Mercedes Birmingham Half/Full Marathon

See the flowers and the churches on the race course in the previous 2 posts.

All pictures are clickable to enlarge.

If you want to run a half or full marathon where the organizers and the volunteers know what they are doing, consider this one!!
The expo did not disappoint. Sign in for the races went smoothly.

The children's race on Saturday morning was popular.







Because I remember
growing up in the 50's,
I am delighted to see
girls encouraged to run.




On race morning we parked in a ramp
right at the start/finish.




The course took us from downtown and back into downtown for a delightful view of the city.





We ran by parks..

And more parks...


Mother and daughter had brought their blankets.. and when I aimed the camera at them, they did proud the meaning of enthusiastic spectators!!

Running through various neighborhoods is to experience more of the city.









A grand old house reflected in the side of a new building.



Kids and dogs are great spectators.



In praise of volunteers.. and they were fabulous in Birminham!





Left: technical finisher's shirt

Runners wearing whatever they choose to wear.. check out the pink tutu!

A marathon finisher and her daughter, view the waterfall from just in front of the fountain.


The finish for marathoners... just a slight uphill.. but a fantatic finish at the city park.


Sweet Pea and I ran the half this time.. and were so pleased with the course: once around for the half; twice around for the full... a beautiful course. If we had been running the marathon we would have been happy to run it twice.

For another review of the Birmingham Marathon, see "Don's Make It a Masterpiece" blog.

Birmingham Marathon - Churches on the Race Course

Church archectecture ... old or new, any denomination ... interesting and fascinating!
The Birmingham Marathon race course was rich in variety ... a marvelous tour of the city. Thanks to all who made it possible.

Coming in the next post.. a little about our running of the race... I promise!

NOTE: Previous 2 posts are also pictures from Birmingham.

February Flowers in Birmingham

Future posts:
Birmingham Marathon/Half Marathon
Birmingham churches on the marathon race course
Paducah ice storm

Birmingham, an 1100 mile drive south from St. Paul, was about to burst into spring, and the flowers were starting to appear last weekend.

Birmingham Half/Full Marathon

Details later

First Week of February

Yesterday was a spectacular day! Don's blood tests came out better than last month. He will be posting results on his Myeloma Hope blog ... probably tomorrow.

Sweet Pea and I celebrated the 10 year anniversary of our first Weight Watchers meeting...
In April/May we each will celebrate our 7th anniversary of reaching goal.

Sunset picture by Sweet Pea.
We think this may be a female redpoll. She was flocking with the goldfinches (in their drab winter coats).... except she was quite territorial.

Sweet Pea got all dressed up for running in 40 degree weather at 3:00 this afternoon. I can almost believe spring will come eventually.

Two questions have come to our attention recently.
1. What can I do about my high triglycerides?
2. What is so bad about high-fructose corn syrup?

Today I found both in an extensive article in Life Extension magazine, March 2009, page 90.
This sentence ties the two questions together....

"When high-fructose corn syrup is consumed, blood sugar goes directly to the liver instead of to muscle and fat cells. The liver utilizes the sugar to produce triglycerides."

And a PS to runners: Don't assume that all packaged post-race foods are free of high-fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated fat.

Over last weekend I had a rotten cold, but like most colds, it is fading away. Looking forward to better days! The worst of the cold winter is past.