Olathe Marathon - the crossroads to adventure...

The terms Olathe and adventure are a combination similar to meth addiction and dentists. While separately they stand on their own, together they surely are at a crossroads.

All these terms quite nicely describe my raceday.

5:30am - alarm goes off and it's time to get ready for the race. All that requires for me is putting on some attire, more on that in a minute, and jumping in the car.

5:45am - Stop at QT and grab a banana and RockStar energy drink. (sugar free, I'm mean who wants all those empty calories.)

6:25am - Arrive at Garmin HQ in Olathe KS. 45 minutes to get to the other side of Kansas City on a highway with no traffic. Olathe is on the other side of the moon for me.

6:30am - Race prep. USA Flag bandana folded as headband, stars facing out for effect. KC Marathon, moisture wicking, "finisher" shirt. It's like a teardrop tattoo for marathoners. Orange and black, short racing shorts, tiny, ankle style black socks, and my hair pulled up into a short ponytail on top of my head. (you can't rep 1996 Cape Central style any other way)

7:00am - GO!!!!!! It was supposed to be a BOOOOOOOOOOOOM, but the cannon didn't work. It's Kansas what can you expect.

7:30am - Settled into a nice pace, perfect weather, started out about upper 40's and will end at upper 60's. With the exception of the head wind for the last four miles, absolutely perfect conditions.

8:00am - Can feel the blister starting to grow on the back of my left heel and inside my right arch. I should have seen this coming but I like to add an insole I've never worn in my shoe the night before for extra cushioning. Some would tell you this is a bad idea, some would just say I'm an idiot. All the same, my shoes had about 1500 miles on them at this point so I was determined to get one more race out of them. I like them worn out and believe I accomplished that end.

9:00am - Half way done. My 3:30:00 pacer is behind me now, but is switching out anyway. 95% of my runs are done by myself so running alone is my preferred method. I'm about 1:44:00 at this point so I'm on pace.

9:15am - I'm on the out and back now. Mile 14 to 22 are out on a running/biking/walking trail You run out about four on the right and back four on the left. Shadowy, quiet, not many spectators, a twisty creek that smells like fish, and the occasional aid station. About mile 16 the first marathon passes me going the other way. "Nice work," I yell. "Bastard," under my breath.

10:00am - The 3:30:00 pace group catches me. The term pace group is being liberally applied here considering it was a pace couple and when I joined we became a group. Thank God that I managed to put some distance between them and me up to this point. We have about 3.5 miles left and plenty of time to make it. My brisk cadence was turning into a slight shuffle and I needed those guys to help pull me along.

10:20am - One mile left and a little less than ten minutes to make my goal. I can do this. The official pacer is gone. He had to slow down to make sure anyone trying to make that goal would have someone there. The other gentleman with us took off with two miles left. He obviously had more left than me and considering he had a tank top on and short shorts, shows his dedication.

10:29:15am - "Go Daddy Go!!!!" I love my Ruby. For the first time in three marathons, one 50K and two half marathons my wife and kids made it to the finish line to see me cross it. Ruby in her bright red Curious George shirt, Alice in her stroller, Emily with her nervous expression on her face and my Mom filming it with her camera.

10:29:24am - It's over. A new PR 3:29:24. I'm exhausted but not crying. I usually break down somewhat emotionally at the end of these things. It's just pure joy and thankfulness that I have the God given ability to do these things, the genetic gifts to do it, and the mental makeup to overcome my own doubts.

Here is what I learned. Make sure to thank the cops and the volunteers that stand at the corners and tell you where to go, block traffic, and give you encouragement. Saying, "thanks officer" is a tiny karma boost you can cash in later. Secondly, don't get too pissed if you are in that line of traffic that is waiting for a group of runners to cross the intersection. The five minutes of inconvenience is nothing compared to the sacrifices both the runners and their loved ones make for them to meet a life goal. Give high fives to as many kids as you can who are out on the course watching. The appearance of having a good time can go along way toward the future fitness of a youngster even if you are miserable on the inside. Finally, pray every few miles and make a mental thank you list for everything you have.


10:45:00am - Sitting on some folding chairs, shoes untied, feeling a nice cool breeze, soaking up the warmth of the sun, eating a banana, Ruby turns to me and says, "Good job Dad." Life is good.