Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, D.C.)
Sunday, October 22, 2000
The morning after the marathon, we visited the legendary Penguin breakfast eatery, Whitey's, in Arlington, Va. By now, they had removed all the "Help Wanted" ads! I'm front row, centre and kneeling. Natalie is wearing her green cap and Harriet from New York is wearing her pink hat. Baltimore Penguin "Rejoice!" Paulette is crouching left of Natalie. Whitey's is a must for any Penguin aficionado. Race report for Kathryn's first marathon...
Date: Tue Oct 24, 2000
Subject: MCM Report--Long
Well, Becky is finally off the computer. I am having trouble putting my thoughts together...because they aren't all together yet. I am going to tell an incomplete story. There were so many Penguin faces and hugs and kisses. I know I met all sorts of Penguins on the course (mainly passing me by) but I am having trouble with recall. Each Penguin face strengthened me and lifted my spirits.
Coming up out of the metro with Kitty in front of me, I saw a morning star in a deep blue sky. A sliver of moon was still hanging there. I found the gathering around the carillon very special. I was comfortable and peaceful with my Penguin friends. It felt so right. The sense of calm I had was unexpected. I thought, this is an even bigger accomplishment than completing the marathon. I was immensely happy with the understanding that I had prepared well to accomplish the goal I had set for myself. I was ready to let race day take care of itself. The sun was rising on a beautiful day. Karen Bingham, who had provided knowledge and wisdom for me in the long weeks preparing for the race, was shining as brightly as the star in the sky. Thank you dear lady, for all you did.
I ran according to my heart rate monitor. I did Run 3, Walk 1.5. I was very conservative because I knew I had to get Becky across the finish line. I did the race in four chunks: 4 miles at low, 5 miles at low-med, 10 miles at med, 5 miles at med-hi (didn't really happen), 2.25 as the body told me to (it said to go slow and walk lots). I had thought if conditions were good that, based on my training results, I would have a 6 hour marathon in me. The heat was significant so I was pleased with my 6:23 finish.
I kept track of all my splits and was satisfied that I ran the miles at a consistent pace. I was well-prepared in terms of water, PR Bar chunks, PowerGel and Lite Salt (good thing because they ran out of Ultima which I had trained with). I followed a schedule for nourishment. I drank tons (my stomach can tolerate a lot) every chance I could and used my 45 oz in my Flashflo. Next time I will rely solely on PowerGel for nourishment. It seems most effective to me and I tolerate it well. Would appreciate some input on frequency of intake.
Starting out it was HOT and windless. I was taken aback that my heart rate was too high starting out...and that was WALKING. I just could not get it down---I hadn't known that I was so revved up. I didn't know if I should push harder to meet my pace schedule or simply stick to the heart rate game plan and keep it as low as possible. I went out VERY slowly...over 15 minute miles. And progressively got faster and faster....and my heart rate started corresponding to how I was feeling. That was a relief.
Right off the bat, I was having trouble with the muscles under my left knee. I think I must have been running awkwardly, because as I concentrated on planting my foot properly, the trouble went away. I was uncomfortable, agitated, cranky for the first seven miles. This is a very typical pattern for me. It takes me SO LONG to loosen up and start to run on automatic. I am so glad I knew that starting is the unpleasant part of the race for me. It starting to be fun at Mile 7 and stayed that way until Mile 24 (with anxiety thrown in here and there). At Mile 24 I decided to save my energy for the party and did more walking than running. Talked to lots of people and had fun coming on home.
This next part is hard to talk about. Mile 2 was a humbling, sobering and traumatic experience for me. Fifteen seconds ahead of me a gentleman had gone down. It was clear that the situation was critical. The medics were running toward him as I went past. It was so hard to just pass by, but I had no skills to offer. I prayed for him and his family. I hoped he was doing what brought him joy. The newspaper account of his death said he was a committed runner with a long history of cardiac problems. He had had triple by-pass surgery well over a decade ago. He was a year younger than I am.
I told myself that I had made a committment to run this race. I gathered myself together and focussed again on the challenge. The images of course continued to play in my mind, as they do now. I hope I can practice living well now and be prepared to die well. For surely, one day I shall.
I did pay careful attention to what was going on around me. The crowds, the monuments, the water and fountains, the flowers and trees. The Marines were so beautiful---all these wonderful young faces looking so strong. I always find it moving to be in Washington. I am so proud of what our forefathers conceived and put into practice. I am so ashamed of the bad things we have done. I believe we are learning how to shine more brightly. God bless America.
I did run inside myself, which is where I like to run. But I chatted briefly to some people, high-fived children along the way. I was quieter than usual in the crowds because I was somewhat uncertain if I could get Becky to the bridge on time. Heat, humidity and pollution are my enemies. The asthma spray helped but I was not getting all the oxygen I could have used.
At my first pit stop al fresco, I did the exhausted runner crouch so well (head and hands hanging down for discretion's sake), that one lady called out to ask if I were ok. "Much better now!" I shouted back. The runners enjoyed a comradely chuckle about that.
I really liked running in Georgetown. My heart leaped when I saw my husband John standing there. I was so happy to see him and to be alive that I stopped for a bit to do some serious hugging and kissing. The keen awareness I had of the fragility of life made me want to stop and savour the moment. Savour I did.
When it was time to start pushing the heart rate into the 75-80% range, I was intimidated because the monitor started to throw out some erratic numbers. Because of the heat, I decided to not push my luck and actually kept my heart rate around 70% and even lower when I finally knew I was going to make the bridge. I am going to get a stress test to make sure everything is in operating order before I undertake some speed work, which is what I want to do next.
As on my previous long run, I was computationally challenged and at the Penguin Aid Station thought I was a mile behind what I really was. So I was a tad cranky and scared I wouldn't make the bridge. Turns out I had lots of time.
I came along to the lady who had the shirt asking people to remember sickle cell anemia just at the right time. She told me she had done 15 MCMs and we were definitely going to make the bridge. I really relaxed then. The Penguin Aid Station was incredibly important --knowing those dear people would be there--- I wish could have given you all smackeroos. --was so grounding. Loved hearing that big bell ringing. Penguins are the BEST.
Hains Point Aid Station 2000: Steve & Peggy (and their children Nate, Ben, Elizabeth and Joey), Nancy, Bill and Glenn
John was there again around mile 21. He said I was listing to the left a bit. I realized I wasn't keeping my form. Got some more kissing in. Yum. On THE BRIDGE I met up with Harriet. We walked and shuffled together for awhile. It was good to be with her. This weekend, she flew her own marathon to Chicago and back and then went on to finish MCM.
Second time round, the Pentagon Parking lot was SO hot. And the hill at Iwo Jima I hiked. Then I came round the memorial, saw my husband and got Grand Finale hugs and kisses. Then I did a hobbly imitation of a sprint across the timing pad.
Williamson, my Marine, put the medal around my neck. I gave him a big hug and kiss. I thanked him for serving our country.
John and Karen Bingham suddenly appeared in front of me. They gave me lots of hugs and kisses and well-dones. And John took my picture with Karen. I was SO HAPPY. If I had not gone to Flight School this summer, there is no way I could have done MCM. John and Karen, you have enabled me to set amazing goals and meet them. Thank you. I am having so much serious fun.
Then I was in a jumble of Penguin hugs and kisses.
I was happy as a clam at Hamburger Hamlet. I sure like being with Penguins.
HIKERWANDA
Kathryn Lye
Short Hills of Niagara
Ontario CANADA
John B and Glenn outside Whitey's
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