I Am Endorphin Dude, See Me Run!: Santa's Marathon

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Santa's Marathon

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is Titanium. Is that too much to ask? I've been nice all year long. Well, there was that one naughty moment when I peed on someone's flowers, but the port-o-potty line was too long. It's not like I pooped on their rose bush. I hope you won't hold that against me.

Yeah, that's right, KEEP GOING!

I felt a bit of guilt for peeing on that flower bed, so I made sure that I did a good deed at this marathon. I took the early start and marked the course for the race director. I wanted Santa to cancel out that naughty with this nice. I wish I was more artistic so that I could draw exciting graphics on the concrete, but alas, my sister is the one in my family that got that gift. Instead, I scribbled arrows and directions for the runners.

I didn't realize it at the time, but one of my scribbles had a double meaning. When I wrote "Endorphin Dudes says keep going," I meant that in the very literal sense. I was telling the runners to keep moving forward. I now see motivational meaning behind "keep going." How apropos, as this was my mantra all year long. In any case, I plugged along on the four mile loop until all the runners arrived for the start at the crack of dawn.

And there it is! The crack of dawn!

Ok, I didn't just scribble down directions. I wanted to entertain the runners too!

I didn't recognize Jessica Wabbitz until she hopped up to me.

Go runners go!

Finish line with Race Director Charlie Alewine, my twin brother Esteban (I'll explain that on in my book) and the Van Gough'ed Jessica Wabbitz.

I smiled ear to ear when I crossed that finish line because I knew that I only had one left after this one. The best part was that I had a whole 10 days off before #52, so I would be very well rested. As happy as was, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of sadness because this would be my final Charlie Alewine race.

Charlie has been instrumental in getting me to my goal. Without his races, I would not have been able to double and triple up on the marathons to make up for the ones I lost during the sciatica days. If I lived in southern California, I would run many more of his races, but unfortunately, my wallet will not allow it. I'll definitely be back for his races in the future, but it just won't be every weekend. Thank you Charlie, I'm going to miss running every weekend with you!