Saturday 17 May 2008

At the Race Expo...

This is a picture of the inside of the tent at the race expo for the Colfax Marathon.  I worked at the late registration table from 1 to 5.  I really had no idea that anyone would be registering for a full or half marathon on the afternoon before the marathon,  I was surprised at how many did.  It was fun to be there.  I was probably a bit too much of a Chatty Cathy with the runners.... but it was fun.  

So, here were the things of note that happened:  

A very fit man registered for a full marathon.  I got his paperwork done and the other ladies (pictured above) were taking his money.  He asked them "oh, how many miles is a marathon anyway?"  When I looked at him with sheer horror, he laughed.  It was a joke.  The other ladies didn't get it though.  They didn't know anything about races and kept calling the chip - "the timer" - which confused people.  

A not-so-fit looking woman- who I assumed was older than me - and was shocked when I saw that she was 6 years younger than me - but still no spring chicken!  registered for the full marathon.  As we chatted, she said she thought she would do fine because she runs 5 miles every day.  Oy.  

I was happy to see that there really are people of all shapes, sizes, and ages who are running marathons.  Well, mostly the older and lumpier ones are running the half - but still - it was nice to see that I am not the only older person with some cushioning to be running.  

I also noticed as I walked around, that I know an awful lot of people who were at the expo.  Like people from the running stores and clubs.  I think it is scary that I know their names!  Yikes.

....Edited out some mean stuff I wrote here....

Good luck to everyone out there running a race tomorrow.

7 comments:

Adam said...

Greetings from Tokyo

Well actually the girl that runs 5 miles a day almost runs a marathon a week, she should do just fine:)

Could you post pics of the girls you were referring to?

Unknown said...

It's a bit amazing to me, as well, that someone would register for a half or a full marathon the night before. Weird.

J~Mom said...

Ha! I see those girls all the time around the neighborhood...whatevah! :>D

Marcy said...

LMAO! Ohhh yeah I tell myself that all the time. "I run 5 miles a day so a marathon should be cake" Oh my. I'm kidding! I'd like to see how she looked when she finished LOL

Wes said...

So cool that you volunteer! That's even better than being a sherpa :-)

Jess said...

I was at the expo on Friday -- too bad I missed you!

Doris said...

At least that lady runs 5 miles a day, there are people who don't even do that or know the length of a marathon and still try it!

Still - I'd love to know how she got on.... You think she made it past mile 6 and thought... "Oh no"?!!