Thirteen months ago I decided that I wanted to become a Marathoner, in the process I would raise money for a worthwhile charity dear to my heart Still Meadows Enrichment Center and Camp. I signed up for the Suntrust Richmond Marathon and started training in earnest.
Prior to this I had completed a few 5K’s having started running in again (after a 15 year break) in the summer of 2009. I steadily increased the distances competing in a 10K and then the Charlottesville half Marathon back in April. Yesterday, my friend Mike Bailey drove us down to Richmond to stay at his families house as they had kindly offered to let us stay there.
The alarm clock went off at 5.30AM this morning. I got dressed, had a bite to eat, and we headed into Richmond at 6.00AM. Traffic was a nightmare so we ended up parking in some random private lot hoping that we wouldn’t get towed away. We arrived at the start/finish line just in time to see the 8K race start.
An hour later and it was my turn to cross the line. I was in a paced team aiming to reach the finish line in under four hours. I started very strong, The first 13 miles were brilliant, I was loving it, I even beat my half Marathon personal best (1:54.37). Unfortunately, I wasn’t getting enough fluids and at mile marker 15 my legs faded in a manner I have never felt before. I had hit the wall in spectacular fashion. Mike noticed at mile 17 that I was so dehydrated, I was no longer sweating. I could barely walk let alone run, I had muscle cramp in the calves and quads of both my legs. I honestly felt like I wasn’t going to be able to finish.
On several occasional I had to stop, sit down and stretch the cramp out of my legs. I was also in calorie deficit and there wasn’t enough energy left in my body to fuel the muscles movements. The time between miles 17-19 saw me battling a mental fight to convince myself to keep on going. By this time I knew that my sub 4 hrs finish time was long gone and I was just wanting to finish. I still had 7 miles to go!
While I was sat down stretching yet again, Mike looked at me and told me I needed to get up and get on as the finish line wasn’t getting any closer. So I got back up and between miles 19-22 I took on loads of fluids, glucose gels and Haribo’s. I made up my mind that I must run the final 4.2 miles and by the time 22 miles rolled around my legs were starting to feel like they could handle it.
I ran the final 4.2 miles, non-stop in to the finish.
As I turned the final corner and saw the finish line in the distance a wave of emotion came over me, I had done it, from this point onwards I would always be a Marathoner, no one could ever take that away from me. I had battled through the pain and made it out the other side. I had raised money for a fantastic charity in memory of my sister. As a crossed the finish line I was beaming from ear to ear and my eyes started to well up. My final time was 4:44.22. While it was slower that I had wanted, I was pleased to have reached my goal of crossing the line.
Obviously I am disappointed that I didn’t make it in under fours hours, and didn’t raise as much money as I could have, but I know I gave it my all and didn’t make it. I truly appreciate the pain and mental battles that Marathoners experience and today I joined their ranks. I do not have an accurate total for the total funds raised as I am still waiting on the total from England but I know I have raised over $1,700 for an incredible charity that desperately needs it.
So thank you for your words of encouragement, and sponsorship. I truly appreciate it. I owe my finish to Mike, I am sure, were it not for him I would not have been able to have finished. Richmond is a great race and I am looking forward to running it again next year. As Mike put it, I didn’t finish today, I started something new.
Now it’s time to sleep. Pictures will be posted soon.
Cheers everyone.
I split my (small) pledge to add to your under-4-hour total for encouragement, but I will still be giving you the whole pledged amount for this great cause.
So proud of you for finishing! You are in a small select group that has accomplished a great feat, Mr. Marathoner!
~Renee
Thank you so much Renee. I am very pleased with myself.
Well done, James!! Time is not nearly as important as the determination needed to complete such a demanding race!!.
I don’t know where to send the amount of my pledge, but I am sure some one will be in touch. Incidentally, I would like to contribute the complete pledge regardless of the time taken to finish. I expect that I am one of the few on this side of the Atlantic who remembers Vicky, and the devoted care given her by her family especially by her mother. Eileen
Thank you so much Eileen I will send you an email with my address. Vics was very special and during to rough park of the marathon I was praying to her to give me strength to finish. It was a tough journey but I made it and I am so proud to be able to call myself a Marathoner.
Cousin Jim
Wow – what an achievement – I am hugely impressed with your effort, well done!
I was with your Mum on Saturday and we were cheering you on!
I need to send you some money!
How do I do this!
From Cousin Dom
Dom, you can send mum a check and she will transfer it all to dollars and bring it over at Christmas. Thank you so much for supporting me. Mum tells me you are inspired to start running also, I would be happy to send you the nothing->5K plan I used to get started if you want.
James – my sister in law’s brother in law, Rob, from Maine(figure that out! i.e. no blood relation to me, but we know him/have met him a few times) ran the same marathon and we saw him that night at a dinner at my parents house in Ashland. He survived (his 3rd marathon), but was not overly pleased. We are very proud of you for your achievement, no matter the time. And very touched by raising the funds for Still Meadows. You know Chris has signed up for a marathon in the spring, right? you 2 need to train (if you aren’t just one and done!). Again, congrats. Please let us know our total due and we’ll pay up and hopefully be able to have you all to dinner soon! – MC
I had mentioned to Chris if he wanted someone to run the Marathon with him I was up for it. The is also a training calendar on my blog that I lifted from PBS’s website.
We are watching England vs Australia rugby tonight at 7.30 at my place if you could let him know please.
James –
You are, indeed, a Marathoner! Way2Go! By my gift, I am very glad to be a part of this great story. “4:44” will forevermore have special meaning for you and your family – and, i suspect, you’ll be under four the next time…
– ted
Thank you Ted, As the pain is beginning to fade I am already looking forward to my next marathon. Thank you for your support.
Great job, James!! It was nice to meet you before the race, and I commend you for raising money for such a great cause. Way to fight through the rough patch in the middle and rebound for such a great finish! Hope to see you back “out there” again soon…I promise they all get easier after your first one!
All the best,
Dan
Thanks Dan, It was a phenomenal experience and one that I will always treasure. Mike has already got me committing to the Cozet Marathon in December, I am also hoping to do the Va Beach Shamrock and perhaps the Charlottesville full (I did the half last year) and of course Richmond next year to see how I can do second time around. Thanks for your support during the race. You made it look so easy.