Marine Corps Marathon - RunMarathon

I've trained for a 3:50 marathon and aligned myself with the appropriate pace group. Within the first mile I got tired of fighting to stay with her and followed the pace band on my wrist. She wasn't going too fast, she just moved through the crowd with ease. I would have to be throwing elbows just to be near those balloons. Half way up the first hill I heard a plea for help. It was a wheelchair athlete saying "push me, somebody push me." Everyone else was going around him and I asked if he was serious. He was and I starting pushing. I was soon join by an active duty Marine and we got him up the hill. Time lost - minimal to nothing. I thanked the double amputee for inspiring me and kept moving.

Course elevation showed two hills in the first 8 miles but they were smaller and of no concern to me while running. At this point the crowds were still amazing and I loved high-fiving every spectator who had a hand out. My pace was dead on perfect, my form was great and my stride was smooth. At the half way point the first twinge of fatigue was seeping into my legs but my time was still perfect and I wasn't concerned. Training had me prepared to feel this fatigue and subsequent pain so life was good. The spectators at Haines Point had thinned a little so there was no soaking up energy from external sources. Little did I know that my left wheel was wobbling and about to fall off.

Check out my splits and tell me exactly where my wheels fell off. Shortly before entering the National Mall my left knee decided it was time to exit stage right. It HURT. Now I was expecting the pain in the muscles since this was experienced during training. I wasn't expecting the knee to go out. All those miles and 17, 21, 23, 26 and 29 mile long runs and my knee never blinked. Today it happened.

Now it is time for a confession. It is DC and we arrived on Thursday. So what does a tourist do? Thats right! Tourist stuff like walking and on your feet for the next two days. If I would log the time it would look like 8 hrs x 2 days walking. I knew before hand that all this walking would effect my run but figured it would show up in fatigue earlier in the race. Fatigue I can ignore, hurt knees scream a little louder.

For the next couple of miles I ran / walked and the knee started feeling better so I picked up my pace again. This lasted only until for another couple of miles and I knew the 4:00 was gone. By this time the race was in the final couple of miles and the crowd was amazing. Going through Crystal city there was alot of energy and it felt like I was in a parade for runners rather than just a race.

Coming up towards the finish line the course passes by Arlington National Cemetery. My mind shifted a little more towards the lives lost while passing those grave markers and I was surprised to find myself in the middle of the spectators and ready to push up the hill to the finish line.

The knee was on fire going up the hill but with all the people around and the energy I couldn't help but push up that 100 yds and cross the finish. It felt great to ease up and walk to the finisher chutes to get the medal and photo. The medal was given to me by a Captain from Quantico Marine base and he sounded sincere in his congratulations.

After the photo the masses were herded toward the finish festival about half a mile away.

Nothing. I could've run the 3:50 marathon like I trained for IF I didn't do any of the touristy walking stuff. I knew it would effect the race but there were two things I wanted to do in DC - enjoy the race and enjoy the sites. I did both. I enjoyed every minute of it and got some alone time with my wife.

Since this was my first marathon it has to be a PR.

Warm down was simply walking back to the hotel to find my parents and wife. Since I didn't see them in the thousands of people milling around the finish line we arranged to meet at the hotel. The lines at the massage tent were too long and I didn't feel the need to get one. At the finish line water and powerade were handed out so I sipped two bottles.


Two days of walking prior to the race. No regrets though. I enjoyed the whole time in DC and the race too. Staying in the hotel and not enjoying the sites just for a better race time would be silly.


The Marines have a top notch race with plenty of good scenery along the way. It is called the Peoples Race for a reason. The spectator and volunteer support is amazing. Most of the runners in this race are having fun and it makes for a great atmosphere for a marathon. A must do race for any marathoner or aspiring marathoner.