POST MARATHON
Well, it's been a week since the Marine Corps Marathon and I've already logged two 4 mile runs during the week to break down the lactic acid build up that makes you not want to move. I feel like I have neglected my supporters, by not emailing this sooner, but bear with me for the update.
Friday night, 1845, 24 Oct- Peg and I sat in D.C. traffic for an hour and a half getting to Dulles to pick up a team mate that was flying in from overseas to run the race Sunday morning with us. We spent another 2 hours getting back to our room.
Saturday morning, 25 Oct- We all got up at 0500 and drove to meet with the rest of our team so that we could go to the registration desk to pick up our race packets and numbered bibs. We returned at 1500 and engulfed a large quantity of pasta and "Gu Brew" to top off our hydration with some serious electrolytes. I reminded Peg that last year we didn't get to just crash the day before the race and I intended to take a knap. I went to sleep at 1600 and Peg woke me up at 2400 to make sure I had at least set my alarm ;) I got up and ate another serving of pasta and drank another 2 liters of Gu Brew and back to zombie land.
Sunday morning, 26 Oct- 0330 I awoke and began the ritual of getting ready.
Shave, shower, dress, and try not to get butterflies. Drank more Gu Brew and left at 0500 with the team and headed to the parking area to catch the shuttle into D.C. After getting to our starting corral for the 4:30:00 group we stretched and danced around to fight off the chill. The weather all week and the day before was rain. Sunday God blessed us with sunshine and a promising 65+ degrees in the afternoon. 0800 the cannon went off and we started.
Immediately we ALL had to give back some Gu Brew so we all headed to the bushes, re-grouped and took off. Dave and Josh were already starting "Guy, what's the pace? Don't break the agreed pace." All was well, and Rene and Dave thanked me appropriately for not telling them that the first 2 miles of the race were on an incline. We got to mile 4 and that's when things got interesting. Josh had to hit the bushes, but there was no way for us to be able to just jog in place, so we shuffled waiting for him to catch up. After about 8 minutes, we concluded that he hit the road and was blazing ahead thinking he had to catch up when he actually left us behind. Later we would know that was true.
Mile six going into Georgetown, another 1 mile straight up hill was taxing the runners. We got to mile 10 and Dave announced that he was having some unexplained hip pain that he hadn't ever experienced and that the team should leave him behind and continue on to stay on pace as we had so far. Well, I told Dave I didn't know how to leave anybody behind, and I wasn't about to start today. We'll adjust to a pace that doesn't hurt.
We did, and Dave sucked up the discomfort like the warrior he is. I can't tell you how proud I was to see these guys running their first marathon and passing these young bucks in the process. I kept the snappy one liners I had going to keep myself and everybody else motivated "4 months ago this seemed like a great idea" "In my dreams I'm a Kenyan" "If you find me unconscious, drag me across the finish line".
Every step I took made me that much prouder. I felt the eyes of those I was running for watching and touching me. Cheering me and the boys on. What a great day to cross that line as a team. We crossed together as advertised in almost 5 hours exactly. Josh crossed in 4:29. Josh finished and went to the booth to check if we passed him. After realizing we hadn't he ran back a mile or so to find us. After he did, he was like hurry up and ran back to the finish line.
Backing up a little on this addiction we have for "Going long". At mile 18 or so, Dave and Rene were like I am done after this one. I laughed and said "That's what I said last year, haha". Getting on the shuttle bus several hours later I hear Josh tell Rene "Told you I would beat you. What do you think about that?". Rene replied "I'll get you next year!"
Amazing story? Two hours after completion of the race, Peg gets in her car and drives to South Carolina 8 1/2 hours straight. Dave gets in his car and drives to Camp Lejeune NC 5 hours. Tuesday we all link up on the phone and Dave and Rene are asking what is the next race. So......I want to run this race called the JFK 50 miler.
It's in November every year. I feel like I could do it alone, but I want to have at least a partner. I was just going to go for it, but I think I am going to put it on the calender for next Nov after the Marine Corps Marathon. In the mean time, WE are planning on another marathon, and are looking at the Miami marathon in Jan and the Shamrock marathon in March.
We will be running for Team Semper Fi and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Our website closes in Dec due to legal tax reasons for charitable organizations. I would very much like to earn as much money this year as possible for the IMSFF. So, please help us get the word out. And yes, I am running the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon. If anyone wants to come out and join us for any of the MCM races please don't hesitate to let us know.
5 guys last Sunday- 21,555 calories burned, 131 miles completed.
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