Baby Duck conquers the Flying Pig

There is, of course, sufficient reason to question the sanity of one who runs 26.2 miles without being chased. Especially when you run in a big loop, ending in more or less the same place from which you started. Really now! I'd rather walk the 100 yards from the starting line to the finish line, rather than run the 42 kilometers the loopy way. The really loopy way.

Be that as it may, my youngest daughter completed her first marathon today!

That's her in the black and red. Not sure who the michelin men in the pink pig suits are. The sign above the line said "FINISH SWINE". Cute.

The day began pre-dawn; which is, of course, in-keeping with the general lunacy. These wonderful pix, by the way, are complements of my wife. She shot pictures while I was very busy complaining about the rain. It did rain.

We were quite a way from the starting line, still on the walkway on the bridge over the river, when things got started. It was actually a great vantage point from which to watch the surging mass of thousands of runners.

Doris and I hoofed it over to the five-mile marker, and found an overhang where we could escape from the dreary drizzle. After a few minutes, the first runner sprinted by; he was really booking it. Within another 10 minutes there was a steady flow of runners jogging by. Thousands of dollars of tennis shoes going by, every sixty seconds. Amazing.

Some of the running costumes were very interesting. Many were in keeping with the pig theme; some women had on pink tutu's and pink pig hats. Saw a tube of Crest toothpaste run by, and something that I think must have been a shark. Not sure what he was advertising. One guy ran past in his birthday suit. All he was wearing was shoes. Definitely don't want to know what he was advertising.

Got to run next to Lauri for a few minutes to encourage her, at the 22 mile mark. Had to wait until the 22 mile mark so she was tired enough so I could keep up with her.

Lauri and her roomate and running partner Rachel, posing next to the Flying Pig.

Now, I don't know if going lala is contagious, but I have found myself wondering if I could ever do this. . . .

Congratulations to Lauri and Rachel for running a great race, and achieving such a great accomplishment!