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Marshall University Marathon 2019

Posted on November 8, 2019

03-NOV-2019
Huntington, West Virginia, USA
Lifetime BLT #230
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I decided on repeating my 2017 trip to Huntington so I could close out the 3rd round of the states. Marshall University Marathon is not an especially exciting race, if I’m being frank with you. It’s flat, by West Virginia standards, with only about 240 ft. of gain, but most of the course isn’t all that scenic, and it’s a double loop. So if you thought it was boring the first time, wait until you get to see it again. The most exciting parts of the race are going past the memorial fountain and laying your flower, and the finish in the stadium, but the whole of the course consists 3/4 of park mileage, some of which have small rocks that can get in your shoes, a bit of old Huntington where there are a variety of antique and quilt shops, and back to the campus.

This year I had a busy weekend scheduled with a rather needy customer, that I knew would monopolize much of my weekend. It did, and then some. I started working Saturday at midnight, shortly after my flight landed in Columbus, Ohio, and didn’t stop until about 8 or 9pm that night when we received word that they were ready to continue. I did squeeze in just enough “me time” for dinner with Andy and Todd, and the drive to Huntington.

Most of the weekend was a game of scavenger hunt. Get this document, print it, sign it, initial it, date it, cross reference it, sign it again but on the pages with the pictures, scan it, find a USB drive to scan to, email, meet with client, etc.

By the evening I was anxious that I would get a call in the midst of my race. I just new I would get a call at mile 4 with some emergency. I went to bed, and enjoyed the extra hour that the Daylight Saving Time change gave me, and hoped for the best.

Race morning it was COLD. 32 degrees and I didn’t bring gloves because I live in Florida and do not generally thing about such things. Idiot. I covered my hands in socks and went to the start. We did our anthem thing without a flag (aside: it’s a personal annoyance of mine that people want to have the national anthem, but they do not have a flag. The whole point of that song, if you are familiar with the lyrics is that the flag withstands all these things “that our flag was still there…” So not having a flag, when you’re singing an anthem is like some sort of absurdist theater).

Off we went. First loop I entertained myself by chatting up two ladies in the first few miles until “ring, ring” (Not Avon calling.) Amusingly this was a different customer and work emergency at mile 3. I talked to our customer care rep while running and got the details of this problems and began texting away to find a solution to this problem. By mile 9 that issue was dispensed with, but another text from a Project Manager for the customer that I had feared.

Another blur of texts and a phone call carried me through the next 4 miles to start the second loop before that problem was also solved so I could do the second loop in peace. I met a first-timer who had a bicycle entourage. Two buddies on bike following him the whole way. He said at 14 this was the furthest he’d ever run so I was a bit concerned about how he’d be doing in the later miles. Then through the park I met a fellow with a South American accent. It was Sergio, a friend of Andy’s from Houston, and we chatted a bit as we jockeyed back and forth in the final miles, and he would ultimately finish right on my tail.

Fun fact: Huntington, WV was the second city in the nation to adopt electric streetcars (after San Francisco, CA).

Freezing at the start. Literally 32 degrees
When you don’t bring gloves you have to wear sock on your hands.
The flag they were just getting around to putting up after the anthem. A pet peeve of mine. Anthem is about the flag. You need to have one.
Water under the bridge.
Memorial Arch
Fountain in the park
I swear this inflatable minion hasn’t changed since the last time I ran this race.
Who’s a sweet little pup?
Train depot.
Grainger. Industrial supply, and
Nice foliage on campus
Chief Justice Marshall. The course technically only shows us his backside, but that seemed inappropriate to me.
Justice Marshall’s Seal. Fun fact; Marshall wasn’t always a university, originally it was basically a fancy prep school. Also technically it was in regular old Virginia until the Civil War split Virginia in twain.
Old Huntington is chock-a-block with antique shops and quilts
Memorial Flower
A few people beat me to the memorial fountain
Marco the Bison, mascot of the Thundering Herd.
American Bison Statue with medal, and post-race chocolate milk
Another bison.
The Prez was out.
This dog is outstanding in his field.
Swag bag included branded Marshall U goodrs.
Nifty 1/4 zip sweater. Not so useful in Florida, but thanks.
Bib for the day’s festivities
Tug boat exhibits were auctioned off to benefit a local children’s hospital
More of the tug boat art
Still another tug
Stopped by Charleston to add to my state capitol pictures. Another “under construction” Capitol.

1 thought on “Marshall University Marathon 2019”

  1. Chris says:
    November 13, 2019 at 12:53

    Sock gloves. Inventive. Haha

    Reply

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