Rock Roll DC 2013

Well we're taking a road trip to DC. Our first long family road trip. My daughter's 5th grade class is flying up to tour DC for Spring break. She wanted to go. But we couldn't bare to think of her flying on a plane without us. So we made a deal we'd all drive up instead. She said ok. Reluctantly. She'll take a vacation anyway she can get it. And at the end of the Spring Break week there just so happened to be a marathon in DC. THe Rock'n'Roll USA Marathon. I was looking for a Spring marathon to run. So this was a win - win. CLICK HERE -> to get to the race and skip the family scrapbook :)

Thurs March 7th - off to Opelousas We leave after school. Pack car. Nephew and niece come over. They are going with us. Me and Mo in front seats. 4 kids in the backseat. It is very tight. We drive to Opelousas, LA to spend night with Aunt Hazel. We get there late at 10pm. Tired.

We surprise Hazel. She says come on in. Always welcome. We all sleep on bunk beds. Hazel is an inspiration, takes care of herself with one arm, has to get around in a wheelchair. Tough as all get up. I like to talk to her. She told me about a driving trip she took long ago w/ 5 other ladies to Philadelphia to pay respects to a friend. The ladies drove all night to make the wake. Paid their respects and then drove back... no stops. Stopped once to eat at a country kitchen restaurant. Hazel said the rip was fun. Damn. We also got to see Tisna who's finishing high school, she showed us her dress for a debutante ball she was going to that night.

Fri March 8th - New Orleans and onto Atlanta I wake up early and get in a little run in the dark. Try running in grass some along a country road. I trip on a crawfish tower. Louisiana. Then we headout at 6am. We stop in New Orleans so kids can see Cafe du Monde and street performers. They enjoyed it. Dang balloon guy got to me for $12 bucks. We drive on to Atlanta and get there at 10pm again.

Sat March 9th - Atlanta Atlanta. Great 10 mile run from Downtown to Piedmont park area to Freedom Pkwy. Great trails for bike and run. And some hills too. Get family up and they hit BestWestern's comp breakfast. Staff is super nice. Southern hospitality. We walk around Centennial Olympic park area. It's a huge park. We meet a bongo player. He's nice to kids. Kids run all around. Play tag with some local kids at park. Good to see them getting along. They run up and down the motel stairs. Good view of city at top. Then we drive to Highland yuppie area of town. Wait in line 30 minutes at Food Network showcased Highland Bakery. My daughter watches food network shows. She gets their signature peanut butter french toast. It's ridulously big. But really good. Easily 3000 calories. Nice place and staff. We don't want to leave Atlanta... but gotta get driving. We pay price for staying too long. We get to Lexington, Virginia at Midnight. Darn traveling those mountains at night was rough. I'd forgotten. Car was working hard. Saw that someone in front of me just shredded a deer or something in the mountain night... i stopped off and got some coffee. Sun March 10th - Back at the 'I' Back at my college, Virginia Military Institue (VMI). After 20 years I'm back. Never thought I would be. I remember leaving for the last time after graduation. Tercel packed up. And seeing barracks in the rearview mirror as i drove off. I said "I'd never be back." Today, time proved me wrong. I felt like I never fit in so much here. Probably more me. The other two freshman tennis players quit about a month in to it. So I was kinda on my own in a school very seperated by class year/rank. I enjoyed it. Loved playing for the school. Met some good guys there. It was a big jump for me as a freshman. It was a different planet for a Texas flatlander to live in rural Mountains. The first year hazing was crazy. And the other 3 years were

challenging as they like to say academically, athletically, and military. "You will learn, and we will teach you," is what cadre told us in those first weeks. It seemed so big to me back then. Now seems so small. Like going back to elementary school. So morning run today would be a special one. I run down little highway to the VMI campus(post). Talk about some hills. I wasn't a runner when i went here. Woulda been great training. I run the whole post and trails. It's changed but largely the same. Looks cleaner. A few new buildings. Everything painted up sharp. Damn tennis courts where I played have been filled in... now it's a lacrosse field- always knew not to trust those guys!!! THey have some new courts down farther now. No more tennis team. About 4 years after I graduated, tennis got dropped as a scholarship sport- like a lot of schools due to Title IX. And VMI having to admit women... And VMI dropping down to Div II or III so they could compete better. (Only problem is that your quality of athlete coming also decreases, so you're still in the same place) My coach moved on to other schools and always had to try to keep Tennis from being cut. Womens' tennis is solid, Full scholarships for the taking. Mens tennis is always in trouble. Can't complain though we don't bring in Revenue... ahh but a lot of football programs lose money... it's a never ending debate. Anyway run was good. I did a tempo mile on the parade deck. Just to see what i could do. 5:45 mile. Little tougher to breath. 1100 ft elevation? Maybe just cold, 34 deg? THere is still snow on some parts of the ground from a storm last week. I remember first time I hit tennis ball here and the balls just flying on me, pissing me off. But yeah i'm faster at 41 than I was at 20. THat feels good. But I wasn't training for running then. It was just forehands and backhands. I remember back then doing 6 to 6:30 miles around parade deck for physical fitness test for 2 mile run. I got everyone but the track guys... they lapped me on the track. I remember thinking that was crazy. Then I go down to the track at Alumni Field and do a tempo mile there, 5:28 mile. Not too bad for training shoes. It was fun. THen i jog back to hotel and get family. Anxious to show them the 'I'. They liked it. The corp is at spring break. So post is a ghost town. They look at statues. I run a mile around track with my daughter, a budding runner. That was special. Everyone did a few laps in the cold mountain air. The kids got to partake in some snowball/iceball fights. Good fun for Texas kids.

We go into old chapel on post. It's still the same. Was a scary place during Honor Court assemblies with whole corps in there. We go down to musuem in basement. There is a school store in there. Finally see someone to talk to, rest of post is vacant for spring break. Kids get some stuff. Head into Lexington. Old town. We eat at the Palms restaurant/bar. It was good. Waitress was so nice to kids. My nephew downs two hotdogs. Daughter gets a Reuben (she's got tastebuds of a 70 yr old man).

I remember Cadets trying to sneak uptown for a drink at the Palms without getting caught. It was called 'Running Sh#t'. There was honor-bound checks on your room. I never had time or interest in sneaking out... this was my first time ever in the Palms. Ha! I'm such a hermit. We're running late again. Gotta get to DC to meet up with my daughter's class. 4 hours to DC. We get to DC, Alexandria actually, and check in. Embassy suites. Nice but freaking expensive. They gouge us for spring break. After 3 days here, her class is leaving, so we'll move to cheaper place. My wife is happy there is a Whole Foods right next to it. Mo money. mo money.

Mon March 11th - Single tracking in DC I'm up bright and early 5am and catch train into DC. My plan is to get tix for all the tours my daughter's class is going to. THat way we can keep up. I don't want her to be sad at all. Praying about this, i got the feeling i shoulda stayed at hotel. That this morning trip wasn't going to be worth it. But i muster on stubbornly. And train has problems. They are single tracking to DC. Everything is delayed. A local tells me this never happens. I get to DC. Come up from subway. Wow. I'd forgotten how amazing the building are here. I come up and I'm looking right at the National Archives building. Awesome. I run around trying to get tix to the scheduled tours. I only get one and get info about the others. And get lost,lost,lost. While waiting for one ticket booth to open up, I go for a quick run around the mall. I take a moment to go into Lincoln Memorial. It's my favorite. I read the speeches, so powerful. Those dudes were deep.

I try to get back to hotel on subway. Everything is cluster-cussed. Commuters are ticked. Having to take opposite rail line in to get around a track problem. I met one grandmother trying to get to Airport. She was whip-smart. She helped me figure out subway rerouting. I saw her say goodbye to her young, successful daughter. I was taken aback by all the young business people, around. Dressed up. Reading Wall St. Journal. Looking very intent on climbing ladder. I get back to hotel finally and we all ride subway back in. And get to tour of Bureau of Printing and Engraving. It was pretty good. Somewhat interesting. 7000 lbs of pressure put on each bill to give it texture. Money printed for 95% replacement of old $$$, 5% new- that's the question i had. Printing 24 hrs a day. Then we hit monuments on the mall. Kids are playing tag running all over. They just want to play- monuments aren't so much for them. At Lincoln Memorial, I read some of speeches to kids. They ask me what it means.... i stumble trying to boil it down. I look at our mixed family... and basically say, if they don't go thru that we're not standing here together. Lincoln said 'Can a nation where all people are equal, exist?'

Then we go by Korean War and Vietnam Memorial. My kindergarten boy is climbing in Vietnam statue garden. Right behind sign saying "Respect" and "Keep Out". Ticks me off. But really my problem, shouldahad a closer eye. Very shocking reading the casualties and wounded. So many lives. Kid's ask me questions about Communism. Hard to boil it down. I shoulda said, not having a voice in your government, not having freedom. We see White House, make a loop around it. Lots of walking. Everyone is zonked. It didn't work out today to meet up w/ my Daughter's class. But thankfully she was okay with it. She had fun w/ her cousins. They swimn at pool. Then she meets up w/ classmates for dinner. And Teacher fills my wife in on how to keep up with them. Today they shifted schedule due to Train problems and stuff. Sure enough my early morning trip was pretty useless.

Tues March 12th - stuck in Archives Elevator Early I get a run in and get soaked in the rain. I run around and find a track in the dark. And proceeded to run two miserable 800s: like a 3:07 and a 2:50. THis makes me unhappy. Track was weird with lane 7 on inside and metal railing all around lane 1, with some parts not connected. A bit scary and rain puddles. miserable. I get back and we're off early. Kids enjoy the Embassy comp breakfast. Ordering up like big shots. Today we're going for Archives tour with the Class. We tag along. And the on-the-ball teachers seteverything up. Shweet. It's raining and we don't have gear. Rest of class has poncho's. Dad messed up. I brought garbage bags. Kids not happy w/ that!! Archives tour was great. Although our tour guide, a bookish lady, implored all of us to pile into elevator. It was a tight squeeze. About 25 people in a big elevator. Crammed in. We get to our floor. And she says non chalantly... sometimes it takes a bit for doors to open. Doors don't open... waiting... waiting. She starts to panic a bit and rings alarm. Speaker in elevator is not working we can only hear muffled guard voices thru it. People are panicking... One lady starts having apanic attack. She tells kids, "Don't talk to me" as she starts some stress-relief routine w/ eyes shut. Kids are freaking out. I'm looking at ceiling for vents... how much air is in here. It's getting hard to breath. I'm thinking it's overs for us. Tour guide is hitting buttons frantically. Finally elevator lurches down.... and then finally doors open. Huh! Huh! People pile out. I ask tour guide "Are there any stairs?" She's like yeah right there. We go up about 10 steps total to next floor and we're where we need to be. Almost died for one flight of stairs :) She gave a really good tour though. Very intersting.

THe orignal Constituion and Declaration of Indepence didn't move me. A copy is good enough for me. But I loved seeing pics of the familes and cultures of America. Getting to see people's photo albums. People who had nothing from nothing, just trying to make it with their families in America. And the letters to the President- "Please don't draft my Dad." Pages ripped from Bibles from families trying to get money for soldiers who gave their life in service at Civil War.

Afterward class went to tour on at MOney Printing we went to yesterday. We head home due to rain and tiredness. After nap for me/fitness room for kids and mom. We walk King St. in ALexandria. And play tag in African American Heritage park.

We meet up with class for dinner at King St. Blues restaurant. A neat place w/ cool cartoon sculptures. Waitress was amazing to all the kids. Then we go with class on ghost tour of Alexandria. The theatrical lady told good stories while we walked to different houses and cemeteries. Good. But i was freezing cold. Tour stops at a 'haunted' Candy Store. Which had old time candy. My wife gave in and let our 4 kids get 1 candy each. While the class kids bagged it up. My daughter finally decided on a Zero bar, one of her dad's favorites. My son got a ring pop and had a blue mouth for 2 days. My nephew got a Pez dispenser. And my neice Pop Rocks.

Wed March 13th - lunch w/ Uncle Watt Morning run. You know I'm going back to that track. This time a couple of mile repeats: 5:53 and 5:38 in trainers. So not bad. During taper week it's always tempting to test fitness. Hard to trust your training and wait till marathon day. We go to Arlington Cemetary with the class. Great tour guides. We get to see Tomb of Unknown Soldier and changing of the guards. Good stuff. Then we say goodbye to my daughter's classmates. THey are flying out today after one more trip into DC. We gotta go check out, change hotels and meet Unlce Watt for lunch.

We meet up with uncle Watt and his girlfriend at a buffet restaurant. And we have a good time. Me at a buffet, forget about it. I think i can shut one down. I try to contain myself some... only 3 days til the race. It's good seeing Watt and Johnnye. He enjoys meeting all his young neices and nephews. Great. Great. Great nieces and nephews. Something like that. Good to see family. Kids swim at small indoor pool at new hotel. Life guard gives me static for not getting in with them. I'm in jeans as is she. I say, "No worries, I'll watch them." She says, "You gonna go in after them if something happens?" I say, "You better believe it." I'm thinking I'm betting more on me than you. I always get static from guards when I bring four kids to the pool.

Thurs March 14th - getting it done in DC Morning run is a 9 miler into DC. Awesome bike paths from Alexandria to DC for commuters. THey come whizzing by, ringing bell to warn me. You gotta have a nice bike here with the hills. I run all the way to Jefferson Memorial. Screw it, i'm not paying anymore for train rides for 6 people. Driving will be cheaper.We start at Jefferson Memorial, i'd never been there before. Cherry Blossom trees aren't blooming yet, they are a week away the locals say. Then we goto Martin Luther King Memorial. That is awesome and inspirational. Then drive over to Georgetown Cupcake, another one of my daughter's Food Network places. Another line out the door. It goes quick. Kids all get 2 perfect cupcake$. Red Velvet was the most popular. We drive by Howard University. My wife has always said our daughter has to go to, "Harvard or Howard."

Then it's off to the Expo to pick up race stuff for Marathon on Saturday. THe kids always enjoy going. We had fun. We find out that the kid's race doesn't do race day registration. Bummer, kids were looking forward to running in DC. So we walk way over to see kids race anyway. It's cold and windy. But we find race. And everyone has fun. We sort a bandit run it with the kids. We bail out before the finish line, we just wanted to run. They'rere running different heats of the 1k course. My son runs once with oneheat then runs again since he had so much fun. Our nephew and niece ran, but weren't so crazy about DISTANCE running, saying, "Never again!!" They are fast sprinters. Lots of kids didn't like the distance.... there were plenty of course cutters. Distance; it's an acquired taste for sure!! Then we went to a Barbeque place downtown, Hill Country Cafe. A friend had recommended it. It was packed and good. We really enjoyed it. Beef Ribs. Even though kids were tired... me too.

Fri March 15th - chilling out before race day Morning run is just an easy 5 miler on the grass at super ez pace (10 min and 11 min pace). Just thinking about race. And relaxing. I've got to where i like to run everyday. We change hotels to one closer to race. That way getting to and fro race will be easier for me. And also give family a chance to see marathon. Turns out we get lucky and race bends right around hotel, just two blocks away- perfect for family. We go to see Capital and a Smithsonian. But we have trouble parking. I get so lost today. We end up parking at hotel. And walking in to see Capital. Then we only have time for a close by Smithsonian. So we go to the Native American one. It was really nice. We're sad to miss the Air and Space, but just couldn't fit it in. On walk home we look for noodle place for carbs for race. Have to go with THai place. We take it home. 3 of the kids opt for McDonalds across from hotel. Only my gourmet daughter goes for Thai. We watch Scooby Doo. They got some new episodes. Hotel TV has been on Cartoon Network the whole trip, I've gotten no news or sports. But makes kids happy. We go to bed early. Race tomorrow.

---------- Sat March 16th- Rock'n'Roll USA Marathon ---------

6am I run to start line from hotel. 2 mile lite warmup. Just to wake up, get loose, and NOT deal with parking. Weather: temperature upper 30s, No wind, overcast- chance of rain. Feels great w/ warm ups on.

Trot over and find starting line. Had trouble locating at first. Damn i get lost in DC. Should be easy eh? Always got Washington Memorial tower and Capital dome to guide you. But too many diagonal streets, circles, and forked roads. And traffic everywhere. But then I used ears instead of eyes to follow blaring music. Rock n Roll USA marathon right? I'm already pumped up and the energy here gets me more so. I only do 2 marathons a year. It's my favorite distance. Everything else is training for this. To me the marathon is the American spirit, it's a long road trip, a journey, a test, a battle. Not hard for me to get up for these. You only get so many shots at it. I always leave it all out there. I gotta stuff my warm ups in the gear check bag. Everyone wants to wait as long as possible. So u only have to freeze a little while. Line at each 20 gear-check buses is 100 deep already.

Lady checking gear for K-L Bus is trying to double knot every ones for them. Love the volunteers. Races could not happen without them. But this ain't gonna happen before race in 30 minutes. So i just walk in back and throw mine on bus. If I don't get it, no a big deal. I warm up more on side street with some sprints and hit natural bathrooms(tree) as much as possible. I get to starting line. I'm in corral #1, based on my self predicted time of 2:29.

So I head to coral #1 and just get in, right at starting line. Just about 15 elite/invited runners in this corral. Seemingly millions behind us. A volunteer sees my bib # and says I'm sorta in coral 1b- puts me behind the rope. This torques me a bit cause I want to start on the line. I'm a contender. Don't matter in the end cuz they let us move up before the gun. No problem. I see Michael Wardian. He's a pretty famous marthoner and ultra marathoner. He's won this race like 6 times. He's from DC area; the hometown favorite. I wasn't sure if he'd be racing since he's been injured. Usually he never gets injured and run tons of races and miles. Often 2 marathons in a weekend. So seeing him, i know it's gonna be tough. But you never know. And I don't think he's totally 100%. Seems like a nice guy too. A family guy, day job, trains hard. Respect.

They're playing music FloRida"Good Feeling" The runners are stretching. rythmically bouncing around. Nervous energy. Ready to go. Go time. 30,000 to hit the streets of DC, our nation's capital. Gotta love this. We start right on Constitution Ave with Washington Monument off to our left. Big American flag held up by cranes over the street. Awesome sight. Star-Spangled Banner. When i get to move up I stand by Wardian right on the line. Maybe I'll get in a picture.

Mile 1 5:38 The gun goes and we're off. First miles always suck. It's a rude awakening. Sucks getting a winded-feeling over first mile. You're thinking, oh no 25 more of those. But really it's just a quick warm up. Once it's out of the way, you get in the rythm. Big pack of half-marathoners already pulling away by end of mile 1.

Mile 2 5:23 Geez 5:23, kinda quick. But ok. I figured going out hard is okay, cuz course map shows uphill climb for miles 4.5 thru 7.5. I'm trying to hang on to Wardian and the guy wearing #4 seeded marathon bib. I'm prolly 3 seconds back of them. Hey gotta stay in the race to have a chance later. Everybody that passes me I'm glancing side way to see if they are a half-marathoner with a red bib, or a blue-bibbed marathoner like me. Go by Lincoln memorial, my favorite monument- awesome and motivational- Can a nation where all people are equal, endure?

Mile 3 5:26 Head over Arlington Memorial Bridge across the Potomac River.Then run around circle and back over Bridge. Typical DC traveling, round and round :)

Mile 4 5:28.2 Hit the Rock Creek Pkwy now and start northward loop. Hanging with 3 marathoners. Apparently 1 guy ahead of is in the lead. We can see the pace car occasionally. But he's hammering. Wardian knows the guy his North Face teammate, Jordan McDougal. Apparently he's a talented young runner, that likes to take it out fast.

Mile 5 5:35.9 Ready to climb hills but not too bad, thus far. Still Hanging on to a group of 3 other marthoners. One guy, I think #5 bib talking with Wardian about different races and stuff. Then the guy says his back hurts and drops off the back of the pack. Now just a group of 3. Don't mind me. I'm just hanging on for a good time.

Mile 6 5:31 Geez mile time still good. I'm feeling good. I was expecting a drop off in pace, so far hills ain't been too bad or i'm just super jacked up and am going way too hard and i'll die a terrible death at the end. Pretty wooded area with cliffs above.

Mile 7 6:08 Craptar. At 6.6 miles we hit a vertical-wall of a hill. This hill put me on my heels. It was like all of the sudden we all slow down to basically walking pace. Jumping up. Step by step. After race, stepping thru my Garmin map shows it as 50 ft elevation climb in 500ft of distance. I wasn't ready for this. Once at the top i was just catching my breath as I try to speed up. Wardian says he trains on that hill all the time at lunch cause it's close to his work. While he was injured he's been riding bike there. I figured he'd start to leave me there. But I hold on. We lose bib #4 runner here. It's just me and Wardian in the marathon chasing some guy hammering it up front. Also about 20 half marathoners in front and around us, so not too lonely.

Mile 8 5:38.7 Okay back onto plan. Me and Wardian. I'm hoping for 2:29 marathon. So i need 5:43 mile pace.

Mile 9 5:30.8 Downhill by Howard University and a lake. Make up for climbing now. A motocylcle driver pulls up with camera man on back. I'm thinking cool, i'll get some running pictures with the legend Wardian... but damn camera man not pointing at us- it's all aimed at Wardian.

Mile 10 5:25.9 More downhill I start to pull ahead of Wardian here. We ain't talked much yet. I wanna run my own race and not just cruise control off him. I got about 8 seconds on him when we hit the mile #10 mark. Damn i hit 10 mile mark at 56:38... 2 minutes faster than any of my 10 mile races, but i haven't done one in a while. Learned a lot since then.

Mile 11 5:31.9 Feeling good on my own. Got more of a lead on Wardian. Can see glimpses of pace truck occasionally way off. Caught a half-marathoner who gives me the thumbs up as i go by.

Mile 12 5:46.5 Slipping on the pace, on my own. uphill.

Mile 13 5:50.3 More uphill, i'm struggling here. Doubting some. Did I go out too fast? I hear Wardian's foot steps. He's coming.

Mile 14 5:42.8 Wardian catches me at halfway point. We go across in 1:14:51. About right. 20 guys racing the half-marathon were ahead of us. I've worked hard on the hills. I got some doubts but it feels good to be just marthoners now. Even though it's lonely. Me, Wardian, and a guy ahead of us who we ain't seen in awhile. I'm also sorta glad Wardian caught me cuz he knows the course, which is marked with cones and stuff, still it's a doubt i don't like to have, just want to concentrate on running relaxed. We don't have pace car to follow like leader has. Oh now we got a bike escort so that helps. Wardian is always pointing out tangents on the course. And every water station yelling "2 waters, please" to warn volunteers- he's done this a time or a hundred. We start to get reports from spectators along the course about leader. Saying he's 3 minutes up. Or 45 seconds up. Estimating time is differnt for everyone. So we laugh about the conflicting reports we hear as we go. Then a lady yells out we're 2:00 min back of leader. Wardian says, "We can believe that one. That was my sister and she'll tell me the truth." No sugar coating. The whole race people are yelling out, "Go Micheal!" He's the hometown runner.

Mile 15 6:46 Going through long tunnels now. My Garmin GPS watch getting screwed up. It's not happy. But me and Wardian just going through. Felt conistent We're running side by side. but on some turns one of us we'll lead. On one turn in, I kinda bumped his leg on the backswing. I said, "Sorry." I felt bad, Don't want anyone to fall or to get injured. But bumping happens we running close by. I gotta be careful.

Mile 16 5:04 okay Garmin just correcting cuz it got lost on tunnels. We're not going 5:04 fast as my watch says. I wish. Speaking of getting LOST, we take a WRONG TURN!!! Or more correclty miss a turn and accidently cut the course. We came up on cones and blew through them. The cones looked like lanes, but actually were a curve-right, up an overpass then u turn and come back down overpass to go by a rock band playing. We took them as lanes, and just headed for the band, I guess bike escort got confused too. A police man on a motorcycle swoops down overpass and says to me and Wardian, "You guys missed the turn. Go Back there!" I start to argue, "A band is right there we gotta go there." I look to Wardian and say, "You know the course, Let's go." I've been mislead by volunteers and cops before in races. God bless them for helping, But sometimes they don't know- they get like 2 min training before race. But Wardian says, "THis is new this year." As we start to head back like the cop told us. Then we see the leader and Pace Car coming down hill off the overpass. We're like Crap. THe cop is right. (Sorry officer. You saved the race. Thanks. Job well done) On the way up the overpass. Wardian is like, "Damn that sucks we were close to leader, We had a shot," as we head up overpass and leader streaks away in the other direction. I'm like, "It's early we still got time." Wardian is still not happy about it. Not buying my positive thinking. Afterwards looking at Garmin at 15.49 miles we ran approx 600ft(300ft past then 300ft back) or .11 miles miles extra, at about 5:40 pace, i think thats about 30 seconds out of the way. But then again we weren't doing 5:40 we came to a complete stop then started up, stopped, then start back up again... so maybe closer to 45sec to a minute. (I don't know. Felt like time stopped. Weird to just be interrupted.) To my thinking, this race is early. As they say, 'Marathons don't start until mile 20'. But then again i don't know how good the leader is. He certainly looks fit. Maybe Wardian is thinking our wrong path, was the final nail.

Mile 17 5:51.2 Not sure why pace dipped here. Wardian and I talking a bit here about tennis, lacrosse, and football. He tells me Nadal whipped Federer last night. Dang it, I hate when the 'beautiful game' loses.

Mile 18 5:53.3 Geez i guess too much talking cause pace is slipping. I tell him I'm from Houston. And we talk 2012 Olympic Trials, Houston Marathon, and Woodlands marathon.

Mile 19 5:41 We go by the Washington Nationals baseball stadium here. I'm pumped cuz I should see my family coming up, it was coincidence our hotel was by here and the course comes this way. UH Oh. As we climb up the underpass we see leader and pace car coming back the other way after the u-turn. The leader seems to be stumbling a bit and just getting back to running. And I see a wet puddle on the ground. I've seen this before in races... when someone's stomach turns on them. Suddenly me and Wardian have hope. We instinctively pick up the pace. I see my family too. I pull ahead so I can get over and hi-five them. Then we do 180 degree u-turn. Great to see family. Now I pick up speed and head off on my own to chase the leader who looks to be in trouble...

Mile 20 5:45 Over bridge on my own. In chase mode. Over the Anacosita River. I'm chasing the leader... but i'm pretty sure I can get him. My real worry is Wardian behind me. How far back is he? I'm trying to put in some distance between us. His resume is a lot better than mine. At end of mile 20, I take a peek back, I have a 10 second lead on Wardian. And i can see leader on horizon out front. Crossing the bridge in my thin racing flat shoes was wierd cuz up top it had metal grating instead of cement to run on, hurt my feet.

Mile 21 5:44 I'm in hot pursuit. I gel up and chase it with water from aid station, hardly tasted it. I'm about to go by leader. I gotta be ready. I blow by leader as fast as i can. Don't leave any hope is the rule. And I hijack the pace car and motorcade escort. They're mine. I've never even seen one of these close up in a race... much less been in command of one. I'm leading a fuggin marathon!!! Insane. This is all I ever wanted, to know this feeling.... and now kinda, it's the last thing I want. I feel the pressure. My internal clock in my head has instantly ratcheted up. I feel basically.... PANIC. It's in my hands(err legs). This is what I've always wanted. To win a marathon. Every since I went under 3hrs in a marathon. I've wanted to break the tape in a marathon. To win one. I thought winning a long race would be the ultimate test of a competitor. TO TEST YOUR HEART. I've researched races where i could possibly win. Planned, schemed, scheduled, But you never know.

I only like to race 2 marathons a year and you never know who will be racing. I thought today I had a shot... And now i have the lead. Oh please don't piss this away. "You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime" If I lose it, let them step it up and get me. Don't let me fade out and give it away. In tennis it's known as a choke job. I think ex-leader is toast. I'm worried about Wardian. He's gotta a running resume a mile long. Is he gonna come get me? Even if he is just coming back from injury. Is he gonna turn it on? Is he gonna dig down and find something? He's won so many marathons and races. Why the hell did I chat with him and tell him I didn't make the Olympic trials. Let him know I'm a newbie. I'm regretting that. I don't look back. This is my pace truck now. It has a clock showing a digital read out of the race time. And about 4 guys riding on the back of the truck. A couple of them taking pictures or video of me and the race. I wonder what they see. I'd love that vantage point, to see how far back he is. But also wierd for them to have to watch this old bald-headed dude in the race for his life, in pain, giving it all he's got. Desperate. I take a quick look back at a right turn and see his orange jersey about 15-20 seconds back.

Mile 22 5:48 Keep freaking pumping. Get the hell out of here. 5 miles left. That's nothing. That's an easy day of training.... Run like you stole something. If i lose it- it's gonnna be a long 20 hour drive home to Houston. Such a weird feeling. Now I'm being chased. I've never felt this in a marathon. Feel like it's a manhunt. ATTN RUNNERS: Some dude is winning that's not supposed to and everyone is after me.

Mile 23 5:38 Still pumping just trying to take out all hope of a heroic lead change at the end or a sprint to the finish. We loop around, so I look back again, I think lead is about 30 seconds.

Mile 24 5:54 Start getting some uphill now. I remember from course map, hills at the end. Damn. I see my pace slipping. Don't do this. Crazy pete shows up and introduces himself to pace truck. I give some yells of, "Cmon" and "Let's Go" to pump myself up. Spit flying. I look back and he looks closer than last time. Freakin' stop looking back... don't you watch horror movies?

Mile 25 6:05 Damn you uphills. I'm working. Don't let this slip away. 6:05 pace, why? Freaking hills. So cruel. More crazy pete talk. Threatening myself....if you freaking give this up. 20 hr car ride, i'm gonna be so pissed. Reliving this over and over... just go. Just go. (Like in my junior tennis days. Lose a match in San Antonio and relive it with your parents the whole way home. What are we paying for lessons? Why did you throw that racquet? ) I go past this one black guy coming out of a store on the sidewalk and he sees me chasing the pace truck and just going like mad. I'm sure looking crazy. He says, "That m#therf@cker, is in shape." Made me laugh. People are cheering me on. I'm yelling out. Looney tune times. For some reason pace car heads off and I'm just following police escort in from here.

Mile 26 5:42.5 Hills seem done now. Get home. Get home. Loop around overpass.I want to be done with this little loop by the time he gets to overpass brige. So he doesn't see me. So no hope. No miracles at the end. Then I go up on big brige to cross over Anacostia River. I see RFK stadium on horizon, tHat's where finish line is. Give everything you got. I look back quickly and see no one.... could it be? Is this my day? how did i get here? Keep pumping. I loop around RFK stadium and parking lot. Band is playing Springstein's "Born to Run", great song. "Its a death trap, it's a suicide rap". My mom loves Springstien. I give the band a couple fist pumps and wind mills. Flash some crazy eyes. Pumps them up. I see spectators lining streets, we're near the end, jeez crazy pete is out of his cage now.

Last .02 (5:52 pace) I see metal dividers seperating the hundreds of half marathoners finishing on the right. I follow police car. Uphill a bit here. Someone opens up a metal divider and the police car drives off course and stops. As I crest hill and take a right turn, I see it. Finally. The finish line!!! I look back one last time to make sure it's mine. No one there. It's me!! I freaking got it!!! I throw my hands up. I cry out. THank you God. It's been a long journey... and not just today. THe crowd is cheering me. I'm so happy. I see them holding the tape it says "Rock'n'Roll USA Marathon."I head for it. What to do?? I never planned for anything like this. I'm walking on air. I feel light as a feather. For some reason I just leap up. Just so happy. And then I land. Total euphoria. I won the marathon.

Official time: 2:32:27 (a new PR for me) My Garmin watch log • story on Competitor.com • story on RunWashington.com A race official tells me to take finish line tape and do victory lap. I do it. I get so high on endorphins racing, I don't think. People are congratulating me. I cut in for a live TV interview with a news lady asking me questions. Camera man counts it down in 3, 2, 1. What's it feel like? Is this your first one? How was the training? I'm spouting off about,"my midlife crisis and how i decided to try training hard and see what I could do... I only got a little time left". I usually hate talking and cameras. But damn you endorphins. i'm telling them, "it's a dream come true. I just wanted to know the feeling once. To break the tape. This is off my bucket list." They ask me about where I'm from. How I train? THey want to know my bio and story. Race official lets me borrow his phone I call family and explode, "I won it!!!" Camera man smiles at me, he can see my joy. How bad i wanted it.

Finally they say there are awards on stage in like 30 min. I try to go into runner post race area to get my warmups cause it's cold, but it's so crowded with half-marathoners. Packed tight. I give up and try to get out of there. Finally a lady lets me out of the herd after I tell her I gotta get to awards. I get over to VIP and they get me to stage. Then race official goes and gest my warmups from the bus for me and Wardian. Thanks. Next thing you know we're on stage. They give me a flower head wreath and flowers to hold like ice skaters get. And they ask me something on stage... I say same thing about bucket list, midlife crisis, and encourage others to run (i really meant to say dream, keep moving, going for it- whatever 'it' is). Damn endorphins got me talking on mic on stage, with flowers on my head.... what a day. I gather my stuff, say goodbye to Wardian and others. Head out front of stage into beer garden. The band Cowboy Mouth starts playing rock music. Drummer singing. Nice but loud. All the endophined/beer drinking runners in beer garden pat me on the back and congratulate me. It's crazy. I swing by VIP tent to get a few sandwiches and chocolate milks for 4 kids in hotel room waiting for me.

I pack up my backpack then jog 3 miles back to hotel with flowers hanging out of backpack, felt like Morrisey and Smiths. A guy stops in a truck and yells out at intersection, "Hey buddy? How'd you do?" I think for a second, what the hell, when else will i get this chance, I yell back, "I won it!" He starts laughing and celebrating. What a day. I get back to hotel, reunite w/ family and celebrate. hugs.

Then pack up. 20 hours to drive back home for school and work on Monday. Gonna be a joy ride!!

Ride home Report: Oh man I got so tight in car. We'd stop at Rest stops along the way in Virginia and Tennessee. I could barely walk. Right IT band at outside of knee was killing me. Mona driving days. I'm driving night. We hit only Wendy's on the way back. They sponsored the ride home. Apple pecan salad not bad. Weird how different Wendy's charge different prices. Kids are loving this Wendy's kick, we usually deny fast food. I MUST BE HOBBLING BAD: At one Wendy's I get coffee to get ready for my driving shift. The teenage cashier says, "That'll be 28 cents." I pause, "Okay... why? Menu says 99 cents?" He says, "Man all the seniors ask me that." Ouch. They bring you right back down don't they!! We stop off at 2am Sunday. Wanted to make Nashville. Gotta stop. Need a few hrs sleep. Stop in Lebanon, TN @ Econolodge. I'm in a jet fueled coffee fog.... I try to sleep. Maybe get 3 hrs then think it'll be a good a idea to get a jog in to loosen up. I make it 3 miles out then gotta walk. IT band killing me. I stretch and strech and finally can jog back home. (10 to 12 min miles) I get back to hotel room, family is up and we head out. Dang I was hoping for a nap. Drive all day and night. Finally we get home at 12 Midnight Monday. Got school/work tomorrow. What a trip.

The kids really did great. They are tougher than me. Tight sqeeze in the backseat. They made it more fun. THere were times of strife and driving each other crazy. But that's part of THE ROAD TRIP. PS> We thought of driving to Boston next year. No way. No way.