MCM ? October 28, 2007

I signed up for this marathon to run it in memory of a close friend that died from cancer earlier this year. So I joined the American Cancer Society charity runner program. I also had several family members that had been diagnosed with cancer and were getting treatment throughout this year. I also have a CR friend that lost her mom to cancer just a few short weeks ago. So this run was for them and for all those that are struggling through this disease. God had allowed me to raise $3295 toward the research.

I was not prepared for this marathon as I normally would have. I was injured about six week prior to this marathon and took three weeks off of running all together. With that said it was the most important three weeks; all of the high mileage weeks just prior to the taper.

It was a beautiful morning for a marathon. Temperature at the start was right around 52 degrees with wind gusts up around 10 MPH which continued to grow throughout the morning to 20 or so. This proved very interesting as I was running with a 3x5 American flag. The support of the runners and crowds were awesome. I had many salutes from the Marine working the race, hats off to them. My plan was to run any where between 3:45 and 4 hour marathon. No stress involved trying to maintain pace.

Short Version:

Official time: 3:47:39
OA: 2869
Sex: 2315
Division: 439

Long Version:

My morning started at 5:00 am, quick shower, breakfast, stretching and out the door by 6:00 am. I had a 30 minute drive to Fort Myer, VA. Once we got there we walked to the finish for me to drop off my gear bag with the American Cancer Society. (I ran for ACS as a charity runner). Shortly after getting organized there and changing into my running clothes I was off to the start around 7:10 or so. I had a one mile walk to the start. Once I got to the start it was more stretching, potty break and then lined up in my corral. I lined up in the 3:40 ? 4:00 corral. The plan was to run two miles and then take a short walk break, 10 ? 15 seconds or so.

Miles 1 ? 3.

I wanted to start easy since the majority of the first three miles were all up hill. Some of those hills were pretty tough; especially with that wind blowing the flag around. The first three miles went out through the Rosslyn and very well support by the crowds. When I reached mile two and it was time for my first walk break, I thought, man I can?t walk with this flag and all these spectators watching, so I kept running. At the end of mile three there was a pretty steep downhill and I made up a little time. The first three miles looked like this:

Mile 1 ? mile marker 10:21 ? Garmin 8:35 (Garmin read 1:21 at the mile marker)
Mile 2 ? mile marker 6:49 ? Garmin 8:32 (Ok back on track now)
Mile 3 ? mile marker 8:24 ? Garmin 8:21

Miles 4 & 5

Mile 4 was a beautiful run with tree line both sides of the road. It cut back on the wind a little and it was all downhill. Mile 5 continued on the same road until we hit Key Bridge to cross the Potomac River. Wow the wind on that bridge of brutal, with some of the gust it must have pushed me several feet to the right when they hit. Crossing the bridge I got caught up with the crowds and not paying any attention to my pace. Hold the flag as high as I could when the winds were blowing. The crowds were just a cheering.

Mile 4 ? mile marker 7:46 ? Garmin 7:35 (Ouch way to fast)
Mile 5 ? mile marker 8:01 ? Garmin 7:59 (Still way to fast)

Miles 6 ? 9

Miles 6 ? 8 were mostly uphill and 9 was mostly downhill. These miles were all run out along the MacArthur blvd & canal road. Miles 6 and 7 the wind was to into my face and made it very difficult to run. At the end of mile 6 there was a steep downhill with a 180 degree turn at the bottom. Heading back the other way. This mile the wind was to my back. I thought it would be much easier, was I mistaken. The flag kept blowing to the front of me. Sometime it blocked my view and others I was struggling to keep it from blowing away. At least running into the wind I could let it rest on my shoulder. By this time I was ready for a nice little down hill. Mile 8 I took my first walk break when the crowed thinned out. My 9 finally got here and down I went.

Mile 6 ? mile marker 8:06 ? Garmin 8:03
Mile 7 ? mile marker 7:49 ? Garmin 7:49
Mile 8 ? mile marker 8:04 ? Garmin 8:02
Mile 9 ? mile marker 8:12 ? Garmin 8:06

Mile 10 ? 12

Mile 10 and 11 continued along the Potomac River and 12 turned up along Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Mile 12 was on to Constitutional Ave. Again the streets were overwhelmed with people. So much that they narrowed the road to where there was barely enough room to make it through with all the runners. My flag was whipping in the wind and hitting some of the spectators as it blew. Some time the flag pulled so hard I felt as though someone grabbed the flag. Somewhere along my 12 my Mom was able to take this great picture.

The streets were once again too crowded for me to take a walk break on mile 10 and 12. Again in these three miles I got caught up in the excitement and ran way to fast.

Mile 10 ? mile marker 7:47 ? Garmin 7:41
Mile 11 ? mile marker 7:50 ? Garmin 7:45
Mile 12 ? mile marker 7:52 ? Garmin 7:47

Miles 13 & 14

These two miles were exciting as they ran around the National Mall. Mile 13 was on Madison Dr. and turned in front of the White House and then down Jefferson Dr. During this mile there were some kids passing out lollipops. So I grabbed one. Wow, it was a tootsie pop, so I quick bit through to the center and enjoyed it. By then end of my mile marker 14, my Garmin was showing 14.14 miles.

Mile 13 ? mile marker 8:12 ? Garmin 8:08
Mile 14 ? mile marker 8:25 ? Garmin 8:16

Mile 15 ? 19

Mile 15 took us around the tidal basin over to the Jefferson Memorial. My legs were beginning to feel the affects of running way to fast through this point. Keep in mind all my miles were suppose to be around 8:35 and to this point I only had one close to that, mile 1 and that was up hill. Mile 16 picked up at the Jefferson Memorial and then the dreaded East Potomac Park. On was on mile 16 I took my first real walk break, I believe I took almost 20 seconds, Power Gel, Gatorade and then I was off. The wind was hammering pretty hard along the water front. It seemed as though it couldn?t make up its mind on which way to blow. My legs were burning so I decided maybe I would take a walk break at each mile marker, mile 17 another walk break. After I made it to the point and turned back, ouch, now I know for sure which way the wind is blowing. Right into my face. I was pushing pretty hard when I glance down and see I was running at a blistering pace of 10:30. Wow did that affect me mentally, I was struggling and felt *** though I wasn?t going anywhere. (Now after I look back, it was set to give me an average pace and I walked after I hit the split button so I was really running much faster than I thought). From the point through mile 19 I took a few more walk breaks. There were very few spectators, but I did get a lot of encouragement and thank you for carrying the flag from other runners.

Mile 15 ? mile marker 8:33 ? Garmin 8:34
Mile 16 ? mile marker 8:27 ? Garmin 8:26
Mile 17 ? mile marker 8:30 ? Garmin 8:25
Mile 18 ? mile marker 9:07 ? Garmin 9:02 (The wind was a killer)
Mile 19 ? mile marker 9:27 ? Garmin 9:25

Mile 20 & 21

Mile 20 looped up on to 395 to cross the Potomac River back into Virginia. These two miles were really tough. My legs were burning and the on ramp onto 395 was pretty steep so I walked up part of it. The bridge was just a mental barrier for me. It seemed as though it was all up hill. Again I think it was the wind on the bridge. I walked a whole lot more than I really wanted to on the bridge. I flashed back to the Army Ten Miler a few weeks earlier. At this point I was just trying to hold it together. I did get some snacks from people along the road, twizzlers, sweet and sours and some other real healthy snacks for running.

Mile 20 ? mile marker 9:10 ? Garmin 9:01
Mile 21 ? mile marker 9:46 ? Garmin 9:39 (total distance on Garmin was 21.18)

Mile 22 & 23

These two miles were run in Crystal City. This was really difficult for me mentally. As come off the bridge and turned down into Crystal City you could see all the runners coming the opposite direction. You could see the pain on their faces, some walking, limping, some just struggling to stay on their feet and yet other just happy to be running and looking strong. Any how that mile to the turn around seemed to last forever. By this time not only were my legs burning, but both shoulders from carrying that flag. I tried my hardest not to walk through this two mile stretch, too many people and I was carrying the Old Glory, I can?t walk in front of people. If memory serves me right I walked shortly to take in some more Gatorade, I used that water bottle as an excuse to walk.

Mile 22 ? mile marker 9:52 ? Garmin 9:33
Mile 23 ? mile marker 9:55 ? Garmin 9:29 (total distance on Garmin was 23.24)

Miles 24 ? finish

Mile 24 passed in front of the pentagon where the start of the Army Ten Miler and then looped around the on ramp to Jefferson Davis Highway. A bit more walking now, the breaks started a little more frequent and a little longer. Mile 25 was on Jefferson Davis High back past start line. The crowds were pretty thin through this area, so it was a whole lot easier to walk. Mile 26 started and the crowds began to grow again. I look off to me left and there is the finish line. Almost there! I pass the finish line and see the runners coming the other way. I still have a mile or so to go and knew what kind of hill was in front of me. Was this part ever difficult, mentally? I kept struggling to keep the feet moving, I can?t walk too many people. I finally get up to the turn around and up hill again. Ahhh no people, I can walk now. So I walked for 30 or 40 paces and then back at it again. Alright down hill now to the final turn up that steep hill to the Iwo Jima Memorial. I heard the announcer, how incredible! He sees me coming with the flag held high, he makes it seem like some incredible accomplishment carrying that flag for 26.2 miles.

Mile 24 ? mile marker 9:44 ? Garmin 9:33
Mile 25 ? mile marker 9:35 ? Garmin 9:47
Mile 26 ? mile marker ??? ? Garmin 8:53
Finish ? 11:50 ? Garmin ? 5:18

Total distance by Garmin was 26.57 That is OK with all the narrow turns and 180 degree turns that was expected.

Overall I feel pretty good about the run. I wasn?t quite as prepared as I would have like to be. But better to be healthy than train through an injury and regret it later.

I want to thank everyone in this forum for your support and all the spectators and runner for the encouragement along the way.




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David[/URL" target="_blank">


They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31