Marine Marathon

My Seventh Marathon
The 37th Marine Corp Marathon
Washington D.C. 
28 Oct 2012

This was my seventh marathon, and my first big city marathon.  To be honest I was a bit nervous of the sheer size of this event.  The Marine Corp Marathon (MCM) is the US's fourth largest marathon, just getting to our starting corral was a challenge.  With 25,000 other runners and this little unexpected guest named Sandy, I did not know what to expect.

Mile 1:  10:39

Mile 2:  13:33

I was really happy with the opening mile I felt strong and knew I ran a good pace, but the second mile I have no idea what happened, I got lost in the run.  I have no memories of the second mile and my pace suffered.  I need to stay more focused, although with the large crowds it was easy to get trapped behind a group of slower runners and walkers...even this early on that lost time hurt.

Mile 3:  10:00

Mile 4:  10:00

Mile 5:  10:21

Mile 6:  10:01

Mile 7:  10:43

This opening section went by pretty fast.  This section was a bit tricky navigating the crowds and tackling the rolling hills.  I knew I had lost a little time to the clock, but felt good and knew I could make it up during the middle section.

Mile 8:    9:24

Mile 9:    9:47

Mile 10:  9:29

Mile 11:  9:42

Mile 12:  9:35

Mile 13:  9:38

Mile 14:  9:47

It was some where in this section of the race that I was so focused in the run keeping up a good pace and rhythm that I forgot where I was. At some point, I looked up to get a lay of the land and noticed Washington monument off to the left, "Oh yea, I'm running in Washington D.C."  Awesome place.  Then it was back to the grind...

Mile 15:  9:42

Mile 16:  9:23

Mile 17:  9:50

Mile 18:  9:40

Mile 19:  9:31

Mile 20:  9:25

Mile 21:  9:32

This middle section brought me 14 miles of sub goal pace and the next thing I knew I was past the wall.  My marathon experience told me that you could be feeling invincible on mile to only have the bottom fall out the next.  I was with this caution that I tried to run in control...

At mile 22 it happened...

Mile 22:  10:53

At this point in the run I hit my wall, it was not a life stopping impact but out of the blue I went from feeling great to feeling the effects of a major energy drain all within one stride.  It was at this point...I had to feel focus and keep the legs turning, it was a bit of a struggle.  But just as fast it hit me, I felt a second wind.

Mile 23:  8:35

Mile 24:  9:02

During these two miles (23 and 24) I felt strong and I knew I was running fast, I was passing a ton of people, but the miles took forever.  I think I need to work on my mental game...because as easy as it was to run...it was that hard to keep my mind focused.

Mile 25:  10:47

Mile 26:  10:31

Just a fast as this second wind hit me, it left.  At this point, I was just hanging on...

(Michele found me at mile 26 

and took this nice picture)

The last .02  6:39

4 hours 26 minutes 9 second..8730/23,515 in the top 37% of finishers and top 51% of my age group...Mission Accomplished!

Finisher video, I'm near the very end (6:53), on the screens lower right side, wearing black shorts , a red shirt, a black hat and I lift my arms giving thanks to the Lord at the end.  Can you find me....

 (In honor of LCpl Christopher Blake Rodgers)

Another first for the MCM was that I was blessed to share this run with two great friends, Jason K, and Susan C.  We all met our goals this day...and we had a great weekend!

 

(Before: Happy Runners Going To The Expo)

(After: Three Happy Runners Marathoners Back Home, 

We All Owe Thanks to Tiffany and Michele)