I'm Getting Excited
Four weeks from Monday at Noon, I will be in a scene like this. This photo is the start of the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in 1996. I do not usually get excited about trips until a day or two before. This trip though has me feeling like I kid when presents are under the Christmas tree, and Christmas is still days away. I anticipate my excitement to be laced with some paranoia. The thoughts begin a week or so out. I will worry about getting sick, twisting an ankle, and oversleeping the day of the race. I do not have any pressure on me in this race to perform. I am told the Boston Marathon is to be enjoyed. It is not a good race to set a personal best. I am to run at a comfortable pace, interact with the crowd and other runners, and drink it all in.It is going to be something. Technology is up to speed in this race as well. Runners have a little chip / transmitter on their shoe. At various places on the course, we run across a mat and our time is recorded for that split. People can go to a website and check in on their favorite runner. In your case, that would be me. You can see when I get to the 5K, 10K 13.1 mile, and finish. For those who don't want to log on can have the info sent to their cell phone. Another tech thing is the DVD company who has cameras posted along the course. They make a documentary DVD of the marathon and pull footage of runners ( identified by their bib number) who order the $50 DVD. The result is a professional looking DVD that has about 5 minutes of yourself running the course and finishing - provided you finish.
OLN (Outdoor Life Network) is going to televise 3 hours of the marathon live. I will set the old Tivo for that.
I am closing in on a dream and I am happy, grateful, and in need of a pinch to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
Until the next time
John Strain