Fall Challenge

I was cleaning out my closet today and ended up going through my collection of medals and t-shirts from races held all over the country and I started to wonder if I still had another race left in me. My knees are shot, my neck is full of metal, herniated disc in my back, I haven't run in close to 2 years in an attempt to get my weight back up since the surgery, and well, I am just plain getting old.

Then I thought, what the hell and signed up for the lottery drawing to get into the Marine Corps Marathon. Many of the largest races are going to this stupid lottery entry format for those who don't have a qualifying time or who don't enter as part of a charity team. You register for an at-large entry and hope to be chosen for a race-day slot.

They say that your odds are still pretty good since there are like 35,000 runners at the start for races like Washington DC or the NYC Marathons. I've made it into NYC on the first try back in 2001, but failed to get lucky enough for the next 2 years and started looking for other races, but now the Marine Corps is also a lottery for slow guys like me.

I would rather run it with a group than just solo this time around (if I get a slot), so if anyone has any desire to check the marathon off their bucket-list, there is plenty of time to turn a couch potato into a marathon finisher. I know this race well after finishing it a few times and am actually a pretty good trainer, so I could help anyone achieve this goal if they want it. Surprisingly, you don't run all that much in training really...at least nothing like you may be thinking you would, except for one day per week.

Best thing about the marathon is that the average runner is in their late 30's and they come in all sizes and skill levels. I remember being passed in Duluth by a guy wearing a "I survived triple bypass surgery" and almost got passed in NYC by the guy who ran it the whole way backwards!! Believe me, I don't run them with hopes of any great finish time. I run them for the accomplishment and the experience of taking part in such a unique event....and you can too if you want to.

Any takers? Maybe even run it in Cleaners Lounge Shirts? Registration deadline is the 15th.

http://www.marinemarathon.com/Register.htm?

Where us it held? Didn't find location.

Washington DC.

It has a beautiful scenic course that passes the Mall, Pentagon, Arlington Cemetary, and ends at the Marine Memorial. Fall is a great time to visit Virginia.

Sorry, I'll have to pass. Bad knee with arthritis hasn't let me run in the last five years (even after surgery). I feel your back pain as I have a herniated disc as well and arthritis in low back and neck. My kid and I are training for a 30 mile bike ride in the fall though. The bike is much easier on me. Good luck with the lottery.

Pro Touch wrote:Sorry, I'll have to pass. Bad knee with arthritis hasn't let me run in the last five years (even after surgery). I feel your back pain as I have a herniated disc as well and arthritis in low back and neck. My kid and I are training for a 30 mile bike ride in the fall though. The bike is much easier on me. Good luck with the lottery.

We are the same, last year I bought my first touring bike and made an attempt to ride across Nebraska, but couldn't keep the body together long enough. Maybe we both switch to swimming next or curling...with a grandi!!  

Curling would be good, very low impact. Swimming makes me feel as if I'm being pulled in two. I don't know if there's a curling club within a days drive of here though, and I'd be afraid of being beat with my Grandi if I used it on their ice.  

I have a curling club less than 2 miles from my house.
It is actually where they held the curling events during the 2002 Olympic games.

I'd be happy to be along side you on my motorcycle   . I'd be scared to run - my boobs might poke my eyes out.

I'm not far from DC. I might run with ya. Always thought running was cool. Lol. Let me give it some more thought.

carpetdaddy wrote:I'd be happy to be along side you on my motorcycle   . I'd be scared to run - my boobs might poke my eyes out.

LMAO

I hate when that happens!!   

I'm also in on the M/C Marathon!   

Good luck, Rob!   

We will know soon who has a spot....might have to call Lance Armstrong for some advice on this one.  

Good grief.....I got a slot.

It is going to be tough finding the time to train, but even tougher finding the younger side of me to finish this plan. Anyone else get in??