Kennedy senior races with the pack at Marine Corps Marathon

Posted on 11. Nov, 2009 by joannagreer in News Around School

By William Morrison, Guest Contributor, JFK’s New Frontier

In the fall of my junior year, my SAT teacher, Ms. Newman, told our class that she would be running in the 2008 33^rd Marine Corp Marathon.  When I  heard that she had completed the 26.2 mile race, I was struck with admiration and was filled with an eagerness to follow in her footsteps and become a local class runner.

Though I was a strong runner with a lot of heart, I was unsure how to train for the marathon and whatkind of dedication it would require.  Just shortly after the 33^rd Marine Corp Marathon, I began my year-long training.  I started with transitioning to a healthier diet, which consisted of no sodas, no ice cream, no candy, etc…and began a diet that was mostly water, protein, and carbohydrates in small and frequent portions.  It was hard at first, but I knew that this was part of my mental training and a choice that would make me physically stronger in the end.

I ran with the 2008-2009 indoor track team to work on my speed,and to build up my endurance.  As training consisted of daily workouts in the cold weather, it was prudent that I  remain healthy and warm.  After indoor track, I decided that it was time to start training on my own.  I developed a workout schedule of lifting weights during the week, with short distance running every other day, and running longer distances during the weekend.  I began running 3 miles on the weekends, before slowly increasing the mileage every weekend.

On April 1, 2009, I registered for the 2009 34^th Marine Corp Marathon.  I was an official competitor with the runner’s bib number of 14755.  At this point in time I realized that my training was more important than anything.  At the start of my summer vacation, I became a member at the Aspen Hill Club where I  received access to various equipment and first-hand accounts of trainers who have experience with marathons.  I took this opportunity to receive the care and training I needed.

As the start of the school year began, the last part of my training consisted of day-to- day long distance running.  I joined the 2009 cross country team in hopes of further strengthening my endurance level.  The months of September and October were the hardest months of training prior to running in the marathon.  There was daily lifting, running an average of 20 miles on the weekends, and drinking excessive amounts of water.

Throughout all the training, I experienced some of the most painful injuries.  I would have to ice my body each evening to accelerate my body’s  repair.  No matter what blood and pain I experienced, I would never quit.

On the morning of October 25, 2009, I woke up at 3 a.m. in preparation to run the 34^th Marine Corp Marathon.  Once I arrived at the starting line at 6 a.m., I had two hours of preparation.  I was feeling great, embedded with 30,000 other runners who were just as excited to run as I was.

At 8 a.m. the cannons were fired, signaling the start of the 26.2 mile journey running through the Virginia and DC metropolitan area.  My mind was free from all distracting thoughts as my body was at its peak, stronger than ever.  For 26.2 miles, the only thing on my mind was to cross the finish line.  When I had sprinted across the finish line, a Marine came up to me and awarded me a medal.  At that point, I was overwhelmed with accomplishing a dream.  I finished the race in 4 hours, 11 minutes, and 9 seconds.  I came in 6,211 out of 30, 342 overall, and finished in the top 20^th percentile.  I came in 77^th place for the 19 and under division.

As I was celebrating my victory with thousands of others, the words  “Pain is temporary…pride is forever” came to mind.  It will always remain a constant reminder that those who try will succeed.  In the face of all odds and uncertainty, the young 18 -year -old man you may know, accomplished a dream.  He himself still remains restless at nights remembering the support and dedication to something that may have seemed too far and unfathomable to believe.