Let me expand on the fact that I always bring some form of quilting with me no matter what is going on. My husband and I have a deal whenever we travel, even to races. I go to the start if the race is somewhat circular, but otherwise I just go to the finish. (I have a real tendency to get sunburnt even early in the Spring. ) I cheer him as he leaves the motel, get updates on my cell phone while I work on some quilting project, and know what his time usually is, so I am always at the finish line at least 30 min. ahead of time (with or without some needle turn.
If he knew I was trying to focus completely on the run, he would spend too much energy just thinking about how to rush so he would not be using up my time (His words). We make it a full weekend checking out the local activities surrounding the race, wandering the area together looking for woodworking, antique and quilt shops, eating pasta the night before the race, and then relaxing at the pool, etc after the race.