RACE REPORT: Marine Corps Marathon #2

Submitted by: Ron Fleming

Everything about the Marine Corps Marathon was huge...The long walk from the hotel to the start, the Pentagon which we passed along the way, the many port-o-johns and UPS trucks at the bag drop, the thousands of runners standing in the start corrals, the huge monuments and buildings we passed, the thousands and thousands of spectators along the way and the many many marines that volunteered to provide support along the course, and finally, the long walk back to the hotel (that was self-inflicted, i know...)

For all the hype and enormity of this event, I was somewhat relaxed, yet eager to get started. Sometime over the past couple of months between training runs and a few races, I had gained this huge level of confidence in my ability and was setting out do really really well in this race. I think I can even be quoted as saying "breaking 4 hours will not be a problem".

Scott and I lined up in the 3:45 corral and after getting a pep-talk from veteran Marine (and talk-show host) Montel Williams, we were off...It took us 2-3 minutes to get across the starting line. In the first mile, Scott and I became separated and I was on my own...(well, besides the other 1000 people I was running shoulder-to-shoulder with). I was really interested to see how this thick crowd would thin out...

After a slow climb and winding through the streets of Arlington, we were dumped out on a more desolate stretch of the course with very few spectators. After crossing Key Bridge into Georgetown, which was beautiful, we started back up the river and it wasn't long before we saw the two leaders meeting us in the opposite direction. They were literally side by side with no one else around them...I don't think I can comprehend the level of intensity and competition those guys feed off of.

The course took a u-turn to the right and climbed a hill, pointing us back in the direction of the city. At the top of the hill I could see a sea of runners going in both directions. This was about mile 7 and where I started feeling good and settled in. In retrospect, this is where I let myself get too settled in and instead of throttling my pace, I went with it. I remember the converstations I had with myself.."It's okay, you feel good now...run with it, you will be able to push through if it gets rough near the end, you are trained for this" and then immediately after, "alright damnit...you're making this bed, you are gonna lay in it.". That is exactly how it went through my head and the latter is more closely how it played out...

After Georgetown, course details start getting a little foggy and I remember seeing a golf course on my left and realizing I was on Haynes Point...The half marathon point was at the very tip of Haynes Point. I was at about 1:55 half marathon pace and it was at this point where I knew I was in trouble...I was not comfortable. I tried to ignore that and push through this boring strip of course and hope the upcoming crowds and sites would provide a lift, and they did. I could not believe the amount of spectators that lined the course along the mall and around the monuments, meanwhile, I am still in a very thick crowd of runners...It was people everywhere!

At mile 20, my goal time was out the window and it was time for the "fall back" goal (is that even allowed?)...It wasn't long after cossing the bridge into Crystal City where time was irrelevant and it became a mission just to finish. We passed our hotel twice during this Crystal City out-and-back...Do you know how hard it was to not just bail on the race and go inside and get a beer??? (things were bad).

Shortly after the turn around loop part of Crystal City, someone hit me on the shoulder...It was Scott. We were literally shoulder-to-shoulder and I don't think I would have ever noticed if he hadn't said something...22 miles later we were running together again...No telling how many times we passed each other during the race and didnt even know it. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention how bad the cramping was at this point...It started on the bridge (hence the desire to go in the hotel and get a beer). Cramping in the calves, hams, and inner thighs...I don't ever cramp when I run. I don't know why I was cramping so bad then. I was doing a lot of walk>run with an emphasis on walk...Scott moved ahead.

The night before the race, my parents called me at 8:00pm and said they were in the car on the way to DC...this was a surprise to me. I had no idea where to tell them to go on the course and didn't want them running all over the place, so I just suggested they hang out at the finish. As I closed in on the finish, I figured I had either missed them along the way or that I would just meet up with them after the finish. About 20 yards from the finish I heard someone yell my name and I turned around and there they were...I had just passed them and it was a great surprise to see them there right before I crossed the finish line. Mom even got a great picture as I passed by them. I was thrilled they were able to see an event of this size, see me finish, and see first-hand how I am spending all of my spare time these days. I hung out with them post-race and even dragged them along with me on the 2.5-3 mile walk back to the hotel in Crystal City.

As far as my personal goal for the race, I was very disappointed at first. I think I've learned from this that physically, there are things I need to do to become stronger as a runner. As far as racing smarts, this is the first race where I can honestly say "I went out too fast". It was bound to happen and I hate it happened at this race, but given the pre-race confidence level I had, the post-race humbling will hopefully sharpen my pace-management skills.

I don't think enough can be said about the amount of support provided by the Marines and the crowds and also the amount of planning and coordination that must have been done to pull off an event like this. The effort and numbers are enormous...For those who may have not read or seen this in the race program, I think these are some interesting stats:

• $7,000,000 raised through charity programs
• 1,888,000 ounces of Mixed Berry Blast Powerade
• 850,000 cups
• 401,243 photos taken by MarathonFoto
• 381,470 total MCM finishers in 34 years
• 207,500 safety pins
• 156,000 feet of heat sheets
• 34,500 finisher medals
• 30,000 bags of pretzels
• 30,000 gallons of water
• 28,000 race programs printed on eco-friendly paper
• 26,000 CLIF shots
• 25,000 bags of Sport Beans
• 16,400 pounds of ice
• 10,000 orange slices
• 5,662 marines, sailors, civilians and volunteers
• 5,520 feet of snow fencing
• 5,000 traffic cones
• 2,888 tables & chairs
• 1,168 law enforcement personnel
• 724 Port-a-johns
• 446 awards
• 253 2nd Lieutenants placing finisher medals on runners
• 200 vendors
• 84 laptops
• 74 shuttle buses
• 45 countries represented
• 35 UPS trucks
• 17 mile marker spinners
• 1 finish line