Where to begin...let me start by saying we had great time and we enjoyed each others company with everything we did together.
The Virginia Team which included some really amazing Marathon friends; Misha Anthony, Tracie Beacham, Lisa Furguson, David and Debbe Harless, Elizabeth Merce, Jessie Orozco and Jayme Reed. All of whom finished their own kind of Marathon in a fascinating and exciting way. And I cannot forget the special spouses Scott Merce and Vernon Tally, whom I happen to know did some running along side of the course themselves. I said it before, they are two great guys!
The story begins with the news, the National Weather Service in Nashville had issued a hazardous weather out look for Saturday.
"It's not just going to rain," warned meteorologist Mark Rose. "There will be storms, some of them severe" bringing with them a chance of lightning, hail and tornadoes.
Everyone had a plan, the city, the race directors, Team In Training, and the coaches. The race would go on with perhaps, a few changes made along the way. One plan was to divert the full to the half if the storm progresses, that was not good news as you can imagine.
On race morning, no rain, it was a little overcast with some light sprinkles. I noticed some lightning in the air but it seemed miles away. The race started and all was well, in fact by 8:15 the sun was shinning and it looked so promising. Everything appeared to be similar to many other great marathon days. Like running with your participants, this is a highlight for any coach so I am thankful to have run along side of almost everyone, except Misha and Jessie, sorry I missed you. Now I am thinking that everything would be fine.
Okay, it is now 9:45 and the clouds are moving fast and the cool air is starting to blow, the optimist in me was thinking, maybe this will pass! As I started to see more of our running friends for the second time, the warnings from Team in Training began to come in. The coaches and our staff coordinator Cate Summers were all communicating with each other, things were changing constantly with each minute. Then another call, it was official the full marathoners would be diverted to the half marathon if they did not reach 11.2 at a certain time.
At 10:15 it was raining harder and the wind is blowing the rain in every direction. With every minute passing it looked impossibly worse than the minute before. Within another 5 minutes more official news, the full marathon course was closing, all runners who made it past the cut off were now being stopped at 20.5 and diverted to the finish line. For the half marathoners staying ahead of the sweepers became the biggest concern, with the threat of the storm hanging over their head, literally. I found our Virginia Chapter friends from Richmond David and Debbe just before the finish and we ran together for a while almost to the finish line. David you ran and you kept yourself moving as if it was not raining, I was impressed with your focus. I believe part of this motivation came, because of the story you shared with me about your beautiful wife and the Teams new friend Debbe. This special person we now call our friend is a “Survivor”! How amazing is that!
This race, on a spring day in April turned out to be a unusually surprising event. An event everyone will remember with a story, a funny moment, a bite me moment or perhaps two and a little disappointment. But one thing I am certain about, you will never regret what you gave to the cause and the people you helped before this day and many days to come.
Thank you!
Now, let the great fish stories begin!
Coach Michelle
I enjoyed your account Coach Michelle. I ran the CM half last year for TNT and it was incredibly hot after a winter and spring of cold weather training. But your weather surely tops hot. Thanks for all you do. Art
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