French la Vie

 

The first Paris marathon started in 1896, though the present course in the heart of Paris started in 1976. 

Over fifty thousand participates run forty-two Kilometers starting of the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs-Elysees, around the Place de la Concorde,

alongside the Tuileries Jardin, passing Pont Neuf, then on the Bastille, onward with a long loop to through the Bois de Vincennes, then back to the heart of Paris along the Seine, passing by Notre Dame, Orsay, Louvre… a very scenic route including a wave to the Eiffel Tower and then through Bois de Boulogne to Avenue Foch.

An interesting way to see Paris let alone distracts oneself from the pain of running a marathon.

Chelsea trained faithfully for a few months in the rain and snow… mostly cold weather in Paris, yet the day of the Marathon the first spring day decided to appear at 75 Fahrenheit! A rather lovely shock from the cold winter in which she endured training.

 

 

 

 

 

In the beginning.

 

 

 

 

Chelsea had a Schneider APP on her cell phone that her support team was connected to. With it, we could track her progress: Where she was on the route/map, projected her speed and time. Chelsea also had a WHATSAPP group that where we could share photos and give updates as she passed by. Several friends plus Yann and I were stationed at different places on the route that she had set up. Sacha was connected by phone and was programmed to call her towards the end of the race, to keep her company plus she had Yann run the last ten Kilometers with her for moral support. A friend Alice, ran with her to cheer her on as well.

 

The above photo is of the last Kilometer.

 

 

 

 

 

Along the way, there is music, people cheering, food, water, and water mist to keep cool and hydrated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was stationed at the Place de la Concorde at the beginning of the race. There were so many runners I doubted whether I would be able to spot her, though she spotted me and waved. My next station was at the WALL at 30 Kilometers 

(Every year hundreds of thousands of runners will have the opportunity to "hit the wall." "The wall" is defined as that period in a marathon when things transition from being pretty hard to being really, really hard. It is the point where your body and mind are simultaneously tested. It's the perfect intersection of fatigue and diminished mental faculties. Or as you most likely remember it, it's the exact point where all your pre-race plans went out the window.)

 

At the WALL, there was great dance music and such an atmosphere of support that it felt like a party to me at least. Chelsea later said that every ounce of her body was in pain so she asked herself, "Where do I feel good?" and the only place that came to mind was the tip of her nose. So she focused on the tip of her nose and then it started to run but not with her if you know what I mean. I was to meet her again at the beginning of the Bois de Boulogne. As I walked to my next pre-planned meeting point I remembered my Mom sitting in the stands when my dad was racing motorcycles, she would tell us kids to send dad our positive energy, to keep our fear from him and only pray for his best. As I walked on I did as my mother had taught me to send positive energy towards my loved one

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Martin was on a scooter, he was stationed at the beginning then at Bastille, and a few other places, then at the 37-Kilometer point.

I was to see her before she entered the Bois de Bolougne where I was supposed to give her sugar cubes and Kleenex if need be, but I never saw her go by as a man fell at my feet so I gave him the sugar and Kleenex. I think it was at that point that I missed her.

 

I was amazed at the various ages, sizes, and teams carrying people who ran by. Total admiration for each and every one of them. It was very emotional to watch.

The runners had their names on their runner's bibs so when they would run by I would call out their names if they looked like they needed encouragement. Chelsea later would say that when people called out her name it made her feel good and she felt proud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cheerleaders: Fabrice (Chelsea and Sacha's childhood friend), David (Martin's childhood friend), Clemence (Chelsea's junior high school friend), Martin (Mr. Espresso future husband), The Marathoner, Yann, me, and Alice (Chelsea's university friend who ran several kilometers with her at the end.)

 

Not pictured: Marina and Lucie (university friends), Constance and Antoine (friends from work).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, the abundant joy of reaching your goal!

Bravo Chelsea!

 

 

 

 

 

Bravo Paris 2018 Marathoners