Mississauga marathon exhilirating even from spectator stand

One of the big race weekends happened in Mississauga yesterday.
The Mississauga Marathon and half marathon took place, amid what was a fairly perfect day for a run. Minus the wind of course.
I didn’t run, but was there at the halfway point for the runners in my group many of whom were running their first full marathon.
I have to say despite being a little chilled it was one of the most fun spectating experiences I ever had.
A full marathon is a big deal and when you’re surrounded by marathoners, you sometimes lose sight of that fact.
Well I was reminded of that yesterday when several of my counterparts ran their first one.
You never get that feeling back.
The one that comes with the first one.
That feeling that you have for one or two weeks after.
“I can run the world, I just ran a marathon.” It stays for quite a while from what I remember.
Remarkably everyone did well.
I say remarkably, because when you run that long and that far, sometimes things happen that you didn’t see coming, whether it be an injury or just an off day.
I was airborne a lot yesterday as each one of them came through the half way point, where me Paul and Lori had their extra supplies stashed.
Our fearless leader was first and had a great run to finish his umpteenth marathon.
The first newbie followed right behind.
Ed was one of the newbies to join the marathon clinic this year.
All through the training, there were sparks of this unbelievable speed.
We all saw it but I don’t think anyone was prepared for his first ever marathon.
He came through the mid-way point looking strong.
But you never know how the rest of the race will go, so as our last runners came through the halfway point we headed up to the finish to see people come in.
I think the three of us were near hysterical when he flew by us still in mint condition, well ahead of the four-hour bunny. He finished with a 3:53:58.
We were screaming and yelling and jumping.
He didn’t even notice.
It was pure focus.
More than impressive and continuing to earn his nickname “Fast Eddy”.
Lesley, another newbie, blew our socks off.
An energetic person by nature, she was out of control when she came through the half way point, much sooner than any of us had expected.
I thought to myself we should bottle her enthusiasm and energy and bottle that to sell at future race expos.
Again, I internally worried that the marathon would be unkind in the second half.
Not on this day.
She sailed passed us at the finish and finished super strong, I believe somewhere in the time area of 4:41 and still with a smile and that energy.
In the end, the stories at the finish were fun as they tried to characterize that feeling your body gets that happens in the marathon.
“It’s like your limbs, everything in your body just goes (insert expletive in here).”
Another quote was “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
More expletives followed that.
In the end, it was a good day for all, even those who struggled, making it to the finish line in one piece.
Kudos to all of you on a job well done.
As for me, people want to know what’s going on next. I have a fun 10k in Ottawa in two weeks and then it’s the first-ever all women’s half marathon May 31.
Bring on the firefighters and chocolate.
Fall may bring a marathon surprise, if my name gets pulled in the New York City Marathon lottery.
What will the running Gods decide?
Until then Happy Trails.

Comments

[Eddie]

There are people who make a difference in the world ,the kind that leave there mark long after you have met them. YOU, Paul and Lori are these kind of people.
You Guys Rock !

[jane]

I think this great post deserves a great photo: http://flickr.com/gp/grumpel/R0N31z

Thanks, you guys were the best thing that happened to us on our first marathon!