RUN NCR TRAIL MARATHON

November 27, 1999 Saturday Run NCR Trail Marathon

I drove to the school off York road early in the morning. We started the North Central Rail Trail Marathon at 9:00 am at the school. We ran out of the parking lot and down the road to York Road to the road over to the trail and then up and back to the finish line where we turned onto the trail. There were a few rolling hills for the first 2-3 miles getting to the trail. There was a slight incline going north on the trail but it was so slight you didn’t notice it. I stalked a young runner from the Annapolis Running Club who set a nice pace. I turned the corner at 15 miles in less than 116 minutes which was way ahead of the pace needed to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I needed to start pushing at this point. I was not properly trained and I really didn’t want to run Boston because I would have no break in the training. I decided to back off and enjoy the remainder of the run. I saw Ron Dowell at Moncton Station. I cruised into the finish line in 3:53:17 after 26.2 miles where Anne and Kara were waiting. Kevin arrived just as I crossed the finish line. I felt pretty good although my legs were uncomfortable with hypertension. Kara drove me home to avoid leg cramps. Stopped for lunch of fruit, mellons and drinks that Kevin got for me. What a great feeling to be done and to have beat my previous marathon time five years ago.