2011 Air Force Marathon

It all started early, up at 4:30am for usual pre-race breakfast and a quick shower. Had everything laid out and ready to go. I packed my bag for check-in and the wife drove me to the shuttle bus location. It was a cool crisp Ohio morning, so I wore a sweatshirt over my race gear. They dropped us off at the start line, but I had to walk to meet some friends from DailyMile. After some chatting, I headed back to the start, did the last bathroom break, and checked my bag in with my sweatshirt. Now there was 20 minutes to go, and it was chilly! The pace team leader was giving final instructions, and we had opening ceremonies with the Start Spangled Banner and a fly over from a B1 Lancer. My friend Adam had joined me for the run.

The gun goes off and we start! It was the most crowded race I’ve ever run! The 10k folks started with us marathoners and the first 3 miles were congested. Looking back, it was a good thing because we had no choice but to hold back the pace for the first few. When we split from the 10k group it was around mile 3 and the first hydration station. All the volunteers were dressed as Austin Powers characters, too funny. From there to mile 9 it was a pretty nice, easy run. We fueled well and felt good. At mile 9-10 we left the base and ran through downtown Fairborn. It was awesome! So much crowd support and cheering, and my wife and kids were there to see me. We ran back on base and the pee break I had been holding back finally got taken care of behind a bush near mile 11.5. When we hit the halfway point, I fueled again and they had oranges at the station. Yay for oranges! The problem is, I was only at 13 and I could feel my legs already.

Adam and I were joined by a young lady named J’nae who wanted to pace with us, we agreed and pushed along with ease until about mile 19. We were all feeling it then. The course started to feel uphill the whole time and all 3 of us were fighting the achy legs. At 21 our new friend forged ahead while Adam and I stopped for a second to stretch our hamstrings. We had one more big hill to tackle and it was a doozy, by the time we crested it, I was cramping and had to slow to a walk on the way down. I told Adam to go on ahead and I ran/walked from about mile 22 to mile 24. I managed to get a few long runs put together at the end to finish strong at 4:09:18. Nine minutes off my goal! In my first marathon! When the Air Force officer put the medal around my neck I was so thankful I had my shades on so nobody could see me sobbing like a baby! I couldn’t believe I felt so emotional! All that training, all them long mornings, all the aches and pains came flowing out. I’ve never felt so satisfied to realize a dream in my life. It was so worth it. I can’t wait for my next chance to go for it again!

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Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

WOW Cat... that was an awesome read.. I am so glad for ya.. I think thats a great time! my goal would be something like.. anything short os 5 would be nice..lol well congrats Dude.. nice work for sure!!!! you now can wear the 26.2 AWESOME!!!!!

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checkout my new pictures on my page

Bump for Joe!

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Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

So, I'm crying reading your post. It's so awesome! I've got 3 weeks to my first marathon and hoping for a great experience. Your entry has motivated me to finish the thing I was courageous enough to start! Congrats, man!

Great race accoun Cat!!! I still remember weeping at the end of my first marathon.

Congratulations! You should ge proud, you did a great job. I too cried at the end of my marathon, I think it's the combination of pride, exhaustion, and relief. I loved reading your post. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, everyone! I have some pics on my blog!

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Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

Great running! The end of a marathon is an emotional thing that's for sure. Way to finish strong!