It was not what I expected. I spent the week before the race asking myself, "Can I make the 12 hour cutoff or should I switch to a 5 AM start? Will my sore Achilles or lack of training stop me?"

But it was exactly what I was told to expect by the seasoned veterans of this event. "If you do the Marine Corps Marathon, you won't need any special extra training for this event," said Bill Van Antwerp. "If you can do a 4:30 Marathon (my sort of speed), you can make the 12 hour cutoff," said Anna Bradford. Darned if they weren't both right!

I knew I was undertrained, having done my long Sunday runs but almost no runs in between for the last two months. So I stuck closely to the recommended 'walk up the hills, run down the hills' advice that was offered freely throughout the run. But I walked up the hills as quickly as I could, so I wouldn't feel that I was goofing off too much. Then we got onto the AT. I love the challenge of that kind of running and really enjoyed myself. I ended up finishing this section about 20 minutes faster than I had planned, but I was having so much fun that I forgot to drink enough. By the time I started into the tow path, I was suffering some calf cramps and feeling quite wiped. This really slowed me down (and my normal pace is slow!). I mostly walked and ate and drank for the next six miles and wondered again if the 12 hour cutoff would be a problem, but I soon began to feel better. As the miles went by, I gradually increased running minutes between walking minutes, although I don't think I ever got to a 50/50 ratio.

Trying to eat was a learning experience. I did not feel hungry and had to force myself to try. Soup, even lukewarm soup with raw noodles at one aid station, tasted good. Hot dogs and peanut butter sandwiches were fine. No more hot dog buns, so I asked for a wiener in a cup of soup. Excellent! Maybe this will start a new fad. Trail mix did not work in the latter part of the race: I was like the kid who chews a mouth full of food for 10 minutes and is still gumming a pulpy lump. No saliva. I also took one bite of a cookie and almost hurled. I guess sweets are off my running menu.

The last eight miles were in the dark. There were a few crazy drivers (locals I think) but the drivers plus the harder surface and some definite hills added variety. At this point there were mile signs showing the distance to the finish line. You can't imagine how comforting they were, although I think they last few were spaced ever farther and farther apart. I actually ran almost all of the last mile, finishing in 11:32.

I ended the race on a high, from which I have not come down. There was never a point during the race when I thought I might not do it again. I did not get blisters. My quads quit hurting after a couple days and my Achilles felt better after the race than before I began. I am already charting my plans for next year (the 2003 JFK is on November 22) and planning a faster time.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged (coerced?) me to try this. Special thanks to Anna who is an inspiration through words and example. Thanks also to Bill Van Antwerp who led a Sunday 23 mile trail romp around the hills to Great Falls a few months ago. It was just plain fun and convinced me I really could enjoy long runs. Finally, thanks to Bobbie and Alex, my crew who were great support and encouragement.

I hope to see you all next year at the JFK. I guess my duty is now to sign up a bunch of new recruits. And what is the cutoff time for the Bull Run 50 miler? ....