The Quad Cities Marathon Expo and 1 Mile Pre-Run For Tacos...

Like any person revisiting a scene from their past that has caused them trauma and permanent psychological damage.. Today!  Cheryl revisited the Quad Cities Marathon.  

2019 dis-satisfaction.

You may remember 2019....  so long ago.  Yet the emotional scars still linger. As any Hero that rises up after a  humiliating defeat,  Cheryl chose to sign up for the Quad Cities Half Marathon once again.   This will be the third time she has endured this torturous event. The previous two times have been plagued with a sudden autumn Heat Wave,  sending her into a tailspin of disaster.   But.... Perhaps... This year might be different....

I'm only hamming it up for comedic effect.  Yes, last year was a bust.   ( thanks a lot, Covid) and 2019.. the year of "Winning" was blemished by this "less than satisfactory" event.  And Yes!  The Heat  and rain was a factor.  ( She still managed to win an age group award!) 

So today was the EXPO and packet pickup.  It was early and it was cold!  Subie said it was 44 degrees!  That is a little cold for me as a spectator, but Cheryl loves those temps for running.  

The early fog eventually lifted and the blinding sun emerged.   As the sun rose, so did the temps.  However, they remain cool even now.. late in the afternoon.  Perhaps we will get lucky for tomorrow after all!

At the Expo, Cheryl picked up her packet and also got a little trouble cleared up with her "One Mile Run For Tacos!"  Apparently, there were a LOT of people with the same problem.  They signed up for the half marathon AND the mile, but the computer only posted them in one event. 

The Run for Tacos was to take place at 10:00 and there was very little time to do much else than get in line at the start.   The cool thing about a mile run is that it is over on just a few minutes! This was Cheryl's first Official Mile run!  So "Officially"  she set a new Personal Record. 

She also came in second overall female!  So she also won a Major Award!  Too bad it is not edible this time.  

The lady standing next to Cheryl is Ann.   She is 65 and ran the Clinton Half Marathon a few weeks ago.  We thought we recognized her from a previous race.   She was also standing in line to get the Packet for the one mile race.   She will be running the FULL Marathon tomorrow as well.  And she is coming off of running an ULTRA last week!  ( 50K)   Not bad for an "Old Lady."  She won the second place Senior award, and gave Cheryl a "run for her money."   Cheryl said if she can run like that in her 60's,  she will be very proud of herself.

Beer!

After the race, and the awards,  Cheryl hit the beer tent and got the "free taco" that came with the race.   The free "taco" was really chips and salsa.   rather disappointing.  But the Beer was excellent, and that makes up for lack luster bar food. 

Tacos????

Cheryl wanted to head back into the EXPO to swap out a shirt and maybe purchase another one with a better style.   She met a runner named Mike along with his family.  They were also at the Clinton Half Marathon and told us they would be here today.  I'll be looking for them tomorrow in the line up when the halfer kicks off.  

As for me,  I did not want to wear that mask any longer than I needed to, so I joined the kids outside to "chalk the Walk."   I even had some of my own chalk in the car!  So I set out to draw a doodle and make all of the little kids look bad. 

 

What.. exactly, is this a picture of????

 

 

 Don't worry.   Cheryl dished up plenty of humility by taking plenty of pictures of my ASS.  Yes, yes,  BUTT SHOTS seem to be the most flattering feature of me.   Thanks Honey!  I will be sure to remember than in the future when I take pictures of you running. 

I'll spare you the rest of the "Butt Shot" portfolio and try to show off the logo and pokemons I added in the limited time I had.   Cheryl only gave me a half hour to doodle.   But thankfully, a number of kids joined the battle and we all had some fun.   And... before I became aware of the butt pictures, I was brimming with confidence that I had defeated the 6 year olds in the chalk competition.   Hey,  All if fair in love, war and chalk.   And perhaps they will try to up their game in the future to try and defeat me.  Time will tell....

For the remainder of the evening.... Rest!  Naps,  Perhaps a massage or two.. ( for ME!)  because we will be getting up insanely early  ( 3 AM) to arrive in time for the start in Moline Illinois. ( 7 AM)  Hopefully the temps remain cold at the start and warm up more slowly than today.   I will also be attempting to "help" Cheryl along the route, as she crosses the Mississippi several times along the old Davenport bike path.  They are tearing down the first bridge and this will be the last time the race is scheduled to cross there, so I may have a tough time getting ahead of her initially.  But, we shall leave that worry and adventure for tomorrow.   But now... SLEEP!  Naps,  and maybe a massage... I will need it. 

Thanks for stopping in!  And Wish us luck tomorrow. ( especially me... )