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So, today I was nervous. I started my training for the 38th annual Marine Corps Marathon being held on Sunday, October 27th, 2013, the 2nd to last week of July. I did A LOT of long-runs and heat training this summer.....WHEW! Then, I ran a PR in the half marathon at the 1st inaugural Hokie Half Marathon on September 15th, 2013, and got my 1st ever sub-2 hour half time of 1:59:42.... (barely, but HEY, I was STOKED! )

Then it hit......with a vengence! Laryngitis (lost my voice) and horrible full blown Bronchitis! BAM! Like, literally a couple of days after my half! BOO! I didn't run at all the next week.... then I dabbled in a couple of shorter runs the following week and (stupidly) ran the Genworth Virginia 10-miler race (because I was pre-registered and I'm too cheap to not do it after I've paid) in 1:37... not a PR....but I survived the 575 feet of elevation gain.... every foot of it felt like DEATH! I was so hot walking around coughing up mucus and spitting afterwards!!! RAWL...::downboys::

Anyways.... that race I think made matters worse....and I ended up getting SICKER and didn't run much at all the next week....and started to think that I wouldn't be able to run my marathon.....cause I had missed 2 weekends of long-runs....devastation was setting in but I was in denial and refusing to believe that all of my hardwork was for nothing!!!

THEN....this weekend.....after 2 great runs during the week....magic happened.

I was feeling a lot better....and committed to attempting "one last fairly long-run" of 16 to 18 miles. (I've discovered.... and this is all individual and personal....that I do better not going over 18 miles before a marathon... I've done a 21-miler in training before...but had an awful race...so I'm going back to what works FOR ME) This will be my 3rd marathon!

1st problem: My garmin is DEAD.... and my spare garmin is "low batteries" DAMN!

2nd problem: Its raining outside...or "spritzing" not heavy....but overcast and icky... BOO!

3rd problem: Everyone I had invited to join me, bailed....so I am solo.

Problems? I don't see no stinkin problems! I knew a 15-miler route.... so without GPS...I ran it... funny part was...it runs up not one....but TWO mountains... I think my final elevation gain was 1,518 feet! I got to the summit of the 2nd mountain (and since the road was closed off to thru traffic and I knew there were no human witnesses) I did a happy victory dance... and to all of nature that witnessed it... you. are. welcome! HELL! I was pretty much alone for 14 miles of this run and if I can do THAT all by myself....than I should be good for 26.2 miles of hot marines and awesome spectators cheering me on...right??!! But....I digress....

I completed 16.5 miles in about 3 hours and 50 minutes and felt great! I felt like I could have kept going! (good thing huh?? Since in 2 WEEKS I run 26.2!! Just another 9.7....no big deal! )

This run is a BIG part of my NB...cause it is the 1st marathon POST-Piper... (after having my daughter and getting back into running shape after having her...) so I will dedicate it to her and our new life together!

Now....as long as the government doesn't shut down my race... I will be good... but seriously though.... DON'T YOU DARE!!!

[This message edited by She11ybeanz at 9:42 PM, October 13th (Sunday)]

Congrats on the run today!

My kiddies and I will be there on the 27th to cheer everyone on! Fingers crossed - latest furlough news doesn't look good tonight.

Fingers crossed - latest furlough news doesn't look good tonight.

I know...I'm so nervous. The MCM website and FB page keep saying "Its still a go" but I'm so afraid they will cancel it at the last minute... and I will be so devastated!

Looks like the govt. will be back in business very soon - well before the marathon!

Looks like the govt. will be back in business very soon - well before the marathon!

GOSH I hope so!!! Its in 2 weekends and I'm SO very excited about it! I would be so upset if it got cancelled! I've wanted to run this one for many years!!!

And, they announced today that they will officially decide by Saturday if my marathon has been cancelled...

My heart just sank.

I don't understand canceling this. Didn't you pay your own fee? How does this cost the government anything?

The rest of this response will be suppressed to avoid engaging in political discussion but this pisses me off!

Awwww man, I hope that they don't cancel it.

And you are going to do great!!!!

Thank you guys....it really pisses me off too! They were supposed to make a decision Tuesday night but decided, "We will just reconvene in the morning!" Well...gotta love that nonchalant attitude towards the American people! I have tons of friends here in Virginia who are furloughed and at home instead of working.... and I have a couple of friends not getting paid but forced to go to work...and I've heard of families of fallen military heroes forced to pay for their funerals out of their own pockets because "the government is shutdown" but are the fat cats in Washington still getting a paycheck! You bet your collective asses they are!!!!!

And, now this... months and months of heat training in July and August...long-runs up mountains... running when I didn't want to because I knew I needed to so that I could be READY for this! Running in the rain...the cold...the heat... with or without GPS (if the battery was low)....getting a special "I love USA" red singlet lettered with my team "C&C Runners" as well as buying a red, white, and blue w/stars flag tutu to wear on race day.......Waiting and fighting to be one of the 30,000 people to even get the opportunity to register when registration opened in March and closed within 2 hours and 27 minutes!!!! And, now this....

It could all have been for nothing. And, I'm totally bummed.

I keep hearing on DC news radio that it's going to all be over tonight Shellybeanz. Hang in there - fingers crossed!!!

I see the 10 miler is on, just with route changes.

As of the news this hour, I think your marathon will be "a go" She11ybeanz.

Pound that pavement!

I hope so ya'll! I'm on pins and needles tonight! EEK!!!!

[This message edited by She11ybeanz at 9:40 PM, October 16th (Wednesday)]

POEM: (by me)

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the government my race to keep

30,000 strong and we are ready to run

Please don't shutdown until we're done

We've trained real hard for months on end

And have an important message we want to send

We won't stop until we hit Twenty-six point two

The streets will bleed red white and blue

If I die before crossing the finishline

drag me across and get my official time

For today isn't about medals or races at all

Its to honor those who fight, stand, and fall!

Run Strong. Run United. Semper Fi.

That is a great poem! You should send it to the race organizers

Poem is fab.

Good luck in the run!

That is a great poem! You should send it to the race organizers

Thank you! Do you think they would like it? How would I do that?