This past Sunday I celebrated my 40th birthday. I started my "party" before day-break with a banana, peanut butter, Pop Tart, and Starbucks Frappucino. I then headed over to the Philadelphia Art Museum where 15,000 other "friends" were waiting for me. At 7:00 a.m. the gun sounded, and me and my friends started out on a 26.2 mile trip around Philly. 3 hours and 57 minutes later, I crossed the finish line posting my 4th best time in my 9th marathon. It was a great way to start the day!
As usual Marti and the kids were there to cheer me on. Marti is quite the brave soul coming out early with the kids picking some spots along the race route to give me encouragement. For this marathon she met me (with the kids in tow) at 6 miles, 13.1 miles, and at the finish line. I can't tell you how important it is to have some familiar faces shouting out your name along the way. It was especially encouraging on the day I became an "old man."
I really enjoyed this marathon. The weather was great. The route was relatively flat, the drink stations were well staffed, and the sites awesome. I raced smart, didn't run faster than I trained, and kept on pace throughout. I only had to stop a couple of times to briefly stretch. Overall I was well pleased with the race. I think I will be interested in running this one again.
One of the things I wanted to do in Philadelphia was to eat a Philly Cheesesteak. I asked a few friends who were from Philly where to eat and one of the recommendations was Jim's Steaks on South Street. After my post-marathon massage (which was free) and a shower, we headed over to Jim's Steaks. When we arrived there was a line outside, wrapped around the corner. Undaunted, we waited 45 minutes and let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. Everyone, including the little girls, loved their sandwiches.
After naps at the hotel, Marti and the kids gave me a little party in the room. This party was more fun with my little posse than the bigger party earlier in the day! I don't think when I was celebrating my 20th birthday that I could have imagined celebrating my 40th birthday with FIVE of the best kids in the whole world. (I don't think I would have imagined celebrating my 40th by running a 26.2 mile marathon either). But life is full of wonderful surprises. I wonder what the next 40 years will bring!
I ran my one and only marathon when I was 46 and agree with you about how helpful it is to have friendly faces cheering you on at intervals along the way...also that life brings many wonderful surprises! You have a great family and we love you guys!
Posted by: Eloise Keeler | December 05, 2009 at 07:15 AM