As of Sunday, a week before the JFK, after having just finishing the Richmond marathon, I thought no way could I or should I run the JFK 50 Mile Race, even though I had sort of been thinking of it, without mentioning it to anyone, not even to Hiroko. I had even told my father not to worry because I was not going to run the JFK. Then, the next day on Monday, I thought to myself, "Well, I have run 3 Marathons in the last 5 weeks, and two earlier in the year, so to round out the year with 6, maybe I should run the JFK." I reasoned that I was probably as well trained as my schedule, time, and present physical condition was going to permit; and, likewise, who knows what the future will be. I had not been able to re-run the JFK for a variety of reasons or injuries for the past four years. Maybe this should be the year for my second time. My Richmond Marathon, with a two week rest and cooler weather, was 30 minutes faster than the Marine Corps, with warm weather and only one week rest, which was 30 seconds faster than the Baltimore Marathon. So I thought, well maybe I could make it, if I took it slow and did not try too hard on the rocky Appalachian Trail (AT). So on Thursday, 2-days before the race, at Midnight, while I was in Los Angeles, I committed to running the JFK.

The reference to being a "Keith II," comes into play at this point. As many of you may know we have several runners who do not just stop with doing a marathon or two per year, there are some among us like Bill, Russ, Ed, Jim(s), Tom, Tony, Bob, Rich, our own "illustrious leader" Anna, and a few others that routinely run 50 mile races, triathlons, and a 100 mile race or so each year. But, Keith is the only one within the Reston Runners that I know of, who set out a few years ago to run a marathon at least every month during the year, as he tries to reach the goal of running a marathon in each of the 50 states. So thus, the "Keith factor" refers to those of us who get carried away and forget that you are not suppose to run Marathons every month, every few weeks, or each week; but go ahead and do it anyway, just because maybe you can. I am not sure whether this is a good inspiration or not, but it can certainly become an unusual goal or obsession, especially as you start to loose more and more brain cells as you run farther and farther, more frequently!!!

Anyway, I started my second JKF quest, along with Dennis and Monty, in the dark at 5 AM. Slower runners get to start 2 hours early in the dark to finish within 14 hours rather than the standard 12 hours. Fortunately, it took about 45 minutes to get up to the AT after running the first mile and then race-walking up the next two miles of the relative steep graded road. Then, the first mile or so on the AT, as you may recall, was a mix of gravel and rocks, that took about 15 minutes. With the people in front and the people behind all shining flashlights on the trail there were a lot of light spots dancing around making if very confusing to focus on which stone to step on or to miss, as I was trying to run slowly over the rocks. But, after 15 minutes of this, we were out onto the paved asphalt road that leads up to the fire tower on the top of the true ridge line. It took me about 30 minutes to race-walk, fast, up that long steep road. Thus, it was now about 1.5 hours into the run before I actually got to the top and the true ridge line. At this point I only had to use the flashlight for probably less than 5-10 more minutes, because it was starting to get daylight. Therefore, fortunately, you do not have to run for two hours in the dark on the rocks, as I had anticipated. The rest of the AT was a grind. I had to be careful where I put each step as I and the other runners continued up and down the contours of the trail along the top of the ridge for a total of 12-13 miles on the AT. A few miles before the end of the ridge line run, Dennis Hays was the first of many Reston Runners to pass me along the way. With about 1 mile to go on the top of the ridge, before starting the switchbacks to drop down, the leaders of the 7 AM starters, began catching up with us slower 5 AM runners. They passed me and others going down the switchbacks like 'crazy' mountain goats, running and jumping from rock to rock, as they ran down the switch backs -- no way I could even begin to think about trying to do that. Even our best Reston Runner woman runner, Loretta, fell and rolled twice, as she was trying to run at a moderate speed down the switchbacks; but she bounced right back up and went on to be our first Reston woman finisher for the second year in a row.

Reston Runners had the usual large group of crew supporters and our own soup kitchen at the bottom of the Weaverton Cliff switchbacks. I took several minutes to stop, collect myself and much to Hiroko's embarrassment, do a complete change of running clothes, down to my bare skin and feet. Having anticipated this from the previous time, she had brought a large bath towel to partially screen me from the views of others -- I was not caring too much about modesty at this point, I just wanted to change my shoes, socks, and clothes. I did have to take a lot of razzing from the distaff side of the house, with Karen and Christina making lots of comments on how slowly I was changing clothes and other things; this helped to lighten the mood and take my mind off the remaining miles to go. Finally, with the help of Hiroko, Johnny, and his wife, Jackie; some hot soup from Helen our "Soup Angel;" the continued encouragement of all the other Reston Runners support crews; and a few last minute jokes from the aforementioned Reston Runners ladies, I was revitalized and ready to continue on my quest towards the finish, which was still 34 miles away.

I knew from the last time, 4 years ago, that at about 5 miles onto the C&O canal tow path, which loomed a total of another 26 miles in front of me, that at about 21 miles into the race, I would probably be "hitting the wall;" so I was mentally prepared for that and kept up a pace of running for 9 minutes and walking for 1 minute through that point and almost to within a few miles of Antietam, which is at the 27+ mile point into the race. At that point, as I approached Antietam at noon, 7 hours into the 50 mile race, I was getting very tired and mentally discouraged. When I tried calculating the rate at which I was going, it appeared that I would not make it and might get yanked from the race because I was going too slow. Anyway, I even went so far as to ask the Antietam gate keepers what the cut off time was. They told me that the cut off time was not until 2 PM, apparently based upon the fact that you have to go slower on the AT portion of the course and you can go faster on the Canal tow path, not very believable to me at that point. However, then, when I needed them the most, I encountered all the Reston Runner crews. There was lots of cheering from Pat and Leslie, Johnny had salt tablets and Gatorade, Helen our beautiful "Soup Angel," again, had hot soup available to drink, and everyone else was yelling and shouting words of encouragement, including Karen applying her nursing skills by massaging my legs, just like she had done 4 years earlier. So with all this enthusiasm and support, how could I do anything but continue. [I know all of you are runners or have run races, but at points like this, especially on a long race, every bit of encouragement is a big and vital help -- my thanks to all of you. This was my wall to get over and every one of you on the trail helped get me through it.]

Anyway as I walked away from Antietam, Mark Sells yelled, "Hey you had better start running, so I did." At this point I was into a routine of running 4 minutes, walking 2 minutes, running 3 minutes, and walking 1 minute; and I knew that I had to keep this up all the time, except for stops at aid stations, in order to make it all the way through on the C&O tow path. Somehow during this time period Ed Cacciapaglia and Bill "VanAnimal" ended up passing me twice, they must have taken a couple of breaks along the way; and they provided lots of words of continual encouragement and comments about how much fun they were having. I was way beyond the point of "Having Fun" at this stage of the race. In fact I was wondering "What Fun" were they talking about, I was not having any and I did not see any fun on the path, around the bends, or behind the trees. It should be noted that in the real world the hare always runs past the tortoise and keeps on going and going to finish first, so much for fables.

With continued encouragement from Johnny and the other Reston Runners crews along the way, including John and Maria driving by on the road, with Maria hanging out of the car and yelling, like a high school cheer leader, I was able to finish the C&O tow path. Of course, then, with "only 8.5 miles to go," there was no way, short of major injury or collapsing, that you are not going to make it, after having come that far. So for me at least, it was walk as fast as possible up all hills and run slowly, but at least keep moving, on all level and downhill portions of the rolling 2-lane roads. Several more Reston Runners passed me and shouted encouragement to keep going, as they ran by looking very strong, and we all continued to have crew cheering from Richard and Karen and a few others, even between Dam #4 and Downsville, where normal crews are not allowed to go -- but that does not stop our Reston Runners' crews; so it encouraged me to keep on pressing to the finish.

At Downsville and with 4 miles to go, I met Johnny and Jackie for the last time, put on my nylon windbreaker to ward off the chill, and had my faithful running companion, training partner, and wife, Hiroko, join me for the final stretch to the finish. So of course every time I started to slow down or walk too much, she said, "lets keep on going and keep running. At this point I believe Keith "I" Whited passed me, I think he was the last Reston Runner to do so. Richard and Karen continued to cruise the road, shouting encouragement to all of us. Anyway, Hiroko probably helped me cut 5-10 minutes off those last 4 miles by constantly running ahead of me. (Note - the JFK officials were kind enough to stop and give her a reflective vest, no questions asked, so she was safe from traffic as well.) Anyway, she was able to encourage me to keep on running and to keep up the pace -- a role reversal from our usual runs together, when I am in front leading her; I guess "fair is fair." As we were nearing the finish line, we both remembered how we had helped Mary Proctor run in to the finish a few years ago. Thus, each portion of the race has some memories, past and present, to help one along the way, whether it was as a runner or it was in a crew support role.

Thus, after having started in the dark at 5 AM, the race was finally drawing to a close in the dark, once again, slightly over 13 hours and 11 minutes later, as one of the slower finishers to complete the 50 mile course by winding "over hill and dale." It certainly was a great feeling of accomplishment to cross the finish line with Hiroko beside me. She had to graciously and repeatedly decline accepting a medal, from the people passing out the medals -- everyone always wants to give her a medal. She had to keep explaining to them that she was only helping me finish.

Most important it was especially gratifying to have all our friends and fellow Reston Runners at the finish line to offer their congratulations, while taking lots of pictures; it certainly made my heart swell with pride and appreciation for everyone who helped make the moment possible.

After the finish line there is the warmth of the Williamsport School, some real hot food to eat, and the best part of the experience, our own Reston Runners masseurs and masseuses. Katharine Hunter and her AKS School students, led by our own Cliff Dewitt, were there to massage away the pains of the day. We 40 plus Reston Runners had 3 all to ourselves, while the other 800 runners had 3 to share among everyone else. Sure is nice to have caring friends and colleagues.

Thanks again to all of you. Together we all make a great and wonderful Team.

Norm