London Flora

Today I did something I've never done before - I watched a marathon. The Flora London Marathon 2007. I've run a marathon before but I've never been on the sideline. I expected to be bummed that I couldn't run. I was right. What I didn't expect was to have as much as fun as I did. I surely didn't expect it to be the party it was. I started out watching around the 20 KM point on the Tower Bridge. Watching the runners cross the bridge, oh how cool that must feel! I was early enough to catch the runners. Now when I say runners, I mean runners.vThey are FAST. Wow. I have no idea how the human body can run that fast for that long. So after the runners went by, everyone else started to make their way over the bridge. Now I've heard that some people dress up for this but I had no idea how many people did. In no particular order there was...2 Elvis, Superman, Spiderman, Batman AND Robin, 4 Fred Flinstones (1 even had a cardboard cutout that resembled Fred's foot powered wagon. That was clever), Several fairies, sunflowers, the Leicester Rugby Club Tiger Mascot, and several miscellaneous crazy costumes. As crazy as all the was, it didn't prepare me for the guy running in a thong. Yes, I know, I probably shouldn't share that but I had to see it, you only have to visualize it. =)

Like always, there is a smattering of wheelchair racers. But what I didn't expect to see was a double leg amputee who was running on specialized prosthetics. I am still amazed and completely inspired. I think that's really what does it for me. Inspiration. Marathons are full of amazing stories, characters, people from all walks of life, different levels of fitness. Most are just regular folks who have lives. Lives full of full time responsibilities, jobs, kids you know, life. But for some reason they run. They run a lot. In order to run 26.2 miles you have to train. That is one thing all marathoners have in common. You can't just decide to run a marathon. Something has to inspire you. Inspire you enough to run 20-30 miles a week for months in preparation of the big day.

Well done runners, well done.

Now in regards to London. I have only ever been involved with three other marathons, Dallas White Rock, Austin Motorola, and San Antonio. They all have their good parts and bad parts. But London in truly world class. I never would have stopped to think about the logistics of a marathon if I wouldn't have seen genius in action. The London Marathon is truly genius. In spite of the tens of thousands of people along the route and in spite of the fact that London is truly a big city, it was easy getting around on the route. I was able to watch from the 12 mile mark, walk over the bridge and find a nice walk from mile 22 to the finish. Absolutely remarkable.

For the entire walk from 22 to the finish, it was a party. There were several live bands around the course. People were every where walking around with a cold pint or a pitcher of Pimm's and lemonade. The afternoon was very sunny and warm.

Well done, London, well done.