Memphis St. Jude Marathon Race Report

And to think I thought this thing would be easier than my first marathon.

The temperature indicator on the car said 24 degrees. The day was not off to a good start. My goal this year was to make it to mile 20 before experiencing much pain. Last year my calves inexplicably starting hurting before mile 14. I had to fight the last 12 1/2 miles by stopping every 1/4 mile and hugging street lights and praying for the energy to make it to the finish.

I was determined that this year was going to be different. While I had not trained as much for this marathon, I felt I had trained smarter. My goal was not to go out as fast and try to make this as enjoyable as possible.

Like most of my runs, the first 2 miles were difficult trying to find a rhythm. However I got in a groove and comfortably went out at a pretty good pace. The best part of the marathon was a new route that took us through the St. Jude campus. As we entered the campus there was a large balloon entrance with a large band playing as we entered in. As we entered in there were patients from St. Jude and their parents cheering us on and specifically the St. Jude Fundraising Hereos who were identified by their maroon singlets. It was a very emotional 1/2 mile. I kind of wanted to turn around and do it again.

I continued to run in the cold and was optimistic that I was doing better than last year. I reached the half marathon point feeling that I still had "some" gas left in the tank. At around mile 14 my parents were standing on the side of the street. Although they didn't know it, this was almost the exact spot that I broke down last year. Although tired I pushed onward as I was very enouraged that I had passed the beginning of last years disaster.

At around mile 17 my right calf starting twitching and contracting uncontrollably. I knew if I had an all out cramp I would be done. A couple of minutes later the left calf starting contracting also. I started calculating the cost. Could I walk the last 9 miles? It would take me 3 hours but at least I would get a medal. I stopped and walked for about a minute as I felt the lactic acid build up in my legs. It was almost more painful to walk as my body was starting to stiffin up.

I started to make small goals for myself. I told myself I was going to run to the street light 200 yards away and then I would walk for 20 seconds. I did this for about 2 miles or so and then I decided I could make longer goals. At mile 19 I said I was going to try to run a mile to the 20 mile mark and then stop at the water station and walk for about 30 seconds and then try to make it to the next mile. At this time everything in me was starting to hurt. My left knee which had never given me problems was hurting. Both of my hamstrings were hurting and my calf muscles were both sporadically contrating and I was afraid at any moment I was going to collapse in the street with an all out cramp. My strategy was working however and somehow I was able to fight through the pain without stopping too much. I gave myself permission to stop one more time at mile 24.5 and then I challenged myself not to stop again. I was so close to the finish line and at this point there was no doubt that again I had fought through so many obstacles and I was going to finish my second marathon.

I ran the last mile and a half probably quicker than any mile since mile 13. Fighting through the pain I passed several people who were walking. Then I saw the stadium in the distance and I immediately imagined the feeling of collapsing in the infield after finishing. This gave me the motivation to make it without stopping.

The enterance of the stadium had lines of people on both sides cheering. I started in with a very good stride which turned into a near sprint. I gave a guy a homeless guy a high five as i entered into the crowd. I could hear people yelling good job hero (reminding me of the real reason of the marathon) as I entered the stadium. As I entered the stadium I couldn't help but sprint as hard as I could. I heard many cheers as I rounded the corner of the outfield and headed towards the finish line.

Nothing feels better than raising your hands after 26.2 miles and proclaiming "I have finished the race."

I finished the race at 4:24.19 which was a marathon personal best for me and 10 minutes better than my only other marathon of last year. This is a good thing too. I am still trying to think of which hospital I would have been taken to if I had run an extra 10 minutes.

After getting a picture with the two Elvis' I started to leave the stadium and I started shaking uncontrollably due to the cold. As my dad was getting in the car I walked into the Peabody Hotel and laid in the lobby and was shivering and shaking uncontrollably. I had many people come up to me and ask if I was ok and I promised them I was getting better every second. Finally after about 20 minutes I stopped shaking. It didn't matter though. It was a small price to pay for crossing the finish line and fulfilling my promise to my sponsors. It was a small price to pay for the children of St. Jude.

Today I get to rest. I get several days off from this physically exhausting endeavor. The children of St. Jude get no days off. They fight every day.

That is why I plan on doing this again next year. My sponsors have donated almost $1900 and over $3,000 for the 2 years I have been doing this. I am so proud and thankful for all of you who sponsored me and encouraged me along the way. This was in no way easy and your support was instrumental in me crossing this finish line for a second time.

In honor of the children of St. Jude, would you consider joining me again in 2010?