Marine Corps Marathon - RunMarathon

Betsy, Q and I started the race together with the understanding we were trying to hit around an 8:20 pace per mile. It took us almost two minutes to get to the start line, and the first mile was slow as we had to make our way through the crowd. By the second mile we were running below the 8:20 pace, but needed to make up some time because of the slow first mile. We had a quick third mile and even faster 4th mile and then started talking about trying to slow the pace so we wouldn't burn out before the finish. Betsy dropped back but Jeff and I stayed together. We slowed the pace a bit but didn't ever really slow the pace to the 8:20s we had discussed. Every couple of miles we'd discuss slowing the pace again but we never really seemed to slow the pace much and Jeff thought it'd be better if we had a bit of a cushion built up for the later miles anyway so we kept checking in with each other and just kept running. The run felt very easy through the first half and then I started worrying a bit about the section on Hains Point so I was glad we had built up a cushion but was shocked when the cushion kept growing and we were even ahead of pace according to the clock time, not just our chip time. At some point, I think it was right before the start out towards Hains Point, I told Jeff that I was starting to feel the run a bit and my legs were getting a bit tight. He agreed so we started relishing the lead we built up and adding talk about staying the course and moving forward. I think Hains Point was a hard section for a lot of people because it got very quiet among the runners and we started passing a lot of people. Jeff and I started trying to cheer but no one was really taking us up on it. It definitely helped keep me from overthinking that section of the race. When we reached the farthest point on Hains Point I was thrilled. I got another huge boost when I saw "The Awakening" because I had heard that had already been moved. I was definitely feeling my effort by this point and Jeff was starting to talk a lot about the bridge so I was getting a little nervous because between 18-21 miles is where I have mentally fallen apart at other marathons. We sailed towards the bridge and the hill up the bridge was so easy that I couldn't believe it had been looming so large in my mind. As we started down the other side of the bridge there was some wind, but it was mostly at our back so I thought we got lucky because up to that point in the race there had only been a couple of short spots where the wind was whipping. I think the boost of knowing I got over the bridge and was on my way to the finish got to me because as we hit the crowds going into Crystal City I ran a couple of 7:30 miles and lost Jeff. I was definitely feeling the race and was worried about slowing my pace so I just kept going forward hoping Jeff would somehow be at my side again. After the turn-around in Crystal City the wind really started blowing and my legs were screaming with the effort. I remember trying to run faster into the wind but I was definitely slowing down. When I realized I wasn't likely to find Jeff again and I was left with only my own thoughts and my tired legs I definitely felt my pace slow. I kept telling myself to keep moving forward and I would hit my goal. Those final couple miles of the race were tough... I had lost my running partner, my muscles were tiring of the effort, my body was craving water, the wind and course got tough, my GPS was indicating I would have already run a marathon but would still have more to run to see the finish line, and I knew I still had to run the hill up to the finish line. I was just telling myself to put on foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. I kept running, trying to keep any negative thoughts away and finally got to the last turn-around point. I made the turn and started back towards the finishline and the final hill up to the monument. Once I got past that final turn-around point about 0.5 mile from the finish, I finally knew Boston was mine. I started pumping my fist and babbling to everyone and noone that I was Boston bound. I saw one girl who had been in front of me much of the day, who I passed around mile 25 come flying past me again on the final hill and I briefly, very briefly debated trying to outsprint her, but decided to let her have her day because I was already having my day (besides I wasn't sure if my legs would let me challenge her). I stayed on my path and crossed the finish line with a smile (probably a pained one, but a smile) on my face and arms in the air because after 10 years of trying, 10 years of life, 10 years of marathons, 10 years of wondering I finally proved to myself I was enough of a runner to earn my spot at Boston.

Nothing

I crossed the finish line and made my way through the crowds over to have my finisher's photo taken. I don't think I stopped smiling and thanking every Marine I saw. After the photo, I grabbed a couple of waters, some juice, pretzels and powerade and just kept moving towards the Finish Festival. I walked right through the Finish Festival, collected my bag from the UPS truck and immediately called home and left a message for Ron that probably wasn't even audible - between my emotions and the noise from the crowds, the only thing I managed to say was "I made Boston!". I called my parents and was finally able to tell my father I was heading to Boston! I kept walking straight to the Metro and hopped on the train to go check out of the hotel. I had to scramble through a shower and packing so I would be out of the hotel on time. I headed back to the Finish Area with my luggage in tow, hoping I'd get back there in time to see Felix finish. The crowds were too big for me to gain access to the finish line, so I found a spot in the Finish Festival where my luggage wasn't in the way and waited to hear from Felix. I wasn't the first person who got to congratulate Felix, but at least I made it back to the finish area to offer a hug and congrats on his accomplishment!


On this day, at this race there were no limitors.


The Marines know how to organize an event. This race has grown in the ten years since I last did it, but it was still as organized and top notch an event as it was 10 years ago. The course has changed in spots, some for the better, some for the worse, but overall it is an amazing course. The Marines and volunteers were awesome. The crowds were awesome. On this day, the weather was awesome. Of the 10 marathons I've run, my two favorite races have been the 1997 Marine Corps Marathon, and the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon.