Running the World: Warning: Do Not Repeat

I think it’s time to write about Charlottesville.

I haven’t wanted to. I had to let some time pass, and now a week after the race, the intensity of the experience has faded. A few uplifting moments are emerging from the fog of negativity that started swirling in my mind around mile 11. I don’t even know why I can’t get rid of the negativity altogether. Overall, I have to judge the event a success. Nothing bad happened, except that I didn’t enjoy myself, I didn’t feel inspired. And even that isn’t completely true. I can think of two really great points along the course. I felt strong all the way to the end, in spite of the brutality of the hills.

I guess my expectations did me in, as much as I tried not to have them. I know Charlottesville can do better. I’ve run the Charlottesville Marathon twice before. The first year, in 2008, the course was scenic but difficult, and I remember passing mile 24 and feeling like I was almost home (ha, these are the exhibition miles, I thought) only to face the worst hill of the whole race on the University of Virginia campus. But when I made it to the end and saw my finish time, I smiled wide. I’d done better on that hilly course than I’d expected.

The next time I ran it, in 2011, the course had changed. It was maybe less scenic but also definitely less hilly, and I had a guy dressed up as Elvis to keep me company for the last six miles or so. I raced him over the final stretch as someone along the course called out, “Beat Elvis!”

This year when I went to the marathon website to register, I noticed a blurb indicating the course had changed yet again and was now “mostly flat.” Seemed like the organizers were trending toward a flatter, faster course.

Uh huh. Ever heard of false advertising? I guess that’s what got to me: I went into the race with the wrong expectations, and I blamed the organizers. I spent most of the second half of the marathon planning the nasty review I would write for Marathonguide.com.

I haven’t written it. I probably won’t. It turns out that planning negative reviews isn’t as spiritually invigorating as some other marathon thought processes.

But back to those great moments: early on, as I crested the first really serious hill, I breathed deep and took in the panorama of green fields spread out below a sky just bursting into full-on golden morning. The effort of the climb lent sweetness to the beauty. The sun took on some energy after a long period of waking up, and so did I.

Later, after a long stretch without a mile marker, I contemplated in near despair whether I might be around mile 16. I approached yet another hill, and I glimpsed a mile marker at the top. I ran toward it, my eyes fixed on it … and then I realized it wasn’t 16, it was 17. Miracle!!

But the real miracle is how physically good I felt through the whole race. Strong and steady, never sapped. I know by now I can never take that for granted.

If I’d been able to turn off the angry fantasies of race organizers plotting intentional torture, I might have had a great time. Charlottesville showed itself off well, with blooming bushes that seemed at the peak of their glory. Why don’t I ever just come to Charlottesville, I wondered, just as last November I asked myself, why don’t I ever just come to Richmond?

For now, I’m looking ahead to May and my first-ever trip to South Dakota. It’s four weeks away. Yeah, I know, that’s a lot. But then, bring on more Blitz!

Oh ... and my friend recorded me promising I would never sign up for the Charlottesville Marathon again! (Note to self in 2013 ...)

Hangin' out at the bar early Saturday morning, waiting for the fun to START (Miller Lite really wants you to know they sponsored this marathon--note that I would not run in a marathon named after full-calorie beer)