Plans
When plans are made in June or July to run a marathon in Charlotte, North Carolina in December, one does not think about the weather. I surely did not. The only thing I thought about was running to have a good time with Linda Thompson when she completed her 50-states and 50 marathons conquest. The first of December my wife, Lisa, dropped a bombshell on me. She looked on a weather website and found out it was going to be 16 degrees on race day morning. BUUURRRRR!!! The things you do for a friend.

Well then what could I do but pack for the COLD!! With my wife’s guidance, instead of packing tee shirts and shorts I packed winter warm-up suits and long sleeved running shirts. I knew that I would need some clothes to throw away (that’s what we marathoners do, you know). Lisa found me a warm-up suit for $3.25 at a thrift store. I kept the pants and threw away the shirt.

Arrival

I wondered why at first I traveled two days before the marathon. While driving from the Airport to the hotel in Charlotte I missed a turn leaving the airport and had a hard time finding the hotel. I do not like to use Map Quest. The hotel was in the process of changing its name from the Best Western to the Crown Plaza. Being in the middle of the business district it had no signs, just a little banner in the driveway. I found a landmark on the correct street and called the hotel. I was within two blocks. Yes, real men, like myself, do call for directions. I called Linda to let her know the hotel name change.

I was able to find my way around Charlotte, Thursday night and Friday morning until the Florida contingent arrived. I went from the hotel to the convention center to the starting line and back. No problem. I even went early to pick up my race packet. A piece of cake. When a few extra people are added to the equation, I got us lost. I don’t think we walked up 2nd street far enough.

Expo (AKA: Bart Yasso Gets It Done)

The expo was small for the size of the marathon (about 1000 marathoners and 3 to 4 thousand halfers). The fun group we had made the expo much more than what it was.

Linda T was stating that she did not really care what number she would get. She had written and called the race director about her story and that she wanted either number 50 or 51. When Linda got her race packet and found her number was not what she wanted, her story changed and she became mad. There was an other 50 stater there that also did not get his requested number. The numbers were given out by alphabetical order.

Well, as the story goes, Marty Winkel went to the race director to work the problem out. It was learned later that numbers were assigned to certain runners, and that Marty got the number change in process.

Bart Yasso, who spoke at our own Space Coast Marathon, was one of the Expo speakers. We were the only ones near the stage prior to his time to talk. He sat down with us, because he remembered Marty, and chatted with us for a good couple of hours. That was really one of the race highlights. When we told him about L.T.’s number problem, he said he had the race director’s number on his speed dial and that he would call and discuss the issue. He walked away towards packet pick-up and in a few minutes came back for Linda and the other 50-stater. They went over and exchanged their numbers and were happy. Bart came back to our table, a bit cocky, and made the following statement, “ Marty Winkel does not have any pull”.

We did not attend the expo pasta dinner, so I can’t comment about that. Craig heard from someone about this “mom and pop” Italian restaurant near our hotel. We had reservations for about 12 people. Everyone had great food and a good time.

Robin Ring made a banner congratulating Linda. I suggested that when we came passed the cheering group Marty and I should get the banner and carry it with Linda to the finish.

The Start

Craig, being the great friend that he is, drove the quartet to the starting line. He was able to park within a block of the starting line. We stayed in a warm van until about five minutes before starting time. When the gun went off, the fearsome four were not as cold as the other starters. Linda, Marty and I were going to run the full and Jim Caparera was only going to run the half. Jim gave me instructions to point him toward the ½ cut off. We tried to get him to run the full and I was going to stand in his way so he would miss the turn off. Jimmy C slipped away from us. I don’t know why he would rather go take a warm shower and change into warm clothes than to run 13 ½ more miles with Linda. He will never really know the fun he missed.

The Course

The race director made mention about three or four hills on the course. While we were running the mentioned hilly miles, they seemed more like rolling hills. Maybe, we were having to good of a time and did not notice their steepness.

I was not sure what my plans were going to be for this race. I thought about the negative split route, 23 easy and the last 5K hard, or just to run with Linda. I am glad that my wife and numerous others told me to go run with Linda and help her finish her 50th. I am glad I did what I was told, and what I was going to Charlotte to do. We had a really great time running a marathon. We ran when Linda ran and walked when she wanted to walk. I wander if there is a record for the most pit stops in a marathon. I know some one who made six in this particular one. (It was not Linda, Jim or me.)

I became the self appointed Herald for Linda in the latter part of the race. I would run ahead to the next water stop and get them to cheer for the Queen of the day. Then I would walk until she and Marty caught up to me and then off I would go.

The course made a right turn at 2nd street with a slight ascent to the finish. I was given the banner to hold up so that Linda could see it when she made the turn coming up the hill. I later heard that LT did not know where she was from about mile 22. She did not remember coming up the hill to the finish.

Linda Does It!

When Marty and Linda arrived at my location she was joined by her two daughters and a few of her 50-state marathon friends that wanted to cross the finish line with her. Marty and I carried the banner in front of her and all she did was read who had signed the back of the banner and tell us to go faster. We were going as fast as we could at the time.

December 9, 2006 at 12:38 Linda Thompson finished her quest of a marathon in every state and D.C. Marty Winkel and I can say that we were there and ran it with her.