On our first night in Duluth, Mark and I went to Grandma's Saloon and Grill for dinner (Bruce and Lois had yet to arrive). By total chance, our waitress was Nikki, a cousin of Mark's. Nikki's great-grandfather and Mark's grandfather were brothers.
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| Lois and Bruce |
The next day, Bruce, his family and Lois drove up from Hector to join us— Bruce to run and his family and Lois to help cheer us on!
Friday afternoon I went to the expo to listen to Dick Beardsley speak. He is best know for his close finish with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon (that race was detailed in the book Duel in the Sun). Dick also hold the course record for Grandma's Marathon from 1981. Dick Beardsley didn't speak much about running, but rather about his drug addiction. It was a thoroughly engaging speech. In 1989, he had a serious farm accident and then in the early 1990's some auto accidents. Each time he was prescribed pain medication, eventually became addicted, and ultimately was arrested. He was able to clean himself up and started a foundation to provide assistance to individuals suffering from chemical dependency who are unable to pay for a 12-step treatment program. He has been chemical-free since February 12, 1997.
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| The starting area |
This was Bruce's first marathon. Two of Bruce's childhood friends, Weston and his brother Mike also ran. Initially it was Weston. Bruce and I running together. They were a hoot, joking and busting on each other. Bruce and Weston were noticing and mentioning some pains in various parts of their bodies. I explained to them that when we experience pain and tightness, it can be considered a blockage of energy, and by focusing our intention to breathe into those places, we can help to release the pain, tightness or blockage. So I told them to "Breathe into it." Next thing I see - they are breathing on each other's shoulder. Obviously they didn't understand the art of yogic breathing...
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| Mike, Mike's friend, Weston, Bruce and me |
After the first half it was just Bruce and me. Bruce was amazingly upbeat throughout the entire marathon. Every time I asked him, "How are you feeling?" He said, "I feel great - why haven't I done this sooner?" He said this every time I asked!
"Grandma's" was a point-to-point marathon and started 26.2 miles outside of Duluth on Lake Superior, and the entire marathon was run along the lake. (A point-to-point marathon is when you start at one point 26.2 miles away and run to the finish. The Boston Marathon is a point-to-point marathon.) Grandma’s scenery was beautiful, and it was tons of fun to run with a first timer!
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| The Cheerleaders! |
Bruce and I were even written up in the local Hector newspaper after!
