A big THANK YOU to everyone who posted about my race yesterday. It was
awesome! Many of you know that my dad was a career Marine, runner, and
cyclist. In 1976 the Marine Corps organized their first marathon and my dad
was one of 1500 runners who showed up for the race. He ran it in 3:38 before
the days of energy gels and water bottles, and I will never forget running down
and crossing the finish line with him that day. I was so proud of him! He
died a few years ago of ALS which he contracted from vaccinations during the
Vietnam War - he certainly lived and died for our country. So this race is
very special and emotional for me.
I went to the doctor last Friday and was diagnosed with a slight knee sprain in
my left knee. Of course the doc recommended that I stay off the knee and skip
the race...and looked at me and knew I wasn't going to do that. So I was
worried about my knee going into the race, but as I approached the start
yesterday morning all focus just turned to the race and it was "on". For 22
miles I was able to block the pain and just run my pace and I felt good. But
starting with mile 22 there are two bridges and enough grade and hills that
just pulled on that knee. The final .2 miles are straight uphill to the Iwo
Jima Memorial. Needless to say the last 5.2 miles were agony. I dropped from
an 8:40 pace to over 9 minutes. Missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon by 6
minutes (needed 3:45) which I wasn't even shooting for in this race. Overall I
had a great race and some amazing memorable moments....as a fierce patriot, the
city of Washington DC is a special place to me. My dad is buried in Arlington
National Cemetery, which is close to the start of the race....and coming over
the bridge to the Lincoln Memorial I found myself reciting lines from the
Gettysburg Address ("Four score and seven years ago... that we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by
the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth)....I was pretty
surprised that I remembered that much of it. I guess I was thinking about
that because of the upcoming election and regardless of whether you are
Republican or Democrat, the fact that members of our armed forces dedicate
their lives to protect our country and the rights we have was visible as I ran
through the streets of Washington. Along a quiet stretch beside the Potomac,
volunteers had lined up photos of young Marines who died in Iraq and
Afghanistan -- was tough to stay dry eyed running beside all the faces of those
men and women...and a few more miles later there were more than 25 volunteers
with the T.A.P.S. Program who each stood silently holding huge American flags
that gently brushed against me as I ran underneath them....and seeing a young
Marine keep pace with me while holding a huge black POW flag for the entire
race... ....so many unforgettable moments. I highly recommend this race for
anyone who is considering running a marathon. Thousands of Marines come out in
uniform and stand along the course encouraging runners. Can't get that at any
other marathon!
Thanks again to Jonathan for giving me such a great deal on his spot in the
race -- good luck with the ACL surgery next month! And thanks again to all of
you who have supported and encouraged me through my training. I now know that
qualifying for Boston is a reality since I came so close yesterday - even with
a sprained knee and dodging huge crowds that at times slowed my pace. Not sure
the knee will be well enough to get me a qualifying time when I run OBX on
11/11, but I'll certainly be ready to give it a shot at the Myrtle Beach
Marathon in February!!
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