Sunday, February 25, 2007

My Marathon Course

Days Until First Marathon: 6

Today we drove the entire marathon course. I have ran on many parts of it B.M. (Before Marriage, when I lived in Little Rock). It was interesting to drive the whole thing. It goes through diverse parts of town. It starts in downtown by the state capitol, just 2 blocks from my workplace (where we'll park!) and ends 3 blocks from my workplace.

From the downtown starting point, it winds through the streets over the (inclined!) Broadway bridge into North Little Rock, Arkansas. After some street winding there, including viewing of the new Arkansas Travelers (minor league baseball) Stadium, it goes back over the same bridge and heads east to the new Clinton Presidential Library. From there it heads south to the Governor's Mansion and through the historic Quapaw Quarter. Just a bit west is Central High School. From that landmark we run back to nearly the starting point, which is the halfway point (yay!) and onto 3rd, which turns into Boone, which tuns into Markham. Once that happens, we veer onto Kavanaugh and run through the very runner-friendly Hillcrest neighborhood for about 3 miles. Next we'll turn onto Lookout, which is nearly all downhill (!!!) and shaded, until we get to the bottom of it, at which point we head north to almost the Arkansas River. We'll run alongside it (sort of) in an out-and-back fashion until we are about - brace yourself - two miles from the finish line. At that point we'll go up a HUGE hill (Cantrell Road) and glide back into downtown. The first site there will be the Diamond Bear Brewery. From that point there will be less than a mile to go. When we finally turn back onto Capitol Avenue, there will be a slight incline, then the finish line is a quick downhill jaunt. Hallelujah!

I can't believe that this time next week I'll be able to say "I am a marathoner." Wow!

3 comments:

Maddy said...

Good for you - knowing what you'll be facing! It can be very helpful knowing where you are. - And what's coming next!

Do you think Mike Huckabee is going to run?

I'm so excited for you!

MarathonChris said...

Thanks for the tour of the race course. How exciting that the moment is so close! Saturday will just be a confirmation of the marathoner we all already know you are! :-)

CewTwo said...

I am so impressed with what you are accomplishing. Your research, planning and training is impressive to anyone. I know that when I am ready (if that ever happens), I will just need to follow your lead.

Congratulations and thank you!