KC Marathon, Kansas City, MO

The weather was very cold, but I had planned for the 34 degree's at the start of the race. This marathon was different than any I had raced in the past.  Yes, I was part of relay for the first time, but I also ran the entire race. We had 5 relay teams from Whiteman AFB and my team was called The Big Bang Runners. Weeks prior to the race I was asked to be a Team Captain for one of the teams and said Yes. The plan originally was for me to run the 8 mile leg of the relay...after I thought about it though, I said Heck, I will just run the entire race and run with each of the Relay Teams, motivating, cheering-on and be the official photographer. What a treat...you see each team was made up of a Superhero. We had the Wonder Wives (Wonder Woman costume), B2 Batgirls (Batman), Flashettes (Flash Gordon), Super Spouses (Super Woman Costume) and then my team The Big Bang Runners (BAZINGA shirts and socks)..yep I was called Shelton at least 25 times throughout the race.

Let me back up a day...we visited the expo on Friday. It was small compared to others I have been too previously, they mostly promoted other races etc. They did have a few companies selling the typical running attire. After that it was time to head to the traditional night before the race pasta dinner. We had reservations at a great place. It was amazing, we ordered specific pasta choices (easier since we had about 20 of us eating) with bread and salad. Amazing! Then it was back to the hotel room for final preparations and early night sleep...well if 11:30pm is early.  

I was up at 5 am to eat as I always am. I had oatmeal and coffee. I made sure I had my energy gels (Jello type), music and headphones before we departed. It took us about 20 mins to get to the downtown area. It was easy to park and we had plenty of time before the start of the race. Pre-race ritual...yep the bathroom (normally a porta-john), timed it perfectly. Tiffany stayed at a different hotel so she was already with her friends on the bus taking them to their relay points.  

Now to the race, it started at 7:05 am. In the first couple of miles  I encountered not one but three big Hill incline's. I knew it was coming early in the race, but WOW I did not expect those inclines :). So I stuck with the strategy of going slow and saving energy...remember I wasn't running this race for time.  

Soon enough we reached the first Relay point (Mile 6). I took several pictures of everyone and high-fived the group and off I went with the next relay group. Next group was moving fast. I kept ahead of them so I could get pictures of them in action as they ran by. Enjoyed the excited company. I wasn't even thinking of the miles I had run. We reached the next Relay point (Mile 14). Again, high-fives and pictures for the the finishers, then off I went to catch the next group. The third group was even faster than the previous so it took me some time to catch them, get ahead and capture pictures. Again, more excited company. It was awesome to see these ladies just having a blast and being yelled at from the crowds...SUPERHEROs! We reached the next Relay point (Mile 18.2), this is when I reached my sweet wife. I stayed with her the first mile or so, but she speed ahead and I had to catch her. In the weeks prior to the race she was struggling with a knee issue. But, I was so PROUD of her...she pushed through and finished her leg of the Relay. We reached the last Relay point, I pushed forward and finished the race. The last group of ladies were so fast I never saw them :).

What an experience! As I said before it was not about the time, but about giving back to friends by motivating, helping and being a photographer!

Lastly, I ran this race to honor all those that have/are going through Breast Cancer!!  Let us find a cure to this horrible disease.

USAF Marathon #2 additional post

In my blog on my experiences during my second AF Marathon I mentioned that I would talk more on a friend we met almost three years ago. Tiffany flew to Dayton, Ohio to meet up with her friend Tracy Brooks. They met three years over Facebook when Tracy's husband Denny was in an accident that injured his leg. Denny fell while he was working and had an opened wound. The water he fell in was not clean and over time the injury to his leg developed an infection. The infection worsened to the point that a doctor had to perform surgery. Unfortunately, it did not turn out as planned and Denny had to endure 16 more surgeries in the next three years. Earlier this year, Denny decided that after much thought and prayer, it was time to have his leg removed. All the doctor consultations had said his leg would never heal properly and he would be in constant pain for the rest of his life. This injury also left him in a condition that he was unable to work. He said that after the surgery he would recover and a year later run a race with me. I was humbled and honored that my running would be an inspiration to him and his recovery.

Some of you might know that in 2013 I was going to take a pause from running marathons, but one evening I went running and I was overwhelmed thinking about Denny's situation and came home from the run and told Tiffany I was going to run the USAF Marathon in his honor. To truly honor him I was going to see Denny in the hospital and give him my finisher metal, with the deal that I would be back the next year to get it as we finished whatever length race during the USAF Marathon. I have posted a picture of Denny and I at the hospital with Denny wearing my finisher medal.

Denny get ready I am on my way back to Dayton Ohio on September 20, 2014 to get my medal and run to the finish line with you! You my friend will be able to take our medal down and replace it with one of your very own.