Wineglass Marathon - From The Other Side

Yes, I watched and did not run the Wineglass Marathon as those of you who have been following my journey know. It was strange to be watching a marathon I had registered to run but it was certainly not all bad.  Here are a few of the highlights.

The Drive Over

My hubby and I don't get away together too often and what says togetherness like a 6 hour drive!  It was actually quite pleasant - a lot of nice scenery including fall foliage.  Neither of us had ever been to this part of New York.  The rivers were high and fields were flooded due to the recent rain which made for interesting gawking!

The Pre Race Dinner

I could eat what I wanted. I had no race to prepare for.  A second beer? Sure!  Burger and chips? Why not?  No worries here.

Wish I was Running

It was hard to see everyone in their pre race excitement and not be envious.  I felt like the fat girl no one wants to dance with at the party! I should have worn a marathon shirt from other marathons so people would know I too was a runner, not just a spectator mom!  The course looked like one I would enjoy running on!  I love fall and the weather was going to be great!

Emily at the start before she sheds some layers

Glad I Wasn't Running

Ready to start, happy in spite of how cold she must have been!

Yes, the weather was going to be great but man it was NOT great at the start!  It was freezing!  I did not wish I was standing there in shorts and short sleeves! It felt like being a spectator in a warm car would be just fine! Uh oh I am losing my toughness?

The Ease Ridiculousness of Being a Good Spectator

It's warming up and she is doing great!

I had the directions all the spectators had for viewing their runners. This was a point to point course. We drove Emily and her friend to the start. We decided to skip the first viewing point as it took us longer to get through town than it would Emily to reach the point by running. Our original intent was to stop at Mile 9, the second spectator point. When we got to the interstate turnoff it was backed up for a long ways. I drove past intending to go to the next spot when I realized both were accessed by the last exit I just didn't get on.  Oops.  This is when we started to get grumpy.  I got off at the next exit and drove back along the race course - to find a different stopping point.  This turned out to be totally uncrowded and perfect viewing. We saw Emily's friend come through and not too much later I saw her coming toward us.  She took off her long sleeved top, heaved it my way and continued on.  It was great seeing her and being able to cheer her on!  The people near us told us a back road to the next stop. But by the time we got parked waaaaaaaaaaaaay down the road and walked back, Emily had gone by and we missed her. So back to the interstate and down the road.  We see cars pulled over to the side and decide to join them. We are at an overpass and just then Emily goes by down below.  We yell but she doesn't hear us.  My husband runs along until he gets her attention!!! MEANWHILE...............cue ominous music.........back at the car.........a state trooper pulls up behind me with his lights on.  Out of the loudspeaker I hear............"Move your car off the side of the road and back into traffic." Okay, I'm not going to argue. The man is not giving me a ticket. I am clearly in the wrong and willing to drive down the road........but officer I don't have my husband with me!  I proceed slowly, along comes Hubby and he jumps in the car.  Then I say the words he wants to hear.  "Honey, this is all too crazy and just not working. (The next viewing point required a shuttle bus.) If we want to see Emily at the end we should just go to the finish and be ready!" So off we went. Good plan right?

Fun Viewing Moment - Very Fun Viewing Moment

"I will marry you!"

I went to one end of the bridge that had the finish line and my husband waited by the clock. I would see Emily first and call him after she went by. Then we could support her twice. Good plan again right?  

Meanwhile I got to chatting to a woman from Ottawa who was also not running because of an injury.  She told me that a man near her had told her his son had done many marathons but this was a big one for him.  Boston Qualifier? No.  Coming back from an injury?  No.  Former winner? No.  He was going to be proposing to his girlfriend on the bridge.  So when he came the father pointed him out to all of us.  We turned and watched him get down on his knees and saw him propose!  Yes, she appeared to accept! Hugs and kisses were exchanged as everyone cheered and clapped and then he finished the race!  Ohhhh!

Worst Viewing Moment - Definitely the Worst Viewing Moment

Emily eating the chocolate doughnuts I finally got to her!

Emily and her friend had goal times.  Both those times passed and I began to get nervous.  My mother genes kicked in and I worried about injury. I was watching for Em's friend, Steve as he expected to be about 10 minutes ahead of Emily. I finally saw him coming and cheered for him.  Then I waited and waited and waited.  No Emily. I checked my phone.  There was a voice mail wondering where I was as she had finished.  I found out later she had been running right next to her friend Steve and I didn't see her!  It gets worse though. The same thing happened with my husband. He saw Steve and not Emily. We are truly pathetic parents.  

In spite of our "good plans" not always working it was a 

great day and awesome to support our daughter in

her 10th marathon!