2007 Chevron Houston Marathon Recap: Spectator Version

I know I've run marathons & half marathons before, but I never knew how exhausting cheering during a marathon could be. After almost 6 hours, my feet hurt, my legs hurt, my back ached, & I screamed myself hoarse. But it was all worth it.

Carmen & I set up on the median on Montrose near Westheimer between mile 8 & 9. It didn't take long before the wheel chair participants & the elite runners were flying by. It was very cool to see the elite runners. I've never had this vantage point before, as I'm usually WAAAAAAAAAY behind them in the race.

Wheel Chair racer. He was hauling serious ass!

That's Ryan Hall. He finished the 1/2 marathon in 59:43 & broke the U.S. record. This was the only semi-clear shot I got of him. He was too damn fast!

That's Feyisa Tusse in the green singlet. He won the marathon in 2:11:39. The 2 guys in front of him came in 3rd & 4th.

Carmen & I stayed there cheering until the last TNT person came by on their way back towards the finish. We're both the slow ones in our group so we know how much it means to have someone there to cheer for you, especially after all the faster people have gone on ahead & the rest of the crowd has dissipated. We didn't want to leave anyone out there alone. Our "You are ALL Kenyan's to us!" sign was a HUGE hit. (I wish I'd taken a pic of it.) We had a cooler full of water & gatorade, a bunch of saltly snacks, & various first aid items ready & waiting for anyone that needed it.

Carmen ready to cheer.

It was great to see the faces of my friends when they saw us on the sidelines, as well as the faces of the strangers running the race who obviously needed that extra "push" to go on. The best was the look on my friend, Lori's face when she saw me & heard me screaming at the very top of my lungs "RUN, HOOKER!!!! RUN!!!!!!" (We call each other "Hooker". It's our thing.) Her husband (& my former roommate), Evan was running right behind her (in full "Rockets Rowdy" gear) humming the "Chariots of Fire" theme song the whole time. It was awesome. :)

The sign I made for Lori.

Lori "Hooker!" Johnson. The blur behind her in the ref. gear is her hubby, Evan.

Jilly Bean!

Felix & the flag at mile 8/9. He carries this flag in every single race he does.

Coach Ginny & fellow TNT'er.

After mile 8/9 we moved to Memorial near mile 23 where we met up with Adrienne. She had finished the 1/2 & was hanging out with some friends, drinking Bloody Mary's, & cheering. We got to see lots of the same faces we saw at mile 8/9 & I saw a few others I'd missed before, like Edwin & Jon. We stayed there until the last group of people came through & the police escorted everyone off the road. Some of the last people looked like they were really hurting so we cheered even louder for them. I knew that feeling all too well... in so much pain, yet so close to finishing that you don't want to give up. One of the last TNT gals came by, looking exhausted, but so happy to see us & she said "isn't anyone going to run me in?" Adrienne immediately dropped her bags & Bloody Mary w/ me & said "I will!" Sure enough, she ran her all the way to the finish line. I have no doubt that girl appreciated that more than anything.

That's what I love about this group. We don't leave anyone behind.

In all it was a great day. Definitely worth losing my voice over. :)

Carmen, Adrienne, Jill, & me near mile 23.

Felix & his flag again. 23 miles & still going strong!

Edwardo's ass.