Guide Runner Report: Jason Pisano, Lakefront Marathon Milwaukee, WI 2008
Last weekend Jason finished marathon number 43 in Milwaukee, WI. Although they were initially excited to have us there Jason's official entry got caught up in bureaucracy but that is nothing new. Team Pisano went and ran the race anyway. Some people feel this was rude but if Jason followed all the rules he would have never even made it to one marathon.
Jason started early at 6am in the Grafton High School parking lot. He was joined by two friends, Gus and Randy. For additional protection, he was followed by another friend, Scott, in his restaurant oil powered SUV. This really sured up our safety in those first couple dark miles.
The course was beautiful. Compared to our area on the east coast, the country roads are flat and straight. You can see ahead for a mile. The roads were adjacent to awesome open fields filled with corn and wild flowers. Walking this marathon as a guide was easy because there were no downhill sprints in which we would have had to run with Jay and make sure he didn't tip. Jason however, missed those downhills which help him make up a lot of time. His old hip injury made for a slow half (4:52) but he held on and did a little better to the finish, ending with a time of 9:33. The ending miles of the race were awesome for Jason as well because there were nice smooth sidewalks to take to after all the cones were picked up by the broom wagon. The cold rain during the last 4-5 miles was a bummer because we didn't get to have as nice a view of the lake. A couple of nice EMT's on bicycles followed us in for the last couple miles. I have been with Jason for almost every marathon and I have to say this is the safest marathon Jason has done.
The people on the course were very friendly. Everyone loves to say "good morning". Many officials and runners knew Jay by name and cheered him on which was great. Two lady runners cheered Jay on and then said, "Get r done!!, Or as we like to say, put the bitch in the bucket!!" We couldn't figure out if that was a Bucket List movie reference or some kind of cow milking saying. Either way we liked it and used it for the rest of the race!
Jason finished just as the timing bridge was being lowered down. He was cheered on by the loyal supporters who spent the entire weekend with him and made this whole trip possible. Thanks to all of them for rides all around Milwaukee, a place to stay, dinners, beer, tours and great company. When a few people put some caring effort into something, it changes everything.
See you in Boston
Randy
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