Posted by Jim Brawner on October 17, 2007, 8:11 pm

Huge thank yous to Gary and all the race volunteers for a fantastically organized race, to Joan for an inspirational evening the night before, and to everyone who helped make October 14, 2007 my best birthday ever! Even though this was birthday #44, I've only started running longer distances in the past year or so. I ran my first marathon in March and cramped up due to heat, hills, and a lack of sports drink, and ended up walking a good bit of that race. I was nervous about this race, but was so happy to finish under 3:30 (lowered my PR by over 40 minutes) and even better, to have a great time doing it! I was lucky to end up with one of Joan's autographed trading cards from the night before, and I was doing my best Joanie imitation at the finish line! The MDI marathon was so great - so well organized, spectacularly beautiful (a bunch of us just started clapping along Cooksey Dr. in awe of the scenery), and so many great folks cheering us on. Thanks to Danny, Johnny and Coach Chris for good advice and camaraderie that made the miles fly by. Thanks to Ben for setting a good pace and helping me through some tough miles between Sargent Dr. and Somesville (you made it under 3:30 - Fantastic!!) I've been up to the area a bunch in the summer (Gary, among your other talents, you landscaped my parents' house on Sutton!), but this was the first time I've seen its breathtaking fall beauty. Wow! When I found out there was a marathon on MDI, and it was on my birthday, I thought I may be crazy, but I've got to try this! I'm so glad I did!! Thank you for such a great race and a truly memorable birthday!!

 Post a Response

Posted by Gary Allen, race director on October 18, 2007, 9:02 am, in reply to "What a great birthday!"

Jim I saw your name and being from GA wondered if you were related to my fellow islander 'Brawners' alas you are!!! Nice work on the big PR! Cool that you got one of the Joanie cards. If it were me I'd have that matted and framed. Yes, the secret is out now, I can use a shovel and plant flowers with the best of them. Happy 44th on marathon day (wish you would have told us and I would have sung for you...laugh! good thing though, cause you all wouldn't be so eager to return) Cheers gary --Previous Message-- : Huge thank yous to Gary and all the race : volunteers for a fantastically organized : race, to Joan for an inspirational evening : the night before, and to everyone who helped : make October 14, 2007 my best birthday ever! : Even though this was birthday #44, I've : only started running longer distances in the : past year or so. I ran my first marathon in : March and cramped up due to heat, hills, and : a lack of sports drink, and ended up walking : a good bit of that race. I was nervous : about this race, but was so happy to finish : under 3:30 (lowered my PR by over 40 : minutes) and even better, to have a great : time doing it! I was lucky to end up with : one of Joan's autographed trading cards from : the night before, and I was doing my best : Joanie imitation at the finish line! : : The MDI marathon was so great - so well : organized, spectacularly beautiful (a bunch : of us just started clapping along Cooksey : Dr. in awe of the scenery), and so many : great folks cheering us on. Thanks to : Danny, Johnny and Coach Chris for good : advice and camaraderie that made the miles : fly by. Thanks to Ben for setting a good : pace and helping me through some tough miles : between Sargent Dr. and Somesville (you made : it under 3:30 - Fantastic!!) : : I've been up to the area a bunch in the : summer (Gary, among your other talents, you : landscaped my parents' house on Sutton!), : but this was the first time I've seen its : breathtaking fall beauty. Wow! When I : found out there was a marathon on MDI, and : it was on my birthday, I thought I may be : crazy, but I've got to try this! I'm so : glad I did!! Thank you for such a great : race and a truly memorable birthday!! :

 Post a Response