Nobody's Perfect. but She's Close.

4:00 a.m. July 4, 2006

i really was about to do something very fun. i just for the life of me can't remember what it was?

it is now 4:17 a.m. as i sit typing this -- not very well i might add -- with cup of coffee still trying to wakeup.

Yes, i remember in my dream thinking....hmmm, "that sounds like my alarm...it can't already be time to get up."

Well, it was and i do remember being disappointed that i wouldn't get to do whatever it was i was about to do in my dream.

it must have been really fun -- in a good, nice, not up way too early on a holiday -- kind of way.

john is still asleep. but i must wake him, and we need to get started for a quick canvas of the house last night revealed no safety pins -- just when did dry cleaners stop using them? so suffice it to say -- there needs to be stops made on the way in. is there gas in car? good grief!


but it is the 4th of July and it is to be my 14th Peachtree. For such a sunshine transplant as myself -- guess this is one of those things that has just evolved into a tradition.


yes, it was the Peachtree Road Race and though don't feel all that gung ho at moment... for the sake of all that is Apple Pie in my little corner of the world -- into Atlanta i must go!

"Oh, johnny".............








Get into car.....5 a.m. something

hmm. once in car, realize no gas. and while still in house have already realized we only have one safety pin.

and i once was a girl scout.

Well, our good friendly 24-hour Pilot truck stop provided ample fuel to propel Mustang to Atlanta. But nary a safety pin found for sale.

hmm....just had thought, maybe someone who might be reading this has absolutely no idea why we needed safety pins. You see, one needs them to actually pin that coveted number on you for race.

Most race numbers are equipped with 4 holes on the 4 corners. i usually go with 2 or 3 max attached. we had one between us. Amazingly, i actually thought we might not find any pins and i brought my race belt (thanks Karen) . a standard tri accessory that did come in very handy this morning.

john just stuck his number in the middle of his chest and plastered it somewhat madly to his shirt with our one pin. Guess among 55,000, no one will notice how find of slightly crazed it (the number being fastened by one lone soldier) looks.

Get to Atlanta, park the car and head toward Marta.

Along the way, i make many new friends...

Yes, two of APD's finest assuring my safe navigation through the rigors of the Atlanta Mass Transit Matrix. John said i look like a goof with my thumbs up. i kind of do, but i have developed it as a annoying habit. And besides -- am sure i felt slightly groggy from lack of sleep and slightly uncomfortablee embracing strange -- albeit very nice -- urban policemen. that thumb thing is total nervous habit. i guess? but they were very nice and assured me that i would do just fine in race. Hurrah for the Atlanta P.D.!

Yes, we made it to Lenox ....



and as luck would have it our group was right next to Phipps and Saks Fifth Avenue. Bad luck was that it was closed. bummer. there was the cutest purse right just right inside those steel bars. Just where were my new police officer pals when i needed them?

But the constant whirring of the helicopters overhead reminded me -- we were there with a job to do. Run 6.2 miles down Peachtree. So off we went to sit with our group.

yes, we rushed over to the 40,000s -- and sat -- for a while.

but not too long. for at a little bit before 8 a.m. our group headed up to the start .

and it was once again our turn to run under the big flag and down Peachtree Road toward the Park.

There are tons of my friends who run this race every year. Rob Jones was there per usual. The whole running Spence crowd. it is just soo funny how i never, ever see anyone i know.

So my favorite spot on the entire race course comes actually pretty soon after the start. i know we probably haven't completed the first mile -- when all 55,000 either roll or jog by Peachtree Road Methodist.



it is always the best to see you two hanging around outside massive church. guess maybe if you stand around long enough someone might give you something to do. Not only are you 2 of my favorite people in the world -- you are probably 2 of the most talented!

So sorry your eyes are closed, Susan. But even with that -- you are still the cutest thing ever. i remember when Troy (Mad FUMC program director) heard i had helped you with some projects at PRUMC. His eyes lit up. Unfortunately, it became quite apparent none of your legendary envangelism (yes, you are a legend throughout Methodism everywhere -- i think they even aspire to be the "Susan Marshall" of Methodist churches in Korea.) but as Troy found out your amazing skills never really rubbed off on me. but it was so fun all those years with you!

Don. what can i say? you are the best! one of a kind, most definitely. am still mulling over your offer -- maybe if employment package can include some sporty car for those commutes to buckhead. (actually, think Jeep is coming out with 4-dr Wrangler.) no -- i never could work for you -- for it is much better for you to have that idea that i would have been great staff member -- rather than a big disappointment. but if you just ever start a Team Peachtree Road for triathlons or something like that maybe i could give that a go. Love - love

Quick as that hug was... we had to keep running.



Then for a brief second thought i spied Rob Jones racing by at his usual blurr. But no i remembered you are up in the seeds somewhere close to park by now.

Could it be some wayward athlete that thought the Peachtree was actually a triathlon, and he was already for a swim in that lake in Piedmont?

No, it was just raging, exhibitionist Speedoman.

who was very loud and began to border on disturbed behavior.

i really wish i could have gotten Speedodude and the man holding up the "REPENT for the end is near sign" -- together.

now that would have been a picture.

yes, on we trudged down the Peachtree Battle hill.

then it was time to start the uphill portion of the race. Yes, those first 3 miles are pretty much downhill. by now all us yo-man everyday runners are feeling the heat and humidity just about the time you hit Piedmont Hospital and Cardiac Hill. Which i guess is a good spot for a hospital in the PRR.

then a fun little serendipity happened. Trav Carter.

as said i never see anyone -- so how fun it was to see you Trav -- our across the street neighbor during our Atlanta life. Trav looks amazing...i always seem to say that when i see you now.

For about 6 months before we moved 7 years ago, Trav had a kidney transplant. Consequently for the next 3 years when we would bump into you that always was my amazed first thought -- How good you look! Bless your heart. i guess living by you all those years -- i didn't know how truly sick you were. God is very good!

Jogging along had most fun catching up on the kids. Jake and Elizabeth were toddlers together. Really wish could have seen Judy. How many warm spring afternoons did i smile when i saw her grey Tahoe pull in the drive from days spent with Clayton County school children. Why? for that meant "wine time" in the twilight on the Carter's front Morningside stoop watching all the neighborhood children tumble all over your lawn. It's funny how those memories of the simplest things bring me most joy!

Trav is now training for 5th marathon in British Columbia this fall. So proud! and btw, did i tell you how good you look?

Mile 5

ok -- least favorite part of race. it's always hot, humid -- and this long upgrade toward Colony Square. But it also maybe a memory associated with this part of race course.

1988 -- first Peachtree. i was running with john.

and you see 2 days before on July 2 -- he had asked me to marry him.

so here i was running up hill with brand new engagement ring on left hand with the man that was going to pledge -- for better or worse to me. When john turned and asked, "what time is it?

"What time was it?" -- i didn't know. and i really didn't care. i just wanted to make it up that dreadful hill.

But john . hmmmm. motive for time question? he had heard about mythical race clock. how to earn a coveted PRR t-shirt you had to make it to finish in 55 minutes (think now they say 75 minutes.) guess my new fiance was nervous we were cutting it too close. he started to pick up the pace.

i, of course, in usual fashion got mad. Mad....because i was hot, tired -- and had no energy to in anyway immediately do a 6 minute mile. so what to do?

i started to walk. what did john do? turned and huffed, "i am going for the shirt!" and off he took.

two days after our engagement... he chose the shirt. i got my shirt as well, as everyone does who finishes.

people think i'm the competitive one.

No such worries today. but if totally honest -- johnny did start pushing up that blasted hill again -- he was fighting Cobber tailback you know.

and if totally honest it made me mad, because i was hot and tired and can't run as fast as he can. but i kept my trap shut. we made it to top of hill turned on 10th -- with trav -- as we had found you again -- and headed toward finish..

All smiles... yea...

we kissed, made up ... actually he didn't even know i had my usual mile 5 moment of anger. it is always great feeling at finish. there really is nothing like that race.

know those of you who are very fleet of feet don't particularly care for the frustration of running with the masses.

but that is what the PRR is...

a very hot, very sweaty, very crowded, very humid -- running of 6.2 miles with the masses.

why do it? Well, i added t-shirt number 14.. and it was a pretty good one in my opinion.

and think after 14 years together, the Peachtree really is like an old friend.

She is not without her faults. as i am not either.

She likes a big party every now and then. as i do.

She starts off the day fresh and clean, only to turn sweaty and dirty as life happens for her. me too.

She is only 37. Younger than me, but i can forgive that -- for no one takes part in their creation. they only are responsible for what they become.

And she has evolved into quite something -- i have to admit. though really still hate miles 5.

but after all -- nobody's perfect!