Marathon Man

 I am so lucky to have the chance to watch Jared run his first MARATHON!  It has been a long time coming and he thought he was crazy to even enter it, the man who said he would never run even a mile, and that if he needed to go somewhere, he would just drive.  Well, I was there to witness it - Jared running and finishing the D.C. Marine Corps Marathon.  I was SO PROUD!

Because of my wonderful sister and parents who are so gracious in watching my children, I was able to take off for the weekend and head back East for the big event.  We flew into Albany, picked up Will and Candace (the two that have encouraged Jared to race this with them), and headed south.  We had a day to sight see and we got to go to the Dulles Air and Space Museum.  Lucky for us, it was close to Halloween and the museum was doing trick or treating inside and had lots of people in costumes and candy!  I was so impressed with these Star wars costumes we just had to take a picture!

 And of course, Jared and Will had to try out the Space Simulators...I got sick just watching outside.

 

 And then to control tower where we got to watch planes land and get a good eye's view of the area.  D.C. is a beautiful place.

Then we got them registered for the race, grabbed a bite to eat and celebrates Will's 50th birthday, and headed to the hotel for a good night's rest before the big race.

The morning of, bright and early, we drove to D.C., found that the place we were going to park had been blocked off, I let them out to head to the starting line, parked, and then tried to find them myself!  Funny how we get used to cell phones, but with them running, no one took their phone and so I was on my own to find them in the masses of people!

They started opening ceremonies promptly at 7 a.m. with three parachuters jumping from planes carrying the American flags.  It was quite impressive to see!

 They had closed the freeway because it was the only place they could fit the masses of people and this is what it looked like...

 I love the smiles on their faces before this all began!  I was sad not to get close enough to them but grateful that Will had his camera with him!  They are all amazing for taking this task on!

 And here was the starting line.....

 And here was the finish line....

 The picture doesn't do it justice....seeing it in person, you feel this sense of pride and gratitude for all those that have served our country. 

  I was amazed to watch all the people who had entered to run this race, and so proud that my husband was one of them.  It was difficult to find him on the course, as I anxiously awaited him at certain mile posts on the course, worried I was going to miss him.  I met a nice lady whose husband was also running and we helped each other watch for our spouses and cheer them on.  Jared started off strong and this is him at mile 16.  Surprisingly, he still had the smile on his face!

It was great to walk around and hear the bands playing, people cheering as the runners came by, and passing out food to anyone who needed it, and looking at the monuments on the course.  D.C. has got to be one of my favorite cities to explore!

Around mile 21, his shin splints, the injury he received from the Spartan Beast in Vermont just 4 weeks before, starting acting up and gave him some issues, causing him to slow, but I was so proud of him for finishing and finishing strong! 

 Despite my efforts in getting to the finish line, I couldn't figure out how to maneuver past the tight security (which I was grateful for after the Boston Marathon Bombing), this is where all the runners would meet up with their families after the race.

 

  Will and Candace finished just 30 minutes before Jared but I was so proud of this man!  It's just hard to explain!

 And after a gyro, watermelon, and lots and lots of water, these three were still smiling and Jared was already thinking he would run another!  Maybe next time, we'll do it together!  Love you, Jared!