Megan's Journal of the
2009 Steamtown Waffle Run
I woke at 4am, put on the coffee, packed my bag, checked my email and ate breakfast.
I jumped in my car and arrived at the Best Western in Lansdale at 6am. I was soon surrounded by other crazy runners
willing to wake at 4am, meet others at 6am, drive 2 hours and then run 19 miles of rolling hills thru a not so 'scenic' town.
When we all arrived at 6am Kenny was passing around the donuts, 
Joe was taking pictures, the girls were hitting the restrooms and Chris was handing out four Motorola walkie talkies with "back up AA batteries" (just in case batteries on
Motorolas died -- completely prepared!). We took four cars, four walkie talkies, a cooler of Gatorade and water, our bags of extra clothes and gels and power
bars... headed for Steamtown!
Karin tests the walkie-talkies
When we arrived in Steamtown we parked two cars at mile 19 
and hopped in the other two cars and drove to the start line. We all found a spot to empty our bladders, took a team picture and started our watches as we crossed the start line. We ran 19 miles of rolling hills stopped at 3 convenience stores which all had
bathrooms :) When we arrived at mile 19 .... Bonnie and a few others went on for one more mile to make it an even 20 miler. Once we were together Paul, Bonnie, Karen, Bob and
I took a shower together in the outdoor kids park sprinkler (Joe took pix and the others watched from a distance). We all changed our clothes, drove to pick up the other two cars and made our way to the famous Waffle House.
To our surprise Chris had prearranged for the Steamtown Race Director to meet us for lunch at the Waffle House. Yes you heard me right! Can you believe Chris had that up his sleeve and didn't reveal it to us until we arrived at the Waffle
House? Chris thought it would be nice for us to have the opportunity to meet the Race Director,
hear about the race and ask her any questions that we needed. Wow! We were overwhelmed with appreciation and gratitude for that opportunity. After the
Waffle House many headed back to Lansdale to pick up their cars.
Since Steamtown will be Karin's and my first Marathon, it was important for us to see the last 7 miles of the
Marathon course. Once again, Chris volunteered to stay an extra hour with us and take us through the last 7 miles of the course. With our
Motorolas and two cars we made our way back to mile 19 and thru the rest of the course. Chris and Paul drove in Chris's car and
Karin and I drove in mine. Karin and I had many laughs back and forth with Chris and Paul via
motorola about the "Not so scenic" Marathon course. At several spots Karin and I belly-laughed about picking the not so scenic town to do our first
Marathon. ...lol. Ahh..... what a fun filled and memorable day this was!
As I layed my head down to sleep that night I reflected on how lucky I am to be part of such an enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging running group!
Joe was taking pictures, the girls were hitting the restrooms and Chris was handing out four Motorola walkie talkies with "back up AA batteries" (just in case batteries on
Motorolas died -- completely prepared!). We took four cars, four walkie talkies, a cooler of Gatorade and water, our bags of extra clothes and gels and power
bars... headed for Steamtown! 
Karin tests the walkie-talkies
and hopped in the other two cars and drove to the start line. We all found a spot to empty our bladders, took a team picture and started our watches as we crossed the start line. We ran 19 miles of rolling hills stopped at 3 convenience stores which all had
bathrooms :) When we arrived at mile 19 .... Bonnie and a few others went on for one more mile to make it an even 20 miler. Once we were together Paul, Bonnie, Karen, Bob and
I took a shower together in the outdoor kids park sprinkler (Joe took pix and the others watched from a distance). We all changed our clothes, drove to pick up the other two cars and made our way to the famous Waffle House.
