Thursday, November 01, 2007

Sickness

“We all have a weakness, but some of ours are easy to identify.
We all have a sickness that cleverly attaches and multiplies. No matter how we try.”
- Incubus, “Dig”

I’ve mentioned having an unused voucher for a plane ticket before on these pages. The unused voucher from our trip to Pennsylvania in January offered me the chance to add another state to the tally. I’ve had 9 months to find the right race but no race ever seemed right and I’m just a big procrastinator.

The marathon attached to this voucher came with some conditions:
1. It had to be near an airport serviced by Southwest Airlines
2. It had to be used before December 1, 2008
3. It had to be in a state I hadn’t already completed a marathon
4. It had to be in a state that my wife had no interest in going to
5. Lastly, because I’d procrastinated, it had to be squeezed in between the Marine Corps Marathon and Rocket City Marathon on December 8.

The choices weren’t all that numerous and I narrowed it down to the following:
November 17 – The X-Country Marathon, near Tampa, FL
November 11 – San Antonio Marathon
November 3 – Marshall University Marathon, Huntington, WV

The Tampa race was eliminated due to the available airfares being nearly 3 times the voucher amount. Hotel rentals in San Antonio were higher than I would have liked especially knowing that I could go to Houston some other time and visit my brother in law (free lodging). That left Marshall. The airfare into Columbus, OH airport was reasonable and hotel rooms in Huntington, WV were very affordable.

So although it is only 1 week after MCM, I’m hopping on a plane tomorrow morning and heading out to West Virginia, state #11. The coolest thing about this trip is that my parents, 2 of my sisters and 3 of my nieces are driving down from northern OH to see me.

I think the only reasonable goal for this one is to cross that finish line in an upright position and to enjoy seeing family I haven’t seen since April 2006. Wish me luck!

“I remember when I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that phase
Even your emotions had an echo and so much space
Hmm mmmm
And when you're out there without care, Yeah I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough, I just knew too much
Mmm
Does that make me crazy; Does that make me crazy; Does that make me crazy?

Probably"
- Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy”

14 comments:

Scott McMurtrey said...

:)

you rock. the free airline voucher tree that i planted in the spring is shooting blanks. maybe i should get a job instead.

Backofpack said...

You can sooooo do this! You'll be fine because you are trained and ready. Go get 'em!

yumke said...

Wow.. I'm impressed.

Unknown said...

you are so crazy. good luck and have fun!

Sarah said...

What's sick about that? : ) You'll have a great time! And that's cool you'll see family too.

Jessica DeLine said...

wow that's great! enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

Good luck! Does this make you crazy? Hmmm. . . I think we all have a little crazy in us. :) Can't wait to hear how it went.

Pat said...

Why else would one go to WEst Virginia? You can watch the movie "We Are Marshall" to get you ready.

Anonymous said...

crazy! :)

iJuls said...

I'll be in Arlington for a M-W course.

Joe said...

So cool, Darrell!! Do wear your "maniac" shirt...this really qualifies!

It should be perfect weather for a good marathon. Do stay upright!!

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Darrell said: The coolest thing about this trip is that my parents, 2 of my sisters and 3 of my nieces are driving down from northern OH to see me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THAT makes it SO worth it, Have a great time with ur family!!

Rae said...

Way to go!!! Get that WV knocked out!!!!

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

I'm working on my airline voucher tree too...it's sprouting leaves, but no full growth expected until maybe late this month.

Another race so quick after the MCM...well like Michelle says..."you can do this"...Rock Steady and be Safe bud...keep us posted on how the week progresses and then a great race report....go Maniacs!!!!!!