a salute

[a non-amos]

This last Saturday marked the inaugural running of the Blue Ridge Marathon.

By several accounts, this is the most grueling marathon on this continent.  The first half is almost all mountain climbing.  Egads.  This is for people with far more energy and motivation than me.

My hat is off to each and every participant able to complete this course, and everyone with the guts to attempt it.

They also ran a half marathon race (13.1 miles, 21+km) alongside the marathon.  Mrs. A was a finisher in this race!!!

My general shape is not too far off of the panda that is currently my icon.  Mrs. A is not too far off of me.  She received little respect from the slim runners, until after they had finished the mountains.  Some of them did not finish this section, but Mrs. A was better prepared.

My hat is off to each and every participant, but most especially to my wife (who had never before participated in a track and field event).

[anonsi]

That is truly impressive!! Congratulations to Mrs. A. I think this year marks something like the 75th year of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I went on that road last year, and it was so beautiful.

[birdy]

Congratulations to Mrs. A and the rest of the runners, even those who didn't complete the run!  I've been on that road several times, and Anonsi is right - it's beautiful.  I would never have seen it if I'd had to run (or even walk) it - thank goodness for cars!

[rhino]

Strangely enough (as an Aussie), I too have been on the Blue Ridge Parkway a number of times as I have close friends who live in Asheville and was there only a few weeks ago - a truly beautiful part of the world!