On Saturday November 13. Four days after my 53rd birthday I ran my 14th marathon, the SunTrust Richmond Marathon in Virginia. My 'baby' daughter always complained that she has not been able to see me run a marathon and be there to support me; so I decided to select a marathon based on where she was. You see, my 'baby' is now a sophomore at University of Richmond, Va. I heard a lot of good things about this marathon from ERC members who have (most of them) PRd in this race.
So I was eagerly looking forward to having a good time. Which is in itself unusual for me because I normally take just getting to the finish line of a marathon very seriously. If you ever saw my face during a 26.2 mile run, you'd think I was a Supreme Court Judge about to pass sentence on some deviant! I leave my celebrating to a few days after I cross the finish line, when I regain feeling in my legs!
This time I tried something new...a friend invited me to a party that very Saturday night in Newark and I said I'd be there to support the launching of her non-profit organization. It meant driving the 5-6hrs back to NJ immediately after the race and being on my feet for the evening - unheard of in the past!
I'm fond of telling people that being able to run a marathon is all in the head, just tell yourself you can do it, then go do it! So I told myself I can recover in time to go party!
It was a perfect day for running. I got to downtown Richmond around 7am with my support crew, Faye and daughter Andrea and was able to park for $3.00 in a 4-story parking lot just one block from the start line! (I love smaller marathons). The temperature was around 48 degrees but warmed up quickly to about 55-60 degrees as the sun came up. The start was very well organized with the 8k, half-marathon and marathon starting right on time with 30 minute intervals. I met fellow ERC Tracey Keller at the start and we agreed to run together as we had similar end-time goals. I said I would be sooo happy if I could break 4 1/2 hours. (my previous time was 4:53 at Philly last year). For the first time in a marathon I was forced to stop and use the porter john....at 2 1/2 miles! And I have not seen Tracey since! I had to stop again at mile 9.
For the first 13 miles I was chatting with any and everyone, stopping on the first of two bridges to take pictures and singing at the top of my voice to one of my favorite songs by Peter Tosh' playing by a roadside DJ, 'Get Up Stand Up, stand up for your rights'. I felt great and was thoroughly enjoying myself. I crossed the half-way at 2:09. When I hit mile 20 with no cramps at all (a major problem for me in the previous two marathons) I said to myself "save some for the finish John, so far, so good". I crossed mile 24, at 4:00 and felt good. I thought the best part of the race was the last 400 yds...it was all down hill! I was able to lift up my head and lift up my chest and lift up my knees, and pump my fists sprinting to the finish passing at least 20 people!!! My Garmin watch said 4:25 I thought "Awesome" and It felt good. Official time was 4:29:47 due to my two pit stops and partying along the route.
Oh yes I made it to the party that night in Newark NJ at 8:45pm. Goals met!
p.s. I was also very inspired by a runner I met Dana Casanave, who was running her 45th marathon this year! Her goal is to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks raising funds for orphaned children in South Africa. She also planned to run another marathon the very next day on Sunday 14th, in Pennsylvania. Read her blog at http://www.52beginnings.com/
Next up for me, New Jersey Marathon, May 1st 2011.
Be Well,
The Harv,
PeaceWarrior.
