Marine Corp Marathon – Oct 27, 2002

Jill Griffin

The stage was set for a good marathon. I felt well-prepared, weather to my liking (Chicago marathons had starts in the 30s where this one was lows 50s but never really got much warmer) and had a great support crew to cheer me on.

I got to the start area about 7:30am (race started at 8:30am). This marathon had people corralled by expected overall finish time rather than mile time. Don’t know if this kept people more honest or caused less confusion but there seemed to be a lot less people placing themselves in the front.

And oh yeah, while we were waiting for the race to start I heard every possible patriotic song out there.

The cannon went off and I began my journey.

The first 8 miles felt like I was running around parking lots/driveways of Pentagon. Maybe we weren’t but sure felt like it. At the first aid station I could hear everyone cursing the Ultima…luckily I trained with it all summer so I got used to that crap. At mile 8, the Marines were handing out orange slices…a little early but nice refreshment regardless. I also saw family and friends at mile 8 so I was able to discard my sweaty gloves. I felt good and was running comfortably with splits between 8 and 8:20 (I took my time through the water stops). I wish I could comment on specific splits but I can’t find my watch…(did I throw it away “by accident” so I wouldn’t have to relive the last few miles)…

Well anyway I continued along looking forward to some more interesting scenery. Maintained a good pace. I never felt crowded and the water stops were a breeze. Saw family and friends at miles 14, 16, 19…remembered to look at the sights. So all was good. At mile 20 or so I figured all I had to do was 9:15ish to hit 3 hr 45 for Boston and I could even come close to 3 hr 40 if I could basically maintain what I had going. I thought to myself it was actually going to happen, I would be running Boston in 2003.

Then the unthinkable happened…my back leg was kicked and as I tried to regain my balance hit a hole, fell to ground…I popped right up as most do people do and told everyone around I was fine, accepted apologies, etc …I thought okay you are fine…but quickly found out that I wasn’t. Can’t say I really felt intense pain but I couldn’t get a good stride going…it was like there was a steel pole in the Achilles area.

The rest is kind of a blur as I saw 3 hr 45 slipping away as I let negative thoughts take over and only increase the physical problem I was now having. I saw one of my friends at mile 24 and told them that I could finish but wouldn’t be pretty. Most of the last two miles were lonely as there were no spectators (basically on a highway), the runners are silent at this time, and I was moving slowly.

I wished I could have enjoyed the finish…but the kind of half circle uphill you had to run where you couldn’t see the actual finish line was not good for my state of mind.

I crossed the finished line (3 hrs 47 mins chip) and was promptly greeted by a very polite Marine who called me ma’am over and over. He asked if I needed some medical attention and I said no I could manage. He then brought me to another Marine who took off the chip who also called me ma’am and this Marine brought me to another Marine for refreshments …not sure if I enjoy the ma’am part but did like the personal attention. Grabbed some water and banana and set out to find my family and friends keeping my emotions in check. They all seemed proud despite my failure to make my mark. I tried to focus/take in that positive energy as I knew I would need it that evening when I was alone thinking about the race.

We went back to the hotel and as I entered the lobby about 5 hotel employees were cheering and clapping. They did that for every marathoner who came through door. And they kept it up for hours!!

Later while waiting for the car to be brought around, I talked to a woman in the lobby who for some reason asked me if I qualified (of course I knew what she meant)…I said no and asked her if she did and she said almost, only missed by 6 minutes….I didn’t share with her that I have now technically missed 3 times by 2 minutes…didn’t want to discourage her.

Right now I am not sure what I am going to do…as now my foot/Achilles is actually quite sore…can/should I do JFK? Do Philly instead to try to get that elusive Boston mark again? Also mentally, I am wavering between huge disappointment and satisfaction of finishing another marathon (in what really is a respectable time..right?). We will see how foot (and mind) feels at end of week…and go from there!!