A spectator frenzy

This weekend was pretty freaking awesome.

On Saturday I met up with Jill and Redhead in Jacksonville for lunch at Panera Bread. This was the first time I met Jill, and aside from the quick photo-op from the Disney Marathon, this was the first time I met Redhead as well.


I was sorta nervous. I mean, sure we've conversed through our blogs and through e-mail, but you never really know what it's going to be like actually meeting up with someone in person. All the worry was for nothing, though, because these two girls were so easy to talk to and I enjoyed every second of our conversation. It just reiterates the fact that blogging is more than just...blogging. I've "met" a community of people that I can relate to, connect with, and get inspiration from. Before we knew it, over two hours had flown by. They had to check into their hotel room, so I said farewell and wished them luck on their half marathon.

I came home Saturday feeling super tired, so I took a 3 hour unplanned nap. Not a good idea when you have to wake up at 5:00 am Sunday to get to Jacksonville in time to be a 26.2 with Donna marathon spectator! I didn't fall asleep until almost 3 in the morning...and I slept through my alarm! I woke up at 5:35, and had to be out the door by 5:45 to make it to the JTB bridge (my chosen spectator spot) in time for the race to start. BAH! Let's just say that it's a good thing there were no cops out on I-95 that early in the morning!

But I made it! The spot I was spectating from was at Mile 1-ish, but also Mile 12 (half-marathon), and Mile 25 (marathon). Here's a few pics of my view from the bridge as the sun was rising. Beautiful.



Before I knew it, the elite runners were making their way past me at Mile 1. They were SO FAST! The feeling of awe and admiration never fails me when I see those elite runners at the front of the pack. Also, take a look at this pic. Awesome. (click to enlarge)


Not even 10 minutes later I catch a glimpse of Jill and Redhead in their tu-tus, we take a couple of pictures, and then I told them I'd see them in a couple of hours. They were lookin' good at Mile 1! (But, who doesn't look good at Mile 1?!?!)

Just in case you're wondering, I was in full spectator gear. Green hair, pink headband, pink leggings, yellow poster, pink tamborine...I looked ridiculous, but I knew the runners would appreciate it. Turns out, my poster was a huge hit.


Everybody loved it. I can't even begin to count the number of times it got a laugh out of the runners. It made me feel good that my simple little poster could make a struggling runner feel good, give me a thumbs up, and smile. Hey, I know what it's like at Mile 12 and 25 and at that point, you need a pick-me-up. Even if it's a funny poster held by a crazy girl in a green wig.

At about 2:20-ish, Jill and Redhead were making their way up the bridge. They both looked fantastic! I swear, it didn't even look like they'd already run 12 miles. Of course I screamed and jumped, and yelled, and did my best cheerleader impersonation when I saw them! It's so exciting to cheer on your friends. I've always been the runner, never the spectator, but it's almost as exciting as running the race.


After a minute or so, I sent them on their way to get their finish on! I stayed for the duration of the marathon to spectate for everbody else. What an experience.

Cool moment #1: A guy, maybe in his 40s, came up to me at Mile 25 and said, "I saw you at the beginning four hours ago...you're still here?" Then I said, "Well, you're still out here, so why shouldn't I be?" And then he gave me a kiss on the cheek and said thanks.

Cool moment(s) #2: Watching the breast cancer survivors (some still bald from chemo). How hard is it to have to go through what they're going through, and then run a marathon on top of it?! Inspiring, and I'm pretty sure I was desperately trying to hold back tears. Just amazing.

Cool moment(s) #3: The t-shirts. A few notables: "Running to save second base", "Anything to save motorboatin'!" <---maybe slightly inappropriate, but funny nonetheless!, "Team Tough Titties", "Feel your boobies", "Running to save my girls", and countless others. I love the creative stuff people come up with!

I love that this race is 100% non-profit. Every penny of your race fee goes to breast cancer research. I plan to run it next year and hopefully I can convince my sister (a survivor) and aunt (a survivor), and cousins to run it with me. Even if we just do the relay, or the half, I want to run it. And I want to run it with them.