Running sucks. Throw a ball out there to chase, and I will run. I have never been a big fan of running just to run. During the police academy, I grew to tolerate running. That is after I lost a little weight from "snack cake Rusty" and it no longer felt like I was causing aftershocks every time I took a step. In the academy they divided our class into four running groups based upon ability. Group 1 were the gazelles. They could run forever and never tire. At the other end of the spectrum was group 4, they could hardly walk and got tired getting out of bed. I was placed into group 2. I have never been mistaken for a gazelle, but I can get out of bed without breaking a sweat. While in the academy we ran approximately three times a week and the furthest my group ever ran was 5 miles. 5 miles also being the furthest distance that I have ever run in my life. I hope to keep it that way. Since the academy, I have exacerbated my lower back injury twice. Once while wake boarding and once by falling down a flight of stairs. My orthopedic surgeon recommends that I run as little as possible. Hallelujah. The pounding does not help my back. So, I follow his advise. Luckily, I normally have a rookie with me that I can kick out of the car to chase someone if necessary. This past Sunday was the Chevron Houston Marathon. I have had friends complete the marathon in years past. This year, I had some friends running in it as well. They are in my Sunday school class and as a class, we decided to support them by cheering them on during the race. While I was on Christmas vacation, the department asked for volunteers from my station to work the race. They did not get enough volunteers, so they ordered those low in seniority to work the race. I have not worked the race since I was a rookie. This year, I volunteered to take the place of one of the rookies. I got to cheer on my boys and get paid at the same time. It was a win-win situation.
I reported for the marathon roll call in the gym at 5 AM and I was given my assignment. I was assigned to the Fairview and Grant intersection. I was to keep traffic from moving west on Fairview past Grant. Easy enough to accomplish with a police car and lights. We were instructed to be on our post at 6:15 AM and to close the route to all traffic at 6:30 AM. I was finally instructed to open up my route to traffic at 11 AM after all of the runners were safely past my location. I made a few observations during the four and half hours that I was posted at mile marker number 8.
It is amazing how many people come out and support the runners. In my area the route was lined with people and they were all shouting encouragement to the runners. I watched numerous individuals come out of the neighborhoods, sit down in a lawn chair and cheer. Lots of people were pulling wagons containing their little children making the event a family affair. They brought cow bells and lots of enthusiasm to motivate the runners.
The wheelchairs are the first to begin the race. They are amazing to see. The lead wheelchair finished the race in about an hour and 45 minutes, for an average speed of almost 15 miles per hour. Wow. A wheelchair under human power averaging 15 miles per hour over 26 miles. Unbelieveable. I saw two people pushing other people in wheelchairs. I do not know their stories, but it was very inspiring to see.
The sheer number of runners is impressive. Once the main body of runners reached my location, they did not stop coming for two hours. Just a mass of humanity running mile after mile. For the most part, the drivers in the area understood the traffic snarl created by the race. Once the runners reach a place, traffic can't cross the route in that place until all of the runners are past. However, one driver in particular did not understand. He came flying up to my police car and started yelling at me. "How do I get home? Why can't I cross? Where can I cross the route? This is ridiculous." He tested my patience. Severely. I had been awake since 1:30 PM the day before. I was not in the mood. The marathon had been in the news for a week. There were signs for the race everywhere. Rude man knew the race was coming. He had the chance to be where he needed to be before the race started. He did not like my answers to his questions and after some drama, sped away from my intersection. Overall, the race was a cool spectacle to see again in person. The triumph of the human spirit to overcome and run that distance is very impressive. A quick shout out to my boys that completed the race, great job fellas. Wear your "finisher" shirts with pride.
I reported for the marathon roll call in the gym at 5 AM and I was given my assignment. I was assigned to the Fairview and Grant intersection. I was to keep traffic from moving west on Fairview past Grant. Easy enough to accomplish with a police car and lights. We were instructed to be on our post at 6:15 AM and to close the route to all traffic at 6:30 AM. I was finally instructed to open up my route to traffic at 11 AM after all of the runners were safely past my location. I made a few observations during the four and half hours that I was posted at mile marker number 8.
It is amazing how many people come out and support the runners. In my area the route was lined with people and they were all shouting encouragement to the runners. I watched numerous individuals come out of the neighborhoods, sit down in a lawn chair and cheer. Lots of people were pulling wagons containing their little children making the event a family affair. They brought cow bells and lots of enthusiasm to motivate the runners.
The wheelchairs are the first to begin the race. They are amazing to see. The lead wheelchair finished the race in about an hour and 45 minutes, for an average speed of almost 15 miles per hour. Wow. A wheelchair under human power averaging 15 miles per hour over 26 miles. Unbelieveable. I saw two people pushing other people in wheelchairs. I do not know their stories, but it was very inspiring to see.
The sheer number of runners is impressive. Once the main body of runners reached my location, they did not stop coming for two hours. Just a mass of humanity running mile after mile. For the most part, the drivers in the area understood the traffic snarl created by the race. Once the runners reach a place, traffic can't cross the route in that place until all of the runners are past. However, one driver in particular did not understand. He came flying up to my police car and started yelling at me. "How do I get home? Why can't I cross? Where can I cross the route? This is ridiculous." He tested my patience. Severely. I had been awake since 1:30 PM the day before. I was not in the mood. The marathon had been in the news for a week. There were signs for the race everywhere. Rude man knew the race was coming. He had the chance to be where he needed to be before the race started. He did not like my answers to his questions and after some drama, sped away from my intersection. Overall, the race was a cool spectacle to see again in person. The triumph of the human spirit to overcome and run that distance is very impressive. A quick shout out to my boys that completed the race, great job fellas. Wear your "finisher" shirts with pride.
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