The Other Shoe Drops
Photo courtesy of Jared Cherup via flickr.
I should write glowingly of the Myrtle Beach Marathon, where I finally felled the quixotic windmill. But the purist in me can’t generate enough enthusiasm. Unremarkable and devoid of subtlety, the race reflects Myrtle Beach itself. It’s the tourist trap of marathons.
Sure, I’m an exultant qualifier; but when it comes to Myrtle, I’m also the running equivalent of a jaded, apathetic middle manager. I’m that conflicted.
At least I don’t have writer’s block. I’ve offered my splits, now I turn poison pen to the race itself. So, enjoy my “I Qualified for Boston and Now I’m an Insufferable Running Snob Myrtle Beach Marathon Race Reportâ€.
(Race officials, may want to get a glass of wine first.)
– Dean
March 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I’m not sure just one glass of wine will help get the taste of cheese out of your mouth.
Having run Myrtle, you are right on the mark with your points both good and bad. I don’t know how they have been able to grow that event year over year, but kudos to them for their Barnum-like ability to attract the number of runners they have. Different strokes for different folks, but there are too many other good marathons out there.
Anyone looking for a nice, flat, ocean-side marathon in February should head down to Tybee Island instead.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
dean – if by any chance you are having difficulty finding a place to stay in boston, i have reservations at a place on newbury street that i will not be using. i put the cart WAY before the horse and booked a place two marathons ago thinking i would qualify at each one & figured i’d save myself the hassle of trying to book a place a few weeks out – now i have a new hassle: pay the cancellation fee, or find someone to take my place! email me: suzanne (at) bikeclicks (dotcom).
March 27th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Dean – inciteful, as always – and definitely a race that I’ll put on my “skip” list.
But, more importantly, are we on for dinner Saturday night, April 19th, in Boston? Let me know buddy!
kestrou
March 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
dean,
thanks for stopping by my blog! always great to hear from a fellow mm!! loved reading about your bq – qualifying race aside, you gotta be pretty psyched about heading up to beantown to cash in your ticket!
maybe well catch sight of each other up there? on saturday going to beerworks w/another mm. sunday going to check out the women’s race.
frank
March 29th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
It would seem that MB would cash try to cash in on their golf reputation by weaving the marathon course through a golf course or two. For all that is cheesy about MB, I can’t believe that didn’t string a neon light to the shirt. That would be perfect.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Congrats on qualifying for Boston. I am also training for my first Boston Marathon. Only 3 weeks to go! Good luck with your final weeks of training. Maybe I’ll see you there.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Great to catch up on your blog Dean and see that you qualified…woohoo!! So Myrtle clearly wasn’t stimulating, but you got your BQ, and now you can happily go explore other courses. I’m psyched for you to do Boston, that is still my favorite marathon, even though I haven’t been there in over a decade. Enjoy the experience, you earned it!