Race Day Commentary

Random thoughts from the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon, a race I registered for months ago in the  Nike Women's afterglow and then, for reasons mostly medical and partly lackadaisical, didn't train for. 


1. What goes up must come down is not topographically true. Nothing like a foot race for realizing the streets I've been driving for 25 years are not even remotely flat: they're all uphill. Both ways!


2.  Mic Ultra may not be beer except under the strictest definition, but when it's ice cold, fresh out of the tap, free, and the first non-Gatorade beverage one has had in 13.1 miles, it's not bad at all. 


3.  Body Glide is a miracle substance: just don't miss a spot. 


4.  The guy with a KISS Army tattoo owes us all a story, don't you think?


5.  So do those women packing four water bottles that were still full at mile twelve. 


6.  Bagpipes are cool. 


7.  And so is running through the brewery compound, even if it's not really A-B any more, and even if I never buy their beer. It's just red brick St. Louis in a way that means I'm-not-sure-what to me. 


8.  In the category of High School Age Race Day Volunteers, San Francisco wins hands down over the Lou.  Yes, kids, there are "so many people," so pour the Gatorade already. And try to weasel out of the end of your shift after you hand me my medal. 


9.  A big thank you to those who are willing to cheer for anyone who passes your spectator spot, and not just your one friend/relative/significant other.  For those of you who won't, I bet it'd make your day a lot more fun if you did.  


10.  Same goes for 9/10 of the TNT staff. I know the power's in the purple shirt, but damn.  Didn't you see the Team in Training keyholder on my shoe? ; ) 


11.  Having my too sedentary girl say, unprompted, that she'd do a Half - "but just walk it" - sometime is a pretty cool prize, and a testament to the power of actions over words. I do this for me, but if she follows, maybe it's not selfish. 


12.  Having come late to the participant party, I love the start just about as much as the finish. Maybe more. 


13.1. Today felt like coming out of retirement. Hell yes, I'll do it again.