carlsbad was conquered

Last weekend Joey, Kit, and Mark culminated 5 months of training and ran 26.2 miles in Carlsbad, CA. The four of us made a wonderful long weekend of it, spending hours listening to Jim Gaffigan, rocking out to Mariah Carey, and dissecting the nuances of middle school relationships and Jesus. We're fun like that.

We stayed with Kit's aunt, uncle, and cousin; truly some of the most wonderful people I've met. They are creative and articulate and open and warm and generous and so much of what I want to be. They are magnetic. I could have spent so many more days absorbing them.

Families came to cheer them on, and I had the greatest time waiting with Susan and Jimmie. There's something about a marathon that's so very inspirational. I mean, I know that's a ridiculously obvious statement to make; but when you see the thousands of people wincing their way past to finish the last .2 miles, and you're encouraging them on, you can't help but think of how much depth of meaning this experience has for them, and how odd and humbling it is to be a miscellaneous part of it.

The race was good, but discouraging on many levels for the runners. From changed routes to poor fuel, it just wasn't as supportive or friendly as San Francisco. Mark finished in the same time (4.12 I think) and Kit and Joey stuck it out together and finished at 4.55. Once Mark finished he ran back up the race and met the other two, so that they could all run in together, which was wonderful and tear-jerky for the rest of us. But we were so proud.

They're so awesome. And sore.

For the rest of the pictures from the race, go here. I'm not planning on 26.2 anytime soon, but the 13 in San Jose might not be too bad...