The Weekend! Friday 12/5

Wow, where to start... I woke up Friday (12/5) to a bit of a hangover from Thursday's activities, but there was far too much adrenaline to worry about a hangover. Susan and I started the day with a breakfast feast at Hubbard Diner and then home in time for a house check, dog check, and running gear check. The MF (Majestic Flyer) captained by Gar (co-captained by Mo) pulled up promptly at 8:37, and then there was no turning back. The MF had been properly decked out with all the necessary 40 party paraphernalia (40 sucks suckers, beer sippy cup, various shot glasses...) all staged by my loving partner the previous night.

There was plenty of nervous energy to fill the air (all provided by yours' truly.) I had LOTS of well wishes through text messages through the RV ride down to IN. Most notably were the 15+ from Jan, and her favorite being "Did u hear snap,crackle,pop this morning & realize u were not eating cereal?"!

We arrived at the hotel in Bloomington IN, in good spirits and ready for spirits! We had time for a quick beverage and then off to the packet pick up. Much to my surprise, after giving my name to the packet person, he handed me my racing bib with the number 40 proudly displayed on it. AMAZING! Here I had turned forty on this day and I would have the race number 40 for the marathon. I'm still not sure the hoops Mo jumped through (I think there may have been GU exchanged for favors...) but I will not question the means, cause it was very cool.

It is worth noting, that I was not the only McCullough with a marathon race packet to pick up. Mary Bridget McCullough had also signed up for the race. Back when I first emailed folks on this topic I had gotten an email from Bridget and I quote "Most people would not pick a hilly/mountainous terrain for their first marathon." Hmm, guess the McCullough girls are NOT most people...

Safely back at the hotel the McCullough family arrived (Molly, Annie, Shawn, Dad, Bridget & Steve.) We left the MF nestled in the hotel parking lot, so it could get some rest for the big day ahead, but the McCulloughs and Fraleys headed off for carbo loading at the local Italian resturant. From this point on my better half took control of the event planning. We had a nice private room in the resturant where plenty of McCullough family stories were told, a few drinks were had, and a cake celebrating the run, my b-day and Bridget's, who turned FIFTY in October. The nights activities ended at a reasonable hour, so that the marathoners could get on to bed.