Skydivers with large American flag
WRFB before the race start
This was my 9th marathon and my 2nd Marine Corps Marathon. I had strained my hamstring 5 weeks prior and my training was impacted. I originally was training for a PR, but I changed my goal to finish with John Katora and his son Adam. It was a weekend of many first. Friday night I enjoyed a few beers with friends, something I typically do not do. Saturday I stood in line for an hour to get my bib and did more walking than normal. Saturday night I ate out with John, his family and friends. I have a pre-race meal that I had always made myself, pasta and marinara sauce. We ate at Filomina's in Georgetown. We had great pasta dishes and some included sea food. This was followed by and aperitif of anesone. This settled my stomach after over indulging on the delicious food.The morning of the race was perfect, low 40's. My friend mike drove me to the metro for my trip to the pentagon. The mile walk from the metro to runner’s village was beneficial and I found porto pot heaven. I met up with John, Adam, his brother and sister in-law, Jeff and Terry. We headed to the start area and stopped one more time at Don's Johns. Skydivers drifted through the air with large USA flags and the national anthem was played. We headed to the start line and said good luck to Jeff and Terry. As we moved through 30,000 runners to the 3:40 corral we ran in to Mike Ravegum. We had a runner take our picture and said our farewells.
The howitzer sounded and we were off. The roadways seemed much more crowded than when I ran in 2009. Our pace the first few miles was not more than 9min due to crowded conditions. The next few miles we were able to pick up the pace. Then we ran into a bottleneck through Georgetown. This new part of the route was through a nice wooded area. As we rounded the corner and were headed back toward Georgetown we had a new first. A woman running toward us on the opposite side of the road got too far into the middle of the road and tripped over a cone and landed in front of us almost knocking us down as we tried to catch her. We helped her up and asked if she was okay and off she went.
Next we took a stop and Don's Johns. This was another first. I have never stopped during a race for a bathroom, but when in Rome. Back through Georgetown and into the golf course, we now had 10 miles down. We maintained a steady pace through the half way mark, rounded the point and headed toward the mall area. The crowds were nicely thinned and Adam began to push pace around mile 15. We pushed 7:30 pace for the next 3 miles when I stated I would not be able to keep this pace.
As we hit mile 20 we started across the bridge toward Crystal city. It was on the bridge a sharp pain shot into the medial part of my right knee. I never experienced this before and it caused me to stop, stretch and walk. John and Adam continued but stopped when they realized I was not with them. I slowly returned to a jog and we continued to Crystal City. As we entered we saw my wife and her friend Jodi. They cheered us on and this was just the boost I needed.
We continued through the loop through Crystal City and made the turn to head back out and toward the finish. It was at this point just past mile 23 that a sharp pain shot into my right knee again and this time there was no walking. I could barely stand. John could tell I was in pain and asked if I wanted medical help. This was the first time I had ever thought of a DNF and for a few seconds seriously considered this an option. There was a marathon helper there and she was ready to call for assistance. I indicated I would crawl across the finish line before a DNF, but I did not want to jeopardize Boston 2014. I told John and Adam to continue on and I would try to finish by walking.
As luck would have I approached a group handing out beer. They saw my shirt and offered me a beer and I took it and gulped it down. Another first Hobbled a few more minutes and came across another group offering beer and gulped that down. I don't have any idea how long I walked. At this point there were quite a few walkers and spectators offering encouraging words. I never felt so frustrated and alone during a marathon. Like a gift from heaven I passed a group of girls cheering me on and encouraging me. I decided to try a jog. As I began they cheered louder and offered words of encouragement. It was quit exhilarating to have complete strangers be so compassionate. I was now jogging without pain. A true miracle.
I began to push the pace thinking I would never catch John and Adam. I was at an 8 min pace and did not want to press my luck. Things felt good and I would hopefully finish running. I was looking for Sharon and Jodi. I exited Crystal City and onto the desolate stretch of highway around mile 24-25. I had expressed to Sharon and Jodi that this was the worst part of the course because of the fatigue and lack of spectators. I was plodding along and heard someone cheering for beer man. I looked up and 20 yards in front of me were John and Adam with Sharon and Jodi cheering them on. Now John had no idea I was back there and then heard Sharon and Jodi Cheering me on. They were as surprised as I was to be reunited. It was only due to Johns need to stop while we were separated that I was able to catch them. Sharon and Jodi had no idea of the events that unfolded and were only wondering why I was separated from them by such a distance and on the other side of the road.
We reached mile 25 and were on the home stretch. John and I were exhausted from the marathon, while Adam trod pleasantly along. Adam could have dropped us at any point, but decided to remain with his Dad. What a great father son bonding experience. I was happy to be a part of it. We continued to persevere and push onward to the finish line. Up that last hill to the finish and we crossed 3 abreast. I accomplished my goal for this marathon. I recovered from an injury and lost training time and was able to keep pace with John and his son. My goal: to complete a marathon from start to finish with friends. Try it some time for something different. I don't feel as beat up as a PR and the fun far outweighed any PR. It was my 9th marathon, but a marathon of many firsts. I could not have asked for better weather, friends or a more awesome experience. The marathon does not disappoint if you have the right attitude and great support on the course and behind the scenes. Thanks again WRFB for all your support and well wishes.
My Race Stats
18467 - DAVID SMITH - GLEN ROCK, PA - Male / 49
Division: 247 of 1,711
Gender: 2254 of 13,522
Overall: 2878 of 23,513
Finish Time: 3:45:23
Location,Net Time,Clock Time,Pace,Pace Between,Time of Day
5K 28:13 30:32 9:04 /mi 8:30:36
10K 53:30 55:48 8:36 /mi 8:08 /mi 8:55:53
15K Predicted 1:20:14 Predicted 1:23:42 ETA 9:23:47
20K 1:46:11 1:48:29 8:32 /mi 8:28 /mi 9:48:34
Half 1:51:37 1:53:56 8:30 /mi 7:58 /mi 9:54:00
25K 2:10:58 2:13:16 8:25 /mi 7:58 /mi 10:13:21
30K 2:34:34 2:36:53 8:17 /mi 7:35 /mi 10:36:57
35K 3:00:52 3:03:11 8:18 /mi 8:27 /mi 11:03:15
40K 3:33:08 3:35:27 8:34 /mi 10:23 /mi 11:35:31
Finish 3:45:23 3:47:42 8:35 /mi 8:59 /mi 11:47:47
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