Ten States Down...Forty To Go

Last weekend I ran in the WhiteRock marathon in Dallas, Texas and was thus able to check off the tenth state in my quest to run one marathon in each state. This race was much bigger and better supported than my ninth marathon in Iowa earlier this year and my friends and I had a great time despite the abbreviated time frame and cooler than expected weather.

Now I can finally sign up at the official club website and get myself yet another T-Shirt that my wife will pressure me to throw away. Why am I doing this again?

Here are some race and trip highlights:

Near Felony: Apparently Texas state law prohibits taking more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. However, I was still running when I guzzled a small plastic cup full of brew that a kind spectator provided around mile nineteen so I think I am safe. I also have a pretty strong alibi for my second and third beers which I consumed immediately after crossing the finish line since I was definitely in no shape to stand by that point. I won't admit it in a court of law, but those Michelob beers tasted damn fine by that point. I had no idea that marathons damaged a person's taste buds on top of everything else.
The Stairs of Death: Have you ever seen a person who has just run a marathon try to walk a flight of stairs? It is more fun than a clown on fire. In their infinite wisdom, the race organizers decided to locate the post race festivities on the floor of a basketball stadium, thus forcing the famished finishers to hobble down a gajillion steps immediately after running 26 miles in order to get food. I didn't think it was so funny while I was doing it, but after I was full and rested I got a big kick out of watching everyone else do it.
New Innovative Training Breakthrough: Due to a tenacious cold, bad weather, and some general laziness, I was probably the worst prepared I've ever been for a marathon. Against all odds, I somehow slipped into a running zone and managed to finish in 3:49 and pull off my second negative split ever (running the second half faster than first half). As a takeaway lesson, I'm going to skip the heavy training from now on and instead focus on doing some quality tapering right from the start.
New Innovative Dating Techniques: There were tons of funny costumes, signs, and T-Shirts, but my favorite was a cardboard sign with the word "Single" on it that was held up by a female spectator. Apparently match.com just isn't what it used to be. I also saw a woman who ran with fake butt cheeks strapped on her back-side and a sign that read "I'm running my butt off".
The Youngest and Flattest Marathoners Ever: Francy, one of my running cohorts, also ran in the marathon this weekend despite being five months pregnant! I can't tell you how amazed I am by that. As a preemptive move, she had someone in our group write "Yes, I have my Doctor's Permission" on her shirt, but I think everyone was much more distracted by the "Flat Scottie" she had strapped to her back. Flat Scottie is the cardboard cut-out of her husband who is currently stationed in Iraq.

I think the military encourages the cardboard cutout to help families better cope with the father's absence, but we mostly just enjoy photographing him in a number of compromising positions like this one. I'd show my favorite one, but I'm afraid it might get him thrown out of the military. Good thing he has a great sense of humor.

With my own little one due to show up early this spring, I'm afraid I'm going to have to put off my eleventh state until late next fall.

Don't worry. I'm still on pace to complete the 50th state before I retire. Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:59 AM Non-Techie Interests | Back to top

Comments on this post: Ten States Down...Forty To Go

# re: Ten States Down...Forty To Go

Well done Russ! At least one geek in this country needs to be in shape...

Left by Max pool on Dec 13, 2007 12:36 PM

I find that running helps keep my stamina up for all those long refactorbation sessions.

Left by Russell Ball on Dec 13, 2007 8:26 PM