City of Oaks Marathon (Raleigh)

On November 1, at 5:25 am, Chris and I left our house on our way to Raleigh where I would run the City of Oaks Marathon.  As I had hoped, we readily found a parking spot at Cameron Village, a 5-minute walk from the marathon starting line located adjacent to the Belltower on the campus of NC State University.  Dawn's early light began to bring surroundings into view.  Foreboding, heavy, gray clouds hung in the sky.  There was a forecast for rain in the weather reports.

As runners were gathering, I spotted my daughter Katie who was geared up to run her 21st marathon.  She obviously was going to run this marathon much faster than I.

The horn blared at 7:00 am to signal the start of the marathon.  I had positioned myself with the 5.5 hour pace group so, about 7 minutes later, we crossed the start line with our sights set on 26.2 miles.  We wound our way through downtown Raleigh.  From there we ran into the neighborhoods west of downtown.  We past Cameron Village where those who were running the Old Reliable 10K were finishing.  I knew I had approximately 19 miles to run yet.

My legs were hurting.  I had already fallen behind my pace group; however, I did not worry about that.  With thoughts of shortening my marathon into a half marathon, I just hoped to finish.  I recalled the encouragement that my daughter Jessica had given me a month earlier and I remained focused on completing the marathon as I encountered hill after hill.

At 15-Mile Marker

After running onto the campus of Meredith College, I accessed the Raleigh Greenway.  I knew I had a 13-mile, out-and-back run on this narrow asphalt pathway through a heavily wooded area of Raleigh.  It was scenic with trees, streams, rocks, and (yes) more hills.  As I set out on the greenway, many runners were already completing their run on the greenway and had only a few miles remaining to finish.  Around the 18-mile marker it began to sprinkle and then it continuously rained.  In these conditions a runner does not seek shelter but rather charges on.

I do not recall much of the remaining miles other than rain, wet pavement, and soaked shoes and clothes.  As I neared the last mile of my run, I peered ahead to locate the finish line only to be denied because another hill rose in front of me.  As I struggled with my last half mile, I saw a member of the race crew standing in the middle of the street in the rain.  She called out to me, "Would you like a hug?"  I said, "Absolutely!"  I hugged her tightly and, with that brief reprieve, I felt recharged to finish my marathon.  When Katie saw me nearing the finish, she ran out to meet me.  She grabbed my hand, raised it in triumph, and escorted me to the finish line.

Katie welcoming me near the Finish

I had always heard runners describe the Raleigh course as hilly and challenging.  Now, I can attest to that.  Yet, I am happy that I ran this course and that I finished.  Six hours!!!