Last Friday, Ron and I headed to the Austin-Bergstrom international airport en route to our destination Atlanta, Ga.  I was nervous and excited.  If all went according to plan, I could cross two things off my life list.  My life list is like a bucket list, but a lot more fluid.  I add, change and delete from the list regularly.  I planned to run a marathon in Alabama on Saturday.  This would be my 17^th state to complete a marathon.  I also intended to run a half marathon in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Sunday.

There are many people who run back to back marathons and routinely compete on consecutive days. But not me!  This would be my first “double weekend”.  I considered running the marathon course for both Saturday and Sunday but soon changed my mind.  Ron enthusiastically signed up for a marathon on both days.

We booked our flights on a budget airline, so we had to get creative with our packing. Running clothes and shoes for both races had to go in our carryon luggage for safekeeping.  The airline charged for carryon luggage but allowed a personal item at no charge.  I conscientiously stuffed running shoes, tights, and shirts in my backpack along with my kindle, purse and snacks.  Although, I secretly believed if our running clothes got misplaced, it would be a sign.  No running shoes or clothes?  It just wasn’t meant to be.

In spite of long security lines, we made it to our gate with time to spare.  Once on board, I looked forward to napping, but I discovered the seats didn’t recline.  No nap for me!  I couldn’t get comfortable enough to rest.

Arriving in Atlanta after two hours flying time, even sans nap I felt great.  Several trains, walkways, and stairs later we arrived at the rental car lot. After a quick lunch at Applebee’s in Marietta, GA we headed to Chattanooga to pick up our packets for Sunday’s run.

We pulled up to packet pick up after sundown and fifteen minutes before the eight o’clock deadline.  Race numbers retrieved we left for Albertville, Ala to find our hotel.

Albertville is 30 miles from Lake Guntersville where the Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series Day seven was being run at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning.  The thin hotel walls allowed us to hear talking and movement all night.  I didn’t understand the purpose of the mirrors covering the wall behind the bed.  I’m sure I slept some but it didn’t feel like it.

 Pulling my running clothes from my suitcase to dress, I couldn’t find my running bra.  Sure enough I didn’t pack one.  The most supportive bra I had with me was my Victoria Secret bra my daughter bought for me.

Victoria’s Secret bra, gloves, jacket, tights and long sleeve running shirt warded off the chill and made it the temperature more tolerable.

Arriving at the park, we checked in and picked up our T-shirts and medals.  Yes, we received our medals before we ran.  We had to wait until we finished to get our state and year attachments.

We lined up with 60 other marathon hopefuls, ready to run the out and back on the 2.184 mile course 12 times.  As one of the other runners said, “After the first few times, you stop noticing how pretty this looks.”  That quote was from Bryndis a marathoner from Iceland.  There are four marathons a year in Iceland, so she travels to the USA to run.  She had run a marathon with the group the previous day on a course that required running 21 laps.  Many of the runners were completing the series and were on their seventh day of running.  Running a marathon in laps takes patience. You keep up with the laps by taking a rubber band each time you complete a lap.  The scenery was beautiful and several times we had to slow for ducks to meander across the trail.

Our bibs had our names printed on them and everyone soon learned our names and shouted support as we crisscrossed the course. It was soon impossible to know who was passing you and who you were passing but everyone was smiling.  It was the most non-competitive event I’ve ever participated in.

My watch battery died before I finished so my last few laps were very relaxed.  I finished with blisters on both feet. Taking my shoes off to change I discovered my Tiva’s were safe at home so I stood around in my socks.  Ron brought me a cup of Fritos, pretzels, jelly beans and an orange for a recovery snack.  It was fantastic!

We regrouped and left for Chattanooga.  Stopping at a Mexican restaurant along the way and we had a lovely meal.

 Anything would have tasted good but our food was great.  The meal arrived just as the Texas A&M and Alabama football game began to broadcast on the television mounted above the bar. Since we were in Alabama, we didn’t advertise our support of the Texas team.

We made it to Chattanooga and checked into our hotel.  It was lovely and more than made up for the first hotel.  We each had showers and got comfortable while we waited for room service.  I was feeling spoiled!

Our hotel was a mile from the race tents.  We slept an hour later than Saturday and made it to the start around 6:30 AM.  The marathon started at 7:00 AM and the half at 7:30 AM, so I was able to watch as Ron crossed the start line.

It was still 43 degrees, but I was getting used to the colder temperatures.  Crossing the start line to the tune of Jump On It, by Sir Mix-a-lot was invigorating.    Along the course you always meet interesting and fun people.  Sunday was no exception.  I ran with a couple who were married the day before and this was their honeymoon.  Crazy, I think!  I also ran with Jeanetta who was running because she is terrified of bridges.  She chose to run the four bridges marathon to help get past her fears.

And there is always someone willing to give advice.   My favorite advice overheard on Sunday was from a man running his first marathon.  He said, “Never pass up an opportunity to pee!”

We both finished our races, Ron much stronger than me, but we had fun.  After stopping for lunch at Genghis Grill, we returned to our hotel where we showered and napped before heading back out for ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s.

We wandered around downtown Chattanooga a while.  We visited a book and yarn store where the owner was demonstrating how to use a spinning wheel.  We ate again before going back to the hotel for the evening.  Exhausted and sore, we slept early and soundly. We woke early on Monday and headed back to Atlanta.  Our vacation was over.  Marathon state #17 – check.  Back to back race days – check!