2 Months and Running: Mapping 26.2 Miles of Sights and Half-Baked Thoughts

Yesterday, during our leadership Friday, a speaker told us, “Anything can be mapped.” As most of my friends and family know, I ran my first marathon (the Detroit Free Press) on October 18^th. For my second blog post, I’ve decided to take on the challenge of mapping my thoughts and the sights of the marathon. Reflecting on the first two months of Challenge Detroit, it feels like I’m just beginning to get taste of Detroit, with many, many more menu pages unread, so rather than write about one thing, a lot, I’m writing about a lot, a little. Peak at the map and follow along:

Race Growth: Recently, the Detroit Marathon’s popularity has grown tremendously. In 1978, 1,942 runners participated in the first Detroit Marathon. In 2000, the marathon drew 3,588 runners. This year, the race drew nearly 28,000 participants.[1] To share in pre-race excitement with such a large field was surreal.
Uphill: With mile 2 the only significant incline of the course, the lack of hills (and its two international crossings) have contributed to the race’s popularity. The flat course makes Detroit an attractive option for those looking to qualify for Boston.
The Ambassador Bridge: Prior to race day, I received a notification that coordinators were ensuring course safety and that participants did not have to worry about falling bridge debris.[2] While running over the bridge, I looked to my right and was shocked to see straight through a hole in the sidewalk. I was filled with frustration over the lack of maintenance.
Detroit’s Size: With ~ 5 miles of the race in Windsor, around 21 miles of the marathon are run in Detroit and still only a few of Detroit’s multitude of neighborhoods are touched. A continuing challenge and goal for myself is to get outside of the neighborhoods I live and work in to experience Detroit’s numerous, diverse communities.
Sunrise: To be awake and witness the sunrise in Detroit is quickly becoming one of my favorite activities. Some think finding nature in Detroit is challenging; don’t forget to look up at the sky. (Bonus nature points: watch the sunrise near the river on a clear day for increased beauty).
Windsor: I have to admit that for these two months my mind has been very metro Detroit focused. I had forgotten about our fellow city across the border until I was running through it. New goal: learn more about the Detroit/Windsor relationship.
Working in Detroit: Entering the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, I was anticipating the exit out to Jefferson and seeing One Detroit Center, the location of Clark Hill’s office. The first two months at Clark Hill I have grown in my problem solving and communication skills. Most importantly, for my fellow business school peers, I have learned that Detroit is full of growing opportunities outside of the accounting, consulting, and auto presences in the city.
‘Homeless Jesus’ Statue

St. Peter and Paul Jesuit and ‘Homeless Jesus’: Viewing running as a part of my spirituality, I was excited when mile 8 passed nearby my current church: St Peter and Paul Jesuit. With an attached warming center, the church also recently installed a statue of ‘Homeless Jesus.’ [3]Its proximity to downtown reminds to see the humanity in all.
Mercy Education Project (MEP): Entering Corktown, my mind went to MEP. I am extremely grateful to have become involved with this organization by volunteering with their after-school tutoring program. Their commitment to the education and empowerment of women and girls inspires both volunteers and students daily.
Green Dot Stables: Possibly because we were encroaching on halfway and breakfast time was arriving, mile 10 consisted of me craving Green Dot Stables sliders. Perhaps I am biased because Green Dot served as the start of an 18 mile training run and hosted us after, but I would highly recommend Green Dot Stables to those seeking reasonable brews and yummy food.
Southwest Air: Running requires attention to one’s breathing. Running through Southwest reminded me of an issue in Detroit needing resolution: air pollution in Southwest. The routing of trucks through Southwest communities and the heavy presence of industrial complexes contributes to increased toxins in their air.
Hello Again Records

Hello Records: Close to mile 12, we passed Hello Records in Corktown. Immediately I thought of their new sister store, Hello Again Records, on the deep East Side and how I completely regret not buying the Temptation’s Christmas Record on my first visit there. On the plus side, when I return to buy some Christmas gifts, Hello Again’s neighbor, Coffee & (_), should be opened full time with tasty baked goods and delicious coffee!
Reconnecting with Family: Mile 13 was the first time I saw my family cheering me on. Connecting during the race for power-up high fives reminded me of my gratefulness for our first challenge project allowing me to reconnect with the East Side, my mother and her extended family’s previous home.
Lafayette Bikeability: Near the end of mile 14, the marathon rounds on to East Lafayette St. Running down the tree lined street next to a designated bike lane, Lafayette shows the progress and push towards increased bikeability in Detroit.
Detroit’s Running Community: Through these difficult middle miles of the race, I leaned on pacer’s advice and stories to maintain focus. His encouragement reminded me of the extremely supportive running community in Detroit. RunDetroit, Downtown Detroit Runners, and other groups host free weekly runs in the city and welcome newcomers.
West Village: Running past West Village took me back to the nervous, excited energy of our Challenge Detroit interview trip. On the trip, we went on our first bus tour with Detroit Experience Factory and stopped in Paramita Sound at Van Dyke and Agnes Street.
Indian Village: The beautiful, historic homes within Detroit are no secret to many in Detroit and the surrounding region. However, the marathon draws from all over the country. Many participants were experiencing the detail and uniqueness of these homes for the first time. Thanks to them, I got to relive the wonder and joy in discovering Detroit beyond downtown.
Through the Wall: Thanks to the creative folks of Indian Village for your Through the Wall tunnel and Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” playing over the speakers. You made me laugh and think of my JVC housemates. I could not have completed the marathon without their support through my training. As we like to think we can do it alone, we can’t. The same applies to the city of Detroit. Rather than focusing on Detroit vs. Everybody, my time involved with the city shows collaboration is needed to get by and move forward.
Gabriel Richard Park: Father Gabriel Richard Park’s namesake penned the city’s motto “Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus” (“We hope for better things; it will arise from the ashes) after the fire of 1805 and co-founded the Catholepistemiad of Michigania in 1817, which continues today as the University of Michigan.
Excitement in the Newness: 20 miles was my peak mileage during training. After mile 20, I smiled continuously relishing the newness and accomplishment of each step. A few weeks ago, while walking down Woodward, I counted 11 cranes within 2 blocks. Similar my excitement over each step, I was struck by the excitement of current Detroit. Places, both new and old, are taking new steps and going further than before.
An Olmsted Park Lover: Frank Law Olmstead, the designer of Prospect Park and Central Park in New York helped design Belle Isle. As a park lover who lived a block from an Olmsted park in CT, this makes my heart happy.
Belle Isle Boat House/ Detroit Boat Club: Built in 1902, the Belle Isle Boat House sits just over the MacArthur Bridge as you enter/exit Belle Isle. As a long time home to the Detroit Boat Club (one of the oldest crew clubs in the country), it was closed in 1996. Recently, the Detroit Boat Club entered a 30-year lease with the Michigan DNR. The plan is to refurbish and reopen the building for events by 2016. [4]
Detroit Riverwalk: When I was little, I remember hearing about the pains of the riverfront. After two months running in the city, the Riverwalk, with its DIA inside-out art, wide pathways, and high utilization has become my preferred place to run.
Dequindre Cut: Connected to the Riverwalk, the Dequindre Cut is the perfect spot to escape the riverfront and Belle Isle’s wind for a mile or two, walk a dog, or take in the viaduct murals. Tempted to deviate from the marathon to play on the Detquindre Cut, luckily I stayed on course. 🙂
Laugh at Our Mistakes: Around mile 25 I saw a sign reading “Run like it is the last 10 seconds of the game and Michigan’s punter just fumbled the ball.” Even as a University of Michigan alum and fan, I had to laugh and give the State fan credit. Throughout my transition to Detroit and the first Challenge project, the ability to laugh at my mistakes has been key to capacity to move forward and reach success. Our mistakes do not have to define us. Detroit’s mistakes do not have to define it. How we move forward determines if our scars can become beauty marks.
(.2) No more thoughts or sights, simply the feeling of immense joy: Congrats, you’ve made it through my marathon of a blog post.