This Story Comes to an End

The 2010 Monumental Marathon has come to a glorious end.  I could not be happier to say that my official time was 4 hrs 16 minutes and 19 seconds (although my watch was at 4:15.58...details), which officially bested my previous personnel record (PR) by 1 hrs 52 minutes and 42 seconds.

Let's review the goals I put forth a few weeks back:

1. Finish (under 6 hrs 8 minutes and 58 seconds would be nice)...Check,
2. Raise awareness and a few dollars for DII and Camp Delafield...Check (while I don't have the numbers I believe the total raised for Camp Delafield ranges from between $300 and $400),
3. For no one in my family to pee their pants (or anyone reading this blog for that matter)...while there was a moment there that I thought I might we can check this one off.  Of course I am not sure about the readers...,
4. No vomiting...again touch and go for just a few seconds after finishing, but check, and
5. Relax, enjoy and have fun!...check.

That's five for five!


I am finding it very difficult to put the day in words.  So I thought I would simply leave you with a few highlights, thoughts, and impressions:

• Cold cold early morning...beautiful mid-morning.
• Am I the only one that refuses to buy throw away sweats from Goodwill?...I mean come on - used sweats!
• Having your shoe come untied 0.5 miles into the race is not a good thing.  Thousands of runners full of energy and not willing to give an inch.  Thank you bridge support by the Slippery Noodle - you were my safe haven...double knots going forward.
• Indianapolis is a beautiful city in the fall, on full display for this race (Monument Circle, Lucas Oil Stadium, Mass Ave, Meridian Kessler, Broad Ripple, Butler-Tarkington, Butler University, Art Museum and back to Monument Circle).
• Volunteers are amazing!
• Police officers are equally as amazing...let's just say that they had to hold back angry drivers for the better part of 6 hours on some of the more busy roads in Indianapolis,
•  If you happened to be stuck in that traffic let me say sorry and thank you for your understanding,
• Betty from Portage Indiana and leader of the 4 hrs Pace group you: are amazing and thank you for all the motivation and encouragment you brought to the day...sorry I could no longer keep up after 21 Miles,
• Most impressive sign of the day "This is my 160th marathon".
• I now know the true meaning of the marathon starts at Mile 20.
• Calf cramps are painful...groin cramps are at least 4 times as painful!
• Randy way to go...enjoy retirement!
• Michael in a word...Awesome!
• When you think you have nothing left to give, you can conjure up the strength and courage to continue, you just have to believe you can and ignore all signs that say you should simply call a taxi.
• Thank you, and Congratulations on a great run to Shannon from Ken Long and Associates fall series.
• Doug, thank you for your encouragement...it has been great to get reacquainted after all these years.
• Thank You Coach Tom Hathaway...you are an amazing man!
• It is cruel and unusual punishment to have to walk to your car after finishing.
• Turning left at the government center and seeing the finish line...amazing,
• Raking leaves the day after a marathon...not fun.
• Highlight of the day...Mile 20...Peggy, Hazel, Oscar, and Mom (Dad I know you were there in spirit...not dead just working) you guys are my life and you are simply amazing! 

I want to say thank you one last time to all those that have supported me in my marathon journey.  Because of your support, a young person will begin to see their true potential next summer at Camp Delafield. My story was one of 9,000 plus that toed the line on Saturday, and it was simply inspiring to have all those stories combine towards one common goal...Finish.  Saturday was simply a moment in time in my life, but what a moment it was for me personally.  I don't know what life has in store for me running wise, but whatever it is I know I can handle it (life lesson?).

God bless and may you all have a wonderful Holiday Season.

Warmest Regards - Mark Fisherkeller