Last weekend I had the experience of spectating the Cleveland Marathon. I had no idea what to expect going into this. Logistically, I wasn’t sure how much I would be able to get around the course. I had never driven around Cleveland before and had no idea what the road closures would be like. Emotionally, I didn’t know what to expect. Would I be jealous? Excited? Sad? Turns out, everything went relatively smoothly. Of course I wished I was out there but each time I ran from my car to the sideline and was out of breath (I was wearing a backpack, which didn’t help) it was a clear reminder that I am NOT in shape to run a marathon.
Friday
Let’s back up to the start of the weekend. We worked a half day on Friday and left Baltimore around 1pm. The drive from Maryland to Ohio is pretty easy and we didn’t hit any traffic. We arrive at Rob’s parents’ house around 7 pm and enjoyed a nice dinner before relaxing and then calling it a night.
Saturday
On Saturday I headed out for a 4 mile run. I was thinking that I bet the runners wished the marathon was Saturday and not Sunday (the weather was much cooler). A little later we headed to the expo. This was the only part of the weekend that I felt like I was missing out. It was so strange to not get a bib or shirt or experience those day-before-the-race feelings. Luckily, we were in and out quickly and I got over it.
We grabbed lunch, Starbucks, and some race supplies like water for me to hand to Rob during the race. The rest of the day was low-key. I strategized my spectating strategy with Rob’s dad (we decided that his parents would just head to the turnaround point and see him at mile 17/18 so he would definitely know he was getting a water/Gatorade at this point). Initially I was going to watch him start the race but then decided I probably wouldn’t really be able to see him. Besides, he wouldn’t need the support at that time! Instead I would start somewhere around mile 6-8.
We made dinner at home and stuck with foods Rob eats before his long runs. That was definitely a perk of staying with his parents! We made sure to get to bed early with a 4:30 alarm (normal for me, not so much for him!)
Race Morning
As Rob was getting ready in the morning I made this sign. I am not an artist, but did my best. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to carry a sign because we were expecting a lot of rain. When we woke up it wasn’t raining and looked like it would hold off for a few hours.
Start of the Race
I dropped off Rob near the start, grabbed a coffee, and then found my first spectating spot right after the 10k mark. Shortly after I got there the lead runners started coming through.
The first text message notification came through saying that Rob had passed the 10k mark and then second later I saw him coming towards me. I gave him his first drink and he looked strong. I hung around for a few more minutes and got to see Rachel come through running the half! Unfortunately this was the only point I went to on the course for both the full and the half, so I only saw her once.
The Halfway Point
I made my way to stop #2, which was after mile 13. It was nice to be able to cheer on the runners as there wasn’t much crowd support in this area. I got a notification that Rob passed the half mark so I knew he would be coming by soon. He seemed a little more surprised to see me this time and I offered him another drink which he gladly accepted. I could tell it was humid and all the runners looked like they were feeling it.
The Humid, Tough Miles
Next I headed to mile 17, which is also mile 18 after the runners turn around. I knew my in-laws were somewhere around there but I didn’t have time to find them, so I got to the closest spot I could from my car. Luckily Rob ran a consistent pace so I was able to figure out when to expect him. He looked like he was struggling more by this point. I knew his parents had a Gatorade for him so I didn’t give him anything to drink. When I crossed the street and saw him coming back over the bridge at mile 18.
I decided to make one last stop before heading to the finish. It was starting to rain, but I think that was actually a good thing because it cooled off the runners. I was able to park at a CVS near mile 22. I bought a Gatorade and a protein drink, figuring he may want the Gatorade when I see him or both drinks at the finish line. The CVS people were also nice enough to let me use their bathroom. He was definitely surprised to see me and didn’t even want the drink- I could tell he just wanted to be done.
Finish Line
I knew I had about 35 minutes to make it to the finish line, but I also had to figure out parking down there. It took me much longer than expected because of road closures and traffic. I finally got downtown, parked, and ran as fast as I could in the pouring rain with my backpack and umbrella. When I got to the finish line I couldn’t see anything because of the crowds. A moment later my phone buzzed that he had finished the race in 3:57. I looked up and saw him a few feet ahead of the finish.
Post-Race
I saw his parents and we got his attention, and at this point the rain was coming down in buckets. We decided to just head back home. I had been texting with Rachel and we were supposed to meet up at the end of the full but she also decided to head home because of the weather. Not a great way to end the race but at least it held out most of the time.
So we went home, drank beer, and ate birthday cake. A pretty good most-marathon celebration if you ask me. Even though I didn’t actually run the marathon.
[Tweet “What it was like to spectate the Cleveland Marathon via @milebymilerun @clevemarathon #runcle40”]
Have you ever spectated a marathon and gone to more than one place on the course?
Do you celebrate post-marathon even if you don’t run in it?
How do you handle being in a race environment when you’re injured?
you did such a great job getting around that marathon! it’s so not easy with road closures so I am super impressed. Congrats again to Rob- how is feeling post-race?
He’s been feeling ok! Pretty sore the first 2 days but is almost back to normal now.
I’ve never spectated a marathon from multiple points on the course, but I did run a half and then stick around to see my friends finish the full a couple of times now. It’s always so emotional for me to watch people cross the finish line. I end up crying my eyes out! I bet you felt so much pride seeing Rob cross knowing you coached him to a PR even under tough weather conditions.
Way to go Rob!
It is so emotional to be at the finish line! I know he had a couple tough runs during his training cycle so I think pushing through those helped him to persevere on race day.
Spectating is a sport in and of itself and spectators deserve medals! Mom and I always have a plan–she is an awesome spectator!
Its so helpful to have a plan! I didn’t realize how much was involved with spectating until this race.
You did an awesome job as a spectator! It’s hard to navigate the course and you were awesome for being able to see your husband multiple times on the course!
Thanks! It was a little bit of work but not too bad, and more fun than staying in one place!
You did an awesome job as a spectator! The road closures make spectating from more than one spot difficult. I am always so grateful when Ryan goes through the work of spectating a race, especially a marathon!
I know as a runner how helpful it is to have people I know on the sidelines, so I figured it was worth it to make my way around the course!
Lisa, I supported Andrew through two marathons and it was honestly way tougher than actually running the marathon. You did a FANTASTIC job and Rob is lucky to have you! And it sounds like he did a great job and ran a smart race. You guys totally nailed this marathon. I’m so impressed.
I think the hardest part about spectating is that you cant even say you ran the marathon, even though you are exhausted and put all this work in. He trained well and was able to stick it out mentally, so those things definitely helped him to have a successful race.
I wanna say the only marathon I’ve spectated is Chicago but I’ve been doing it for years and I know how to get from the start to mile 2 to 13 to 16 to 20 and then the finish. It’s quite the feat and yes, exhausting. I’m sure the rain didn’t help you one bit.
Thats great that you are now an expert at spectating that course! I doubt I will ever watch Cleveland again. I was glad the rain held out until later in the race otherwise Im not sure I would have made it to so many places!
Whenever I try to spectate my friends at their races, I have a hard time spotting them! Lucky for me, though, my friends are awesome at coming to see me when I’m running. When I’m spectating, I try to walk or ride my bike from spot to spot to avoid all the closed-down streets.
I have such a hard time missing out on races due to injury or scheduling. I have a little injury now, and I am so mad that I can’t go out and train and run my local 5k this weekend. I love supporting my friends, though, so I try to focus on that and be the best race-day-assistant I can for whoever I know along the course!
I think having the runners tracked on my phone helped a little, although I wish I got more notifications than just the 10k, half, and, finish! Its so hard to be on the sidelines due to injury. But it is nice to be able to support others.
Congrats to Rob! He did a great job despite the weather. You must have coached him well.
Thanks! Yea he definitely persevered through some tough conditions.
How fun that you got to see him at numerous spots. Some of the big races here are so crowded so you can’t get around too easily. Looks like he enjoyed his day!
I bet that it can be really hard to get around the bigger races. It worked out that there were plenty of places to spectate.
What a fun recap! I’m so glad I saw you even for just a brief second. A good friend of mine lives in Baltimore so if I’m ever in your neck of the woods we’ll have to meet up! And huge congrats to Rob for the sub-4 AND his bday! What a weekend.
Yea it was definitely a great weekend for him! That would be great if you came to Baltimore. It would be fun to plan to do a race! (If I ever get over this injury…)