I don’t know why I do it, but I continue to read the “comments” section of the local papers’ websites. I KNOW these are full of contrarian trolls for whom logic and reason aren’t requisite parts of discourse, but still I catch myself reading what people have to say about news, events, and issues.
So on Monday morning I opened up the Seattle Times story on the weekend’s marathon festivities to find complaints. People will complain about ANYTHING.
The 2010 edition of the Seattle Marathon had 3,000 or so runners attempt the full 26.2 miles, and another 12,000 running the 13.1. That’s roughly 15,000 people who paid entry fees, trained, and got outside on a chilly November morning. The event was a success by all accounts. So what could online trolls possibly complain about? I’ll paraphrase:
I live in Seattle and they closed some streets so I couldn’t drive my SUV three blocks to get beer and chips so I could watch the Seahawks game on television.
Why do they hold the marathon in November? It’s too cold and makes the city look stupid.
Marathon running is dangerous and should be banned.
What a waste of taxpayer money to have all of those roads closed for a few idiots. How much revenue do local merchants lose because those roads are closed?
Don’t bother to respond to these idiotic rants. Truth and logic don’t apply.
People will hate on anything. Stunning.
From my perspective, the Seattle Marathon seemed a smashing success this year. The weather was perfect for running, the expo was well-managed, the starting line was efficient, and the on-course support was as good as I’ve seen it for this race. Good job, Seattle. Let’s do it even better next year. I want to see some crowds out there.
Cap’n Ron and I laced ‘em up and ran the 26.2 this year. Here, in no particular order, are my observations of the run:
It was good to see Martin - my intrepid editor at Northwest Runner Magazine - during the expo. The December issue was flying out the door! Somehow Martin also managed to appear at the starting line, on I-90, in Seward Park, at every water station, at each street crossing, at the finish line, at Starbucks, in my living room, and on the Oprah show. Ok, he didn't do that. But I believe he could. It's like magic.
Even though I live less than 15 miles from the course, I chose to stay downtown this year at the host hotel. With the marathon in town and the busiest shopping weekend of the year on the calendar, downtown was a festive scene to be sure. Or it was just crowded. Whatever.
Every year I run the Seattle Marathon I forget that the start is uphill and that there is a sizeable hill in mile #2. Somehow I always remember a flat cruise down 5th Avenue to the International District, but I know it isn’t true.
I didn’t see Elvis this year. But I heard Superman was there. And I know at least one guy was running not only barefoot, but also in his bathrobe. Doesn’t seem advisable.
I don’t know how many times I heard someone say, “Man that Kenyan is fast” in reference to the race leader and eventual winner. But I do know that he is from Ethiopia. Not all East African runners are Kenyan.
I’m not Kenyan.
When did swag bags become nothing more than recycle bin promotional materials for other races? Remember that one year at Halloween when the whole neighborhood seemed to be handing out raisins? That’s how race day goodie bags feel to me these days. Ooooooh, I got a glossy brochure for the Des Moines 5k and Turkey Trot in 2011!
Seriously. Can we get at least ONE cool thing in the goodie bag? Vancouver gives out nifty little cotton gloves. That’s something. I got a half ounce bottle of olive oil, for swag’s sake!
While I’m on the subject of the stuff we get for running these races, can we talk shirts? I’m a fan of the technical shirt that comes with the entry fee. I really am. BUT, I think there should be two different shirts. A full marathon and a half marathon. AND, I want finishers shirts! I don’t care if it’s just a Hanes Beefy T with “Finisher” printed on the back. And you should ONLY be able to get a finisher’s shirt by crossing the finish line. I should NOT be able to buy a finisher’s shirt at the expo before the race.
My favorite t-shirt sequence was a group of five runners I passed at mile 8. “I’m doing this for Greg!” “I’m running for Greg!” “26.2 miles in support of Greg!” I thought they were talking about me until I passed them and caught up with a guy wearing a shirt that said “I’m Greg.” Nice.
I spent the better part of a mile wondering how the course might change when the City of Seattle eventually bulldozes Memorial Stadium. I have a suggestion. Start and finish at Qwest or Safeco field and reverse the course. Up 5th Avenue to Seattle Center, up Eastlake, across the University Bridge, back across the Montlake bridge, down Lake Washington Boulevard to Seward Park, back to I-90, across to Mercer Island, back across I-90 to the finish at the stadium of your choice. Feel free to point out the flaws in this plan if you like, but it’s flawless. In fact, let’s do it next year. I’d much rather have the big climbs in the first 13.1 and the downhill at the finish. Please.
This course is deceptively hard. The official description is "moderately hilly." I guess that's true, if you compare it to climbing Rainier.
Thank you Marathon Planning People for the 8:15 start. It was nice to have daylight for the first mile.
I saw less carnage at this race than any other marathon I have done in the past. Though the poor woman suffering explosive diarrhea near Seward Park has my sympathy. Also, that was gross. Also also, there was a Honey Bucket 300 feet from where you stopped. Sorry.
Here are my splits. See if you spot anything notable: 8:23, 7:42, 7:52, 8:23, 8:02, 8:16, 8:54, 8:13, 8:01, 7:45, 7:48, 7:48, 7:48, 7:49, 7:59, 7:58, 8:08, 7:58, 8:15, 8:35, 8:46, 9:22, 9:22, 12:08, 11:40, 10:55, 11:09…You can add those up if you like, but I’ll save you the trouble: 3:50:10. Sigh. I would have loved a sub 3:40, and that was my “goal” going in, but honestly, once I started to feel things tweak and creak and grown a little bit, I immediately backed off. I wanted to finish without injury. Success! That said, my first 20 miles were easily the strongest I have felt at the Seattle 26.2 mile jog-a-thon. Now I can get back to training for a race with fewer hills.
Somewhere on I-90 I ran into Owen, my ultra-marathoning tattoo artist. I caught up with him because he was taking it easy on Sunday. Why? Oh, no reason. Except that he had just run the Seattle Ghost Marathon the day before. What? Back-to-back 26.2 mile races? Both under 4 hours? Ugh. Some people are crazier than I am.
Oh, and Owen passed me at mile 23. Nice.
To the young lady who yelled at me and used a word that would cost a dollar in the swear jar for walking at a water stop. Same to you. I took the last possible water cup and stayed to the side of the street. I walk for 5 seconds at every water stop to make sure I get a good drink. It’s not uncommon. Maybe if you weren’t tailgating me in the first place it wouldn’t have been such a problem for you? Sheesh.
Including entry fees, hotel stays, meals, and other race day incidental costs, I figure a major marathon costs most runners upwards of $300. That’s a lot of coin to torture yourself for 4 hours. Where else would you be willing to spend $300 for a t-shirt and a week’s worth of aching muscles and blistered feet? The only more painful way to spend $300 without getting anything of value in return is taking the kids to a Mariners game. ZING!
In all, another successful race outing. My family still thinks I’m nuts, and The Colleague was at yet another finish line to watch a shell of my usual self limp across the timing mat. I’m scouring the calendar for the next one. Any suggestions for a late winter ‘thon?
Keep it real out there.
