This year's JFK 50 was my second. I had known, almost as soon as I had completed it last year, that I would be back. Doing this race as part of the Reston Runner contingent of crew and runners is an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience. I was fortunate to have my wife and daughter, Beth and Michelle, along with our dog Timber, as my experienced crew. They have crewed for me previously and are able to anticipate what my needs are throughout a race.

I had significantly more aggressive goals this year than last. I wanted to break nine and a half hours, and if it was a good day, to break nine hours. I knew that one of the keys to accomplishing this was to finish the AT section significantly faster than last year. My time was slow on this section last year and I had run at a pretty cautious pace. This year I ran all the way up the road to the start of the AT section. And once on the AT, I kept up an aggressive pace and did not remain complacent with the pace of which ever runner was in front of me. I took advantage of every opportunity to pass anyone moving slowly along on the trail. I believe this strategy paid off; I arrived at Weverton 35 minutes faster than last year, in about 2:41. I remember greeting Carol Brooks as I came off the trail at Weverton, and hearing a cheering Norm and Loki Hunt as I ran down the road to Beth and Michelle for my crew stop. They efficiently refilled my CamekBak and had warm RR soup ready and waiting. After gulping down two cups, I took off towards the C&O Canal. I was happy with this first segment and had a strong adrenaline rush as I left Weverton.

Once I got on the canal, I knew that I was starting the section that was the most mentally demanding. I had decided to try and really push myself to minimize the walking breaks on the canal section. Last year I remember walking a lot, and not with a well-organized plan. Basically, I walked when I felt tired. This year, I resolved to run all the way to each crew stop and only walk briefly while I was still eating on my way out. Whenever I felt my energy lapsing, I took a GU and this seemed to help.

My crew could tell I was hurting and struggling in the middle of the race. It seemed like from Dargen's Bend (mile 22.3), through Antietam (mile 27.1), and all the way to Snyder's Landing (34.4 miles), it was a struggle to stay perky and on pace. My crew did a good job of thinking for me and kept me energized for forward progress. Rather than thinking about the 50 miles I was running, I just focused on getting from crew stop to crew stop. Even though each stop was brief, I always felt like I had completed another significant milestone in the day's journey.

Upon leaving Snyder's Landing, I was finally able to digest the remaining distance. This was now a manageable and comprehendable distance. I could sense the end was in range and it was no longer quite the struggle to keep running. I was definitely revitalized.

I remember coming up to a runner who was walking at mile 41. We had been leap frogging each other all day on the tow path. "Come on, keep running!", I said, "We have a forced walk just one mile ahead as we climb out of the river valley". "Thanks!", he replied as he started running again. I tried to encourage every runner I passed now; the end was clearly within range.

Shortly after I got onto the road section, I tried to pick up the pace a bit. Each passing mile marker, indicating the finish was getting closer and closer, was a welcome relief. At 46 miles, I told my crew I wasn't stopping as I pushed on through. Beth jumped in with me to run this last section. Last year I had really struggled through these last miles and it had been easy for her to pace me in. Shortly after hopping in with me, she said "you're going too fast, I can't keep this up to the finish." Just at that time, Michelle pulled up in the van as she was heading to the finish. Beth stopped running with me and hopped in with Michelle. Before I knew it, I passed the marker indicating there was only one mile to go. I pushed it hard and was thrilled to cross the finish line in 8:43:09. It was an hour and ten minutes faster than last year. I was very pleased and felt it was close to as good as what I am probably capable of. Beth, Michelle, and Timber were there to greet and cheer me as I came across the finish line. It was a great ending to a great day.

Being part of the Reston Runners only proved to make the experience even more rewarding. I had constantly seen Norm and Loki throughout the race and they had always cheered me on. I had come across numerous other Reston Runners out there supporting us and their enthusiastic encouragements always helped spur me on. It is this camaraderie that makes this such a great experience. Thanks Anna, for donating so much of your time and energy to making such a memorable event. Everyone who participates leaves with memories that will last their lifetime.