Karen Tomimatsu [Bib # 14194], Vienna, VA

Greetings Runners Forum! I ran my first (and probably last) marathon yesterday! More on that later. First of all, I met the Penguin Brigade for breakfast at Whitey's in Arlington on Saturday morning. It's amazing how pancakes can taste so good on a Saturday morning! It was soooo nice to put a face with a name! Meeting John and Karen Bingham was certainly a delight! Mark Will-Webber was also on hand to pen his book, ``The Quotable Runner.'' What a wonderful group of people! Went home to just get some rest and drank about 5 liters of water! Got up on Sunday morning and had my usual banana and bagel and set out for the Pentagon North Parking Lot. It was kinda difficult to find at first; a number of folks were following me! They had parts of the lot blocked off, but I was able to get a decent space. Met up with the Penguin Brigade at the Bell Tower and chatted with them for a while. Took a quick potty break and we all set off for the starting line! The race officials added another 2,350 runners, making the total 18,350! I was amazed to see all the runners, as well as spectators!! My goal in this marathon was threefold:

1. Don't board the stragglers bus;
2. Have a good time, and
3. Just finish! (no matter what my time was)

When I filled out the application, I put my predicted time as 6 hours and 18 minutes. After about a 15-30 minute delay (a spectator had suffered a heart attack, don't know his condition $\ldots$ one TV station report that he was OK, while another reported that he died). Just as we finished singing the National Anthem, it started to rain. Just sprinkles, but then it rained steadily throughout the race.

We were off around 9 am. There were lots of spectators that lined the streets, underneath the overpasses and along the bridges! I was amazed that they were out there cheering for us $\ldots$ in the cold and rain!!! I decided to toss my long sleeve shirt and gloves around mile marker 3 (big mistake) $\ldots$ then around Mile 4, I heard, ``Hey Tomi'' $\ldots$ and it was Natalie and The Penguin gang!!! I was really happy to see them! I ran with them for about 4 miles and then lost them. (They were running a bit too fast for me). By this time, it was still raining, but I was determined to finish. At mile maker 10, this young Marine said to me, ``You're doing well. You're almost done!'' Can you believe it? I said to him ``I have over 16 miles to go!!!'' He said ``Oops, I'm sorry.'' Around mile 15, I was thinking about bailing out, I had a bad cramp in my left calf, and my right foot was cramping, but I was determined to keep going, even if I had to walk! I thought about all the training I did this summer and how hard I worked and I thought if I ``quit'' now, I would have been a failure, so I drudge on $\ldots$ I think what kept me going was thinking about all the support from my sister and my training group! I also said to myself, at this point ``marathons aren't for me!'' By mile marker 22, one of the Marines yelled out to me, "You're going to make it, you are well ahead of the bus", then another Marine yelled ``you have one minute'' $\ldots$ And I just ``kicked it'' up that little hill, and another Marine said, ``don't worry, you'll miss the bus.'' At this point, I walked and sometimes ran the rest of the way. To make a long story short, I made it! As the Marine put the medal around my neck, I asked him if I could hug him and he said ``sure!'' My sister was there to capture my moment! It may have taken my over 6 hours (6 hours and 15 minutes!:]) to finish, but I met my goals and am very happy! I realize, though, that marathons just ``aren't'' for me. I'm sticking with running, though $\ldots$ shorter distances $\ldots$ 5K-10K and perhaps a 10 miler or two. I congratulate everyone who ran this wonderful marathon (the Marines do a fabulous job!), and despite the weather, I had a pretty good time. I'm at work today $\ldots$ wearing my MCM shirt with pride! I look forward to reading everyone's racing reports!