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FLRC Newsletter - October 2004 |
| New Mexico: Ruthie's Number 49 | |
Using our accumulated frequent flyer miles from previous marathon trips for tickets, Larry and I were off and flying to Albuquerque, New Mexico on Wednesday, September 1. I would be running the New Mexico Marathon—state number 49. We had to fly out a day early to use the frequent flyer miles, and this was an excellent way to see more of the beautiful southwest.
After arriving in New Mexico we decided to drive to Santa Fe, the capital, and spend our first night there. The following day we took a bus tour in a converted van of the city with its many sights. All of the structures, including new fast food restaurants and stores must be painted in officially sanctioned hues of brown and conform to the traditional adobe style. The area is an artists' paradise, with many old adobe homes turned into art galleries. A place of particular interest is the Palace of the Governors, which is the oldest public building in the United States. The Palace is now a museum, and the porch is a gathering place for American Indian artists selling their art work.
A drive south followed along the Turquoise Trail, which wound through the scenic high desert and the old mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillas with numerous art galleries and Indians selling their wares.
Upon arriving in Albuquerque we wanted to take the Sandia Tramway to see the sunset over Albuquerque, but it was closed due to maintenance. So early the next morning we again made our way to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. This is the longest tramway in the world and transports visitors above the deep canyons and spectacular terrain of the Sandia Mountains plus gives you the third longest clear view span in the world. We were taken from 6000' to the peak at 10,378'. The area is a skiers' mecca from mid-December to mid-March.
In Albuquerque we toured the Atomic Museum to learn more about the development of the Atomic Bomb.
Friday began with packet pick up. Upon arrival to the area, Charlie, the race director, was greeting each runner at the door with a handshake and asking our names and where we were from. In place of T-shirts the runners were given wind jackets with the New Mexico logo embroidered on the front.
Larry and I were then off to the New Mexico State Fair where we watched a two-mile-long parade and also toured the grounds. Later in the afternoon I toured Old Town. Many shops and galleries surround Old Town, which offers arts, crafts, and edible delicacies. American Indians and other artists vend their handcrafts around the plaza.
Evening arrived and with it the prerace pasta dinner. Charlie had an inspirational runner speak who had leukemia, a recurrence, a bone marrow transplant, and is now on 15 prescription medications but still continues to run. She was only 36. Charlie concluded the evening with a raffle of southwestern items for the runners.
It was early to bed with the alarm ringing at 3:30 am. The marathon began at 5:30 with the temperatures in the 50s and warming to the 70s at the finish. (even cooler than it was in New York State).
The first 8 miles were in darkness and uphill. The combination of uphill and altitude left me short of breath and wondering if I would ever reach the finish line. After we once crested the mountain, runners were rewarded with a spectacular site of the sun rising over Albuquerque with all of the sandstone homes. To add to this spectacular sight were beautiful hot air balloons dotting the skies. The course then continued downhill for 10 miles.
Crowd support was limited to the start and finish with a few family members and friends venturing out onto the racecourse to cheer. Along the course was a herd of grazing buffalo. You could wave down the traveling port-a-john on the back of the U-Haul Truck anytime you felt the need. The course then went onto a flat bike path for 4 miles before entering a major highway passing Old Town and finally finishing in front of the Atomic Museum. This is truly one of the "Best Little Marathons in the Country" with about 200 runners. Charlie was at the end to congratulate all finishers with a handshake and to thank them for coming. My finishing time was 4:30:03 placing me second in my age group.
The finisher medals were made of sandstone, hand painted by a local artist with a southwestern theme.
We were very concerned about our trip home flying through Atlanta where Hurricane Frances was canceling or delaying flights. Our final decision was to pay extra and fly through Ohio where the sun would be shinning and no delays.
Next month brings me to my 50th and final state, Colorado.
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