EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest in a series by Kent Cutright as he trains for the Aug. 20 News and Sentinel Half Marathon. Cutright is a 43-year-old resident of Mineral Wells, who is an account executive and sports broadcaster at a local radio station and is a pastor at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
This past Sunday was one the more interesting 13.1 mile runs I have completed. I got up at 5:30 in the morning, ate my usual pre-run breakfast - two Eggo waffles with Jif peanut butter, stretch out with the resistant band and head off to downtown Parkersburg to tackle the 13.1-mile course.
I get to the Wesbanco parking lot and notice that there were not too many runners there, but there were a lot of the walkers. Come to find out many of the walkers decided to start at 6:30 instead of waiting to start at 7. Shortly. more and more runners and a few walkers started to trickle into the parking lot.
Like I mentioned previously. it is always important to have a plan when you head out on a run or walk. My plan was simple: enjoy the morning, enjoy the run, work on my pacing and not be the last out of my group of friends to make it to Bob Evans after we finish.
Like so many times before, Tom Kramer reminded us of the route as well as where the water stops were located. He wished us well and sent us on our way.
As we headed up Juliana Street, I quickly noticed that everyone seemed relaxed and loose, especially two women who were behind me. Both had I-pods, both were singing out loud, and both were singing different songs. After about the first mile- and-a-half, I quickly realized that one of the ladies either had only three songs on her I-pod or she only knew the words to three songs.
The American Idol audition lasted 'til we hit the bridge crossing over toward Marrtown. When you talk to people who have participated in the News and Sentinel Half Marathon, you will hear a lot of them mention the 13th Street hill, but for me getting up the on ramp toward Marrtown is worse than the 13th Street hill.
Needless to say, the group I was with made it up the on ramp and headed toward the first water stop. As we left the water stop, a light rain started to fall as we work our way toward Gihon Road. Once on Gihon Road, the wheels started to come off for a few of my friends. One ended up turning back while two others worked through some pain.
We all made it to the next water stop, got a drink and kept on trucking, working our way over to old Camden Avenue.
As we made our way from old Camden Avenue back toward the 5th Street Bridge, I noticed that I was starting to feel more relaxed and that I was getting chaffed like never before under my left arm.
By now we had crossed the 5th Street Bridge and were making our way up Avery Street, heading toward 13th Street. It was on Avery that I let myself down.
I was getting tired and knew the 13th Street hill was up ahead. I starting thinking more about the hill and lost my concentration. So I walked a few steps, got my composure and got back to running. I was doing OK until I started up the 13th Street hill. Sad to say but the hill won and I found myself along with a couple of my buddies walking up the hill.
Coming down Market Street toward the finish, I found myself reliving the sounds and emotions of the first time I ran the News and Sentinel Half Marathon one year ago. I even remembered the bible verse I kept repeating to myself throughout that entire race, Luke 1:37: "For nothing is impossible with God." From the run to breakfast with my friends, this past Sunday was a true blessing. So until next Sunday, I hope to see you out and about.
God Bless.