NF/Running Update, the Marine Corps Marathon 2018:

10/1/2018		3.3 mi	30:43
10/3/2018		7.6 mi	1:18:58
10/5/2018		5.0 mi	47:09
10/7/2018		18.7 mi	3:16:07
10/10/2018		7.6 mi	1:16:52
10/12/2018		5.0 mi	45:58
10/14/2018		14.0 mi	2:17:35
10/17/2018		5.0 mi	48:59
10/19/2018		3.3 mi	30:24
10/21/2018		7.6 mi	1:13:50
10/24/2018		3.2 mi	30:39
10/28/2018		26.2 mi	4:41:16

It’s been a week since the Marine Corps Marathon and I’ve finally had a chance to put together this post.  Another marathon for the Children’s Tumor Foundation in the books!

Todd, Alec, Jane and I drove down to DC last Saturday through a Nor’easter, grateful that it was moving away from the marathon route.  Helen couldn’t join us this time because of junior-year-of-high-school exams and upcoming SATs :(

We started at the Expo at the National Harbor to pick up my race bib.

What makes the Marine Corps Marathon unique is that it is not only managed by the Marines,
it is staffed by Marines as well—Marines helping you find your bib, Marines passing out water and Gatorade, Marines giving your medal at the finish line.

That night we had dinner with several of my cousins who live in the area and who were running the Marine Corps races.  It was great to be able to catch up with everyone at such a special event.  Mary and Gerry graciously hosted us all in their home, Joe cooked the delicious food that gave us all the energy to run strong on race day, and Allison once again designed a t-shirt to celebrate the Stapleton Family Runners!

The crew!

2nd annual Stapleton Family MCM t-shirt

We missed my mother and Aunt Anne, who had joined us last year, but couldn’t this year <3
(Grandma participated by taking care of Helen while we were away!)

We had absolutely perfect weather conditions for race day—cool, dry, slightly overcast in the morning.  Todd and the kids were able to catch me twice—once at mile 17 as I entered the loop around the Mall, and once around mile 20 as I exited it.  I also found Angela Dumadag—NF Endurance manager extraordinaire—cheering on the south of the Mall.

 

Waiting for Mom to run by

Jane waving me down!

Great shot by Todd!

Coming in for a high five from Angela

Passing Todd and the kids again on the south side of the Mall

Selfie at the finish

The MCM 2018 medal

...with a secret coin inside!

A few weeks ago, the New York Times ran a piece about Yuki Kawauchi, a Japanese marathoner known for his punishing schedule.  (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/sports/yuki-kawauchi-marathon.html)  In the article is this quote about him:  “I can’t imagine going to work the next day,” said Meb Keflezighi of the United States, who won the 2014 Boston Marathon, the 2009 New York City Marathon and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. “I can’t walk normal for four or five days. I’m walking downstairs backward. I feel like I’m 80 years old. And he’s going to work and going for a run.”

Granted, I am not a world-class marathoner, but I still walk like an 80-year-old for a day or so after a race.  Despite this, Alec convinced us to do a bit of sight-seeing the afternoon of the marathon!

Lincoln Memorial

Yes, I wore my medal sightseeing.

Alec soaking up the history

Vietnam War Memorial

<3 <3 <3

Korean War Memorial (I had never seen before)

~~~

All my major CTF races are done for the year, and to date in 2018—with your help—I’ve raised $16,461 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation!  I’ll still be collecting through the end of the year, so if you haven’t had a chance to donate, you still can :)

www.KRath4Jane.com

(Please note: CTF was experiencing some technical difficulties with its fund-raising pages at the time I posted this.  Hopefully they will be cleared up by the time you read this—If not, check back shortly!)

Every time I register for a fund-raising event with CTF they send me a racing shirt.
I've accumulated quite a few :)