2005 to 2006

2005

                  My last duty station in Navy, we would be stationed and live at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.  I was stationed as Supply Officer but I also taught Naval Leadership courses. Surrounded by “uber fit” 18-22 year olds started me running again. I would run the fence line of the yard (4 miles) or over to Greenberry Point and back(8 miles) or combination of those  to stay fit enough, my only goal was to pass the same PT test the Midshipmen , which I did.  So, I was in shape…or so I thought.

2006

                  In 2006, I decided I would run my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon (http://www.marinemarathon.com/) in fall. I started training in the spring and followed the Hal Higdon beginner’s marathon plan (http://www.halhigdon.com/). That year I put a lot of miles in and even ran a brutal 20 miler on the hottest day in September (http://www.dcroadrunners.org/). Results from the Marine Corps marathon were brutal I ran and walked the 26.2 miles. I even got passed by an amputee Marine carrying an American Flag and wearing a combat boot on the good leg.  My first marathon was a 4:55:03 (I didn’t even beat the dreaded Oprah run time http://running.about.com/od/famousrunners/f/What-Was-Oprahs-Marathon-Time.htm).  

I was such bad shape after the race I actually didn’t run again for four months.