Marathon Is More Humility than Pride

They say the long running races are "a lot of humility and a little pride." That’s the way I felt after finishing the San Juan Island Marathon on Sunday June 1. The weather was great, the course volunteers supportive, friendly, and welcoming at each stage of the race. Kudos to Clark Gilbert, Paul Hopkins and all of the other race organizers.

Mid-way through Beaverton Valley, at mile 17, I passed George Mulligan and his daughter. After exchanging a few words of encouragement, I pushed on. But shortly thereafter, the effects of running hard up the hills without drinking enough water caught up to me, and by the time I arrived in Friday Harbor at mile 20, I wanted to slow down and walk.

The final six miles around the Turn Point/Pear Point loop are deceptively difficult. After the surge of energy that comes from running into town with many supporters and volunteers, I ran out of town, past Jensen's Marine and I was out on the road, alone, facing rolling hills and great beauty. The hills hurt, and after running 20 miles, I was craving rest and water, not beauty.

I finished in a respectable time of 3:45. After the finish I talked to the folks wearing the “marathon manics” shirts and discovered that a handful of runners had decided to run the Seaside Marathon on Saturday and the San Juan Island Marathon on Sunday. Great Job!