Baden Marathon 2005: The Start |
September 18, 2005I woke up at 6 a.m. this morning to a fresh 4°C/40°F. Forget cool, it was cold! I had a healthy breakfast, took care of my morning toiletries and my wife and I hit the road right around 7 a.m. We managed to get one of the few remaining parking places about 400 meters (~1/4 mile) from the sports hall. The toilet lines were already forming as we entered the hall about 7:45, so I got my wife situated in the main bleachers where I could find her again and stood in line.
About 8:45 I said goodbye to my wife and went outside and found the Start. I lined up behind the 4 hour finish group, but did not see the pace leaders anywhere. Where were they? They were missing! I kept looking around but I never saw them. Strange. Anyway promptly a 9 a.m. the race started, it took about 3-4 minutes before we moved anywhere, and then it was a slow WALK to the Start line. Right before the Start line we finally started to move a little.
I tapped my start watch as I crossed over the starting line and headed out with the mass. We ran a short ways then took a left turn onto the main street amonst a small cheering crowd. I felt motivated and ready to deal with the 42+ kilometers. |
