Sorry about that traffic jam

Marathon runners are a strange group, and I feel like I can say that without being judgemental since I include myself in that group. We’re strange for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that we enjoy running 26.2 miles (a strange and arbitrary distance if ever there was one). San Francisco’s annual marathon was yesterday (as well as half-marathons, 5ks, progressive races, fun runs, and just about every other combo you could think of) and I was out there running it (on a whim, but that’s another story).

26.2 Miles Later…

The marathon follows a beautiful course that highlights so many beautiful parts of the city that I won’t name them all here. But it also manages to completely mangle traffic until early afternoon, so I wanted to take a moment to apologize about that.

If you woke up and – for example – couldn’t back out of your garage on Haight Street because thousands of runners kept running (or walking, or limping) by I’m sorry about that. If you made brunch plans across town and arrived an hour late because you couldn’t get across the city and sat in traffic (on a Sunday morning!) cursing marathon runners, I’m sorry about that too. And if you were late to church, I’m sorry about that too but I’m also hopeful your church believes in a forgiving God, so hopefully no one ended up eternally damned yesterday…

While I was out running the marathon, I also noticed a few teams running together. I think the google running team probably had the best algorithm for optimizing their speed, distance, pace, and projected finish time but all anyone could think was “Oh man, the Apple team looks so much more elegant.” The Apple running team, of course, could neither confirm nor deny their existence. Yelp also fielded a running team, and I think they all would have finished a little faster if they didn’t pull out their iPhones to review every water station. I mean really, people, it’s free water. How can you not give that five stars?

And finally, I’d just like to end on a high note with an enormous Thank You to:

• Everyone who came out to cheer the runners on. You probably didn’t come out to cheer for me, but your good vibes and enthusiasm are always contagious. So thanks!
• To the volunteers who helped keep us hydrated and safe. We literally couldn’t have done it without you, so thanks!
• To the volunteers who followed behind us and cleaned up the mess we left behind (you try getting a dixie cup in a trash carton after running for hours). Thank you!

See you next year! (June 16, 2013 for those of you that make brunch reservations really far in advance and don’t want to be late).