Catt Scratches

They have the best sausage links I have ever had at the Kick Off Breakfast which starts at 8:20 and goes to ten AM. It is preceded by a mile point eight run from the start line to the hotel that sponsors the marathon. I feel like if I go eat sausage, and pancakes and eggs and coffee cake and fruit and coffee with half and half, I better go run first. Then it occurs to me that my life is too full of shoulds and oughts and perhaps I need to concentrate on wants and needs more.
That in and of itself is another should. I could easily drive myself crazy with analysis if I haven’t already.

I got up quickly, showered, nano-greened, (note to self: contact Nano-Green people and get them to pay for product placement), dressed and went to rouse Gina so she got to breakfast. I was late for the starting line so I just ran to the hotel at a quick pace. I had my new hat on and I put my new head band around my throat. I wore a micro fiber jacket over a long sleeve shirt, tank, sports bra, and calf length leggings. In the first few minutes, I didn’t feel the cold; it’s about 40 degrees outside, I think, maybe 45. I have to guess because there aren’t any trail markings but I think I was warm inside of the first mile.
I slowed to a walk for a few feet mid run. I passed some folks, who then passed me who I then passed. My head was warm enough but my ears were cold, but they were okay after a little while longer. There was a little kid, 8 or so, walking with his mom, and when I passed him, he perked up and I heard his mom say,” You ready to run, Ryan?” and he took off with her behind him.

I got to breakfast and rested a second. I got a cup of coffee and looked for a table of friendly strangers. I found one quickly; five women who were all related. They were from Minnesota and they had come to support the son of one, grandson of one and nephew to the other two. They were from a big family: the grandfather had 13 brothers and sisters. Sam, the runner, came up soon. He was tall and good looking and skinny like an accomplished runner. I told them my story; how after back surgery, my surgeon said I would never run a marathon. They had not been to Bar Harbor before so I felt like a native telling them places to go and see in Acadia. Sam and I talked running. I found out he’d run 18 marathons, I said you don’t look older than 18; he laughed and took off his wool cap to show no hair, and he said now I look about 33! Then his mom piped up with, he’s 25. Who wants to be known to have a 33 year old child! I’m thinking, Gina should hurry up, this guy is gorgeous. Sam also told the story of bicycling from St. Cloud, Minnesota to Eugene Oregon in 23 days, sleeping outside most of the time, much to his mom’s chagrin. I was half envious and half empathetic. I’d love to do a 23 day bike ride, through the Dakotas and Montana, but I’d hate to be worrying about Gina doing the same thing.

The woman who I almost hit yesterday, Denise, sat across the room and we renewed our conversation. She and her mom had not done this run before and they both asked me how I trained for the mountains of this run. They were from Florida and were curious because that state, like my home state of Illinois is flat as a pancake. They ran a bridge up and down. I told them I did kind of the same. It’s not the mountains of this course that get you. It’s the concept of the mountains wearing you down. Just change the concept: the mountains give you life:it’s a beautiful run and when you finish, you feel like you’ve conquered the world.

Gina arrived after Sam left so the opportunity to combine those genes slipped by. We visited the expo and came back to town.

More later.