Highlights of the 2014 McAllen Marathon

I completed the Valley Triple Race Challenge by running the McAllen Marathon. It’s the second one held. There were some similarities from last year in silly and very unfortunate ways. 

The restroom lines were still long. We were told of some others at a different location, but we couldn’t see it, so most of us stayed in line. Then someone opened the door while I was washing my hands. So much for locks.

Last year, I made the mistake of eating a banana offered during the race. I avoided that, but I was super hungry after the run. I was eating whatever I was handed - banana, sausage taco. Not the wisest move. 

This year, the photographers were still there when I crossed the finish line. Unfortunately, they were located after the food, so there was a long line. I couldn’t even take a photo in front of a backdrop, so my family snapped a picture of me in front of a firetruck. 

So that was the minor stuff. Now the serious part. Last year, my TNT mentor ended up in the hospital. This year, a few hours after leaving the run, I learned one of the city commissioners who participated in the run collapsed and later died.

My sympathies to his family. 

That’s a tough topic to transition from. However, since I mentioned my TNT mentor. It was nice to see her and other TNT alum again.