California Dreamin'
After a wonderful long weekend in Seattle recently for the Tenacious Ten (post to come soon), I couldn't help but reminisce about December's weekend in Sacramento for the California International Marathon (aka CIM). 🌴
At the time we headed out there, I hadn't gone to the doctor yet but had already made a decision to pare down the running, so besides one amazing 6 miler on Saturday with some west coast birds & my friend Kate, the only miles that weekend were by bike. Oh, and bike we did. Kate and I sherpa-spectated 24+ miles that day, including a long 12 miles from the AirBNB to the mile 15 spectating spot we'd chosen. From there, we were able to catch our runners Sarah & Alicia (my coach/trainer) and get our vocal chords going.
From there, we road along the course, cheering and cowbelling as we rode. If I hadn't been a bike lover before that, the experience of floating along next to marathoners, shouting & cheering & ringing that bell (and slowly losing my voice), converted me. By the time we made it to our second spectating spot, the Oiselle cowbell corner between miles 23 and 24, I had joined the bike cult.
The Cowbell Corner was so high energy I thought we might set the place on fire. So much screaming and cheering and jumping around, it was incredible. I could visibly see runners perk up as they saw us.
The thing about marathons (from my limited, 2 marathon experience) is that there really is nothing better than a good cheer corner. 📣 I can still put myself in my second marathon, Providence (just about a year ago), and remember the constant push I got from knowing that I would see family and friends at various locations. Once you know how powerful that can be, you never take for granted how your shouts and cheers and words of encouragement can help anyone. (Just don't lie and tell them they're almost at the finish when they're not...that's just mean.)
Last week I officially registered for the Title 9 Sprint Triathlon
where I can put some of this biking to good use 💚 Cheers to friends and racing and combining more of the two in the future 🥂
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| The official Meg sign (TM) that we made in her honor that weekend f/9, 1/160, 35mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/8, 1/250, 17mm, ISO 250 |
At the time we headed out there, I hadn't gone to the doctor yet but had already made a decision to pare down the running, so besides one amazing 6 miler on Saturday with some west coast birds & my friend Kate, the only miles that weekend were by bike. Oh, and bike we did. Kate and I sherpa-spectated 24+ miles that day, including a long 12 miles from the AirBNB to the mile 15 spectating spot we'd chosen. From there, we were able to catch our runners Sarah & Alicia (my coach/trainer) and get our vocal chords going.
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| Kate can spectate so great f/9, 1/125, 45mm, ISO 250 |
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| Alicia coming in hot at mile 15 f/8, 1/125, 50mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/10, 1/125, 45mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/7.1, 1/160, 45mm, ISO 250 |
From there, we road along the course, cheering and cowbelling as we rode. If I hadn't been a bike lover before that, the experience of floating along next to marathoners, shouting & cheering & ringing that bell (and slowly losing my voice), converted me. By the time we made it to our second spectating spot, the Oiselle cowbell corner between miles 23 and 24, I had joined the bike cult.
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| Twinning! f/20, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| Oiselle Cheer Squad! f/20, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/14, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/16, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/18, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
The Cowbell Corner was so high energy I thought we might set the place on fire. So much screaming and cheering and jumping around, it was incredible. I could visibly see runners perk up as they saw us.
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| f/13, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| All the mile 23 feels f/16, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| Someone's way too happy at mile 23! f/16, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| Seriously, so happy! f/16, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| f/18, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
The thing about marathons (from my limited, 2 marathon experience) is that there really is nothing better than a good cheer corner. 📣 I can still put myself in my second marathon, Providence (just about a year ago), and remember the constant push I got from knowing that I would see family and friends at various locations. Once you know how powerful that can be, you never take for granted how your shouts and cheers and words of encouragement can help anyone. (Just don't lie and tell them they're almost at the finish when they're not...that's just mean.)
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| f/18, 1/125, 17mm, ISO 250 |
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| Our amazing finishers! f/9, 1/250, 22mm, ISO 250 |
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| So much love f/6.3, 1/250, 17mm, ISO 250 |
Last week I officially registered for the Title 9 Sprint Triathlon
where I can put some of this biking to good use 💚 Cheers to friends and racing and combining more of the two in the future 🥂
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