What it’s really like to run the Thunder Road half-marathon
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
thunder-road-starting-line-header
Editor’s note: When @TheTrolleyWalk announced that he would be live-tweeting his run down Thunder Road, I didn’t believe him for a second. But then the tweets started running in and they were hilarious. Most of the time, you don’t get to talk to a distance runner until it’s over, and all that pain gets drenched in a rosy hue of accomplishment. But here’s what Trolley had to say in the moment. Dude still finished sub-2:00 somehow with all this tweeting. —Andrew
7:12 a.m.: The calm before the storm. Not that calm I guess. Everyone is nervously peeing. In the appropriate locations.
/2024/01/06/1704518391950.jpg)
7:17 a.m.: Start your engines: metaphor for cars. Because of @NASCAR
7:26 a.m.: The @ThunderRoadCLT race cannot begin until “The Wobble” has been played in its entirety.
7:36 a.m.: I guarantee my playlist dominates those of all these people passing me
7:44 a.m.: Early leader, best sign: “Pizza Cat believes in you” whilst blasting Eddie Money.
7:45 a.m.: Who needs water after 1 mile? Millennials, that’s who. #Millennials
7:55 a.m.: Smelling spectators’ coffee as I run past is a special brand of self- imposed punishment
7:58 a.m.: Pound for pound, Eastover is the nicest hood in Charlotte. #chuch
/2024/01/06/1704518392243.jpg)
8:07 a.m.: Welp, my life is about to suck #hills
8:18 a.m.: Went with the “three goggles” for that mid-race picture they do. Used to do the LJ. Kinda wish I did that. We’ll see. The big eye don’t lie
8:20 a.m.: Shout out to the @ThunderRoadCLT race volunteers. Running this is selfish. Volunteering is selfless.
8:34 a.m.: Did you know: every road in Charlotte runs uphill. It’s true.
8:47 a.m.: People in cars looking annoyed waiting for runners: Pimp your life and sign up for @charlotteagenda & this wouldn’t happen. Or the @CLTgov street closure notice. The point is that your lack of planning is not my crisis
8:55 a.m.: Mile 10, when people who already finished & are wearing medals come to cheer on those still running. Thanks but no thanks, overachievers
9:05 a.m.: I’ve made a huge mistake
/2024/01/06/1704518392531.jpg)
9:09 a.m.: Anyone have extra calf muscles they can spare? Interesting trades considered.
9:11 a.m.: Great idea putting a huge hill at mile 12 you masochists
9:22 a.m.: Time to drink a thousand beers you guys