A Marathon to Remember

It was 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 27.  As I faced the East, early morning daylight was cresting the horizon.  Over the heads of the thousands of runners ahead of me, I noted the dark silhouette of the dome of the Old Courthouse aligned with the dark silhouette of the Arch.  The St. Louis Rock 'n Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon was now underway.  I was in Corral 16.  Nineteen minutes later my corral set out from the start line!  I began my 26.2 mile journey around the city of St. Louis.

For the previous year I had quietly hoped to run one more marathon.  I selected St. Louis because its marathon is in the autumn and because our daughter Sarah, her husband, and their young son live there.  During my long training period I gradually built up my running mileage.  Then, this past August I joined a marathon/half-marathon training program sponsored by a local Fleet Feet store.  For me, I benefited from the coaching/mentoring, from learning how to run hills, and challenging myself to run hard after running easy.

My marathon in St. Louis was challenging, exhausting, and memorable.  In addition to Chris, all our daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren were there to cheer me on.  And cheer they did, with their noisemakers and posters prominently displayed.  Not only could they see me a quarter of a mile away, but also I could hear them!  The weather was ideal for running a marathon, from mid-30's at the start to the mid-50's in the afternoon.  We ran by or through locations such as Bush Stadium, Tower Grove Park, Compton Hills, St. Louis University, Washington University, and Forest Park.

It's "thumbs up" around Mile 18 in Forest Park.

Near Mile 22 I was struggling and 3 or 4 of my grandchildren (ages 12 to 4) jumped in to run with me.  The smiles on their faces and the excitement of their laughter were as bright as the sunshine.  They were really into this experience and they "juiced" me.

L to R: Matthew, Susan, Jocelyn, and Peter (in bottom R corner)

Also, at this point our daughter Katie, who has run numerous marathons herself, joined me for the remaining 4-5 miles.  Her urging, challenging, and encouraging me enabled me to "finish strong."  (Remember, at this point in a marathon, "to finish strong" is a relative concept.)

I finished the marathon in 5 hours and 31 minutes.  I am happy with this, as the time was not so important as was the experience.  After the marathon, one of my family members asked me whether I would run another marathon.  I answered, "No."  On Monday, when someone asked me a similar question, I said that I would consider it.  Yes, the thirst to run another marathon returns quickly.

It was wonderful that Norm and Linda Hageman drove to St. Louis from Kansas City on this marathon weekend to visit their son and his family and to meet Chris and me for dinner on Saturday late afternoon.  We ate at LoRussos Cucina where the meal was delicious and the service outstanding.  We enjoyed our time with Norm and Linda.  They have become very involved and active in a new parish that they have recently joined.  In addition, earlier in the week before the marathon, while we were visiting our daughter and her family who live in the Chicago area, we arranged to meet with Don and Betty Wampach for lunch at Geppettos in Oak Park.  (There's a rumor that Don is putting his beer can collection up for auction?  Or, is it on E-bay?)  Again, our time together was a joy.  How amazing it is to meet former classmates, great friends, while traveling in various parts of the United States!

Finishing Strong

Where will my next marathon be?

2014 Reunion Planning Continues

Throughout the summer and into this fall Fr. Dan Clayton has been devoting a lot of time and attention to notable and impressionable sights and sounds of Dallas, Texas, for the benefit of our class reunion in October 2014.  Dan is proud of Dallas and he is excited to be welcoming us to his great city.  Thus far Dan has sent me numerous mailings containing newspaper clippings and brochures regarding diverse points of interest.

The Old Red Courthouse is a restored historic 1892 courthouse that is now a museum exhibiting its own captivating architecture and harboring all things uniquely Dallas.  Then, who of us does not remember where we were on November 22, 1963, when the unimaginable news of President Kennedy's tragic assassination was reported.  We will have the opportunity to visit the Sixth Floor Museum - the Texas School Book Depository - at Dealey Plaza a half-century later.  Further, I would be remiss if I did not mention a new, spacious park, which Dan has highlighted, located in the Arts District in downtown Dallas.  The Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2 acre pedestrian park expanding over and bridging a busy expressway.   It is the site of numerous venues from green space to performance pavilions, from a botanical garden to a dog park, free concerts and Zumba classes, putting green and ping pong, suitable for walking and jogging.  There is the newly re-designed and re-engineered GeO-Deck, a 561' observation deck located at Reunion Tower, offering panoramic views of the entire metroplex.  As one last teaser, we might tour the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, over one hundred years old, a Victorian Gothic jewel, located in downtown Dallas.

To tickle our taste buds and our appetite, Dan has mentioned the Octoberfest in Grapevine, Texas; renowned Texas BBQ; and an authentic Mexican fiesta.

Dan and I have talked about lodging.  Of course, there are many options.  After conducting some research, I contacted the Fairfield Inn and Suites positioned in the Market Center in Dallas and Dan subsequently went to see the Fairfield as well as the adjacent Courtyard.  These two motels are fairly close to Dan's condo as well. 

Kudos to Fr. Dan for all the groundwork he has done.  I'm excited about next year's reunion.  Dan and I are looking forward to seeing all of you in Dallas.  We hope you have saved the dates of October 23-27, 2014.