For me, the 2000 JFK began at Tony's 1999 post-race party when a variety of newly-recovered though clearly not mentally-revived runners approached me to be sure I knew they wanted to be on the Reston Runner team. The list began then, and expanded throughout the year.
Mark Sells and Bob Cochran reminded me nearly every Sunday of their love-hate relationship with the JFK commitment in early spring, and the usual cast of characters (Mike V, Chuck, Doug, et al) pledged to make the 2000 JFK a regular feature of their fall line-up.
The summer trail runs were unusually well attended, with the 20-mile round trip from Lake Fairfax to Great Falls numbering over 50. Runners reveled in the unpredictable terrain, deep waters of Difficult Run, and spectacular views of the falls... JFK interest grew.
At Tony Panizza's annual September pre-race party, 35 JFK hopefuls attended, sharing training tips and war stories, and some handed me their race applications. Tony provided a delicious spread of curried chicken, pasta, vegetables and lots of wine. Jim, Jim, and Sam foolishly challenged Tony to a game of pool.
By October 2nd I had sent in 20 Reston Runner applications, separated into 5 teams: Reston Babes (represented for the 4th year), Reston Vesters, Reston Veterans, Reston Dudes and Reston Jims. Crew volunteers began to emerge and the Reston Runner participation grew to over 50.
The Marine Corps Marathon altered the list a bit, with a variety of last minute additions and subtractions to the runner and crew list. The flurry of JFK preparations resemble preparing for a convention: assigning and reassigning crew to runners, making reservations for dinner before the race and breakfast after, ensuring that everyone knows where to go and when. John Nusbaum made sure the shirts (designed by Chuck) were ready in time. And Al Rider added a technological edge to our efforts this year by organizing all the information on our own private website, adding maps and tables of his own. I became intimate with my copy machine at work preparing packets for runners and crew.
Late night and last minute email and phone conversations with new runners questioning their decision or ability to prepare kept my mind off my own questionable preparation. Aside from marathons, I had run barely more than 20 miles in the past month.
The traditional Final JFK Meeting was held at the Malander's house with experts sharing their wisdom: Doug and Cristina described the course; Mike, Chuck and Russ offered racing tips; Harry and Diane briefed the crew and Al reviewed the maps. I just told everyone where to go and when.
Aside from a few glitches, the JFK weekend went smoothly. Friday's dinner was a bit pricey and our social core at the pool was taken up by a private party, but most of the 40 runners and crew at the Ramada enjoyed their time together Friday night. By our 4:45AM breakfast most of the Reston Runners voiced openly their confusion over what actually brought them to this point. Whose idea was this anyway?
My birthday presents started to flow: a shirt from the Atlanta Track Club, gourmet birthday cake, a happy birthday song.
At the Boonsboro Middle School gym almost 60 Reston Runners and their families (and dogs) gathered for an impressive photo opportunity- no other group in that gym appeared as cohesive and organized. And the whole group sang another happy birthday song while 1500 others looked on.
The actual race is a blur. After weeks of organizational preparation it was a blessing to be on my own. Antisocial, solitary and focused. Jim, my faithful husband, disappeared in a cloud at the start. This was the year he was going to run alongside me. Along the AT I stuck with Dennis for a couple hours, but once I hit the canal I ran with no other RR for the day.
Mona Cochran and her buddies sang a rousing Happy Birthday each and every time I ran past them- at LEAST 8 times that day.
For 31 miles I felt little pain, tiredness or discouragement. I stuck to my 5 to 1 pattern of run-walk throughout the canal section, and chose never to change shoes or clothing. Timothy, my crew, wondered aloud why I had brought him out here if I refused all assistance. I enjoyed passing Chuck, Karen, Al, Charlie, Joanne, Fred and finally Keith on the canal- my latent competitive edge encouraging me from time to time.
Diane's cantaloupe, Timothy's banana, Debbie's ham sandwiches, Larry's potato and Bunny's soup were all the food I needed to make it through the day. I abstained from gels, gu, power bars and anything with sugar. I drank whatever blue or red stuff the race provided.
The last 20 miles were a bit more work, with my "run" shifting to an embarrassing shuffle. Joyce graciously ran the last 4 miles of the canal with me, and assured me we were actually keeping a decent pace. Run supporters are such happy liars!
The dark road section offered a bit of discouragement as a variety of runners passed me looking as if they had just joined in. I would have tackled them if they hadn't been moving so fast. At mile 47 I prepared my speech to Farouk and Russ, explaining to them why I wouldn't be joining them for the Umstead 100 in April.
But mile 48 finally arrived and at last I found those two ten minute miles that had been hiding all day long. Clocking 10:49 at the finish, I chose not to lament my time (and hour off my PR and over an hour behind Jim), rather rejoice in the accomplishment of the day. Starting a 50 miler is a remarkable feat, but a start does not entitle us to a finish. That takes work, drive, and fear of being listed as DNF.
And that drive caused 25 Reston Runners to start and 25 runners to finish. Monty, Norm, Diane, Jason, and several other dedicated crew recorded splits throughout the day: my oh my how I love those stats!
Aside from knowing that each Reston Runner finished, my happiest accomplishment of the day was the discovery that I finished with no blisters, no dehydration or digestive problems, no chafing and no muscle cramps. 10 minutes after the finish I scratched my speech to Farouk and Russ and re-assured them I'd be joining them for the 100 in April.
Sunday morning I slept in until 8:00, then dug out the split sheets to enter the data into the computer... my son babysat the printer as I showered. The Silver Diner breakfast was attended by over 50 beaming runners, crew, and family. Runners finally got a real meal, and crew could be properly thanked for their precious support. Many began to overtly declare their intention to participate next year.
And thus begins the cycle. We plan, we train, we strategize, we run, we celebrate and then we start planning all over again. But we wouldn't do this if (on some level) we didn't love it. And I do love this weekend. Everyone should have such a great birthday.