“26.2 Miles…I’m looking forward to regretting this”
All marathon runners have a story. Most all can remember what they were doing at a particular mile marker in a particular race. Since there are 24 days until the Austin Marathon, I’ll share a story about mile 24.
In February 2000 I ran my first full marathon. It also happened to be in Austin. I felt like I had done well most of the way. Following Mom’s advice, taking extra care to hydrate. There was something happening in Lubbock so Mom and Nene couldn’t be there; but that was ok. Donnie and I were both newbies, him to being a support group and me to running anymore than 10 miles at one time. Mom had given him advice as well, things like, “make sure each time you see her on the course talk to her make sure she’s not disoriented.” I met Donnie at mile 18, I couldn’t have felt better. A hug and a kiss and I was back on the course. Five miles later I was in tears, I was hitting the wall. By the time I got to mile 24, I was crying, hardly walking, and wondering why I had done this. God answered my prayers, at that very moment, and brought Donnie to the course to see me. I was able to gather enough strength to walk over to him and say, “I wanna get in the car and go home.” For the rest of my life I will never forget what he said to me,he said, “You can’t I’m parked two miles away you might as well finish. You’ll finish before I get back to the car.” Ronnie: ”BLAAAAHAAAHAAA!!! YOU DON’T LOVE ME ANYMORE AND WANT ME TO DIE!!”
unfortunately for both of us, Donnie was right (again). I finished the marathon that day, and he missed seeing me because after he got to the car he was stuck in traffic.
ha ha ha! too funny!
Oh yea, it’s real funny now, but 10 years ago if I had had any strength left I would have ordered him to carry me to the car.
How Funny! I remember that day. your Mom and I got in from Lubbock just in time to have Lunch with you guys.
If I remember correctly, that was the time time your were scheduled to just do half, but because your Mom or someone else could not do the other half, you did the WHOLE thing. Talk about gutts! or maybe you just did not know what you were getting into.
First I am going to say “NENE what was so important that you and I had to go to that mayed me miss my LITTLE GIRL’s first full Marathon??? Ronnie, I am so proud of you…You have come a long way. GOOD FOR YOU. And NEW YORK oh my gosh what an experience,,how neat that we can share that wonderful emotional feeling of crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles of an emotional rollercoaster…and NEW YORK at that.Your are a TROOPER.
LOVE YOU MOM
I don’t remember what it was exactly…I do remember it had something to do with Grandma, someone’s wedding anniversary? A wedding? Petersburg day?