Monday, June 6, 2022

Couer d'Alene Marathon DNF


 A quick post to memorialize my DNF in C'ouer d'Alene over the weekend.  

It was a good, fast Memorial Day weekend. The drive over to Spokane is a good 6 hours. I listened to some new Dead shows. The goal was to visit some very good friends, see Bob Dylan in Spokane, and then get up early and shuffle through the CDA marathon. Two out of three ain't bad, said Meatloaf.

As to the friends, one of my oldest running friends and I got together for the first time since the pandemic, along with his wonderful family. He got our numbers while I drove over, thank you. 

Bob Dylan is 81 years old. Mount Rushmore isn't much older, in current state at least. I'm probably a bigger fan than most, and can cite numerous songs. Nobody ever asks me to, for the common good. The concert was short, the room full, and the whole thing was kind of funny, since barely anyone knew any of the songs he was singing, and even if they did, it was sometimes hard to understand. And as I write, two weeks later, I'm still smiling about the whole thing, and there are five or six Dylan discs (still have a CD player) in the car. His Rough and Rowdy Ways cd is remarkably getting rave reviews--best release in 30 years type stuff. It isn't Katy Perry.

The short set was good in one respect--we had to get up early.

We zipped across the state line. I knew I had a stomach ailment of some sort, and it was likely to be a struggle. It was a great day for running, or walking, as the moment required. The course goes out 8 miles or so, and then returns past the start line. I decided the final 10 miles and a medal weren't in my interest. While ordinarily the distance would've been fine, even on a bad day, this was the right call for this day. Glad to have put a half marathon distance up on the board, and hope I can return soon.

My friend B did great. So impressed with his effort.  

The drive back was long, and a bit longer even, having discovered Moses Lake is a good stop over for Mexican food, and the cherries are tasty in Thorp.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice write up and effort...wry humour to boot. The fruit stand in Thorp is great, I can taste the cherries. I want to recommend 'East of the Mountains' by David Gutterson..it is set on that area and the scrub land east to the Columbia and a great read. Keep on trucking! (And don't forget to cash on your chips). -Seth

Scotty said...

Thanks Seth! Yes, that fruit stand has been a stop the last few times. I'll have to check out the Gutterson book--I've heard of it, but haven't read it. I still have that other one by him to read too!

Scotty said...

And...didn't miss the Dead reference! Better watch my speed... ( :