My closest friends know that the Marine Corps Marathon has become the bane of my existence. It has become the race that has stood back and taunted me for years a finger tips length from my grasp. The race that haunts my soul.
The start of this story was in 2007 when after running a 5k I chose to try an endurance event. I chose to run the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon. My rheumatologist turned around and simply told me no, absolutely not with my condition. Instead of being discouraged I came back a month later and said that you said no marathons nothing about a century ride. I went on to do the 2008 El Tour de Tucson a 109 mile bike race. Determined I went on to do the 2009 Nation's triathlon. In 2010 I was given permission to do a half marathon, 2012 after coming back from a broken leg I finished a half ironman triathlon. Finally 2013 was my year my general practitioner and rheumatologist agreed to let me train for a marathon.
My 2013 spring season was strong despite my knee problems, and infection I ran some of the best times I'd ever seen. I pushed through pain, and illness gaining time, distance, and strength. When the summer came I began the build towards the MCM with a ticket to get in from the 17.75k. My hips started giving me problems as my knees cleaned out but my hips were different. I went through a number of oral treatments, and injections. I still hoped to run walk the marathon despite my inability to run more than 4 miles at two weeks out from the race. Ten days out my dreams were shattered my doctor pulled me from a race for the first time ever. I was put on five weeks of no running or impact exercise.
2014 Started with a new diagnosis and new treatment, but realities that my hips are still not right. I decided to try yet again to get into the MCM figuring I was strong enough this would be my year. Ultimately the MCM would be the first of three marathons I would do over nine months before hanging up my shoes and focusing on the half a distance that is much easier on my arthritic joints. Instead during the lottery I was thwarted again not selected.
This put me in a dilemma because the MCM with its history of taunting me is a must do race. It is in my running grounds, and I hate to be thwarted. It is also perfect timing with my scheduled races for the rest of the fall, and then a short down spell before the Goofy Challenge in January. I looked at other races and 1. They do not interest me, 2. The timing doesn't work as well, and 3. I have vowed to let this distance go after Boston next spring. This means the time is now if I'm going to do this race.
Charity options aren't an option for me since I've dedicated my fundraising to ANRF. Where this leaves me is waiting and trying to get a transfer slot. Its not an awesome spot to be in but I know the other two races I'm considering shouldn't sell out quickly giving me plenty of opportunity to buy in last minute if this plan doesn't work out. So keep your fingers crossed I'm hoping despite my history with the MCM I will be crossing the finish line come late October banishing years of bad luck and fulfilling a bucket list item of my races to complete. Keep your fingers crossed for me that my joints hold and I find a bib!
Captain Angry Bones
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