Yam Scram & Vermont City Marathon

This past weekend we headed up to Vermont.  Jason had been training for the Vermont City Marathon and the weekend had arrived.  I think he was ready to just get the race underway.  When Jason signed up for the race we saw that there was a kids race.  The kids could choose to run a 1/2 mile, 1 mile or 2 mile race.  The girls immediately opted for the 2 mile race.  The timing of the race was perfect becuase they were working on their marathon fitness challenge for school and were running just over 3 miles a week.  We drove up to Vermont and it was cold, windy and rainy.  Not quite the weekend we had envisioned. 

On Saturday morning we got up bright and early and headed down to the kids race which started at 8:30am.  We weren't quite sure how it would all work but the race was very well organized.  The kids ran four loops in waterfront park and then were funneled into a shoot into a tent.  They had to wait there until a parent with the corresponding bib number showed up to claim them.  It was a nice way for parents and kids to not have to worry about meeting up.  Despite the cold and rain the girls did great.  They stayed together and ran a very steady 10 minute mile pace.  They didn't get bothered by some kids coming out of the start really fast and they never walked.  It was fun to cheer them on in their first solo race with out a parent.  After the race they got their medal and goody bags and we headed back to the hotel to hang out in the pool.

On Sunday we got up bright and early again to head to the start of Jason's marathon.  It was again cold, rainy and windy.  I bundled the girls up as best I could but it was still cold.  We stayed with Jason until right before the start but then headed to our spot to watch him run past.  Fortunately two runners gave up their trash bags early and I ended up putting them on the girls and that helped them stay warm.  We watched Jason run by and then headed into a cafe for hot chocolate/cappucino.  Just before Jason was going to run by again I popped outside to cheer him on.  The girls finished up their hot chocolate and we headed to our next viewing point.  The nice thing about the Vermont City Marathon is that is crosses the city center 4 times.  We watched jason run by at mile 15 and gave high fives and cheered him on.  After that we made our way to the finish area.  I knew he was on pace for a 3hr 40min finish.  We waited and waited.  When the 4 hour pacer came through the finish I knew something had to have gone very wrong.  I hoped it was not so bad that he could finish.  I was happy to see him round the bend and finish at 4 hours 6 minutes.  I was sad for him becuase having something go wrong in a race that you have spent so much time and energy training for is a big dissappointment but it would have been evern worse to not finish.  It turns out he strained his calf muscle so had to jog/walk his last 7 miles.  He stopped into a medical tent to have it checked out along the course and wasn't sure if he could make it to the finish but he did and that is something to be proud of.  I know the feeling of not getting the time you anticipated.  It is not a good feeling and while everyone can say "oh it is still a great time. You should be proud." I know it doesn't make a difference until you can get back on course and reach the goal you set for yourself.  I'm waiting to see what marathon he will choose next.  Will it be a new course or will we be back in Vermont next year?