MCM in 5 Days

MCM in 5 Days…

In five days I will compete in my 4^th Marine Corps Marathon.  Last year I thought I was on track for a great run…then I was side tracked with a hip injury and completed the race in pain but I did complete it.

This year I have worked hard to keep off the injured list and believe I am in my best shape yet.  I have over 1,043 miles of training and races so far in 2013.  Most of my focus from mid-May to September was ensuring that Bobbi was prepared to do the 70.3. Once her race season finished, I jumped back into mine.

Since, then I have put in 153 miles on the road. I also worked on my core with crunches after most of my short runs. I had a successful Navy Half Marathon, ran a really strong 20 Miler in South County, and have stayed injury free.

My goal is a sub four hour marathon or around a 9 min/mile pace.  But I wouldn’t be surprised if I was able to get closer to an 8:45/mile pace or a 3:50ish on the run.  I ran a strong 20 Miler 4 weeks ago in South County on a course much hillier than the MCM, in 8:45/mi. I felt good and had a lot left when I finished and I left a little out there not wanting push too hard.

I have figured out on the 20 miler my fluid and nutrient intake and have a plan to mentally and physically break the race into four 7 mile runs.  I think I can keep close to a 7 mile per hour pace which will allow me to take fluids and food every hour. If I follow that pattern I will be doing great.

Now as for the real reason I wanted to run the MCM…

I could say it is just to prove to myself I can do it. Stay injury free and give it my all…

But all along this year I just wanted to raise awareness for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund… http://fundraising.semperfifund.org/TKORuns

Community Athelete Coordinator Corey Petersen

I have talked before about the amazing stuff this organization does and saw it first hand at last year’s Ripley Race 5K.  I am humbled and proud to be a Community Athlete for such an amazing organization and hope the small amount of money I have raised this year so far, goes a long way to help the Injured Marines healing process.

So for those who may have thought I would run the MCM in my kilt…Sorry, to disappoint.  I said from the start if I hit my goal of $1775 I would do it. I have run in the kilt for each $250 raised…

So in 5 days I will hit the streets of Arlington, VA and Washington, DC with 30,000 others who will be part of the few who can say the ran Marine Corps. Ooh Rah!