Thank You

Before I say anything about my marathon experience, I must first thank everyone who helped me to get there:

• Thank you to the Periclean Scholars, partners, and mentors, including Tom and Steve, for being a constant source of inspiration along my training runs and during the marathon. I am proud of all you have done and will continue to do for our communities and for the world.
• Thank you to everyone who came out to the race to support me, including my entire family, Elyse, Jason's family, and more friends, family, and coworkers whom I did not see on the course, including my cousins Kristen and Kerianne.
• Thank you to everyone who donated to Periclean Scholars and everyone who will donate now that I have accomplished this goal.
• Thank you to so many of my coworkers and friends for showing interest in my running and asking me for running/workout advice.
• Thank you to Kate from the Arlington Road Runners for pacing with me for so much of today's marathon.
• Thank you to Jason to introducing me to the Arlington Road Runners, for running with me during training, and for being a constant source of strength and inspiration.
• Thank you to all of the Arlington Road Runners for support on many long runs.
• Thank you to Alex at the FAA for being an inspiration back in February to run this marathon.
• Thank you to all of my friends who posted on my blog and offered advice, such as Steve, Sarah, CJ, Megan, and more.
• Thank you to God and Jesus, through whom this marathon was possible and without whom nothing is possible.

When I have the energy, I will detail today's marathon experience, but for now, the essentials:

• I finished in 4:13:34, which was enough to beat Drew Carey (at 4:37:10). 
• I hit some sort of wall HARD around mile 15. Everything got tight, breathing got a little harder, and I had to suck down Powerade at a more rapid rate. At the half marathon point, my splits were good and I felt pretty good, but as I continued on, my only goal was to finish without walking. I am glad to say I accomplished that goal.
• The signs were hilarious, the crowd support was strong, and I could not have imagined a better marathon experience.