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Mini Marathon lacked glamour, excitement for newcomer to city
Posted: May 07, 2008
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Click here to watch a video of Konrad sharing his experience running the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Can I say this and not get run out of town on a rail?
I did not enjoy the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Not that much, really.
And not just because it was painful, as all road races tend to be when embarked on by amateur pavement-pounders like myself. Even a guy who knows nothing of negative splits, nipple-chafing, and that curious phenomenon whereby the last mile of every race feels like 10, could tell you that distance running isn't exactly pleasurable.
But what I did not expect was the event itself to be so, well, uninspiring.
You would think that a mass of people numbering an almost sizable country town, moving in unison through a sizable city, would be something amazing. But it didn't feel that way.
I've run races all over this country, racing trains, scaling mountains, circling pristine lakes, and beating a path through cities big and small. And every one of those races offered something special, from the magic of New York's five boroughs lined with spectators four deep, to the spectacle of the St. Johns River snaking through Jacksonville, Fla., from atop a hulking metal bridge. In Indy, I didn't feel that same connection.
Maybe it's because I'm new here. After all, I didn't really know the stark neighborhoods I was running through.
Maybe it was the flatness. No hills to challenge you, and no skyline to look up at or out over.
Maybe it was not being an Indy 500 fan. I was not one of those folks who stopped to kiss the track during my midrace lap of the Speedway, a moment many people treasure.
But mainly, I felt like the crowd support wasn't there. Sure, there were plenty of community groups and middle school bands by the roadside.
But at the end of a road race, the greatest thing you can experience is the last 100 yards, when a group of supporters you don't know and will never meet rabidly cheer you on toward that timing mat. The crowd felt quiet to me, subdued, and smaller than I would have guessed, given the beautiful weather.
At the end of the race, I felt nothing much but relief, happy to have finished, yet not exhilarated.
Perhaps it will be different next year. Perhaps I'll know my way around the city enough to feel a connection to every street I run down. Perhaps I'll develop an interest in racing this May, and appreciate my moment on the Speedway. Perhaps I'll meet a few more people and find them clapping near the finish line. I hope so, because I want the same experience felt by the other 34,999 people on Saturday.
Still I was happy to finish it off, meet up with friends in the reunion area, share our war stories and rejoice in the glory of our accomplishments. In the end, that will always be enough.
Wait...you mean you weren't inspired by onlookers dressed like Lions and Merecats outside the zoo...the bevy of one-man bands roadside at mile 11... the squaredancers and cloggers and rappers, etc. (haha!)
I never stopped to think that the things that thrill me about the mini - passing local bars, seeing a new perspective on streets I drive routinely, stopping to do a two footed hop/dance on the bricks at the IMS, high fiving hundreds upon hundreds of little kids roadside along the course, being on the lookout for friends and family members along the course and among the volunteers - would be appreciated differently by a newcomer to Indy.
I'm Indy born and bred and it's those little, local nuances that I cherish most about this race (despite the fact that the last 0.1 mile of the race is absolutely endless!!!)
You know, I might have been too harsh. For instance, the volunteers were great (although I did meet some grumpy - perhaps understandably worn out - folks after the race). I loved the line dancers. They were great, probably my favorite part of the run.
I guess I was just surprised a little by the amount of folks lining the course. I thought there'd be more people out to watch it.
You know the other factor I shouldn't discount? I was in miserable shape. I mean, I was about 15 minutes off my PB for the race, and suffering greatly out there. Can't have helped.
I feel your pain - I wouldn't really call the pre-race running I did this year training...per se... I had a fairly awful time despite the perfect race conditions this year. oh well!
Things I like about the mini. Its a local race. Everyone gets excited and the vibe in the air when you're waiting for the start. The people in the little neighborhoods watching all the runners - offering beer, commiserating, laughing, and offering little snacks. This is the closest a lot of the runners will ever get to real america. I love it.
Then the experience of running on the track - exhilirating and stunning especially when you think of all the fast cars that normally race there and all the history at the track.
I've seen musicians and entertainers. Lots of people come to turn out and its one of the largest races in the world. I know the sheer energy to organize the volunteers must be staggering.
Now I do agree - the entertainment afterwards has always left me unmoved. Nashville, San Diego, Alaska and others will go out and have big stars perform. I think we need jugglers, fire breathers, and race car drivers - they're all sort of the same genre right ;)
Congratulations on running. You guys are passion powered. Fellow Firebellies!
I couldn't disagree with you more - this was my third d mini marathon and I will never forget the feeling of starting the race and seeing the big US Flag and watching 34,999 others run with me as I make my way to each mile.
I will not forget all of the people of all ages and shapes making their way to the finish line such as the ten firemen in full gear doing the walk; or the man who was badly burned who wanted to do the race or the two blind people who were there as well - it truly inspired me to get off my butt and set a goal for myself.
I thought it was amazing watching the people who took the time to support us and all of volunteers who handed out the water and gatorade and the best part those who handed out the medals at the end of a long run.
I think we all need to stop complaining about what is wrong with something and look for the good things in life - be happy that you are able to do something like this no matter what your time may end up.