http://www.indy.com/posts/7913 en-us rambleredhead 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. Thu, 08 May 2008 15:51:52 -0400 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_22039 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_22039 Firebelly 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! Wed, 07 May 2008 18:57:06 -0400 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_22001 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_22001 caralyn 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! Wed, 07 May 2008 16:49:13 -0400 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_21998 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_21998 Konrad.Marshall 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. Wed, 07 May 2008 16:29:06 -0400 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_21997 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_21997 caralyn 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!!!) Wed, 07 May 2008 16:21:54 -0400 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_21996 http://www.indy.com/posts/7913#comment_21996