challenge. The elite women got an 18 minute head start. If one of them were to beat the men, she would get an extra $25,000 - and she did!

I saw a large number of walkers. Not a bad idea for those of you with bad joints.

They gave the timers instructions near the start/finish line. I took the opportunity to walk over to the finish line and recapture the feelings of a year ago. It was a great day, then and now. Life is good.

 

[Mary]

Tom,
About how many participated? Calling out times was probably fast and furious, I would imagine.
I'm glad you were able to be there and get another perspective on the race.

 

[catwoman]

Tom:

Sounds like a lot of fun, and I'm sure the weather was pretty decent too.

How do you go about volunteering to work at a marathon?

 

[tommy]

There were about 3,225 marathoners, 4000 halfers, 300 relay teams, and 2 wheelchairs. Actually a 3rd unregistered wheel chair slipped in.

The timing call outs were like a bell curve. The elite runners were bunched like in bicycle races. It was fast and furious for the middle 2 hours, then tapered off again.

Anyone can volunteer to help with these events. Each event webpage usually has a link for volunteers. I signed up about a months ago. I got an initial email confirmation, then got emailed instructions about a week ago.

Marsha....ps...i plan on doing Cowtown the end of February. I haven't decided on the 5k or 10k. No pressure.

 

[msiwik]

Great Job Tom

Great Job Tom

There were about 3,225 marathoners, 4000 halfers, 300 relay teams, and 2 wheelchairs. Actually a 3rd unregistered wheel chair slipped in.

The timing call outs were like a bell curve. The elite runners were bunched like in bicycle races. It was fast and furious for the middle 2 hours, then tapered off again.

Anyone can volunteer to help with these events. Each event webpage usually has a link for volunteers. I signed up about a months ago. I got an initial email confirmation, then got emailed instructions about a week ago.

Marsha....ps...i plan on doing Cowtown the end of February. I haven't decided on the 5k or 10k. No pressure.

Tom: Sounds like you enjoyed the marathon. I have always made a point of thanking the volunteers at the races and I am sure there were many who appreciated your being there even if there were too tired to say as much. I have been doing a little networking within the heart community and I will try to catch up with the group about. It's a shame you won't be at Indy next spring but we will do it another time! Best regards, Mark

 

[tommy]

Yes, I got a lot of "thank yous" along the way. I was on a busy street. The motorists would slow down and cheer the runners on as well.

I'm sorry about the Mini Indy. 35,000 runners should be a hoot. My loss. I'm having pangs of remorse for not signing up before it sold out. Yes, another time.

 

[msiwik]

The Next Race!

The Next Race!

I'm sorry about the Mini Indy. 35,000 runners should be a hoot. My loss. I'm having pangs of remorse for not signing up before it sold out. Yes, another time.

Well maybe we can make Indy or another race an annual event. I have been talking with the president of the Adult Congenital Heart Association and I know there is a voice for all of us on this website and those that have joined ACHA and the Bicuspid Aortic Valve Foundation in California. There is also a role that the athletically-inclined in our midst can play - four of us run next year in Indy - maybe it's five or six that meet up in 2007!!

 

[BillCobit]

My loss. I'm having pangs of remorse for not signing up before it sold out. Yes, another time.

CR@P!!

My loss too. I failed to sign up early enough

 

[msiwik]

still come?

still come?

CR@P!!

My loss too. I failed to sign up early enough

Bill - that is a bummer! Maybe you will still consider driving over and having dinner with the gang the night before the race? We will see what we can do for a 2007 race!!

 

[stormrev]

May be another year...

May be another year...

Hi Tom and others

Hearing about Whiterock and Cowtown jog some ancient memories! Maybe the best marathons are the ones you watch!!! (Just kidding...)

I can't see myself wanting to run another one, but I miss the camaraderie and sense of achievement along the way.

We are gathering in NZ for this Christmas with my Dad and brother's family. My beloved, Cathy, flies in Christmas morning 1 am! Guess who gets to go to the airport?

This morning I met up with some old friends here in Auckland harbour for a Christmas eve swim (at 6 am) complete with chocolate and champagne! We actually did swim for about a mile (just to justify the consumption) and then tied the surfboard to the buoy and treaded water while sipping and chewing in the middle of the harbour...

Then it was back in for a cold shower and a strong latte at the waterfront cafe.

I hope to take part in a couple of ocean swims in the new year, but no marathons!

Every blessing for the Christmas season (from here in the summer of the Southern hemisphere)

Kind regards

Grant

 

[tommy]

Now, Grant, come on, those memories aren't "ancient".

Yes, its a different feeling now watching a marathon. The pining for achievement (and lingering doubts) is replaced with a satisfaction. But more important, I felt like I connected with the runners as some achieved their lifetime goal.

Great to hear of your family gathering for Christmas. The Christmas swim and the harbour party sound terrific! Thinking of a jog myself tomorrow - as you say, justifying the consumption. Exercise is my post AVR way of celebrating life and all the Lord has provided.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Mark Wagner]

Hi Tom, (yes it is true ... I have appeared out of 'cyber space'.)

My hats off to you volunteering at the marathon. The volunteers are the people whom really leave a good or bad impression of the marathon in general. Thank's for taking the time help. I am quite certain it brought back a lot of wonderful memories of a year ago.

Take care my friend ... Mark

 

[tommy]

Mark,

Its great to hear from you! Happy New year!

 

[Mark Wagner]

Right back at you Tom!