Nov
1
Marine Corps Marathon: Done and done.
Today has been one full week since I finished the Marine Corps Marathon. My body is fully recovered (I think) and I have achieved some level of mental clarity about the experience. Here is my race report:
- Mile 0: Started running with Caitlin who is excellent company for 26.2 miles. Also started running with Kelly. She took off at mile 10 and had an incredible finish.
- Mile 2: Seeing Eliza in Virginia. Also around this time I was telling my knee, “Now is not the time to misbehave.” And it listened!
- Miles 3, 7, 9ish: Seeing the fabulous Bolton Sisters through Georgetown.
- Mile 4: Two (maybe three?) runners in hot dog costumes. More marines giving us water on the course.
- Mile 7: Kelly, Caitlin and I discuss what personal leadership means to us and how running contributes. It was very reflective.
- Mile 8.5: M Street is closed to traffic. AMAZING!
- Mile 9: Marines giving us water on the course.
- Mile 10: GW PAFs cheering!
- Mile 13: The TNT water stop — I saw TNT Coach Danielle, Liz, Chris, Kait, Angelica. I was so excited I hugged everyone and spilled water all over marines. Whoops. Also at 13, Katie S!
- Mile 13.5: Signs that said, “MOVE IT GIMMY,” “DO NOT EMBARRASS ME,” and “SWEAT IS SEXY” posted by Kait.
- Mile 14: Lucky jumping in and running along the mall to mile 20 with us.
- Mile 16: My parents, who are novice spectators, were there with food! Great job, mom and dad! Also on or around mile 16 were Kenan, Dedom, Buffy and Sarah!
- Mile 17.5: Marines giving us water on the course.
- Mile 18: My “big sister” on the GW rugby team, who I haven’t seen for 4 years, was along the course on the mall and in VA. (does anyone have Mimi’s email?)
- Mile 20: Lindsay jumping in on the bridge and running to the finish line. She had a shirt that said, “Go Gimmy Go! Yay Caitlin!”
- Mile 21: Feet got heavy. Also at mile 21, a man is dressed as the Grim Reeper with a sign that says “The End is Near.” A little creepy.
- Mile 22: Thighs start to hurt, I try to compare this pain to something I’ve felt before. No match exists. But it was okay: Marines were giving us water on the course.
- Mile 23: People cheering “Go Jimmy Go!” Lindsay points to me every time this happens.
- Mile 25: Caitlin can see the finish line. I am convinced it doesn’t exist.
- Mile 26.15: Mary cheering!
- Mile 26.175: Running uphill to the finish in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial, Lindsay makes a smooth exit.
- FINISH LINE: Marines wrapping us in space blankets and putting medals on us.
Other highlights:
- Marines.
- TNT supporters throughout the race. I forgot to put my name on my shirt but the “Go Team!” cheers kept me going.
- The weather could not have been any better. It was about mid-to-high fifties (I think) and sunny with clear skies.
- Finishing in 4 hours and 49 minutes.
Surprises:
- Spectators throughout the race were so amazing. They were all over the course and so spirited.
- Marines.
- I was so tired at my post-race dinner that I cried because I couldn’t get nachos. And I blamed it on “mainstream culture.” It all made sense to me at the time. Upon reflection, not so much.
Reactions/Lessons Learned:
- It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
- Recovery is not equal to triathlon, including a half iron distance. It was longer and more painful.
- Yes, I will probably do it again.
Thank you for all of your support through this experience and helping me raise $1,876 for cancer research. I can’t believe I finished a marathon and I am so lucky to have incredible people behind me as well as being a part of Team in Training. Without you, none of this is possible. THANK YOU!
