The Marines really know how to put on a race. Last year, I was the only one who ran. This year my husband ran the 5K. I began training at the end of June. This has been a very hot summer. I was quite affected by the heat. In spite of the heat, things were going well until the middle of August. That was when I started teaching preschool. The obligatory beginning of the school year cold put me out for a week end (first long run missed). At the end of August we took a whirl wind trip to DC to the Glenn Beck Rally (second long run missed). I was still running fairly well during the weeks. Then....I got a new job teaching HS science and things started sliding. I was busier and it was easier not to run in the very hot afternoon. I am a traveling teacher, which means I don't have a classroom and move around. I got blisters on my heels from a pair of shoes I wore and my ankle swelled up with a horrible infection. That put me out for over a week and knocked me out of my last big run. I did get an 11 miler in one week before the race, but nothing before or after. Needless to say, I was one discouraged old lady.
The week before the race was incredibly busy but I was able to eat early and rest well on Friday night. I got up at 3:30, nervous, but very well rested. I woke the family up at 5 and we left about 6. We arrived there at 6:20 with plenty of time to make all my visits to the port o lets. I took a lap around the stadium and passed a guy doing the same thing in the opposite direction. I asked him where we were supposed to go in and he told me. He had a definite African accent. I was wearing my head band that says "In my dreams, I am Kenyan". I thought it was cool that I may have met one. We lined up and of course, I had to make another trip to the johns. I guess I was adequately hydrated. The Navy band played the national anthem and the crowd was silent. That is the coolest thing. I set my ipod, the cannon blasted (it didn't scare me this year) and off we went. It was very crowded for the 1st mile until we split from the 5Kers. My first mile was 10 minutes, great time. The beginning of mile 2 and 3 were bridges, our Florida hills. I was clipping along. I had a few nagging pains that started early, but I still ran steady. At 4.5 miles a police car was coming with sirens on....it was the leader. Unbelievably, it was the Kenyan I saw warming up before the race. He finished in 1:12, half the time I did.
During the race I was touched by people wearing names and pictures of Marines they were honoring in this race. By mile 8 I was drooping, but this was the most touching. My inspirational song came on my ipod and coming the other direction was an older man with a Marine shirt on, walking the race with crutches. I was so moved that I cried. At that point my mantra was, if he can run this race, I can quit whining and finish. Which I did, in 2:22:37. I ran the whole way and really felt good. My family was cheering me on at the end. I even turned it up a notch. I am sore beyond belief (due to my poor training), but I feel very successful.
After the race, we came home and showered and went to the funeral of a friend who lost her battle with cancer. Funerals are sad, but I am so grateful that we don't sorrow as those without hope. She shared the gospel with whomever she came into contact with. Her family is sorrowful, but are comforted by the fact that she ran her race well and is resting inside the gates of Glory. I pray that I keep my goals in perspective and not only run these earthly races well, but with Paul, press toward the mark of the high calling.
God Bless Dios te Bendiga
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