On December 13, 2002, I ran the Rocket City Marathon in
Huntsville, Alabama.  Since Huntsville is in the northern
part of the state, it's an easy drive from most of Illinois.

Our arrival in the Huntsville area was immediately followed
by the realization that I'd left directions to the hotel, my
confirmation card to pick up my race number, all the maps I
had of the area, and the course map in Springfield, Illinois.
Time to panic!! I don't handle things like this very well. I
have certain things I do, and certain magazines I read before the
marathon. They were gone!  My wife spent the next 30 minutes
explaining to me why the world as I know it was NOT coming to an
end.  At least I had my running stuff.  We found the
Hampton Inn; the clerk was helpful and pointed us toward the
marathon host hotel where the expo was held.  No hassle in
getting the race number without ID.  After all, how many people
want to steal a number to get into this marathon?  Afterwards we
ran into the race director who went out of his way to get me
copies of all the paperwork I left at home.  He also tells us
of a great restaurant for dinner.  My mood improves.

On the way back to the room I remember that I have no idea where
the Drury Inn in Nashville is.  We have reservations there for the
night after the race.  All I can remember is that it's near an
airport.  My wife again calms me down, but now I'm at the Hampton,
without my reading material, certain we'll be sleeping in the car
the night after the race.  Told you I don't handle this stuff well.
   
We relax and watch the news.  The weatherman predicts weather in
the 30's and a cold rain starting during the night, and lasting all
the next day (I'm not sure what other kind of rain you can get at
35 degrees). My wife says that maybe the weatherman isn't any
better than they are in Illinois, so chances are good he doesn't
get it right.  

Race morning.  The weatherman says the storm is about 1 hour
away, and has the abovementioned cold rain in it. The course is
advertized as very flat and fast.  The guy with the microphone at
the start informs us there are 1000 runners registered, so if we all
finish, it's the same as running around the world.  Okay.  I have
personal goal of 4 hours or less. I also have about 10 different
kinds of running clothes with me, because I don't what the weather
is going to be.  The race starts (no rain yet).  My wife meets me
at about the 2 mile mark and I give her a couple of layers of
clothes.  At the 3 mile mark I run into a couple of guys from
Nashville, who tell me where the Drury Inn is located.  No longer
homeless, a weight is lifted off my shoulders.  I hit the halfway
point at 1:53:30.  I see my wife about 4 different times during the
race. She puts about 50 miles on the car meeting me at various
locations.  It's nice to see someone you know, especially when they
have gloves for your hands.  I give her the news about Nashville. 
She pretends to be excited.  Still no rain.

Unlike a certain relay race course in Illinois, the words "flat"
and "gently rolling" seem to be accurate. This course is pretty
flat, and a good PR course.  Course support is great.  Police
everywhere - times called out at every mile - aid stations where
they are supposed to be, and well stocked.

Maybe because it was so flat, my calfs got real tired the last
8 - 10 miles.  But, still no rain, and I finished in 3:54:54.
Finished 402 out of about 950 finishers. It started to rain in
the last 1/4 mile of the race.

If you guys ever want to run a marathon where they take great
care of the runners, this is it. Great finish line help.  As each
runner crossed the line, a volunteer came out grabbed you and asked
how you were doing, and stayed with you until they were sure you
made sense.  They then escort you into the building, where the food
is.  They had all the things you would expect, plus hot vegetable
soup, made you a sandwich (as long as you wanted jelly or
peanut butter), kept asking what else they could do for you,
and thanking you for being there.

Had a flat tire on the way home, but it actually went flat in
the parking lot of the Drury Inn in Nashville, so the inconvenience
was as minimal as it could have been.  My wife said she was amazed
at how calmly I handled the situation.  At least I know how to
use the mini spare and the jack.  

Craig R. Smith