This past weekend we traveled up to Lincoln, Nebraska for Mark to run in the Lincoln Marathon/Half Marathon. This race had 10,000 runners and sold out the day registration opened up!
Mark rocked this race with a 10 minute PR and a sub 2 hour finish at 1:57:55. He trained so hard and I had no doubt in my mind he would finish sub 2 hours.
We arrived on Saturday and hit the expo first to pick up his race packet. We checked into the hotel and had this great view of the stadium.
Then it was off to the pool!
I did not get any pictures down at the pool, but we swam twice. We went swimming as soon as we arrived, and then again after dinner. Mark's Mom and Sister came down to cheer him on, with our 2 nieces. The girls were so excited to see everyone.
The stadium was lit up all night and looked awesome.
The next morning the girls were up early ready to cheer on Mark. Addison was watching all the cars coming in. Runners getting ready for the race. We were up shortly after 6 and out the door before 7 to go find Mark.
I waited in line at the coffee shop for over 20 minutes (ugh) and I was so afraid we had missed Mark at our first stop. It was a great morning for a race, but cold if you were standing there waiting and watching.
and waiting, and waiting...
But, finally we saw him. At the start of the race they ended up doing a wave start, so Mark started almost 20 minutes late. Well, I did not know this so it was close to 8:00 before we saw him at the 4 mile mark. I was so glad we did not miss him. I saw a friend from work running, and I knew she was faster than Mark, so he was likely behind her. Then I saw the 1:55 pacers and I knew Mark would be around the 2:00 pacers...
Finally there he was ready for hugs, kisses and high 5's and then he was off again. (BTW- I love it when I capture the people watching us give the girls hugs and kisses...the guy in the brown coat and woman in the gray coat...they are always smiling)
We hopped in the car and got down to mile 6 quickly for another high 5, hug and kiss. After mile 6 the race was on a paved trail for a while and we did not think there would be any place to stop and cheer Mark on...but actually we saw him several more times. I did not drag the camera out because we just pulled over on the busy road and parked in the grass (along with several other cars.) We yelled and jumped up and down to get his attention at mile 7 (as we drove along the street we saw him running and decided to pull over if I found a break along the street of cars.) He was not expecting to see us, so we had to work hard to get his attention. He was making great time, but mentioned that his hamstring was cramping up...my salt tabs were in the car, so I could not help him...So we drove on, but decided to stop again. This time I pulled over, gave Lauren 2 salt tabs and told her to run and give them to Daddy and come back to the car. At first she said "I don't want to. I am scared." But, then she did and Mark told her she saved the day. She loved it!
After that we headed back to the hotel to park and then walk up to the stadium to see Mark finish on the 50 yard line of Memorial Stadium.
His family was already there saving seats and when he ran in he saw and heard us yelling for him.
He took off, passing the ones right in from of him and finished in a 1:57:55 time.
The screens in the stadium were filled with the runners. (That time is gun time, not chip time...remember he started ~ 20 minutes late.)
After that he went through the finish line chute and got water, milk, Gatorade and food. We finally spotted him among the sea of runners.
The football stadium was awesome. Full of runners and the National Guard.
We caught up with Mark outside the stadium. He looked great and ran an incredible race!
The whole crew...minus the photographer!
Here I am!
Then we headed back to the hotel for an all you could eat breakfast buffet with the family before heading back home.
This race was packed with spectators all over the route. Mark said that was awesome. He loves Husker football and the whole atmosphere was a lot of fun....It might be my turn next year!
Mark quickly showered, and we got packed up and headed home. The girls (and Mark too) fell asleep almost immediately. I stayed awake enjoying my second round of Scooter's coffee while everyone slept! The ride home was pretty fast and we were glad to get back home. It was a great weekend in Lincoln.
