So Sunday morning was the Towpath Marathon which represented my first time helping out at a Marathon aid station. Nick was running the 8 mile station at the turn and requested us to be there by 7:45. So at 6:45 I arrived and met with another volunteer to put in a few miles on the towpath. We headed south but quickly ran into trail blazers who were guarding the towpath (it was closed due to the race). We told them we were working the aid station and would be back in about 30 minutes. They laughed a little and then as we ran off the one guy yelled "your shitting me right?". Well after putting in a couple more miles at around an 8:40 pace we return to the crossing and they dude says "you just lost me a bet". Apparently they thought we were feeding them a line and were just crashing the course early in the morning. Go figure, why would someone be running on the towpath at 6:45 in the morning before spending a couple hours volunteering.
So we started setting up and all the volunteers started arriving. We had an interesting discussion with regards to the sports beverage they had decided to use. I didn't have any experience with "Ultima" but after Sunday I would like to avoid it. The container looked like something out of a laboratory and after inhaling some of the powder while mixing this stuff I don't want to be drinking it. Check out the label. And what happens to this stuff after 24 hours?
Well we were supposed to have some music at the rest stop but someone didn't hook us up as planned so it was put onto me. I have an FM transmitter for my iPod (yes I'm a tech geek) so Melissa pulled up her car and we were in business. The only problem is my wide taste in music. We were treated to a mix of anything between, Eminem, Disturbed, Lord of the Dance, Pink, and watching dances to London Bridge. Well after my masculinity was challenged due to the large presence of Irish step dancing music in my running tunes directory we decided Melissa would be in charge of the Music so that we didn't disturb the runners to much. Well wouldn't you know it as one of the first women came through with the walkers who were able to start an hour early this lovely lady who looked to be over 50 thanks us for the music to break up the race. When she left we all had a laugh about spending 8 miles in NE Ohio on one of the most beautiful days with the leaves changing colors enjoying the quit trip down the towpath and then hitting mile 8 and I honestly remember some pretty heavy music playing. May have been POD, Disturbed, or System of a Down and she honestly thanked us.
Well had a great time. Got to see many friends have great races while at the same time getting my run in and still getting back to the family in a reasonable time. Congratulations to all the runners and sorry to everyone who drank the Ultima. You really didn't want to see the bucket it got mixed in or to know that Nick stuck his whole hairy arm it it to stir it :)
Great day, great runners, great volunteers, great day. Some pictures I took.
1 Complaints:
You and I both have some odd music on our libraries. One of my coworkers today was making fun of me having the beegees. But later that day I heard him jamming to staying alive.
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