This weekend I’ll be traveling with my family to Washington, D.C. to run the Marine Corps Marathon (random fact: my wife was actually born in Washington, D.C., when her father was stationed in Maryland with the Air Force). I’ve had a very busy summer of running and racing, leading up to the grand finale this weekend. Thanks to many of you, I’ve managed to raise $1200 for TAPS, which is just awesome, so a big thanks again to all of you!
I’ve had a lot of time this summer to consider how I want to run this last marathon of the season. Earlier in the year, I was leaning towards just enjoying myself on this one, and not really worrying about my time so much – take pictures, enjoy the sights, and really take in the whole experience.
More recently, however, my feelings towards this race have flipped in the opposite direction. I’ve worked really hard all year to get to this point, and have helped raise quite a respectable amount of money for TAPS with the help of my friends, family, and fabulous readers 🙂 And I can’t forget the reason why I’m doing this all in the first place: running in memory of my father-in-law who gave his life in defense of this country.
I figure the best way I can honor the memory of my father-in-law and to do all of you (and myself) proud, is to put everything I have into this race. Right now, my PR is 4:00:35 from 2 months ago at the Moose’s Tooth Marathon. This time around, I am bound and determined to break 4 hours. My plan is to join the 4 hour pace group and to stick with them through at least mile 22. At that point, if I feel like I’ve got anything extra left in me, I’ll pick up the pace a bit and bring it in as much under 4 hours as I can.
Go big or go home, right?
Giddy up! I’m hoping to get into the city for the race so I’ll be cheering you on!
Great to hear, thanks!
You’ve put in all the work for this day, so go for it. You’ll have some nice Alaska-type weather for it this weekend, so you’ll be ready to run strong. I’m just glad I beat you to the sub 4 mark. 😉
Thanks David. Yeah the weather is looking good so far for this weekend. I turn into somewhat of an amateur meteorologist during race week, always keeping an eye on the forecast.
I’m glad you beat me to sub-4 too, now I know what to shoot for 🙂
Good luck and keep up the awesome work. I have a story not much different then your own. check out my blog. It is a start up but I am a work in progress just as my blog is. I am 275 and dropping thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Jason! Glad to hear that you’re on the road to better health, and that I’ve had some part in that.
Do or do not; there is no try. Run like a Jedi.
Love it! Thanks Joe.