Thursday, April 13, 2006
Twenty Six & Two
Just wanted to let everyone know that the 30th annual Marathon de Paris was run on Sunday by 30,000+ folks... Including myself, Chris and Laurie. Chris & I were one of 500 US men to run in the event and Laurie one of only 150 US women!!I hit my finishing goal of four hours and forty minutes on the number. It was truly a memorable experience, not only for the race itself, and the time in Paris before and after the race, but for the months of preparation - both mentally and physically - leading up to the event.
When I started my training in October, I was pushing "just to finish"... As I went through the ups and downs of the training, I honed in on a goal of five hours and believed that was the best I could do. However, continual pushing through the training, especially during long runs, forced me once again to assess where I believed I could finish and a month before the event, I made a revision to four hours and fourth minutes. This became a tough challenge come race day as I was slowed by two nagging injuries in the weeks prior to the event... Including a sore left knee (interlobita
l band) that raised its ugly head at mile six of race day!Nonetheless, pushing through every reason to stop, four hours and forty minutes after leaving the start line... I crossed the finish at Avenue Foch in Paris, France for my first completed marathon!
Here some pictures to help you visualize the day!
