MARATHON MISSION COMPLETE - SUPPORTERS DURING THE TOUGH TIMESYesterday morning I completed the 2008 Honolulu Marathon. This year has been different then any of my past years due to the short notice training schedule. Normally its 18 weeks but this time I started training 6 weeks out. 3 goals I needed to achieve were:
1. Finish the race no matter what
2. Run the whole time
3. Finish under 4 hours and 30 mins

The race was an early morning start (0500) so my plan was to park at the Hale Koa Hotel. That soon changed the night before so Dev offered to drive my car and drop Master Chief and myself about a mile from the start near Aloha Tower. I knew that this was going to be a tough race and the weather would not cooperate. We have been having some bad weather all week and rain was scheduled. The race fireworks go off and 5 mins into the run it starts raining and for 2 hours it's pouring. Nothing to do now except play the cards you have been dealt. Master Chief and myself ran together pretty much into Waikiki and then he took off. I told myself and promised others that I would stay with my plan and run 9:30's. Since my long runs were only 16 milers, I could at least make it comfortably to that point.

Something was different for me, I was feeling great, comfortable and wanted to pick the pace up but I didn't and stick to the plan. I finally made it to mile 16 and had a bad stretch. I look up and see Jackie and John (long time triathlete friends, my realtor etc.) Jackie runs over and gives me a hug, John gives me some encouragement and I continue feeling recharged. I start running 8:40's and feeling great again! At mile 20 I stop to have a spectator call Dev and let him know that pick up at the Hale Koa is still on time. Dev said Marita asked who was that female calling him on the phone. It was a old lady cheering on the race!

At mile 22 I start hurting a little more and tell myself it's only 4 more miles. I again look up and Joe Zwack (Coast Guard Officer, triathlete, long time friend) was on his MTB. He says "you done this race many times, you know whats ahead, go for it brah" and once again I feel recharged. Running up Diamond Head at mile 24 HURTS! I asked my family and friends who passed away this year to get me up the hill. Once again I feel no pain and start passing people. I got to the top and Admiral Brown's wife is standing in her driveway. We give each other a double high five and look at the clock, 4 hours flat. I knew I would cross off each of the goals I cam here with. I make it into the park, mp3 playing a song that made me sprint 300 yards out. I crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 13 mins. Not my best time (3:34 several years back) but very happy and pleased on how I felt afterwards. I felt sore but not like in the past. At 42 years old I ran faster than my first Honolulu Marathon at 26!

Ultra distance events challenge you both physically and mentally. There is no place to hide and it strips you down to who you really are. During these times you find out what you are really made of. You have to dig deep, and face those fears behind those doors. Your body can do amazing things if your mind lets it be.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."