Never Say Never
Thanks for registering for the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon on October 28th. We’re working to make this the best event you’ll ever run, and looking forward to seeing you in October.
The race director is a pretty funny guy. Apparently he is getting a lot of fellow Chicago cast-offs registering and asking him silly questions like “will you have water?” His response:
So, let me assure all of you, this is a marathon. It’s not put on by rookies. It’s put on by marathon runners. It’s put on by a whole bunch of people who are here to make your experience the BEST ever. We’ve got potties. We’ve got fluids. We’ve got pasta. We’ve got an expo. We’ve got pretty dancing girls.
We love you and care about you. So plan on having a good time.
Sounds good to me.
That message from the director is awesome. SO much better that the bs I just got from Pinkowski. Glad you decided to keep on your journey!
And “thirsty runner” would have been a great dog costume … especially since Wrigley tries to lay down 10 minutes into a run and charges towards dirty puddles like she is about to melt (similar to my Sunday experience…).
Comment by lifestudent — October 12, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
Best of luck Sis! I’m excited for you. I wish that I could be there for you. I will be there in spirit. Feel free to call me for inspiration during the race.
Comment by ShoreTurtle — October 12, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
You are in for a treat! I’ve met Don Kern (GR race director) and he’s a great guy. I’ve also run the GR Marathon twice and it’s a total blast. Despite being small, it’s a lot of fun and extremely well run. I’ll be volunteering at the finish this year instead of running so if anything goes wrong you can blame me.
I enjoyed your recap of the Chicago Marathon. In fact, I even referred to it on my blog and used one of your photos if you don’t mind. I’m sorry to hear how that went for you, but that’s part of what makes such a challenge worthwhile - there’s no guarantee of success, so once you achieve it you know you earned it. Good luck!
Comment by havybeaks — October 12, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Glad you are going for it. Have a great race in Grand Rapids!
Comment by darrell — October 12, 2007 @ 11:01 pm
Your brother posted on my sisters blog at Runningcuckoo.blogspot.com. My family found a link to your site from there. We have all been reading it.
This was my sisters third Chicago Marathon. I know well the time and training she put into it each and every year. My sister was one of the lucky ones who was allowed to finish after the race was cancelled. I think every runner who wanted to finish deserved the opportunity to do so. I’m so sorry your first Chicago experience was such an awful one. I hope you would consider running Chicago again sometime. My sister has always loved it (except this year).
I’m glad your not giving up. Give Michigan everything you’ve got! We’ll be watching for your report. Good Luck!
Comment by Ginette — October 13, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
GOOD FOR YOU!! I’ve heard wonderful things about the GR course and they really do take care of their athletes. You should touch base with Lisa aka Great Lakes Running Gal…she’s going to be running it as well!
Can’t wait to follow this part of your journey!!
Comment by Running Jayhawk — October 14, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Good luck! That’s awesome that you are going ahead with your plans for a marathon!
Comment by Phillygirl2873 — October 18, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I’m so so so so so so so so so very glad you are trying a different race. And this one sounds perfect. A great “do-over” so to speak. Good luck!
Comment by B — October 21, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
There’s marathons and there’s marathons. NYCM was the greatest, Chicago sucked. Two big ones there. The Lower Potomac River Marathon in Piney Point, MD (about two hundred runners) is the greatest, very scenic (the first half at least, the 2d half is out & back highway hell), the Washington’s Birthday Marathon in Greenbelt MD is a “bring your own,” Gu that is, they got all the gatorade and water you need in freezing February on their three-loop course (costs about $45). Two small ones there. I never had a bad race management experience at a small or medium marathon (Columbus and Twin Cities spring to mind). Chicago just got too big for its britches as it tried to outdo NYCM in sheer numbers. I’ll bet GR is terrific. Good luck!
Comment by peter — October 22, 2007 @ 6:21 pm