Twin Cities Marathon: Beyond the Finish Line

Picking up where I left off in my last post, exciting things happened after I crossed the line besides my legs malfunctioning.

First—and I think any marathoner would agree with me on this—is that any volunteer that helps you in the chute is the best person in the world.  Whether they give you a medal, banana, or a shirt, you are so happy to see these total strangers that all you want to do is hug them.  So, to those that helped me in the chute—thank you, and I'm sorry if my effusive gratitude freaked you out.

I got my medal and mylar blanket, and moved on to the Powerade table.  Mmm, more Powerade.  Then a bottle of water and a banana.  This year, I was smarter.  Instead of collecting all the food items, then trying to juggle them as I moved through the chute, I paused to eat them.  So, banana, pause, bread, pause, salted nut roll (yummy), pause, chicken broth, pause, hot, still pausing, that's a lot of chicken broth, still pausing, finisher shirt.

I meandered over to the sweat check and got my bag-o-stuff.  I plopped onto the grass and started stretching a bit.  That felt good.  I then rolled around in an effort to get up.  Eventually, I managed to stand, but this time I had a very exciting thing around my neck that was not a finisher's medal:

Not actually around my neck in this photo, but you get the idea

Hannah, the super-cool Communications Director for Twin Cities in Motion and flash-run organizer extraordinaire, sent me a message earlier in the week offering me a VIP Pass for Sunday morning.  In the message, she described the VIP area in this way:

There's food in there and from what I hear, super awesome "deluxe" porta potties (I'm serious.). 

Upon hearing about the "super awesome 'deluxe' porta potties", I took her up on her offer!

Now, it's not very often one is considered a VIP.  The last time I was a VIP was in kindergarden.  Everyone was VIP for a day, and we got a cool VIP badge made of purple and yellow construction paper.  I think we also got to bring in a special show and tell and help pass out worksheets.  Very cool stuff.

But, being a VIP at the marathon is even cooler.  Why?  Well, you get free stuff:

TCIM Hat—score!  (Unfortunately, photography classes weren't included with the VIP pass)

You also get a great seat right at the finish line at tables with real linen tablecloths:

But, the thing that I'm sure you've all been waiting for is the super awesome deluxe porta potties.

See that gray trailer there?  That's the porta potties.

After sitting for a few minutes at the table and enjoying a green apple (really, this was a great, great thing to just sit and rest for a couple minutes without being surrounded by throngs of people), I went over to the porta potties.  It was divided into "Men" and Women"sides.  I chose "Men".

Holy.  Cow.  These "porta potties" were actually nicer than my own bathroom at home!  I didn't want to be "that guy" who takes all kinds of photos in a bathroom, so I took one.  (I promise, there was no one else in there when I was there.)

Yes, artwork!  And running water! (Once again, the VIP pass did not include photography classes)

I used the running water to wipe down my face a bit since it was covered in salt.  That felt really, really good.  Then I left.

So, a HUGE thank you to Hannah for a really cool experience.

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After leaving the VIP area, I crossed the Capitol grounds to find Katie, who was waiting right where she said she would be, and was the same place we found each other last year.  A sweaty hug was followed by a few photos:

And once again, Katie was awesome because of all the riding she did to catch me at so many places—particularly since she should have been recovering after breaking and hour at her first 10k the day before.

She let me rest on her bicycle as we walked back to the car.  We went home, and I rested.

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Now, Tuesday, I'm pretty sore.  More sore than Monday.  But, I knew that would happen.  Is being sore fun?  No—especially when you have trouble standing on the bus and almost land in some stranger's lap—but I digress.  I set a tough goal for myself, ran a smart race, and beat the goal into submission.  If that means being sore, I'll gladly take it.