Indescribable
All the training paid off
All the donations from incredibly generous people made the whole experience even more satisfying.
What a day yesterday.
I had a hard time sleeeping but finally got up at 4 am, showered, got dressed and made my way downstairs. I had everything laid out the night before, so getting ready was fairly effortless. I had a light breakfast of toast and peanut butter. I stretched. I prayed. I was on my way to the West Falls Church Metro Station at 5 am.
I took the metro to Rosslyn where hundreds if not thousands of people boarded the blue line headed for the Pentagon.
We got off at the Pentagon in darkness and walked at least a mile to the runners' staging area. I was not with a group this year, all alone but felt the commraderie of 21,000 people getting ready. I dropped my bag off with UPS. They are incredibly organized and had about 30 trucks there. They give you a sticker, you affix it to your bag and off you go.
I traveled much lighter this year, with only a water belt and my ipod. The water belt held alot of Goo(liquid energy), sports beans and aspirin. I also wore a sweat shirt over my singlet so that I could keep warm until start time.
I made my way over to the starting point. At 7:50 the wheel Chair Runners were off, and right on time at 8am off we went. The crowds were absolutely amazing. I wore my team in training singlet and a green visor so that all other TNT participants could recognize one another. The green visor indicated that I was with the National Capitol Region.
All I can say is that the rest of the race was pure enjoyment. I kept my heart rate down for the first 5 miles, ran fasster the next 5, and opened it up for the remaining 16. I ran much more this year, only walking after every 4 minutes. I would run 4 min, walk 1.5 minutes and repeat it. But there were several times I just kept running.
Our route took us through Rossyln, through clarendon, looped around down spout run onto the GW parkway, across the Key Bridge, through Georgeown along Canal Road, looping back along the C&O canal, down the whitehurst freeway, up through the mall, right up to the capitol, down the other side of the mall, past Arlington Cemetary across the bridge, through Hains Point (the part where I had almost dropped last year) and across what I once considered the "dreaded" 14 Street Bridge. Not this year. I cleared it with an hour and a half to go, and I was feeling great. I passed alot of people this year, whereas last year, they all seemed to be passing me. The run through Crystal City seemed triumphant. There were thousands of people out cheering. And then the last three miles were great. It was only with about 50 feet to go to the finish line that I faltered. I suddenly felt really sick. I stopped and walked about 10 feet and ran right through the finish. VICTORY! The rest is history. I got my medal, checked out at the TNT tent and headed home through the very crowded metro station.
Believe it or not, with all the walking we did last year, I had finished in over 7 hours. This year, I shaved off an hour and a half and finished while there were still thousands cheering. I was absolutely thrilled.
Several of my friends from work ran and finished well before me but hat's off to them. Congratulations to:
Tira Gordon
Bill Rollins
Katie Swearingen
Heidianne Werner
Jamie Hill
Christine Screnci
Melanie Walker
The Consumer Electronics Association was represented really well!
Most importantly, because of your donations, we raised over $20,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I was the number one fundraiser for the National Capitol area, and was second in the country, only outdone by a great lady in New York who had raised $21,600. I cant tell you how grateful I am for your contributions!
I want to thank my family, especially Rachel, who put up with alot this season, as virtually every Saturday was devoted to training. I also want to thank all the coaches and the National Capitol Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (especially Jane Frank) who were so very helpful.
Most importantly I want to thank all those who contributed to the Society in Honor of this run. You humbled me, but honored all those that this race was dedicated too including:
--Matt Meyuer
--Jerry Kalov
--Cynthia Upson
--Nancy Flynn: Mother of Patrick Flynn
--Paulette Shifflett: Aunt of Sonya Shifflett
--Eugene Bates: Father of Joe Bates
--James Upson: Father of Don Upson
--John Grady: Friend of Doris Meyer
--Eleanor Diaczuk: Grandmother of Megan Hayes
--Anthony Russo: Husband of Carole Russo, Friend of Dan Cole, 10 years in Remission
--Hannah McNeil, friend of Dan Cole and Sharyn Collinson in remission
--Helen Johnson, friend of Jamie Lilly
--Bill Walsh, Former Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers
--Dody Farha
--John Carney, Uncle of Allie Carney
--Effie Barry
--William Francis Babbington,Father of Brendan Babbington
This will be my last blog entry for my marathon training. It's been a thrilling year and a half with well over 1,000 miles logged. I still cant believe it.
There is always another Mountain to Climb
I just found out that I have become a finalist in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man/Woman of the Year Program. You'll start to see advertisements and storied about this in the Spring, but it is a huge honor that will raise over $1,000,000 for the society. There are only 4 men and 4 women who receive this honor, so I am deeply grateful to be nominated.
Stay tuned for a new website devoted to my program and for ways in which you can get involved.
Thank you again for reading this blog and Godspeed and comfort to those affected by Cancer.
Buhbuh evrubudeh....
Dan
