Comments on: Alternate Route (The Marathon Chronicles, Part IV)

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:19:12 +0000

Listen to SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson- it’s a *great* story on so many levels!

By: cyclingjimbo

cyclingjimbo — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:20:04 +0000

I think you only have two options:

1. Do what The Runner wants to do (it took me awhile to figure out that answer for myself, but after 42 years of marriage I have finally learned my lessons – don’t be a slow learner).

2. Run Death Valley – it’s what you signed up for and what you made your bets on. Most of your loyal fans seem to be favoring this option over any other course.

If option 1 and 2 do not wind up being the same run, Option 1 wins. Your relationship with The Runner is going to outlast any marathon you will ever run, so whatever she wants wins. She is The Runner, and you, Elden, are the Fat Cyclist – this marathon is more about her than it is about you and your bets. For things cycling your word might hold sway (unless The Runner has a different opinion, of course), but for lots of reasons this time you need to yield to her. Get over it and ask her what she wants to do.

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:17:25 +0000

1776 by McCullough

By: Joanie

Joanie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:46:25 +0000

I like Al’s adivce. The first one on the list, as my husband name is Al also, and he would say the same thing, “do what ever the Runner wants” and it will be all good. ;-)

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:35:36 +0000

Man up, or pay up.

By: allie

allie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:29:41 +0000

When I was a senior in college, I signed up for the LA Marathon…I trained for and did the thing in complete secret. (Totally afraid that I would publicly fail) I have arthritis and knew I would most likely end up walking some of it..maybe not even finish when the course was open. Morning of the run, I woke up…drove the hour to start area. It began to pour rain…like nothing I had ever moved in before. It took 6:36:26 to complete the whole thing…drowned rats looked glamorous compared to me. I still remember the lady who sat outside of a KFC crying around mile 22–I looked at her and asked if she wanted to finish this thing with a new friend? Sure enough…we did it. Do the damn race that you signed up for…show the kids that we complete what we start. Love the podcasts on iTunes: The Splendid Table is fantastic if you love food.

By: GJ Jackie

GJ Jackie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:59:20 +0000

“like some whine with your cheese?” HA! Good one Douglas. I’m with you.

BTW, I love Eric Miraglia’s (11:39 pm) idea about running 26 miles of the White Rim Road for the beauty factor, but don’t bother. It’s covered in SNOW. Crappy winter this year in Moab.
http://moablive.com/webcam.asp

By: Trish

Trish — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:56:25 +0000

Listen to The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty.

By: Bicycle Bill

Bicycle Bill — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:44:31 +0000

for dc: RAGBRAI is not a race, or one of the "Grand Tours" — RAGBRAI is a week-long party cleverly disguised as a bicycle ride. Incidentally, here is a link to this year's route. And Fatty — I think you should do the Death Valley course. From the sounds of it, there were a few other things you wanted to show the Runner while you were there anyway, so go for it. -"BB"-

By: Douglas

Douglas — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:08:08 +0000

You didn’t have all these conditions back when you were talking smak, run fat boy run!

also would you like some whine with your cheese?