Out for a Run

First, this post is LOOOONG overdue. But Matt, I hope you realize that our delay in posting it is no reflection of how extraordinarily impressed we are by your accomplishment!!

Our friend Matt has been tirelessly training for his first marathon for months and months, and since he chose to return to Maine for his first marathon we were happy to drive the two hours north to support him as he ran around Mount Desert Island (part of Acadia National Park)....
Why the hat and gloves in mid October?? Ah, yes...I forgot to mention the unseasonably cold weather with freezing daytime temps (yes that's cold, even for Maine)!! On top of that, this particular marathon is rated as pretty darn challenging (yep, that's the technical term...) because of the hilly course - what did you get yourself into Matt?!?! But off he ran with everyone else when the canon sounded....

... that meant our mission had begun! Sorta like the amazing race, our job was to be at each "cheering checkpoint" to keep Matt motivated (and to make sure he hadn't frozen)! Here's a shot of the iconic bridges in Acadia National Park... from the car.

The first cheering stop was a pretty little beach.
Since this was a "mission" we had devised a plan to keep the motivation/entertainment factor high... bring out a new wave of support at each stop. That meant just hooting and hollering at first, then waiving our "rally towels" (from the hockey game the night before)...
showing off our homemade fan signs,




and then the cowbell rang true for Matt (a gift to Mel from Matt in college) as the grand finale!

Here's Matt crossing the finish line - he placed 27th! On his first marathon!
Absolutely incredible Matt!!! We had fun cheering you on, are in awe of your accomplishment, not to mention the months of training leading up to this, and can't wait to cheer you on in your next big race... road trip anyone??

More photos of the road race on Stacy and Eric's blog