So, the weather wasn't perfect, but the weekend was fun. While warmer than expected temperatures made racing conditions a little uncomfortable, the trip and the experiences we had, made for a great weekend. Mark, the kids and I all enjoyed traveling with Grandma (thank goodness she came with us!) to Charlotte NC. We had to switch planes in Atlanta both coming and going, so we are very happy that we had the stroller and an extra pair of hands going through the airports.

I did get to visit the school that adopted me as their athlete for the Trials. Camden Primary School in Camden SC - about 45 minutes from downtown Columbia, was very welcoming and a little overwhelming. I had received letters from about 40 4th graders, but they held an assembly for all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes - 11 classes in all. They sure did come with questions and were most impressed that I had traveled all the way to Canada for one marathon and once even raced in Australia! I met my liaison, Mitzi Snipes, who showed me around Camden, which is a small, historic town sustained through a large DuPont plant and several other industries. Mitzi arranged for me to get a double baby jogger for Mark to use during the race and even managed to pick it up after the race. I am glad I got to know her at least briefly.

Some of the old friends I was able to catch up with were Alysun Deckert from Seattle, who knows Dave Mora, a former Bowling Green State University runner and winner of the Goodwill Games Marathon several years ago. Small world. Alysun and I were on the same flight from Chicago to Duluth last summer for Grandma's and ended up hanging out together most of the weekend. She introduced me to Jennifer Tonkin (10th place finisher on Saturday), with whom she trains sometimes. I had dinner with Alysun, Jennifer, and Alysun's family Thursday night. Another blast from the past was Ann Schaefers-Cole, a training buddy from my days in Chicago and former Great Lakes Relay teammate. She has moved on to bigger and better things - like 6th place at these Olympic Trials! She is running so well and no one deserves it more.

Also, I ran into Anne Flynn, - this is a difficult description because she went to a different high school, but we never really ran against each other because she was leagues ahead of me then - but we visited and she introduced me to Jenny Spangler, winner of the 1996 Trials and Anne's college roommate at Iowa. This world gets smaller everyday.

I ended up running a fair part of the marathon together with Anne Flynn and Kathy Rink. Anne ended up coming out on top in 2:58:20. It was great to talk about high school and get acquainted again. Watch out Michiganders - Anne moves from Iowa to Battle Creek in June. Another Grandma's connection was with Sue Kelly. Sue is the mother of four, Nick (11) Lizzy (9) and five year old twins Ryan and Ann. I caught up with Sue and her husband Drew at breakfast Friday morning. She spoke of the importance of having her family around for big events like the Trials and that in a few years her kids will be wanting to do their own thing and Sue and Drew try to make it fun with as little stress as possible. Sue and Drew were neighbors in Atlanta to a friend of ours who went to junior high, high school and college with Mark. We learned that through Louise, the friend we visited over Christmas. Have I mentioned a small world?

Some of the new friends I made: Craig Masback, who happened to be standing near the exit of a reception held for sponsors and athletes Thursday night. As I nodded or smiled in acknowledgment on my way to dinner, he leaned over with his hand extended and greeted me "Hello. I'm Craig Masback of USATF. And you are...?" "Laura Murphy?" I responded, thinking he had me confused with someone famous. He talked to me for about 10 minutes and lamented the lack of TV coverage and offered various options for getting the Trials the notice they deserved.

Another is Laura Bell of Otisville, whom I had met only briefly a few times before this weekend. She is very busy and also very nice - I'll look forward to her return to Michigan (she's currently completing her medical school training out of state) and wish her well for her April 29 wedding!

Some close encounters: I talked to Kim Jones in the elevator. She did not run due to an injury that was mending,but she had missed four weeks of training at a critical point. Ann Marie Lauck was at the next table while we ate dinner Thursday night. I sat at the foot of Libbie Hickman's training table while I regained my legs in the medical tent. 1984 Olympic Marathon Champion, Joan Samuelson was in the next hotel room - just on the other side of the elevator from ours.

It was also great to see some familiar faces in Columbia. Kevin and Nancy Hanson with the Stevenson HS girls distance team formed a boisterous cheering section. When I did run by my family at the 15 mile mark, they had a "Go Mommy" sign that I failed (somehow) to see during the race. I did call out to Casey and Abby, but it made Abby cry instead of laugh as predicted.

Well, I'd better get busy picking up these names I've been dropping all over the place.