2004 Marine

I asked and my family gave $4,483.40 for Leukemia Research!
Thank you for your generous donation. It truly helped me run all 26.2 miles!

On October 31, I ran/walked/stumbled/agonized all the way to the finish line at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC! Along with my brother, Keith, and my spiritual brothers, Doug and Steve, we all “medalled” as we ran the 26.2 miles with thousands of others to raise money to find a cure for Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma.

Three things stick out as I reflect:

Part of the pre-race preparation included shaving my head and getting an autograph from a survivor. I asked Teri Nance to do the “honors”. The night before the race, she “autographed” my clean-shaven scalp. She was on my mind quite often the next day. Knowing she is running her own “marathon” helped me keep going when I thought I would never make it. Today Teri is CANCER FREE!

It was a hot day. I enjoyed EVERY one of the water stations (Including a cookie stop!). I ran around the monuments (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln). I saw some interesting runners (Kermit, a Fireman, Captain America). I started in Arlington National Cemetery! And I finished the Marine Corps Marathon!

My favorite part was finding my friends and family in the crowd. After 10 miles of running on a hot and muggy morning, it was a real joy to see Martha and the boys cheering for me. As an added incentive, we had friends visit from New York and Boston. These images burned in my mind helped me make it to the finish.

I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.
Psalm 119:32

See the photos here