Saturday 12 July 2009

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN MARATHON

The cell phone alarm wakes me at 5:30am. It’s a clear morning. I get dressed and eat quickly in preparation for walking from the dorm down the hill to the start. Due to some miscalculation I get there much earlier than I thought I would and end up waiting for about 30 minutes before we’re called to line up for the 7am start.

The field of runners looks tough. It’s mostly males many of whom are shirtless. There are a lot of strong muscular calves and thighs among the assembled participants. I see the guys I met at dinner last night and the young Ohio man I met earlier in the parking lot.

Among the mostly serious-looking athletes is one tall thin fellow in his sixties wearing a New Balance running outfit that I recognize as being from the 1980’s. He’s topped it off with a Davy Crockett-style coonskin cap.

Another colorful character is self-labeled as “Coat Man.” His burlap jacket has that moniker hand lettered across it with white surgical tape. Several foot-long red ribbons trail from the sleeves and around the bottom creating an effect like a child’s bicycle with streamers. He’s carrying a server’s tray on which there are a champagne bottle and a glass. He appears to be about 60 years old and has many of the physical characteristics I normally associate with homeless men. I recognize him as the disgruntled resident assigned to the same dorm building I am. He was down at the desk several times last night complaining about various aspects of the accommodations. I overhear a couple of people discussing this novelty and apparently he comes here every year. He’s also wearing black knee socks. It’s quite an ensemble.

After a few redundant announcements the starter fires the gun. We circle the ASU track a half lap and exit the stadium where we are quickly constricted into a narrow exit then spill out into the streets.

My dormitory roommate Phil is running his third marathon today. He passes me confidently as we run through town shortly after starting.

Uphill starts after about 2 miles of running in town. Some folks are already walking which I interpret as a bad sign for things to come. By mile 3 we’re in country roads with switchbacks and steady climbing and only occasional plateaus. As the field spreads out and folks settle into pace I end up along side of the fellow with the coonskin cap. We agree it already feels difficult but we are not that far behind pace and there are plenty of runners behind us. He slowly pulls away from me about a mile later and I never catch back up.

At five miles I’m having serious second thoughts. I’ve already walked more than I had planned and I’m wondering if calling it a “Did Not Finish” (DNF) is a good option. I’d get home earlier and would be better rested. North Carolina is close enough that I can return for another event later this year. …. No! I’m here and there will never be a better time to complete a marathon in NC. I decide to walk as needed and if the sag wagon picks me up before the 5-hour time limit then so be it. They can pull me if they want but I’m not quitting!

Miles 12-16 are only slightly uphill and are on a relatively straight section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

After that section we’re back on country roads for a while most of which are gravel. Here I encounter the steepest and longest climb of the day. It appears essentially all participants are walking now. I use some of these middle miles to consume the three Gu packs I am carrying. I think it helps especially since two of the three packs contain caffeine.

At 18 miles I overtake roommate Phil who is still running but showing signs of fatigue and possible heat-related exhaustion. Although much of the course is shaded by roadside trees, it is still too hot to run comfortably. I check my watch and do some calculating. I’m glad I didn’t drop out. I believe I can walk in from here and still make the 5-hour cut off. Cool!

A bit after 20 miles “Coat Man” passes me. He looks surprisingly good for a crazy guy running up a mountain wearing a coat in July carrying a serving tray with bottle and glass. I try not to feel bad that he just passed me and I probably won’t be able to catch him. I shout some encouragement as he passes. I hear later in the finish food tent that he PR’ed at about 4:35.

The last 4 miles are drudgery but are made more pleasant by some unofficial course helpers who pass out water and snacks from slow-moving automobiles as they offer verbal encouragement.

At 23 miles I know I’ll make the cut-off even if it isn’t pretty. The sag wagon passes me slowly and the driver inquires how I’m doing. I happily give him a thumbs up and fake a smile. It felt good to send him on without me.

Less than a mile from the finish line I can hear the drone of bagpipes coming from the Highland Games calling me. There are kilted and cheering spectators lining the road. The climb has finally flattened out. A volunteer indicates where the final turn onto track for the last quarter mile is run in front of the many spectators there for the games. Over half the folks present are kilted or otherwise decked out in Scottish attire. There are clan areas labeled with signs bearing surnames. Everyone appears to be having a great time and is cheering us as we finish.

My official time is 4:50:33 but I am happy to have finished at any speed even if it is slower than what I’d hoped for. Complete results are available at

http://www.marathonguide.com/results/browse.cfm?MIDD=1162080712

Official race pictures show a tired and perspiration-soaked participant.

http://www.yoursportingimage.com/Thumbs.asp?BibNbr=105&event=1742&Locate=Locate If the link above doesn’t work go to http://www.yoursportingimage.com and use the name of the event and my bib number 105.

I hang around long enough to drip dry, change into fresh cloths, grab a snack and then get in line for the bus ride back to ASU. There’s quite a wait and then the trip back involves two different shuttle busses. The whole process getting back takes slightly over an hour. I fall asleep on the bus but wake up occasionally to enjoy the North Carolina mountain scenery. The second shuttle drops us back at the stadium and then I attack my last hill of the day back up to the dorm. A shower and an hour of nap are enough to get me going again and I head for home.

I drive all night stopping only a few times for short naps in rest areas or to get food or gasoline. It’s getting light Sunday morning as I pull into the garage.

Motel Saturn trip odometer shows 10663 miles.

Ran 10 events totaling 267 miles in 4 time zones

Passed through 26 states

It’s a big country. There are a lot of nice people and interesting things to see and do.

Even so, I’m glad to be home.