Marine Corps Marathon - RunMarathon

As noted, my training came to a screeching halt with my calf tear 3 weeks prior. So the run was totally uncharted territory. My calf never really hurt during the race but it caused me to totally change my stride from mid-foot to heel striking and I couldn't push off at all with my L leg. That, in turn, changed my entire stride for both legs as well as stride rate. It became clear real soon that the race was going to be one of just hanging on for a finish in my first marathon. My knees started hurting at mile 7 while my hips/ITB began aching at mile 9 - this NEVER happened at all in any of my training runs. I hit halfway at 2:25:17 so I had a hope for sub-5 (my initial race goal was 4:30-4:45) but realized pretty quickly that was a pipe dream. I started off with a run/walk every mile which devolved into a walk/jog. Saw my wife & daughter at in Crystal City at around mile 22 and told them I was pretty much toast but still having fun. Not more than 1/4 mile later my R calf "tweaked" as a warning that it was about to tear just like my L. I immediately shut it down and began a slow saunter the rest of the way ii as I didn't think it was wise to try and push it considering how slow I was already going and what the long-term consequences would be. Sort of self-preservation I guess. But I did my best to keep smiling and not get too depressed about the state of things.

First off not tear my calf 3 weeks before. However, I was also undertrained for the race and I needed to put in more miles.

Shivered my way through the medal reception, food handout, bag pick-up and then on to the shuttle for the return ride towards the hotel.


Injury and lack of training.


This is a great race for fan & course support, the scenery is great and Marines are awesome for on course support. I totally didn't run like I had hoped but can't complain as to the journey to finishing a marathon was fun. Definitely will do another and hope MCM is one of them.