Marine Corps Marathon - During and After

What a BIG weekend!

Hazel dropped Tim and me off - on the interstate - where they had closed the exit that we needed. But it was a short walk from there to the start line.

I was worried at first that I might not find Jordan, so I was very relieved when I heard her calling my name. Her friends Patrick and Mark were with her, and she had also run into Wendy Arnolds father - doing his 4th marathon.

Patrick and Mark are Clearwater Firefighters who work with Wendy. This would be Mark's first marathon and, like me, Patrick's 19th.

Patrick, Mark, me, Jordan, and Mr. Arnold

before the start.

I guess these two are pretty good friends :)

Jordan and me standing in front of our staging

sign - and our goal - 5 to 5 1/2 hours.

The start of the race was as expected... crowded and slow, and right into an uphill climb. There was a small hill and then a larger one before mile 2. Then we crossed the Key Bridge into Georgetown. As we ran along the river, I told Jordan to look to the right... and up... to see the other runners - warning her that this was the big hill we'd be climbing.

The hill wasn't too bad, and we only walked a very, very short stretch of. Then it was nice to cruise down hill and through Georgetown with all of the shops and lots and lots of spectators. Then we cruised along past the Lincoln Memorial and spotted Tim shortly after.

Jordan looks confused... but she was fine.

Here she looks better, and there's the

Washington Monument behind us!

Around Mile 13, Jordan said that it was starting to get hard for her, but she was still running really well. We cruised to the end of Haines Point and headed back into town (all around the Golf Course) and came back out near the Lincoln Memorial.

The course took us up one side of The Mall and back down the other. My Mile 19, I could tell she was starting to really feel tired so we took more frequent walk breaks. We passed Mile 20 and started on "The Bridge", which we had no trouble beating. After the bridge, we headed into Crystal City. I had warned her about this section and I think she hated it just as much as I do. But we came out of Crystal City and hit Mile 24, near the Pentagon.

At Mile 25, I told Jordan that we were right on pace to come in just under 5 hours. That spiked her so much and she said "I'm ready to push it" and took off! I had to scream at her "Jordan... you'd better not leave me!" After all that pacing, I just didn't have the burst of speed that she had - although I could have kept running more, I just couldn't go fast.

I think she realized as we ran this last mile, that it was a lot further than she thought and I could tell she was getting tired again. The final insult was that stinking hill just before the finish line. It's just steep enough to force you to walk.

And here we are, walking up the final hill.

One turn and we're done!

Final Time: 4:58:27

Me, Wendy, and Jordan.

Wendy will be running this one next year!

The gang.

After the run, it took us forever to get out of town. Tim was finally able to flag down a cab, which dropped us off at the front gate of Ft. McNair. From there, we had a short walk to Jordan's parents quarters. General Whitcomb (Steve) and his wife Cathy have lived in these quarter for about 2 years. But he will be retiring and they will be moving to Georgia.

Gen. Whitcomb's quarters.

Relaxing before dinner.

Gen. Whitcomb made steaks for everyone and Mrs. Whitcomb made fantastic appetizers (salsa, hummus) and a most marvelous cheesecake for dessert! It was a great finish to a great finish!

Until next year.....