Pre-Race Pictures From Marathon 2 Marathon

This sign is seen heading south on FM 385 out of Fort Stockton south towards Marathon.

The event marathon banner. I got into town at about 4:30 p.m. I had stopped in Fort Stockton to check a few e-mails after getting on wireless at McDonald's.

This is what it looks like from mile 24 into the small town of Marathon.

Fellow Seven Hills Running Club member Hans Jaegar and his pre-race meal for in the morning: Large cup of coffee, six white powdered donuts, orange juice and a Three Musketeers bar. When I asked him if he was serious that this was his pre-race meal, he said he had his worst marathon ever in San Antonio the one time he didn't.

We miss Ken being out here. However, I realized today is two weeks shy of four years ago of seeing Hans and Ray Alexander in the middle of a sea of people at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. before my very first marathon. I told him - and Ken via e-mail - that I saw them out of the middle of nowhere then and that at this race, we'll be among few people in the middle of nowhere!

A group of Tornados Running Club members are supposed to be here, including Leno Rios and Jen Brown, as they are running the race to memorialize the loss of Cody Smith - a fellow club member who died of an accidental drowning this summer.

It is 8 p.m. here at the Best Western in Alpine. The alarms are set for 4:30 a.m. to be up, showered, dressed and the drive to Marathon (so I can leave immediately from there after the race) - only to be bussed back here for the start. Time for bed!