24 DOWN, 26 TO GO…

Dallas White Rock Marathon, Texas
Number of Runners: 75 (filled to capacity)
Elevation: 438’
Time: 4:12:20
Weather: 68 degrees, stormy

Everything in Texas is BIG, and today was true to form. We had the BIGGEST number of participants,the BIGGEST waiting list, the BIGGEST storm, the BIGGEST number of first-time marathoners, the BIGGEST number of volunteers, and the BIGGEST rifle in the back of a pickup truck I’ve ever seen.

The start was a little precarious. Rain was already coming down pretty strong, and it took the Dallas Police longer than anticipated to get traffic under control. We runners stood around shivering in the dark, getting drenched. When the starting countdown finally got underway, the rumble of thunder sounded the gun.

It was the first storm of the season and the rain came down in buckets, flooding the streets and washing out intersections. Lighting flashed in the sky, and the crack of thunder filled the air. Navigating around the pools of water was nearly impossible, so eventually everyone just stopped trying and ran right through the middle. It was a disconcerting start to the day.

But the runners didn’t mind, and all that I talked to said they preferred the rain to the Texas sun. Along with the locals, in the group today were runners from Mexico, Honduras, Canada, and Turkey (Texas, that is, population 407…and growing! he reminded me). This was our largest group ever. Originally our permit only allowed 50 participants, but we had a waiting list twice that long, and after multiple tries we were eventually able to add an additional 25 slots.

To help support all of the runners, a dedicated posse of volunteers from Scottish Rite Hospital for Children worked their magic. They had aid-stations strategically setup along the course and were handing out fistfuls of food, water, and encouragement. They were nothing but smiles and delight, despite the rain.

The course ran through some of the prettiest, tree-shrouded neighborhoods I had ever seen. At about mile ten we entered a frontage road around White Rock Lake. The rain began to subside, and the Dallas skyline became visible in the background. The stories I heard today could fill the pages of this blog for the next week, but I’ve only got a few more minutes of internet access before we lose reception. So I’ll just say that listening to the other runners today was another soul stirring experience.

Upon crossing the finish line as a group (and it was the BIGGEST finish line), and exchanging a hardyround of hugs and high-fives, the President of the White Rock Marathon presented me with a finishers Medal along with a bottle of TheraFul and a BIG bag of Vitamin C lozenges.

Yes, everything in Texas is BIG, but nothing is BIGGER than the people’s hearts.

So long for now Y’all,
Dean

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Comments

[Ange]

You have a big cheering committee here in So Cal!

Thanks for being such a trooper! I very much enjoy reading your blog every evening.

Btw, can't see any of the RW slideshow photos since Boulder Backroards. I can see that they are posting them, so there must be a bug in the navigation coding. It would be great to see the pics.

[Dan Wilson]

Hi Dean,

Your doing amazing, it's an incredible achievement and I hope you feel very pleased with yourself when you cross the line at the last of your 50 marathons.

I myself am planning a smaller scale marathon project for 2007. I plan to run the A to Z of marathons, running a different marathon for each letter of the alphabet. My project will see me run all over the world from the US, to the North pole, to the Great Wall of China to the Sahara desert to Everests base camp. I will average a marathon every 14, which is probably what you do for fun, but for myself, it's quite a challenge.

I'll be runnning for the Parkinson's Disease Society, a charity close to my heart, as my father is a sufferer.

I appreciate this is a cheeky request, especially at such a busy time, but if you could write a small comment for my Marathon's website, that would be incredible and it would boost the support I get ten fold. If you dont have time, I completely understand, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

Keep on running,

Your fan,

Dan

[Marselino Torres]

Dean,

I really wanted to run White Rock with you, but all of the slots were filled before I could register. I also had three classes on Tuesday morning. I’ll just have to run it in December.

I wanted to let you know that you inspired me to run an Ultra-marathon after our run in February in Amarillo. I will be attempting to run the Palo Duro 50 mile Trail Run in two weeks. Thanks for all of the inspiring stories!

Mars from Amarillo, TX

[Stacy]

Running with Dean goes down as one of the most memorable athletic experiences of my life. I hope to always remember his infectious energy and passion for life. He is the real deal. A true humanitarian who exudes inspiration naturally because that's who he is as a person. Dean - you are our Forrest Gump and I hope to cross paths again someday. Thank you for sharing a piece of your journey with Dallas!

[Liz Wood]

I hope you are considering adding that extra marathon in DC and making it 51! Your support is growing and lots of causes would love your help!

Best.

[Kika Barr]

Here is another tip for your cold

If you have a juicer with you: take 3 collard green leaves, 2 peeled oranges and 2 peeled lemons. Juice 'em. Drink 'em. Do this everyday on an empty stomach. I know it sounds horrible, but it actually does not taste bad.
If you don't have a juicer, a blender works too but not as well.

And by the way: how come you didn't come to Wisconsin? :-(

[Cathy]

Hi Dean,
My son and I were supporters during the gusty, sideways needle-sharp rain in Wichita during #5 and just over a year ago moved from Dallas where you just ran in the 'BIGGEST storm'! Reading today's blog brought back so many memories of running in Dallas and around White Rock Lake. The conditions sound EXACTLY like my first 10k race there, The Azalea Run about six years ago, rain coming down in torrents, lightning flashing, streets flooding...we're cheering you on...you are almost half-way done!! Way to go Dean!!!

[Tina McCasland]

Hi Dean!
My son, Cody, a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, presented you with your medal after the race and your gift. I just wanted to say thank you for including the Dallas White Rock Marathon in your race. It really meant a lot to Cody to be able to give you your medal. Although he is only five years old, and is a double amputee, he already has his eyes set on running a marathon. I have no doubts that he will do it! Good luck on finishing your quest!

[Doreen Stockwell]

Hi, Dean,

I run with Renae in Orlando, FL. She ran with you in Mississippi several weeks ago, and shared many exciting stories about her adventure and challenge. You both have inspired me to sign up for the 50 endurance Clearwater race on the 26th. It coresponds with my last long run for Richmond on Nov. 11th. I am a slower runner (11-12 minute miles) and may not keep up with your pace, but it would be an honor to begin with you and the group. I use to live in St. Pete and may know some of your running companions. Like your mother, I am also an educator (high school guidance counselor, they call me "The Scholarship Lady") I like to promote health and fitness at my school, and this event will make a powerful impact on my students! What do you think, Dean, would you allow me to join the team even though I am a turtle not a hare?

Doreen

[RC]

Hey Dean,

I can't believe I actually got to run next to you for a while in Dallas. You have helped to teach me to push myself when I want to stop. I hope to run an ultra with you in the near future. You are running for a great cause that I deeply support. Keep up the great work and keep running strong!

Thanks,

RC

[Marius Maianu]

Dean,

That was the best fun run I have ever done! You are a great inspiration. I have always run fast even training for a marathon. A few days before you're run in Dallas, Tx I was getting very tired with my training for the NYC marathon in Nov. Running the marathon on Tuesday for my longest run before the race was easy. I have never ran at that comfortable of a pace before. I was fully recovered within three days from running on Tuesday and feel more energized and ready to run in NYC on Nov. 5th. Thank you for the fun run!!!!!!!
Also, I had mentioned inviting you for a full comprehensive physical examination at the famous Cooper Clinic here in Dallas after your 50 marathons. That offer is there. YOu can call me to set that up whenever you want. Thanks again!

Marius Maianu
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Cooper Clinc
972-560-2667 ext.6487
mmaianu@cooper-clinic.com