On May 20, 2004… I almost lost my leg and my life.
Doctors didn’t know if I’d ever walk again.
On May 20, 2012… I plan to run/walk/run 26.2 miles!

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Some of you have asked about spectator viewing details for the Bob Potts Marathon that I’m doing on Sunday. It would be great to see each of you there! Please bring inspiring, funny, motivating signs and write a personalized cheer for Tab, Bev (it’s also their first marathon!) and me. And, of course, bring dark chocolate and red wine for the after race celebration.

Just kidding. (kind of)

I’m generally no fun before a race. I don’t talk. I look like a grump, but I’m just trying to relax because running when anxious takes more energy and is harder on my body. So I get quiet. I turn inward. I meditate. I focus. Before my family and my friends realized this about me, they usually thought I was mad at them before a race.

But after a race, it’s party time! I usually love to sit, talk, sit, laugh, eat, sit and party. But since this is my first post-accident full marathon, I’m not sure how I will feel… maybe I won’t be in the mood for a party or even to see anyone, but I think I will.

My 20-mile training run went well and if the popular runner’s saying if you can do 20, you can do 26.2 holds true for me like ‘everyone’ says it will, I should be fine.

The race starts (at 6:30am) and finishes at the Grumbacher Center at York College, with the finish being on the track… surrounded by a stadium with plenty of room for cheering spectators. 

Bob Potts Marathon on the Heritage Trail (click to go to the interactive map)

It’s an out and back course on the Heritage Rail Trail which is often surrounded by trees, fields, meadows, and bears cows with not many spots for spectators. (I’ll pretend the cows chewing their cud are silent cheers) 

But there are a few designated viewing spots, some will have entertainment and hopefully, all will have rest rooms. The runners will go past each of the viewing spots twice… once on the way out when we’ll be all perky and again on the way back when we’ll be all perky—not!

I run to be healthy (and sane) today and long into the future… so I don’t set specific time goals (other than I hope to finish before Christmas). I will be doing the same run/walk/run  routine I did while training, so I can give guesstimates, but not specific times when I’ll fly by shuffle past each spot.

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Spectator Viewing Points

Directions from Grumbacher Center  (approx marathon miles – not exact)

1. Brillhart Station (at approx. mile 4 and 23)
First time: between 7:15 and 7:30am
Second time: between 11:15 and Christmas noon 

* Follow Indian Rock Dam Rd.
* Turn left on PA-182 (Indian Rock Dam Rd. extended)
* Turn right on Croll School Rd.
* Take first right onto Days Mill Rd.
* Brillhart Station will be on your left

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2. Serenity Station (at approx. mile 9 1/2 and 17 1/2)
First time: between 8:15 and 8:45am
Second time: between 10:15 and 10:45am 

(Music by Kayla Kroh)

* Take 83 South toward Baltimore
* Take exit 10 toward PA214-Loganville
* Turn slight right onto North St./127 Spur.
* North St./127 Spur becomes PA-214/Reynolds Mill Rd.
* Turn left onto Valley Rd/PA-214
* Turn left onto Valley Rd./PA-214. Continue to follow PA-214
* 11 Church St. is on the right. (just past Cross St.)

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3. Hanover Junction (at approx. mile 10 1/2 and 16 1/2)
First time: between 8:30 and 9:00am
Second time: between 10 and 10:30am 

(Music by Royal Red)

* Follow Indian Rock Dam Rd.
* Turn left onto Indian Rock Dam Rd./State 3044
* Turn left on Arnold Rd.
* Slight right onto Messersmith Rd.
* Turn right onto Glatfelter Station Rd.
* Sharp left onto PA-616 S/Seven Valleys Rd.
* Turn right toward PA-616 S/Seven Valleys Rd.
* Turn right at Green Valley Rd./State Route 3041
* Turn right onto PA-616 S/Seven Valleys Rd.

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York Track at the Grumbacher Center:

FINISH!!!!!  Sometime between 11:45 and 1pm

As I said they are rough guesstimates… don’t hold me to them. I may or may not be at the stations at those times. And also don’t hold me responsible for my behavior, attitude, crying, laughing, etc. after I finish… I have no idea how I will react.

But I do know one thing… I will be damn happy!

That I did what I could, with what I have, the past eight years…

because I can!!