A Poem for Modesto Marathon Part II

BQ'd at Modesto Marathon March 23, 2014

The 24 hours leading to the big race

Looking back at all my mistakes

Of running with my toxic friends

There were Ms. Planta Fasclitis in 1989 C.I.M.   

Then Mr. Iliotibial Band in 1991 SF Marathon

They were with me most of my races

Whether it was a 5K or

“Where the Hell is Truckee 50K” in 1992

“Pacific Crest Trail 50K” in 1993

They were with me unwanted and uninvited

I thought if I can’t pronounce their name

Then I shouldn’t be having them as my friends

Thinking of the lonely winter night

Of mile and hill repeats, of jumping over the fence

To do speed work on the college track

Should I throw it all out?

Because of a silly pain?

The morning of the race

The 4 hours Pacer

Gave me her magic touch

On my booty and wish my luck

Said she got my back

Once we left town and headed for the country

The peaceful of the land was crowded with

Parents and siblings, lovers and handsome Sheriffs

Lined along the course

Breathing the fresh country air of

Organic manure scent

The coastal mountain was mighty high and visible

On a perfect clear day and

The bands were playing happy tunes

Motivation signs were up everywhere the eyes can see

From “touch here for more legs power”

To “my mom runs faster than you”

Even the cows were up

Licking their salt and wishing us luck

The aid stations were abundance

The volunteers were friendly and

Expert in niceness

On the way back

Same country road, same organic scent

Same group of cows still licking their salt

Moo here mooo there moooo faster

Tired of yelling out Bengay or Icy hot

At all the aid stations

Since no one has seen Ben or Mr. Gay

And yes they all think I think I’m hot!

While a high school band was playing Take Five

From the top of the mountain called

The overpass at mile 24

I don’t see Paris but I do see

The Double Tree Hotel

My BFF was waiting for me at my 25

What took me so long? As the finish line

Is just around the corner!

The bright red lights welcome me

With the time of 3:47

I wanted to thank you to all the fast old ladies

Who slept in and missed

The great run in the valley and

Let me win 2^nd in my age group

Here to Modesto Marathon

Thank you for the great registration fee

The priceless BQ’s at Modesto Marathon tech shirt

But the best gift of all

Thanks for helping me discovered myself

And got rid of Mr. BackPain at mile 26.2

In the Valley of Happy Runners

A Poem for Modesto Marathon Part 1

The day I have been waiting for

To indulge in Mr. Goodbar, Mount on Almond Joy

To satisfy my thirst on Mr. Samuel Adam’s IPA

To sing under Sacramento’s spring days

To dance on the American Bike Trail

But the dream of

Happy eating and drinking

Come to a halt

As karma is getting back to me

If I had whispered under my breath

Of naming people “dumbass” on my run

Of calling people “kissass” at work

Of cutting people off on Hwy 50!

I am taking back all those things

I had whispered under my breath

Here I am,

Rubbing Mr. Bengay everywhere

Accept the back where the pain is!

The pain taught me few things

A great language

I never knew I could speak

From #$%$*# To $%&#

As I sit down and get up from the toilet

While Mr. Bengay spreading its magic

To a few place I can’t mention

Is now hotter than the sun

Accept my back where it needed most.

Oh Modesto Marathon

I have trained so hard!
Oh Modesto Marathon
Why is this happening to me!