Hope, Inspiration, and Renewed Promise

Ask not what America can do for you, but see what her bravest have sacrificed, and ask, “How do I say thank you?”
- Alysia Rieg, 2008 Marine Corps Marathon Team Hope For The Warriors

This past weekend was the Army Ten-Miler. I added it into my schedule in August thanks to the Army’s new registration transfer policy. I had hoped it would be a nice warm up for the Marine Corps Marathon.

From ATM

Crossing the starting line alongside some of the Nation’s bravest warriors turned out to be one of the most inspirational experiences of my life.

From ATM

Twenty-six thousand runners took part. To put it in perspective, in eastern NC, where I live, that’s more than the entire population of many counties. Every runner had their own story of inspiration that was driving them. Eighteen thousand made it to the finish line. With the help of a dedicated and loving teammate, this quadriplegic on a handbike, driven by hope, inspiration, and a promise, is proud to be one of those finishers. My niece, T- was also one of those finishers. She and I made a pact to make this an annual must-do.

The trip

My teammate and I arrived in DC Friday evening. In addition to the ATM, I wanted to use the opportunity to prepare for the Marine Corps Marathon. I had four objectives for the weekend. I wanted to:

1. Reconnoiter the MCM course; particularly this year’s changes
2. Ride up Lee Highway, the longest uphill climb on the MCM course
3. Reconnoiter the ATM course
4. Race the ATM.

In a nutshell, the weekend, as measured by my objectives was good news, bad news, more good news, and even more good news.

Good news

If you follow my blog, you’ll understand that my big personal goal is the MCM. The good news has to do with the new MCM course. The area at Canal Road and Reservoir Road is run in the opposite direction this year. I was concerned about some steep uphill grades. We had previously checked the grades but I wasn’t concerned about the downhill grades. Since the course is run in the opposite direction, those are now uphill. The good news is that there is only one killer climb, the beginning of Reservoir Road. It won’t be fun, but it’s doable. The new direction has actually made the steepest grades downhill.

The bad news

The bad news was Saturday’s recon ride for the MCM along Lee Highway. There is a lot of ascent along this road. Although it’s not relatively steep, it’s steep enough to bog me down. Based on this experience, I think it will take me about an hour to get to mile 2 at Spout Run Parkway during the MCM. I won’t be able to make up that time on the downhill, either, since by that time the runners will be too thick to pass very fast.

More good news

The ATM recon drive filled me with Hope for Sunday’s race. It was better than flat. It seemed like it was mostly downhill. “Is that possible or is it just an illusion,” I kept asking myself. My only worry was going too fast to make turns at some spots.

Even more good news

So the ATM itself was the best news of the whole trip. I was psyched up and I was excited. The course was great. This was going to be a great race. Saturday night we decided to carb load with sushi. We had great dinner at Café Asia. T- and I had a chance to strategize on our upcoming MCM. We normally carb up on Italian before a race and it probably wasn’t wise to try anything new but the food at Café Asia was sure good.

Out in the dark

Everything was going perfectly this weekend. No problems at the Expo. I tried to bolster our sagging economy with purchases at the Expo. I even got to bed early Saturday and then slept hard. That is rare for me before a race. We were up at 0500 and had eaten and were out the door around 0600. I wanted to be on my bike and situated at the start by 0700.

The Pentagon parking lot is a bit of a maze in a wheelchair on a good day. It seems like no matter where you need to go, there is a curb in the way. Chairs are always an afterthought at these races, or at least with the crowd control planners. It seems like I was constantly having to get soldiers to remove barricades to get to the starting line.

From ATM

At the starting line I met my good friend and mentor from the National Defense University, Dr. C-. He had come equipped with his camera. Since my teammate usually takes all the pics, so it was good that she could pose for a pic with me for a change.

From ATM

Hope

In a few minutes a couple of other handcyclists arrived. One, an amputee, and the other a cancer survivor. Note the girl next to me in pink.

From ATM

She used to run the ATM until cancer robbed her of the use of her legs. Sunday she did it again for the first time on a handbike. She kicked my butt. Her name is Hope. Fitting, wouldn't you say?

Inspiration

The wounded warriors, or as the Army calls them, the Missing Parts-In-Action Team began to arrive. It was to be an honor to run beside these men and women. Several were fitted with running prostheses. Some only used everyday prostheses. Two used handbikes.

From ATM

One blind soldier ran with a guide. You had to be inspired by the fact that they were out there.

The Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Pete Geren spent a great deal of time mingling with the wounded troops and engaging them in one-on-one conversation with them. It was good to see him pay such close attention to them and to personally honor their sacrifices.

From ATM

He even honored us civilians with a commemorative coin.

Even though I often participate in races alongside other athletes with disabilities, I am always inspired by the determination and resolve of the wounded warriors as they run for their own honor and that of their comrades. Read the inspiring race report from one of the amputees.

From ATM

The Golden Knights dropped in right in front of us.

Four Blackhawks flew directly over the runners in a diamond formation. They could not have flown lower for the street lamps.

From ATM

One of the MPIA handbikers was working feverishly right up to the last minute to adjust his bike. Someone had brought the wrong bike for him. To give you an idea, it took about a month for my teammate and I to get my bike adjusted to me properly.

From ATM

We rolled up to the starting line. Announcer Ken Berger had us all pumped up. The starting gun went off and we were off. This was going to be fun!

From ATM

Mile 1 6:40 Arlington

From ATM

I did my typical slow roll across the starting line. The other handbikes were gone in a flash. We left the Pentagon area and headed out toward the traffic circle at Arlington Cemetery. I caught up with the handbiker that had the wrong chair. He seemed to be coping and he got going and left me behind. One of the amputees was really fast. He and I passed each other several times. The weather was perfect and I had plenty of energy.

Mile 2 7:22 Constitution

There was just enough grade up the Memorial Bridge to slow me down a bit. The grade down the DC side was just enough to get up some good speed. There was no one around except that fast amputee up ahead, so I yanked on the cranks with all my strength. Yee-ha! This was fun! I caught up to the amputee just before 19th Street and yelled in support.

Mile 3 10:09 Virginia Avenue—Passing the pace car



Mile three was my slowest and my fastest. The constant climb up the first half of the stretch slowed me down until the pace car and motorcycles passed and the lead runners approached. At the top of the hill, the pace car was about a block ahead. I thought to myself, “I think I can pass that lizard!” I poured it on again and approached it from the right rear corner. I managed to pass at a pretty good clip and squeeze in behind the motorcycles before having to slow to make the sharp turn onto rock Creek Parkway.

Mile 4 5:58 Rock Creek Parkway

Needless to say, as you can judge by my time, this mile was fun. Runners who were out for their Sunday jog along the Potomac saw the race picking up momentum. They abandoned their exercise and ran up to the street to yell to the runners. The pace car with the Geico lizard passed again and a few minutes later the photographers’ truck. That could only mean the lead runners were not far behind.

In a few minutes I could hear the footsteps of the Brazilian runners. I yelled to the leaders as they passed. You have to appreciate my unique vantage point in the race. By getting to start early, I not only get to enjoy the motivation of seeing the other disabled participants but also seeing some of the fastest runners in the world.

Mile 5 7:44 Independence

If you are a runner, there can be no better place on the earth to run than Independence Avenue. Along the Tidal Basin, the crowds of spectators were starting to thicken but were still “intimate.” Everyone was cheering individual runners, not just yelling to a crowd. The Washington Monument was to my left. The Jefferson Memorial, my favorite DC landmark, lay ahead, to my right as I continued my “pursuit of happiness.” The National Mall lay out ahead. The street slopes upward as it approaches 14th Street. I ended up coasting to a stop as I had to take my hand off the cranks to shift to the lower gears. Crowds were yelling, “You can do it!”

Mile 6 8:12 The sprint downtown

After a few minutes of grinding along in my lower gears, I got to the “flat” part of Independence. Actually, it’s not perfectly flat, it’s slightly downhill all the way to Capitol Hill. Perfect. The spectators were highly motivating, packed two and three deep in some spots. Although I could have gone a lot faster, I enjoyed this stretch.

I veered over into the opposite side of the street to high-five some of the returning handbikers. As I approached 7th Street I slowed to check the crowds. This is where I had hoped to see my teammate and Dr. C-. They were nowhere in sight. I picked up my pace and started passing the throng again, which was getting thicker by now.

Mile 7 6:40 The Capitol

I could still maneuver through the runners fairly easily, but I tried not to cut anyone off. I was still maintaining a fairly good pace. A couple a little dips in the roads caused me to have to yell to runners as I passed them at a pretty good clip.

Mile 8 9:47 West on Independence

As I started westward on Independence I began paying for the downhill advantage I had enjoyed going eastward. Now the runners were providing the support. There was a constant cacophony of Hooahs from the outbound soldiers. The throng of runners outbound was a full fledged crowd by now.

I checked for my teammate and Dr. C- again at 7th Street. Still not here. It turns out they got separated at the starting line and were later than planned catching the metro over to the District.

Mile 9 8:24 Highway 395 bridge

At 14th Street we descended downhill as we approached the 14th Street Bridge. I have to give it to these runners. In most races, the iPods have the runners deafened. In this race most seemed to adhere to the no-iPod policy. Hence, when I had the opportunity to pass on a downhill stretch, I could yell to warn runners and they could actually hear me.

Mile 10 9:52 The Bridge

I had thought that the 14th Street Bridge would be one of the most fun parts of the course. I had envisioned sweeping views of the Potomac. Instead, there was just a lot of concrete that needed sweeping. It was hot. On Friday I wondered how the course could seem predominately downhill. On Sunday I learned. That elevation was made up on the 14th Street Bridge. A couple of times I coasted to a stop when I took my hand off the crank to shift to the lower gears. As I plodded along the last little rise I could hear the sound of Ken Berger’s voice as he announced the finishers crossing the finish line. There is no sweeter sound to a runner’s ear.

Mile 10.12 0:36 Finish

My actual distance is a bit longer than the course distance because I obviously didn’t follow the exact path of certification to the inch. At the end my time was 1:21:21. Not my best, but one I’m quite happy with.

From ATM

T- finished in 1:56. She was quite proud of her time after her struggle at the VA Beach RnR Half. Her 10 mile split then was 24 minutes slower. My teammate and Dr. C- got to Independence Avenue after I had already passed. It was a while before we all got reunited. Dr. C- was never able to get past a bunch of stern E-4s so I never saw him after the race.

Sally happened to spot my good luck friends, S- and D-. I always seem to do well when they are in the race, hence they are always a welcome sight. T- attributes our success to our dinner. “Must be the sushi,” she later emailed me.

Blessing count

All in all, it was a great weekend. One made possible by some of the greatest warriors in the world.

I finished last among the handbikes. This is no concern to me because I had fun. In fact,

I got to have a front row seat in the largest ten-miler in the nation.
I had a front row seat to all the pre-race ceremonies.
I got to watch world class athletes from a unique vantage point that no one else in the race got to enjoy.
I got to meet the Secretary of the Army, shake his hand, and have my picture taken with him.
He personally honored me with a coin for participating.
I had the honor of racing beside some of the greatest service members in the world.
I went across the starting line with those men and women who have sacrificed personally and greatly for our freedom.
I finished the largest ten-miler in the nation.
I finished in a pretty good time.
I passed the pace car.
Thousands and thousands of spectators and athletes cheered for me.
I got to spend some QUALITY time with one of the most inspirational people I know, Dr. C-.
My teammate had fun (when Mama's happy,...).
I got to do another race with my niece, T-
T- finished in a pretty good time.
My XX-year old mother gained a few more bragging rights amongst her quilting circles.

Hope For The Warriors

I race to benefit this outstanding foundation. They look out for wounded warriors and their families in their time of need. It is my promise to raise $26,200 in donations to support their programs.

This is America. We can go out and run around the Nation’s Capitol if we want to. Or stay indoors and watch TV. Only because we have brave men and women who are willing to go stand in harm's way to protect our liberty. And for that I am grateful.

Join me in my campaign, 2008 Miles of Hope, to help America's heroes, our wounded warriors and their families. Donate today. You can easily make a donation to Hope For The Warriors by using our secure credit card donation site:

2008 Miles of Hope

Or donate by check. Download our donation form, fill it out, and send it to us with your donation to our address on the form:

Donation form.pdf

And learn about where the money goes:

Hope For The Warriors

It's only a minor inconvenience for those who have sacrificed so much.

Watch the ATM video

-LetsRoll!

Twin Half Centuries

A weekend of workouts

(Monday night) I meant to post this last night. Instead I fell asleep at the keyboard. I wonder why:

Sunday: 51.27 miles, 8 hours 19 minutes, flat terrain, 15 MPH winds
Saturday: 51.47 miles, 9 hours 42 minutes, six times across the AB Bridge (90 ft), 15 MPH winds (except the final crossing (~20MPH headwind)

The grades are still killers.

-Letsroll!

Proud American Movie

To be released Sept 12, 2008.




Features the inspiring story of my friend Carlos Moleda.

-LetsRoll

Rock On, T-!

Start as a team…

Some days you beat the clock. Some days you beat other runners. Sunday we just beat the heat. And what a battle it was.

T- and I did the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half. This was her first distance event two years ago. This was mine last year and my first event after standing up my 2008 Miles of Hope campaign last year. We did the race together last year and we vowed we would do it together this year.

We checked in on Saturday and got our bib numbers (and tried to boost the Virginia Beach economy at the expo). We had a great pasta dinner with fellow wheeler David Swaim and his family. We got back to the motel and I managed to get to bed early. That seems to be a rare treat lately. It didn’t seem to do much good. It seemed like I woke up every 20 minutes.

At five AM we were pulling out of the motel as we had planned. A quick check of the weather forecast had shown that it was expected to be warm, sunny and breezy. At the race start I got loaded onto my bike. Everything was going too well. I got into corral 16 along with T- and awaited the start.

As I rolled across the starting mats about 7:30 I remember thinking that this was going to be a different race than what I have become accustomed to. Being seeded into the middle of the pack puts me in an area where it is more difficult to maneuver. T- and I had previously decided that when we got to Pacific Avenue, I would go on ahead to make up for some of the time I would inevitably lose on the Rudee Inlet Bridge.

So as we started everything seemed OK. The sun was starting to climb. Amidst the throngs of runners there had not been much air circulating in the corrals. Now that we were moving, it didn’t seem quite so hot. As we turned onto Pacific, I checked with T- and went on ahead for the bridge. I made my way over to left side of the street to get a glimpse of the lead runners as they returned. It looked like a real race going on between the women runners as they flew past.

As I tried to move through the crowds toward the bridge the spectators and other runners were very supportive. Only the self-deafened runners in iPod-induced comas proved to be a problem. Even though I shouted at the top of my lungs, “passing on the left,” often other runners had to nudge these zombies to get their attention. Wheels yield to heels, but, please folks, keep the volume down on those things.

The heat is on

At the bridge, I got down in my lower gears and started grinding up the hill. T- caught up about the time I was halfway up. She was looking good. On the downhill side, the iPodders, again, prevented much passing in the crowd. Another Team Hope For The Warriors runner passed me. Most everyone was sweating buckets. The humidity was oppressive. After a little more weaving through the crowds I caught up with T- at about mile 2.5. The heat & humidity were starting to take their toll early. Surprisingly, not on me but on T-.

My wife/teammate had hoped this would be her first half marathon. Some pains in her leg curtailed her training earlier in the summer. Sunday she took post as our support crew at Bird Neck Road; about mile 3.3. As we approached, I felt pretty good, but T- was hot. I felt I didn’t need any ice for now. T- took a big handful of ice and put it under her Shamrock finisher cap.

We trudged along General Booth Blvd and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Our 5K split was about on par for T-. At about miles 4 and 5 T- was having problems. At the water stops I got her to drink the energy drinks and pour the water on her. About 10K I saw Ann from Kale Running. T- was probably off her time for that distance was still gutting it out. Ann was probably wondering what I was doing so far back in the pack.

Several folks from previous races recognized me and offered support. One was Leila from the Crystal Coast Half Marathon. We joked about it the dry, sunny weather and how you couldn’t buy a breath of breeze (read the post to get the joke). I saw another one of the participants from the City of Oaks race too.

At mile 7, T- was fighting a tough battle. We stopped at Lake Road and I got her to drink some PowerAde I was carrying for her. Her stomach was queasy so she could only drink a few sips. No point in pushing it. I got her to take a few more sips over the next few miles. At the water stops, I would roll past and wait on the far side while she took the energy drink and doused herself with the water.

We were gradually slowing down. I’m not a fan of this year’s course changes. I find the scenery within Camp Pendleton a bit dismal. I much preferred the additional run on the boardwalk last year where there were more spectators. By mile 8.5 T- was hurting. She was hot and nauseous. She had drunk about ¾ of the PowerAde so I wasn’t worried about her hydration or electrolytes or carbs. She was just plain hot. I knew she could do the distance because in her training for the upcoming MCM, this weekend she was scheduled to do a 20 mile run.

Where’s T-?

Exiting Camp Pendleton, we met my wife/teammate at Bird Neck Road again. I still felt like I didn’t need any ice, but I think T- put some more in her cap. As we went north on General Booth, I told T- I was going to break out ahead for the bridge so she could catch me as I got slowed down on the incline. She told me to go on to the finish without her but I felt like if I left her, she would DNF. I could tell she was not happy. I pressed on ahead to the bridge, occasionally having to run off the road to avoid running into the incoherent iPod zombies. By the time I got to the top of the bridge, I expected T- to have caught up. She was nowhere in sight.

I rolled down the bridge slowly because I had good visibility behind. I kept watching for T-. At the bottom of the bridge I pulled off the course and waited. I started playing through the scenarios in my mind. She might have decided to DNF. She might have passed me on the bridge and I didn’t hear her. She might have slowed down even more. It made sense to me to wait a bit longer because the third scenario was the most likely.

When she was still not in sight after a few more minutes, I decided to press ahead in case scenario 2 was the case. I knew I had my other niece and my sister ahead among the spectators. When I found one of them, I would find out if T- was ahead or behind. I pressed on northward on Pacific and saw Jerry, who had finished long ago and was heading home. All the way north along Pacific there was no T-. As I turned south on Atlantic I saw my other niece, K- so I got out of the runners and stopped. Since K- had not seen her, we knew T- had to be behind me. After waiting a few more minutes, another runner passed by and told me T- was not far behind. That was a big relief.

…Finish as a team

As T- passed, I could tell she was in big trouble. She was slumping over and had that “get this over with” look in her eyes. Atlantic was the hottest part of the course. The buildings blocked the breeze and by now the sun was getting high. T- kept grinding along. I have to give it to her. I’m not sure I would have hung in there.

We finally made it to the boardwalk. I knew the energy of the spectators would keep her going now. I managed to get a few smiles out of her as we passed the cameras. Crossing the finish line was just as much an accomplishment as a record time would have been for T-. What I witnessed was nothing short of inspirational. For ten miles she battled heat, humidity, and nausea and yet gutted it out to the very finish. It took every bit of 3 hours and 8 minutes. Not our best times…but at least we finished. We beat the heat.

T- was a bit bummed out by our time and by a feeling she had held me back. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Next year I may start with the chairs instead of seeding in. Sunday it just felt good to finish. As a team.

Redemption

Monday morning I saw T- at breakfast. It seems after we ate dinner Sunday night, she felt a lot perkier. T- went down to the hotel’s exercise room and put in another 7 miles on the treadmill. She got in her 20 mile run after all and did a lot of repair to her ego.

I hoped to stop at the Dismal Swamp trail and put in a few miles on the way home. We ended up getting too late of a start to do that. We made the five-hour drive home and had pizza and beer for supper. Afterward, I got on my handbike and did laps through the neighborhood. I redeemed myself by grinding out 13.1 miles in 1:32.

Several anecdotal observations on the heat: Even the Kenyans seemed to have been set back by the heat. The winners were off their expected times a bit. Some of my co-workers that took part talked about how the heat and humidity drug them down. “When you realize your pace walking is the same as your pace running, it’s time to walk,” my boss commented, disappointed on his run. “I’ve never been so hot,” observed another. I saw one ambulance on the course and during the thirty minutes or so we recuperated on the boardwalk after the race, I saw another three ambulances carrying people away.

Neither T- nor I have anything to complain about regarding Sunday’s RnR Half. Our times were nothing like we had hoped, but our goal was to finish—together. We did just that. And T- did it battling an intense personal struggle with the heat. I don’t know why it wasn’t me suffering from the heat, but I’ve been there before. It’s pretty ugly. In the end, she gutted it out all the way to the finish.

Nice job, T-! Wear that heavy metal medal proudly.

Next on the schedule: the Army Ten-Miler. Wish us luck!

Check back soon for pictures.
-LetsRoll!

Hope For The Warriors is an official charity partner of the Virginia Beach Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. Please support their mission with a tax-deductible donation.

2008 Miles of Hope in the News

Thanks to the

Virginian-Pilot,

Carteret County News-Times,

and Public Radio-East

for recent media coverage! We are honored.

-LetsRoll!

Here's To Charlie

Virginia Beach Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon

One sad absentee from this weekend's race will be my friend and fellow blogger Charlie who tragically broke his leg a few weeks ago. Charlie's always been at the Tidewater area races in which I've participated. He's an avid runner and his blog has been a tremendous source of inspiration.


Visit his blog and post a comment. Running Nowhere Fast. This run's for you!

-LetsRoll!

Beaufort Road Race

Homecoming

I’ve done races in Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, Jacksonville, and even nearby Morehead City. But this is the first one I’ve done in my hometown. So for me, it felt like a homecoming. It was a chance to mingle and visit with a lot of local runners and friends I’ve met over recent months. And it was an opportunity for my family to come out and join in the fun. I won’t say my mother’s age in a public blog, but suffice it to be mentioned that bragging rights are important tokens of respect within her quilting circles.

So this 10K was important to me. It was important to me to perform well, at least, well for me. I was still trying to contain my ego after astounding myself at the Dismal Swamp Stomp in April. I had been trying to prepare myself mentally and physically for this event. But I was worried. The streets in Beaufort have been a mess. A sewer project has dug up nearly every street in town.

And it was hot. Hot is one of the characteristics of the Beaufort Road Race. Some races have hills. Beaufort has hot. If fact, ironically, hot is one of the things that makes the Beaufort Road Race popular. There are not many other races this time of year. Runners that want to race come great distances to this little coastal town to run through its historic streets.

Hot and I don’t get along. I don’t sweat. I can overheat if I’m working out in the full sun on a 78 degree day. I had been training in the early mornings and late evenings to try to avoid the heat. Usually, though, I couldn’t go farther than about two miles before the heat started zapping my strength. I could start out at a good pace, but my speed would taper down until I was crawling along. The weekend before the race, I had somewhat of a breakthrough, however. For the first time this summer, I used ice packs while I trained to keep me from overheating. It worked so well, I was able to get in over 25 miles one morning. There was no question that I would need the ice packs for the Beaufort Road Race.

The other factor that worried me was my general energy level. During the Dismal Swamp Stomp I had plenty of energy. During my previous two 10Ks, my energy level was somewhat off. Although the Jacksonville 10K was a PR for me, I was somewhat weak at the start and feel like I could have done much better if I had just had more energy at the outset. I’m still sticking with my theory that I need to time my fuel intake to be about 15-30 minutes before the start of the race. Longer than that and the energy isn’t there at the start.

On Friday, I picked up my T-shirt and bib number. I checked in with the timer to make sure he had my personal timing chip number in his database. My teammate and I took one last opportunity to recon the course. Beaufort has been digging up their streets for sewer repairs. I was glad to see that most of the spots that had previously been dug up were now paved. I was disappointed to see that a new repair had Ann Street dug up. I felt like it probably wasn’t a problem unless I got tied up in a throng of runners and couldn’t maneuver around it.

I got to bed early Friday night and up early on race day. We had even recon’ed a parking spot the night before. We parked at the courthouse in a spot that would be in the shade of an old live oak during the heat of the morning. I got on the handbike and went out for a warm up ride, trying to emulate my activities in preparation for the Dismal Swamp Stomp. I was particularly interested in riding through a turn at the end of Hill Street. The street drops down to Front Street and I was worried about going to fast to make the turn during the race.

I was able to make the turn without any problem so I took that detail off my worry list. One thing on my worry list was starting to bug me. I felt like I had no energy. The temperature was OK but it was still early. I headed back to my van and my teammate to fuel up before the race. There I got a fresh ice pack around my neck and took my Snickers and a new energy drink concoction. I was hopeful that the sugar boost would kick in by the time the race started.

At the starting area, I began seeing many friends from recent running events and many friends I’ve know since childhood. There didn’t seem to be any other wheelchairs in the area but then that’s not been uncommon in my experience. The 10K and 5K were scheduled to start at 0800 and the chairs and baby joggers were to start at 0755. I didn’t understand why the baby joggers were scheduled first but I was about to learn. The one-milers were still finishing up and we seemed to be getting a late start. One of the event coordinators gave me a quick briefing and finally the timer showed up to start the race.


Mile One (8:31) Ugh!

The race starts out through downtown Front Street and runs past the shops and boat docks. As they started us I immediately learned why the baby joggers were up front. These folks were FAST.


I spooled up to about a 7:30 pace but in just a minute I was looking at all the baby joggers from the back. A minute later I was out of energy and was dragging along at about a 10 minute pace. There was a slight headwind coming off Taylor’s Creek.

Mile Two (8:17) Spooling up

After a few minutes my energy started to pick up. I think I was psyched at the start when the baby joggers got such a fast start. Now I learned why. These folks were only running the 5K. After I passed the 5K turnaround, I was all alone again. But not for long, I figured. The elite racers usually pass me about mile two so I an eye on my mirror as I extended down Front Street. Mile two is probably the most scenic of this course as you go down Taylor’s Creek across from Carrot Island through a stretch of road covered by the canopy of old live oaks.

The fastest males passed me and I moved over to the side to give them plenty of room. Then I saw the distinctive figure of Heidi Tucker approaching in my mirror. A little dip in the road gave me enough of a boost in speed to pass a couple of elites as we approached the boat ramp at the end of Front Street.

I remember thinking, “Only in Beaufort!” Every race uses course monitors at intersections to keep traffic from interfering with the runners. At the end of Front Street, the Beaufort Road Race course passes between the public boat ramp and its parking area. As I approached the boat ramp, I was hoping that there would be course monitors to keep us from getting run over by boat trailers.

I passed the boat ramp without incident and turned toward Lennoxville Road. I lost the nice breeze off Taylor’s creek that was keeping me cooled down. I had an ice pack around my neck, but it was half melted. Heidi passed me about mile 2.5. I shouted in encouragement to her and watched her fly by.

Mile Three (7:31) Chasing Heidi Tucker

On Lennoxville Road, the slight breeze was a tailwind. My energy level was good now. I think about eight runners had passed me and I felt like I could go faster. I could see Heidi about a quarter mile off in the distance. I started exerting and decided I was going to catch her. Slowly, I began passing some of the runners that passed me. I passed mile three and felt good and turned onto Ann Street.

On Ann Street heading west the road was somewhat uneven so it was not as fast as I had hoped. Oh well, at least the recent roadwork was paved. I kept my sights set on Heidi, whom I knew to be to be a fast runner. By mile four I was within a half block and felt good.

Mile Four (6:31) Pouring it on

As I slowed to turn on Live Oak Street and then Broad Street I lost a little ground. I was still not getting overheated so I cranked as hard as I could. I was slowly catching up with Heidi. I could see my teammate a block away down Broad Street. She shouted to me when I passed; quite excited that I was so close to the front-runners.


I finally caught Heidi right before the turn onto Orange Street. We exchanged support. The turns onto Orange and again onto Ann Street slowed me down enough that Heidi passed me again. That was probably a good thing because I seem to go faster when there is someone in front of me.


Mile Five (6:19) Chasing Heidi, again

By mile five I was fired up. Heidi was well in front but I knew I had enough energy to catch her again. The live oaks that line the street kept down the headwind and provided ample shade. By now the sun was hot. The race was living up to its reputation as a scorcher. My ice was all melted but I was soaking wet so I was still getting plenty of cooling. My only problem on the whole course was at the intersection of Hill and Front Streets. Initially I was afraid the descent on Hill Street would make the bike too hard to control at the corner. Since I had already ridden through the turn I wasn’t worried about speed so I decided to get the most out of gravity that I could.

At the bottom of the hill, walkers were returning from the 5K turnaround. I yelled to warn them, hoping that they would have the sense to get out of the way. No luck. They just ditty-bopped along, side by side, blocking half the street. Oh well, wheels yield to heels. I jammed the brakes, swung wide and lost all that precious momentum. I think I uttered a few choice words under my breath. Sorry.

The stretch to the finish was uneventful. It was, again, a scenic view of the sailboats anchored in Taylor’s Creek. I had a tailwind and once I got spooled up again, I was able to chase Heidi to the finish. My family was downtown to boost my spirits. I caught Heidi about a block from the finish. I didn’t want to pass her in case she poured on a final kick. I didn’t want to be in her way as the course narrowed. Besides, even with a five-minute head start, there is nothing wrong with finishing beside Heidi Tucker. Did I mention she was the first place female? I got closer behind and yelled, “go, Heidi, go!” all the way to the finish line. I hope she didn’t think I was trying to get her to move out of the way.

Finish (45:33) Yee Ha!


This was a new PR for me. I was very happy with my first participation in this race. Overall I was the sixth person to cross the finish line. When you added in my five-minute head start, my time put me at fifteenth place overall in a field of 143 finishers. I’ll take it.


Hope, Inspiration, and a Promise.

I live in a nation that lets me run down the street with hundreds of others on a hot July morning just for the pride of doing our best. We can do that because there are people out there 24/7 to protect our liberty. However, protecting that freedom comes at a cost. For twenty-eight thousand men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, that cost will be a life with a disability.

Life with a disability isn’t a life full of despair, it is a life filled with Hope. Share hope with men and women that have sacrificed so much for the liberties we take for granted. Join our cause and donate to Hope For The Warriors. Be there for these heroes and their families in their most difficult battle, their fight for recovery and rehabilitation. Your generous tax-deductible contribution to Hope For The Warriors will help them know that they do not stand alone, they stand beside grateful and compassionate Americans such as you.

My participation in events such as this are dedicated to the honor and memory of service men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. I raise money with my campaign, 2008 Miles of Hope, through donations to Hope For The Warriors. I’m not a wounded warrior, I’m a grateful beneficiary of their sacrifices. Learn more about Hope For The Warriors.

Please donate to my fundraising campaign to support wounded heroes, 2008 Miles of Hope. All the money I raise goes to Hope For The Warriors. This phenomenal organization provides Warrior Wishes, Direct Needs Grants, and Spouses’ Scholarships. Now they have embarked on the creation of a Hope and Care Center, a rehabilitation and wellness facility for wounded heroes.

You can easily make a donation to Hope For The Warriors by using my secure credit card donation site:

http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles

Or donate by check. Download our donation form, fill it out, and send it to me with your donation to my address on the form:

Donation form.pdf

Join me at the Virginia Beach Rock And Roll Half Marathon August 31!

-LetsRoll!

Dismal Swamp Stomp

What if?

When you accomplish something you never dreamed of, it makes you question whether your other goals are high enough. So it was with the Dismal Swamp Stomp.

April 19 was the Saturday after the Jacksonville Trails and Greenways 10K. I had just completed my fastest 10K ever. I attribute my good fortune to my good luck friends, S- and D-. They always seem to be around when I do my best in some way or another.

Even though I was quite happy with my time in Jacksonville, I had a general lack of energy way too early in the race. I usually fuel up before a race with a Snickers and a Red Bull. I felt like I had fueled up too early that day. I had to wonder, “What could I do if everything just came together perfectly?”

I never really had a goal for a race. I only wanted to do the best I could and finish at least somewhere in the middle of the pack. I didn’t even hope to finish near the front. I just didn’t want to be the anchor man. I’ve always used the same strategy. I go out as fast as I can at first for as long as I can, hoping to be dragging across the finish line, fully depleted. My mentor, G- always advised me to hold back a little at first. He warned against a miserable time at the end of a race while trying to finish with your reserves depleted. I’ve just never seemed to listen to that advice. My excitement seems to build toward the end of a race and though my speed slows, that excitement seems to get me there.

The Stomp


The Dismal Swamp Stomp has all the ingredients for success. It is the flattest half marathon course I have ever seen. Tall trees line most of the course so there is little wind. They offer prize money which attracts fast runners. The fast runners always inspire me. This particular day the weather was perfect. The breeze was light and the temperature was cool. I had carb’ed up nicely at Olive Garden the night before. And I did something I rarely ever do. I went to bed early the night before. So that morning, as my teammate was getting me situated on my handbike, I said, “There is no reason that today can’t be the day for a new PR. Everything I need is just right!”

As I took a warm-up ride through a nearby subdivision, the pre-race excitement started to build. Indeed, everything felt just right today. The bike seemed to be working just right. And most importantly, I had plenty of energy. So I decided to heed the advice of G-, for now, and throttle back during my warm-up and save a little energy for latter. I noticed the parking areas filling up so I decide I should make my way to the starting area. I stopped by the van and took on my pre-race carbs.

Familiar faces


At the starting area, I started seeing folks that were familiar to me. I got to meet my fellow blogger, Charlie. It was the first time we actually got to meet face to face and chat. It was good to see him and exchange some mutual wishes for good luck. J-, another fast runner whom I had met at the Norfolk Half Marathon, greeted me also.


I met the folks from Kale Running who were timing the race. They filled me in on details of the race start. It was good to know they were running the event. I had taken part in another race they hosted in Norfolk in February and had set my previous half marathon PR. Call me superstitious, but all the coincidences were falling in place for some good luck that day.


I knew my good luck was in the bag when I saw S- and D-. I had been with them the previous weekend when I had done my PR for a 10K. They had also been at previous races when I had PR’ed. I was looking forward to the race. I felt good.

The course was a straight and flat out-and-back. The only concern I had was the turn around. A handbike takes a LOT of room to turn around, more than the width of the road. From previously recon’ing the course I knew that the shoulders of the road didn’t allow me enough room to make a turn around at the designated turn-around point. But I had seen a large gravel parking area on the shoulder about a hundred yards past the turn-around. My plan was to extend past the turn-around point and sacrifice the time to travel the extra distance for a safer and speedier turn. It seemed like a good plan except that I had never practiced it.

We queued up for the start. The starter was going to give me a two minute head start. I figured that would give me about a mile before the fast runners caught me. That would be plenty of time for the crowd to stretch out. That should make a comfortable ride without the worry of “contact” with other runners. She let the others in the front know that the first start was for the chair only. She practically whispered the “ready, set, go.” I guess a false start is BIG deal with a crowd this big.

Ahead...

Anyway, I was off. The bike felt good and I did, too. I wanted to get past the congestion of the start as quickly as I could so I cranked as hard as I could. I thought about my mentor’s advice about saving energy for later. “Naah! Not right now, anyway.” This felt too good and I wanted to enjoy it.

After about a mile, I started checking my mirror. The Kenyans at the front looked pretty fast. I expected to see them closing any second. So far there was no one in sight. My energy level was great and I didn’t feel like I was going to fade any time soon. I thought about G-‘s advice again and again decided I’d wait until later to conserve.

About mile three the Kenyans passed me. I got a little inspiration from that—both from seeing those men run so fast and from the thought that I had gone so far before they caught me with only a two minute lead. “Wow,” I thought, “this is going great.” I kept cranking and kept feeling good. It was nice to have no wind and a nice cool temperature.


I kept watching my mirror for Charlie and J-. No sign of them yet. They are pretty fast runners. I was beginning to wonder if the start had been delayed but I kept telling myself I was having a really good day just to keep myself motivated. I tried to sneak a peek at my GPS but my head was moving so much that my bifocals just didn’t focus on the screen.


About mile five, Charlie passed me and gave a big yell and wave. I shouted back. He seemed to be having a good day too. J- passed me in a small group that seemed to be drafting each other. We too shouted at each other. I must have been losing my concentration and slacking off. I felt like I could go faster so I picked up my tempo to catch J- and his group. What the heck, I might as well catch that draft, too. I think they must have thought they were in my way because when I caught them, they all scattered. Oh well, I hope I didn’t break up their rhythm. I went on past them and they passed me again a few minutes later.

The turnaround

My teammate had gone ahead down Highway 17 on her bicycle to meet me at the Glencoe plantation. As I passed that spot she was nowhere to be seen. I told a spectator to watch for her and tell her that I had already passed.

About a half mile ahead the turn around drew near. The Kenyans had passed on their way back. I met Charlie and J- and gave them a big yell. I got to the halfway point feeling great. I extended down to the gravel parking area to make my turn. And there I experienced my biggest disappointment of the day.

I rolled off the edge of the pavement into the gravel surprised to find about a four-inch drop. I knew I had to go fast enough not to bog down in the gravel but slow enough to be able to make a sharp turn. I didn’t count on there being a drop off at the edge of the pavement. As I started my turn, I got the front wheel up on the road but bogged down just as the rear wheels came to the edge of the pavement. There I stopped. I was stuck.

Expletives deleted

There I sat. About a hundred yards past the turnaround. I remember thinking that things had gone so well. “What a disappointment this is going to be, to lose all those gains stuck here, just far enough past the course that no one notice me,” I thought. My teammate and I had talked about her meeting me at this point. For the life of me I can’t remember why I decided that would be unnecessary.

In my mind, I was rapidly depleting my lexicon of expletives. Frustration was overwhelming me. I needed to do something. I shifted down to my lowest gear and tried to rock back and forth. I just as well had been mired in a tar pit. I wasn’t budging. I was out of tricks. I was not going to get out of this without help.

There was a couple of City of Chesapeake workers parked in a pickup truck about thirty yards toward the race. I called out, “I could use some help over here!” Fortunately they heard me and one walked over. With a little shove, I was back on the road. Three minutes had been wasted.

On the Road Again

By the time I had gotten back into the race, the nature of the race had changed. All the elite runners were gone. The runners were more crowded. But the race was not the only thing changed. So was my attitude. I was mad. There is probably no better way to vent anger than a half marathon. I took my anger out on the cranks. I got a good boost from my little ordeal at the turnaround.

I stole a peek at my GPS and found that I seemed to be making up some of my lost time. I saw S- and D- still heading out. My teammate was waiting for me at mile 8. It was good to see familiar faces and that picked me up a bit.

It felt like I had a tailwind heading out. Now it felt like a tailwind again heading back. This course was just right. I slowly passed some of the folks that had passed me at the turn around. By the time I got to mile 10, I knew I was doing pretty well. Again I remembered GM‘s advice to save some energy for the end. Sorry, GM. Not now.

Pretty soon I was moving along pretty well. The runners were spaced just right. I would set my sights on someone in the distance and focus on catching them. I kept leap-frogging along the course on the way back. The thought of the time I had lost was still “inspiring” me.

Bear Sightings

At about mile 12.5 I thought I could see the “Bear” off in the distance. The Bear is a wood carving of a bear that stands erect about 15 feet high at the entrance to the park. Again I felt a boost and began to pick up my cadence. I looked at my GPS. I had forgotten to start my GPS until about a minute and a half after the start. I had tried to calculate an “offset” to add to the time on my GPS based on the clocks on the course. I was a little too preoccupied. My time was good, but I didn’t know exactly what it was.

I normally have a hard time getting my heart rate up. I can go faster when I do, but I think I’m just not using enough muscle mass to stimulate my heart. About mile 13, however, I thought my heart would leap out of my chest. There, about 15 feet back in the swamp was a black bear! Not a big bear, but about a two foot tall bear. If I hadn’t seen this same fellow the day before, I would have been scared out of my mind. This was a stuffed bear that was on display at the expo the day before. It sure got me going, nevertheless.

The finish was a very fast sprint. I guess GM had prevailed after all. I had taken an unplanned rest smack in the middle of the race. Just enough (with the help of the heart rate boost from the bear) to give me plenty of energy at the end. Funny how that works.

Goals Too Low

Charlie was waiting for me at the finish. He was still a bit winded from his final kick. I couldn’t believe my time. 1:32! I had hoped for, maybe, 1:45; on a good day. It took me quite a while to believe my 1:32. Charlie had a PR for his run, too.


I had never dreamed of such a time. All I wanted to do was to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack and have fun. So maybe it’s time to reconsider those goals. Maybe I should challenge myself to finish up front with the Kenyans…

2008 Miles

A year ago I challenged myself to handbike 2008 miles to raise money for and awareness of the needs of wounded warriors. I picked that number because it seemed to be a good stretch goal to prepare for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2008. By keeping a daily log of my training, I have been amazed at how quickly the miles have accumulated. As my workouts have increased in length, my goal of 2008 miles drew near quickly. Like the DSS, I surprised myself again.


So it was, that on the same week of the thirtieth anniversary of my disability...one night I was out for a training ride…I rolled past the 2008 mile point. I passed this goal far earlier than I expected. Another goal too low? Maybe. I think the journey has been far more motivating than I expected. I have been inspired by hundreds of people along the way. We have marked the spot on the street in my neighborhood to continue to inspire me every time I pass.

So what’s next? The Dam2Dam 100 miler? The Sadler Alaska Challenge? Maybe a ride across the US? We’ll see. Right now I still have two more goals to fulfill. I’m still preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon and its steep hills. And I’m still one-third of the way to my fundraising goal of $26,200 for Wounded Warriors.

My participation in events such as this are dedicated to the honor and memory of service men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. I raise money with my campaign, 2008 Miles of Hope, through donations to Hope For The Warriors. I’m not a wounded warrior, I’m a grateful beneficiary of their sacrifices. Learn more about Hope For The Warriors.

So please, if you follow this blog make a donation to my fundraising campaign to support wounded warriors, 2008 Miles of Hope. And ask your friends to do so, too. All the money I raise goes to Hope For The Warriors. This phenomenal organization provides Warrior Wishes, Direct Needs Grants, and Spouses’ Scholarships. Now they have embarked on the creation of the Warrior Hope and Care Center, a rehabilitation and wellness facility for wounded warriors.

You can easily make a donation to Hope For The Warriors by using my secure credit card donation site:

http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles

Or donate by check. Download our donation form, fill it out, and send it to me with your donation to my address on the form:

Donation form.pdf

-Let's Roll!

As Far As It Takes

2008 Run For The Warriors

A handful of dedicated military spouses got together,

Backed by a grateful community,
In the most military-friendly state,
For the greatest cause:
To honor the heroes who have sacrificed being whole while protecting our freedom.

And those ladies put on the best race you ever ran.


This race is becoming one of North Carolina’s premiere 10Ks.
The best $20 registration fee you ever spent.
The best you ever felt about having fun.
And an opportunity to run beside the greatest heroes in the world.


The course is scenic. The weather this year was perfect.
If you were there, here are a few memories.
If you missed it, here’s a small flavor of what you missed.
And for me, it’s a reminder
That there’s much to do.

Slideshow: 6.2 miles of 2008 Miles of Hope

Lo-bandwidth version

YouTube version:


Congratulations, Teammate! Women's 5K winner in her division!



-LetsRoll!

Short and Sweet

No, teammate, I’m not talking about WCTI Channel 12 News anchor Colleen Maloney! I’m talking about the Jacksonville, NC, Trails and Greenways 10K April 12.


It seems like all the races I have taken part in lately have been marathons and half marathons. It seems like a 10K will be just a trip around the neighborhood. Well actually, two trips. The Jacksonville, NC, Trails and Greenways 10K is a nice run consisting of two laps around the Jacksonville Commons.

Good Luck Friends

We arrive with plenty of time to spare. Soon I’m running late as I start seeing many friends I’ve made over the last year. In particular there are S- and D- and my good friend, R-. I’m beginning to think that S- and D- are good luck for me. They were at my very first race, the Navy-Marine Corps Run-The Runways 10K at Cherry Point. I did a personal best at that race that stood for quite a while. They have been at many other races I’ve taken part in when I’ve performed better than I expected. Well, for my first 10K in quite a while, good luck will be welcome.


It helps to have to have a strategy for each race. At least then you know what to do different when things go wrong. Most runners try not to burn out early in the race and save some energy for the end. I’m finding that what works best for me is to go as fast as I can early in the race. I normally get started ahead of the runners. And I’m not fast enough to stay ahead of the fast runners. But if I can get out far enough at the beginning, by the time runners start catching me, the field will be spread out enough that we won’t get in each other’s way. That way I won’t be boxed in when I get on a stretch with a tailwind or a downhill. So my strategy today is going to be to go out as fast as I can for as long as I can and arrive at the finish line fully depleted.

Warm Send Off

Today I get started about a minute (or less) early. I’m the only wheelchair participant. I wonder if I’m their first? Maybe I’ll get to set a new course record! The starter calls out my name and the runners applaud. Wow, that’s a nice feeling. Especially when I know the caliber of some of the athletes in that field. I would applaud them any day.

I have a dry eye problem. To conserve the precious few tears my eyes make, I’ve had my tear drain ducts plugged. That still wasn’t quite enough to keep my eyes moist, particularly outdoors, in the wind, so I started using Restasis. Restasis seems to “kick it up a notch” for the tear glands. So now with the drains plugged, when my tear glands secrete, the tears don’t have anywhere to go but to overflow onto my cheeks. I tell friends that since taking Restasis, I get teary-eyed just going down the greeting card aisle in a department store.

So it is that when the starting horn sounds and this nice group of eastern NC runners sends me off so warmly, a little emotion and a lot of Restasis sends a little trickle down my cheek. It’s going to be a great day.


There’s a slight breeze but it’s picking up. There’s plenty of sunshine so I’m a little worried about overheating. For now it’s cool enough and if I run into problems later, I’ll just have someone at one of the water stations toss a cup of water on me. I hear the runners start about 30 seconds behind me. As I start down the main road I can hear one of the leaders coming up behind me. Wow he’s fast!

On the Road

The course is basically two laps on an oval-shaped street with a short out-and-back down an entrance road at one end. As I round the turn at one end of the oval I can feel the breeze at my back. This is going to work perfectly with my strategy. I lean back and pull hard on the cranks. I’m happy with the way things are going. I’m keeping up with some of the faster runners. I know it won’t last, but I’ll take it while it does.


About two miles into the course I feel like my little rush of adrenaline is starting to fade. I’m getting great encouragement from the other runners. It’s all quite welcome because many of them are starting to pass me. I try to return the encouragement wherever I can. On the out and back, I realize I’m not all that far behind the lead runners. I meet my friends R-, S-, and D- heading out as I’m heading back. I yell as loud as I can. As we start up the backside of the oval I’ve got a bit of a head wind. It’s freshened a bit since the start. It seems like I’m slowing down quite a bit, but when I look at my GPS, my pace is not that bad. Still, many runners are passing me. Three young guys appear to be pacing each other running abreast. I wonder why they don’t run single file and take turns pulling the draft. I try to catch them hoping I can draft them. It doesn’t happen.

Wearing down

The rest of the trip back on the first lap is rather uneventful. After passing the start I pass the first turn and get the wind behind me. It has picked up a good bit since the start. I’m glad to get the boost but my GPS tells me the first lap wasn’t all that bad, for me anyway. The downwind half was a little slower than a six-minute pace. The upwind half was about an 8 ½ minute pace. Wow.

I’m glad to have the rest, but I’m not capitalizing on it. I just don’t have the spunk I had the first lap. Still, I’m passing quite a few runners. Some later said it was disheartening because I went by them so fast after they passed me ten minutes earlier. Sorry! I’m making a 7-7 ½ minute pace for the time being. Not as good as the first lap but for some reason it feels faster. I pass one gal that passed me very early. I yell, “nice work!” She replies, “You must not have seen me fall down.” Ouch, that had to be tough.

Rounding the turn and heading back upwind on the backside, I get hit by a tough headwind. I’m catching back up with the three guys running abreast and fall in behind to catch their draft. They look behind and assume they are in my way and scatter. Oh well. I scoot past, but not for long. The wind catches me and they’re gone. I feel like I’ve got no energy left. Maybe I ate my pre-race Snickers and Red Bull too early. Maybe the sugar blast is causing an insulin spike. Or maybe I’m just worn out. Next race, I’ll Snicker up a little closer to the start.

At about mile 5 ¾ we go through a stretch with tall trees that seem to block the wind. About that time I seem to be getting a second wind. I crank with all the energy I’ve got left. At one point I attain about a 5 minute pace. There’s no one in front of me at the finish line so I go all out, throwing my hand in the air as I cross the line.

Wow, that was a good feeling. I collect my finisher medal and go back up to the finish to watch R-, S-, and D- finish. My time was 48:28. A 10K PR! Maybe S- and D- are good luck!

The folks at the Jacksonville Parks and Recreation are nice enough to have a Wheelchair Division award for me, although I really didn’t beat any other chairs. It’s like I say, I may not have beaten that guy in first place, but I sure beat all my friends who are home in front of a TV today.


So I’m happy with today’s work. The workouts on the bridge seem to be paying off. My only problem with my performance was that I started feeling depleted sooner than I hoped. I think that on my next race I’m going to try to hold off on my pre-race snack until closer to the start and see if my energy level sustains throughout the race.

And by the way, don’t forget to support our wounded warriors. Hope For The Warriors is an amazing charity that looks out for their needs and those of their families. Today I’ve added 6.2 miles to my goal of 2008 Miles of Hope. Please help me with another goal, to raise $26,200 for Hope For The Warriors. Donate online securely using our donation page or download my donation form and mail it to us with your check.

2008 Run for the Warriors--May 17

You will never have this much fun doing anything you feel this good about

If you can run
If you can walk
If you can roll…

…join me at the 2008 Run for the Warriors!


The Run for the Warriors is a community event. It’s a chance to have fun. It’s a chance to be inspired. It’s a chance to recognize some brave men and women and their families and to say thanks for their sacrifices. Above all else it’s a chance to enjoy a Carolina spring morning and beautiful views of the New River at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.

The races are 1 mile, 5K, and 10K. You will meet great athletes. You will meet brave warriors. And you will meet a community that understands the cost of freedom. A community that recognizes that one of the costs of freedom is our unstated obligation as citizens to remember the sacrifices of the fallen.


Join Scott Rigsby, the first double amputee to complete an Ironman Triathalon.

Join Carlos Moleda, Navy Seal and wheelchair athlete, World Championships Ironman Triathalon winner.

Join thousands of runners, walkers, and wheelers who will turn out to help Hope For The Warriors fulfill their promise, “No sacrifice forgotten, nor need unmet.”

Event website: http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/r4w.html

Can’t make the race? Express your appreciation with a donation.

http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles

-LetsRoll!

Hope, Inspiration, and a Promise

2008 Miles Of Hope is the name my wife/teammate, and I have given to our campaign to raise money for Hope For The Warriors. It has been one of the most fulfilling endeavors we have ever undertaken. We have met many great and inspiring people and we have traveled to a lot of interesting places. In short, 2008 Miles Of Hope has three parts that I call hope, inspiration, and a promise.

Hope

Hope is the human condition that causes us to be something beyond what we are now. In 2006, I watched handcyclists competing in the Marine Corps Marathon. My teammate and I were there to support my niece, T, who was running her first marathon. It was the first time I had watched a marathon in person. Even before breaking my neck in a swimming pool accident thirty years ago, I had dreamed of taking part in a marathon. As a C-6 quadriplegic, I’ve always found pushing a wheelchair to be difficult. The thought of pushing one through a marathon, was just a dream.

Seeing the Marine Marathon handcyclists gave me hope. A handbike uses different muscles than does a wheelchair. “I think I can do that,” I said to myself. Completing the Marine Corps Marathon in 2008 has become my goal number one.

Inspiration

Seeing thousands of charity runners dedicate themselves to their causes filled me with inspiration. How could I turn my training for the MCM into a greater good? I learned about Hope For The Warriors through their 2007 Run For The Warriors. THIS was to be our cause. Because of my disability, I am sensitive to the sacrifices of the wounded warriors and their needs. Both my teammate and I grew up in military families. And because of my disability, we understand effect of disabilities on families and the important role of the family in the recovery process.

In July of 2007 we stood up our fundraising campaign. My second goal became a mission to handbike over 2008 miles to raise awareness of and raise money for the wounded warriors. Our message: Life with a disability is not a life filled with despair; it is a life filled with hope. I initially thought our example would inspire others. However, it is we who have been inspired over and over by an overwhelming outpouring of support for our cause by family, friends, athletes we have met along the way, and just ordinary people. My greatest and continuing inspiration is my teammate, who enables every mile I undertake. She has also taken up running and just completed her first 8K race at the Shamrock in Virginia Beach.

A Promise

Goal number three became a promise to raise $26,200 for Hope For The Warriors. The number is $1,000 for every mile in the first goal, the Marine Corps Marathon. It has taken all our spare time. Many nights we are up well beyond our bed time stuffing envelopes. So far, the response has been overwhelming. This is a gracious and compassionate land that we live in. The generosity of our contributors has been amazing.

Hope For The Warriors

The union of our goals for 2008 Miles of Hope with those of Hope For The Warriors has been a natural fit. Their vision of “hope beyond recovery,” the inspiration of the indomitable spirit of the wounded warriors and their families, and their promise of “no sacrifice forgotten, nor need unmet,” has assured us over and over that indeed, their cause is our cause.

So, how are we doing?
(updated 09.16.2008)

Basically, we are having the times of our lives! For goal number one, I have completed two marathons, seven half marathons, and eight 10K races in preparation for the 2008 MCM. For goal number two, I have completed over 2400 miles since last July. And for goal number three, we have raised over $10,000 for Hope For The Warriors.

Help us help heroes

Join us in supporting Hope For The Warriors. You can make a donation through our campaign at http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles. Follow our progress at this blog. Each time you visit, please post a comment. And JOIN US at the 2008 Run for the Warriors!

The only things we cannot achieve
Are those things we cannot dream.

-LetsRoll!

The Shamrock

31.2 Miles of Inspiration

What inspires you? What follows is my account of the Shamrock Marathon weekend and all the inspiration and motivation that saw me through to the finish line. Twice.

First of all, you have to understand that I get a unique perspective of a race. I get to start a race up front before all the runners. The wheelchairs and handbikes usually start five minutes or so earlier that the runners. That gets them down the street and out of the massive congestion of the start. It also gives me a chance to see a cross section of the race as the field of faster runners passes by. So for me, as a participant, I’m experiencing the event also as a spectator as well. There are stories of inspiration throughout those events that make it a memory to savor forever.

Whales and Dolphins

The inspiration started last fall. I signed up for the Whale. The Whale is a dual entry in the marathon and the 8K events. My niece, T and I are both training for the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon. I claim it is the result of a challenge from her. She claims it is the result of too much whisky. Since that challenge we have completed several races together, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and the City of Oaks Half Marathon. We mutually agreed that Shamrock would be a good time for another race. She signed up for the Dolphin which is the 8K and the half marathon.


Our plans turned into a “family” challenge. T’s boyfriend, B, had run with T the last 10K of the MCM 06 to motivate her at the end. During the City of Oaks, felt like she needed some company, so she asked him to run a short way at the start of the race. That short distance became the entire half marathon. B finished that entire event at her side with no training or preparation! We all agreed it was time for him to officially enter a half marathon and get recognized for his feat.

Meanwhile another niece, K took up the challenge and entered the 8K. My teammate signed on for the 8K, and T’s running partner, M signed up for the Dolphin. Nothing is more inspiring that to be surrounded by your most valuable team, your family and friends as you work toward any endeavor.

Charlie and Bulldog


More inspiration for the Shamrock evolved from the Norfolk Half Marathon on Ground Hog Day. Again I had the chance to “meet” inspiring runners such as fellow bloggers Charlie and Bulldog. “Meet” is somewhat of an overstatement of the act of witnessing a blur of a human figure streak past you while you shout out less in encouragement than in awe. We have since followed each others’ posts. I’ve found tremendous motivation in reading their descriptions of their workout regimes and grueling training. It makes me feel guilty for every minute I’m not exercising.

The 8K

The starting line of the 8K gave me a chance to meet my fellow wheelchair entrant, GF. GF hails from upstate NY. I thought I had a challenge training in the winter months. GF spends his training time in malls and parking decks during the winter. Folks, I’ve pushed a chair in parking lots. It’s a good way to get your heart rate up. Not from the exercise but the fear of death from the constant attack of cars that don’t see you.

I always race with the American flag attached to my handbike. It’s my way of reminding myself of the sacrifices of thousands of wounded warriors that preserve the liberties that we enjoy. The only exception has been the Crystal Coast Half Marathon when I was afraid the high crosswinds might cause the flag to sway and hit other runners. The race started with the ceremonial singing of the National Anthem. I often get teary-eyed during the National Anthem. As I looked around, I noticed all eyes were on my flag, excuse me, OUR flag. The pride this little bit of unexpected recognition added a little extra emotion to the ceremony and inspiration in my heart.


By now I was fully inspired. Readied with the knowledge that somewhere in the field behind me stood my teammate, T, M, and K; all as charged and excited as I. The crowds and cheering along the course were great. The weather was close to perfect, maybe a bit windy.


GF and I struggled along the first ten blocks or so against the stiff wind. However, once I turned south, it was thirty-five or so blocks of straight tailwind. This was my chance to fly. The run down Atlantic boulevard was a fun run past all the ice-cream stands, tee shirts stores, and hotels a beach town can offer. The turn onto the boardwalk put me into a headwind for what seemed like a slow crawl to the finish. I mentally said goodbye to the little group of runners I had hung with for the last ten minutes or so. The beautiful Virginia Beach oceanfront offered a grand view as I plowed through the wind back to the finish line.


I finished in 39:48 which was a PR 7 minute pace. I placed 268th out of about 4900 finishers. My teammate finished her first 8K. A year ago she had never run a step. K finished her first race also. M and T hung right in there with the rest of the team to the finish. All in all, a finish to inspire me for the next day’s marathon.

The Marathon


My half marathon teammates, T, M, and B had to start their race an hour ahead of mine. We wished each other a few brief “good lucks” as we grabbed a bite at the hotel breakfast bar. Unfortunately I tarried too long over breakfast and got to the starting line with only a few minutes to spare. The knowledge that my family and friends were already out there running had me psyched. There was more inspiration waiting for me at the starting line. Or despair; depending on how you look at it.

David Swaim

If you’re a wheelchair competitor, the sight of this man at the starting line will cause you despair. Or at the very least it will cause you to re-evaluate your strategy for a second place finish.


Get a good look at his blue racing gear before the shot of the starter’s pistol. Afterward he will be only a distant spec down the street before you. And that’s only briefly. He has won the wheelchair division in the Marine Corps Marathon previously and many others, including recently, the Myrtle Beach Marathon. To see this man streak along at his five-minute pace is like watching a human powered rocket fly along the street.

The Start

At the starting line I hear my name called out, not once, but twice. I looked up and there was Bulldog! The Welshman had made his way to the front to wish me luck. THEN, I looked to my left and there was my mentor, GM.


This retired Marine Sergeant Major has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation and has competed in nearly every event I have entered. He, too, had made his way through the throng to wish me well. Since I began my 2008 Miles of Hope campaign, he has been there with me, offering advice and experience to help me along the way. He is also a donor to my 2008 Miles of Hope fundraising campaign. I look forward to many more races with this great individual. This picture is actually from the Myrtle Beach Marathon but it shows how he took time away from his last-minute race preparations to find me at the front and bid me good luck.

Physically, I was as ready as I could be. The rain was gone (everyone hoped). My teammates were headed toward Fort Story as they made their way along the half marathon. Mentally, as a result of the inspiration given me by my family, my friends and supporters, and thousands of cheering spectators, I was stoked! I had one goal: to arrive at the finish line completely depleted of physical energy. However, there was to be no shortage of inspiration today.

Downwind

The starting horn sounded and we were off. A blue streak rocketed off to my left. That was the last I’d see of David Swaim this weekend. The wind was at my back. The first 10K of this race was going to be fun. The run down Atlantic Boulevard was much like the 8K only faster. The wind was a steady 25 MPH. I cruised along, sometimes reaching a six-minute mile pace. The bridge was going to be a bit of a speed bump.


As I started up the bridge, I was slowing and turning and gearing down, all the while being passed by the leaders in this field of 2300 participants. Once on the incline of the bridge I was geared down and grinding along slowly. I heard a familiar voice again shout out my name. “Run Bulldog, Run!” I shouted in reply. Charlie also passed me, also shouting my encouragement. Between the tailwind and the uplifting thoughts pushing me along my climb up this bridge was to be brief.

See Amy Run

Somewhere off to my left I heard a woman’s voice, “Bless you.” By the time I could react this tall amputee had passed me by and was bounding across the bridge like a running machine. At the top of my lungs I shouted back, “Go, lady, go!” In a blink, she was gone.

Amy Palmiero-Winters lost her leg in a motorcycle crash. A runner all her life, she was told she would never run again. What does a runner who has lost her leg do with her life? For Amy, the choice was clear. Run. And she has never looked back. What I just had the privilege of witnessing was a 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics hopeful. Not the Paralympics. This young lady plans to compete alongside able-bodied athletes in the marathon. Today I think she took two minutes off my time. I cranked even harder to get over the bridge, hoping to catch her on the down side of the bridge. I wanted to find where she hid her wings.

Camp Pendleton

The course proceeded down General Booth Boulevard where I again got a chance to yell at my fellow blogsters Bulldog and Charlie as they returned from the turn around. David Swaim? Forget it! By now he was so far gone that the light reflecting off his jersey won’t reach this universe for a few more years. As we wound our way through the Camp, a group of soldiers assembled outside one of the barracks and shouted cadence for the runners. Again, this little act of inspiration gave a tremendous motivational boost to me and all the runners around me. And just in time. After turning three more corners we started North, into the 25 MPH blast that would dog us for the next thirteen miles or so.

Headwind

As the course proceeded North back over the bridge, along the boardwalk, up Atlantic Boulevard, and Shore Drive it was all headwind. There was nowhere to hide from it; it was like a half marathon of brutal wind resistance in the middle of this course.


Every runner out there fed off each other for inspiration. We were all in the same predicament. I received more than my share of encouragement from my fellow marathoners and tried to return the same. The volunteers and spectators along the course were excellent. As we passed little clumps of spectators, water tables, and even the road monitors, they all had words of encouragement that took our minds off the wind.


At about mile 14 I met my teammate who was out on the course photographing runners, including my friends and family on the return leg of the Half Marathon. She was waiting for me with some inspiration in a can, Red Bull. I pulled into the median and stopped, where I wolfed down a Snickers and drank the Red Bull. For those of you who haven’t tried it, Snickers and Red Bull make a great mid-course refueling. If you can’t stand the taste of shots and goos, you can’t beat Snickers.


Rested and recharged, I got out on the road again. I managed to catch a glimpse of Bulldog on his return leg as he picked his way through the stragglers of the Half. I was amazed at his speed that far into his run. “Run, Bulldog, run!” I shouted. Little conversations were beginning to pick up amongst runners as the number of spectators waned. Along Shore Drive runners with compatible paces settled into little clumps and began to chat to maintaining their enthusiasm. Most of the banter was support for each other. A marathon virgin asked me about 2008 Miles of Hope, reading the logo on my shirt. I congratulated her on her first marathon and remarked that this was only my second. A DJ had speakers set up and music blasting about halfway up Shore Drive. In a conversation with another runner, she admitted she missed the motivation imparted by the spectators along Atlantic Boulevard. For me, the inspiration was all around me; it flowed alongside in the form of the energy from the thousands of runners.

Susan Constance, Discovery, Godspeed, and Admiral De Grasse

The sight of the Fort Story gate gave me a tremendous motivational boost. I knew in my mind that the headwinds were soon over. I joked with a fellow runner, “I hope they’re not checking IDs today,” recalling the snarled traffic at the gates military bases during periods of heightened security. As we trudged eastward, we passed openings in the sand dunes that gave the wind an opening to funnel through as it blasted off of the Chesapeake Sound. One blast blew me sideways a foot or so. The more we turned southward, the more of a tailwind component the breeze imparted and the faster I went.


As we passed the Cape Henry Lighthouse I recalled our stop at this spot last summer when my teammate and I had reconned this course. This spot is hallowed ground in the history of our country. It was here in 1607 that the Jamestown settlers first set foot on what is now the USA when they landed their three ships, the Susan Constance, the Discovery, and the Godspeed. And it was off this shore in 1781 that the French Admiral De Grasse cut off the British Navy from reinforcing General Cornwallis at Yorktown. That action enabled George Washington to defeat Cornwallis, the turning point of the War for American Independence. OK, I guess only a history enthusiast such as myself can find inspiration in a patch of beach.

Downwind to the Finish


I was snapped out of my reverie by the sound of my name again. My mentor, GM, was yelling in encouragement as I passed. “Yee-ha,” I yelled! In a blink, I was past. I had the full force of the wind at my back now. It seemed like only minutes before I was back at the Boardwalk. With the Atlantic nor’easter at my back, I clipped along at a snappy pace the last few blocks to the finish. There was Gerry, another wheelchair racer who had just finished minutes ahead of me. Gerry had traveled all the way from Cork, Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Shamrock.


At the finish, my little team of family and friends was there to greet me. T, B, and M were all proudly sporting their half-marathon medals, and I my marathon finisher medal. We all glowed in our accomplishments. We all exchanged congratulations and well wishes until the cold March air started to induce the post-race chill. We said our farewells with visions of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon beginning to form in our minds when we will all race together again.

My time for the marathon was 2:14:52 which put me somewhere around 1072 out of about 2300 participants. And I finished 18th of 58 whale participants. Yee ha! Not great, but better than my friends who spent the weekend in front of a TV.

Teammates

I was especially proud this weekend. Not only did I get to take home two finisher medals but my teammate had one as well for finishing the 8K. Normally I get to enjoy the anticipation at the start and the thrill of the finish. But I don’t even get on the handbike without my teammate. None of my training and none of my races would be possible without her. She is always there at the finish line for me and right by my side, either afoot or on her bike, for many of these 2008 Miles of Hope. The greatest teammate in the world!


It is my fervent desire that, as a result of these 2008 Miles of Hope, that our Nation’s wounded warriors will know that they have you, the reader of this blog, as their loyal teammate. Their stories of sacrifice and recovery are nothing short of inspirational. Be there for them in their most difficult battle, their fight for recovery and rehabilitation. Your generous tax-deductible contribution to Hope For The Warriors will help them know that they do not stand alone, they stand beside grateful and compassionate Americans such as you.

My participation in events such as this are dedicated to the honor and memory of service men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. I raise money with my campaign, 2008 Miles of Hope, through donations to Hope For The Warriors. I’m not a wounded warrior, I’m a grateful beneficiary of their sacrifices. Learn more about Hope For The Warriors.

Please donate to my fundraising campaign to support wounded warriors, 2008 Miles of Hope. All the money I raise goes to Hope For The Warriors. This phenomenal organization provides Warrior Wishes, Direct Needs Grants, and Spouses’ Scholarships. Now they have embarked on the creation of a Hope and Care Center, a rehabilitation and wellness facility for wounded warriors.

You can easily make a donation to Hope For The Warriors by using my secure credit card donation site:

http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles

Or donate by check. Download our donation form, fill it out, and send it to me with your donation to my address on the form:

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-LetsRoll!