Race: 7Th Annual US Air Force Marathon Date: September 20, 2003 Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Dayton, Ohio, USA Start Time: 7:05 AM EST
I stayed over night with some friend in Tipp City, Ohio, about 20 minute away. My family and I drove
down the day before to pick-up my race packet and spend some time with our friends. Hurricane Isabel
moved on out of Ohio and tracked north toward Canada and give us a nice day to race.
My friend got up early to drive me to the Start. That morning of the race we had a clear star-filled
sky with a lot of ground fog from the nearby rivers. It was about 50 F. When arrive at the gate to
the base there was already a long line of cars. I elected to exit out of the car and walk from the
gate to the Start so to be sure to get my gear check, us the pot-a-johns, and warm-up. At this point
the Start Area was not discernable. I asked one of the Guards. He asked if I wanted the "Dry Feet"
way of the "Wet Feet" way. I said "Dry Feet"and he told me to follow the roads toward the lighted
area and that the grass was all dew covered and wet. (Note: If you ever run this marathon, don't
wear the shoes and socks that your want to run in because they park you in the dew covered grass.)
The Start and Finish Areas were clearly identifiable and very well lit for 6:15 AM EST. They had
plenty of pot-a-johns with NO WAITING.
At about 6:50 they called all the runners together to have the pre-race ceremonies. They had a great
PA system and you could hear the entire ceremony. A few points to mention: oldest female was 80 and
today was her birthday; oldest male was 79; youngest was 14; this was somebody's 250th marathon; all
states but Rhode Island had runners present; and 15 other countries present. Then some of the Base's
Top Brass and representative from major sponsor spoke. They then proceeded with the presentation of
the Colors and the National Anthem. Afterwards they asked for a Moment-of-Silence in honor of the
resent fallen troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and prior wars and conflicts. At this became quite
disturb by some the other runners in the field. They keep talking and being disrespectful during the
Anthem and Moment-of-Silence. After all this is a mitlitary race on a military base and we are
currently at war.
They set the wheel chair racers off first. We than lined up and started 5 minutes later. They stared
us before the cannon went off (but not the clock). The cannon sounded about 30 steps after I crossed
the starting line. I started about a minute slower and focused on warming up and take it easy the
largest incline was at the beginning (first 1.7 miles). I hit the first mile marker at 9:44,
perfect. Then came the hill. I took it very easy on the hill and ran the next mile in 9:58. I was
now warmed up and ready to get into the grove because the course was fairly level until about mile
11. At that point we leave asphalt and starting running on concrete. This was the other hill, an
overpass atop State Route 444 (SR 444). This was somewhat of a challenge to run on for me since I'm
still recovering from PF. The road wasn't the best surface to run on. It was concrete, banked,
cambered, and had rumble stripes.
After coming down off the overpass, everything changed back to asphalt. I again regained my pace and
then the fog started to get thicker. The fog was really thick between miles 12-14 and I could only
see about 100 feet forward. I heard the first jet fighter come in for a landing directly over our
heads but could not see him and just hoped that he was using instruments. Overall I expected to see
a substantial amount of aircraft taking off and landing but at most may have seen only about eight
the entire race. Between miles 15-16, Mother Nature made a calling and I had to find a spot in the
woods. I found a nice secluded spot and watered the local flora. I may have lost about two minutes
but I sure felt a lot better.
The fog started to dissipate and now the sun started to beat down and I felt it stating to get
hotter. I remember it felt a lot better running in the shaded areas than it did in the sun. I knew
it was stating to get hot. I now remembered that I have two big hills remaining. First came the
concrete overpass over SR 444, this time the banking and camber was on the PF foot, but there were
no rumble stripes. I walked about ½ of this hill so I would not irritate my foot. After that it
again returned to asphalt and gently rolling hills. Then out of the blue at about mile 20.3 I got my
first cramp. It was like a jolt of lightening hit me and it felt like I stopped running for a split
second. I stopped running and drank some Gatorade that I carried. I rubbed my leg down and walked a
few. I then returned to running. No more cramps until about mile 21.5 then they really hit me. I got
a banana, some more Gatorade, and walked a little. I felt a lot better and then began to run. After
about another mile I began to cramp but not as severe and was able to run though them. Then came the
last big hill. I speed walked it and that helped with the cramps. At the top I returned to running
and upped the pace. There was another small hill and I began to cramp again. I walked it off. Then
began to run again. Then came the big downhill about 1.7 miles from the finish. Again the bank and
camber on the downhill didn't fair well with my foot so I took it slow and easy. I then wanted to
hit the last aid station for some Gatorade and then I could finish stronger than the present effort.
At the bottom of the hill they only had water and donuts at the aid station but I had a few swigs of
Gatorade left in my bottle. I emptied the bottle and decide to go for it. I was feeling really good
for about ¼ mile then another lightening cramp hit. This one stopped me running and almost walking.
I rubbed it out then was able to walk. I walked about 100 feet and felt better and decided to run
again. I had another lightening cramp at about 25.8 but was able continue to run through it because
I was on the approach to the Finish. I came upon the last corner and there was a play area there. I
wanted my wife and kids to be there so bad. I wanted my daughters run with me to the Finish. I
looked and looked for them along both sides of the approach to the Finish. To my disappointment I
didn't see them and I didn't get to have my daughters finish with me. This was not a planned
rendezvous; this is something that my emotions, at that point, wanted to happen. Directly after
crossing the Finish Line my wife met with me. I was emotionally upset and wanted to know where they
had been. She said they were in the shade under the final aircraft. It was hot at the Finish, maybe
about 77 F. We later got a great family photo with the American flag and the backdrop. I really hope
this photo turns out good!
They gave out awesome Finisher Medals. My final time was 4:19:43, 1:07 slower than my marathon PR. I
was at 5 mi. at 46:07, 12 mi. at 1:49:43, and 19 mi. at 3:03:05. Those last 6.2 mi. really got to me
with the heat and the cramps.
The marathon had great aid stations with great support staff. The only bad thing was all the gels
were strawberry banana. Yuck! The course lacked crowd support that I really enjoy. After all it was
on an active military base with some special top secret hanger! Vintage military aircraft bordered
the Finish Line. I didn't like to food at the Finish. They handed out sacks with a cookie, banana,
Zone bar, water, orange, and yogurt. No Gatorade or anything salty, what is up with that? You could
not pick and choose your cookie, yogurt, and Zone bar flavors.