Marine Corps Marathon

I did it!  Many miles and months ago I had this crazy idea of running a marathon.  I saw a quote once that said "A good goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot." I may have had more than "a little" anxiety leading up to the race, but I did it!  I still can't even really believe it.  It was an incredible experience and who knows, maybe not even my last.

 

To summarize, the first ten miles were a party.  Beautiful scenery, funny signs, and morale was very high all around!  The middle ten miles alternated between a ton of spectators and support around the National mall to no man's land at Hains Point.  The last six... ugh.  I just wanted it to end.  I wanted the spectators to be quiet, stop looking at me, and go away.  I just kept telling myself the faster I could make myself go, the sooner it would be over.  And then it was!  I checked my time and was very pleasantly surprised (4:29:43) because I had turned my watch off around mile 19 when I felt myself losing energy.  I didn't really have a time goal since it was my first marathon, but if I secretly did it would have been to come in under 4:30. ;)

 

The Marines were awesome.  They were hands down the best volunteers I've ever encountered on a race course.  They were enthusiastic, encouraging, and pretty darn funny at times.  The race was very meaningful to me, and I really couldn't be happier about the way it all went.  Oorah!

 

My pile of gear on Marathon Eve

The view from "Charity Hill," above the Iwo Jima Memorial

Suzy and I at the Organization for Autism Research tent at 0-dark-thirty

Wheelchair and hand cycle start

Skydivers

The flyover

And we're off!

Gorgeous view of Georgetown from the GW Parkway

While not physically the toughest mile in the race, the Blue Mile/Mile of Remembrance was extremely emotional.

After the race, Suzy was the first person I found. I have her to thank for encouraging me to start running once upon a time and for believing that I could do this! She also joined me in running and fundraising for team OAR. I'd be hard pressed to find a better friend than that.

In addition to the fabulous medal a Marine put on me at the finish, I also earned an OAR medal.

Brady said forget the medals, let me see your bib number (he is VERY interested in numbers).

Mom and Steve came in from WV to watch the race. I was able to see my little cheering squad twice, just when I needed a little boost!

I ran into one of my running club friends on the Metro, and she took this one.

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. It's socially acceptable to wear this daily, right?