Last night at Connie's after the MCM, the stories of the day did unfold
Reston Runners in their shirts, with their medals, that to each seemed made of gold
There was Jim with a PR that beat another and, Moshe who made his race into fun
And Carol captured the spirit of Halloween somewhat early, as she pretended to be Maria in the run
Anna helped a friend meet their challenge, when her foot clearly needed a rest
And Keith notched his belt from yet another, twenty six point two mile test
Veterans and first timers that gathered at "our tree" told a camera how their day might go
Each to start and complete the measured course, not to dwell on how fast or slow
And now the reason for my attendance, since Maria and I weren't to run
I was there to chronicle the day of Julie Green, and her first Marathon ever done
You see, Julie had signed up for the MCM and asked Maria and me to help get her trained
So all summer long Maria and I supplied the "boot camp" as Julie's enthusiasm never waned
Short runs and long, and lots in the heat, plus Cindy's Interval Training too
And that brings us to today when Julie's time was at hand to see just what she could do
Julie and Eric, Julie's husband, left their home at five thirty, so that they could hang at a hotel for a while
There she relaxed till the last moment in a warm hallway; surely pondering all of those miles
A few trip to the restroom, then at seven fifteen, I lead the way to a tree so familiar to me
Where we joined Reston Runners friends for group photos, of all the finishers to be
Tension running high Julie Lined up for the Porta Pots, as last moment changes took place
Then she headed with the others to the start area, still maintaining a smile on her face
The National Anthem was sung then the Howitzer boomed, and a walk gave way to a run
And somewhere in the crowd Julie's chip crossed the mat and her ears heard her own starter's gun
I walked with Eric to a spot near mile eight, the next place that we'd see Julie pass
Eric handed Julie a piece of an orange as she went by, to the cheers of her family seated up high on the grass
Just passed mile fourteen was the next photo opt. so across Memorial Bridge the entourage moved on
Almost halfway done and, still feeling great, Julie waved hello, good bye, and was gone
Now Eric headed to wait at mile twenty so, he could run with Julie to the foot of the devilish hill
And I took Julie's family back to the finish line so, that they could be on hand for her finishing thrill
Well, somehow Julie slipped by in the crowd but, from the food tent she appeared with her brother
Wrapped in a space blanket and wearing her medal she arrived at the tree, and got hugs from Eric, her father, and mother
I thought of the challenge that Julie had just met, as I stood at the "Reston Runners tree"
Will there be more marathons for Julie?- I guess we'll just have to wait and see