Kiawah Island Marathon

Published December 8, 2018

Pride Prejudice and Zombies

Another December marathon, ‘nother predawn Friday at DIA. Denver to Baltimore, Baltimore to Charleston. Kiawah Island this weekend, South Carolina. Ritzy-gated community 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. Palm trees & ocean – far cry from last week’s Kentucky mud fest, but an all familiar forecast. Rain & 45 degrees – bring it on Carolina, I’ve got this! Down to 5 states after tomorrow’s 26.2 🙂

Past the guard shack, East Beach check-in. Bib pickup, Expo & weekend condo registration – one stop shopping. Crib accommodations walking distance from Saturday’s Start (Memorial Day sign-up has its perks). Dinner at the Ryder Cup, 15-minute drive ‘long the ocean. Pitch black/overcast – still, smell of salt in the air 🌴

Condo scuttled early, whole lotta runners – literally THOUSANDS – bit overwhelming after a full travel day. Tomorrow’s a fresh Start…with a late weather surprise. Winter Storm Diego waiting ‘til 2pm to strike the Island. I’d be marathon-finished & indoor manicotti-feasting before the first sheets of rain. Happy day.

Morning. Daylight. First time seeing me outdoor digs, dark came early nite prior. Inlet water, manicured greens, moss-draped oak & golf carts. Whole lotta those. Disney-reminiscent, maybe too perfect. Folks appear/disappear, behind-the-scenes perfection perpetually maintained.

Blink. Focus. I’m here to run.

Cued waaaaay back, 5:30 pace group. 12-minute first mile – sooooo many runners, who knew? [combined Start: Halfers peel’d off mile 5] Kept pace tight the next eight miles. Eyed the 4-hour bunny. Second outdoor run since Kentucky, been injury sidelined. River crossing gone awry.

Parasite-pill popped at 15. Lost my pace posse but maintained a healthy bounce. Steady 9:45-10 min/mile numbers. Found walking aggravates the pull. Palm tree gazed, playlist zoned. New Miley riff. Yeh, I said it. Proud & loud, we all got vices. Beat, beat, beat. Random collection of pulse.

21, 22, 23 – ticking ‘em off today, just another long run…tune obsessed, route lined with putting greens. Wind a-blowin’/chill in the air, time to wrap this puppy up. Storm’s movin’ in. Mylar blankets & tropical palms, marathon SUCCESS. #138 in the books, South Carolina x2 part of the past.

Hot shower & something Italian. Outta lasagna, outta the rain. No worries, manicotti calling. Touristing would have to wait ‘til morning. Mother Nature thanks – run done & just in time.