2008 ING Amsterdam Marathon

"They Might Be Runners" no longer. After six (6) months of training (almost exactly to the day), we successfully completed our first marathon on 19 Oktober 2008. ("Oktober" is Dutch for October.). We departed Chicago on Thursday evening, arriving in Amsterdam Friday morning. The marathon started on late Sunday morning and we returned to the U.S. on Monday evening.

The race was relatively intimate. Only eight thousand (8,000) runners had registered for the marathon, and spectators were sparse with many stretches without a single person. The course led us through the city, which is relatively small but beautiful, past some countryside and into the 1956 Olympic stadium for the finish line. The course scenery varied widely but nearby water (Amsterdam's canals and the River Amstel) was a constant. Ironically, water stations only came once every five (5) or six (6) kilometers. The temperature for the run was optimal (high of 60 degrees), so we did not lose as many fluids in sweat. On the negative side, it was a bit windy, especially during the second half.

We wanted to finish in less than five (5) hours, and we did. The motivational notes that many of you provided helped us along, especially because, as compared to the spectators during the Chicago Marathon, only a small percentage of the spectators on the course were vocal. We started reading the notes near kilometer thirty (30) and rationed them throughout the remainder of the race. They gave the intended boost and made us feel as though you, our honorary team members, were cheering beside us. They particularly helped where spectators were few and far between. Fortunately, we also had the benefit of some of the AIDS Marathon staff, including Katie (one of our coaches), Beth (the Chicago program rep.), Ariana (the Los Angeles program rep.) and Steve (the Chicago program director), as well as the friends and family of other runners who joined in Amsterdam.

Later, as we crossed the tunnel into the Olympic Stadium, we spotted the balloon-arched finish line at the other end of the track. The sound of the crowd, louder than during any other part of the course, overtook me just as the deejay began to play Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation," a song which coincidentally appears on my iPod running mix. As we took our victory lap, a feeling previously referenced but never fully described enraptured us. We might have to run more marathons in the future.

In retrospect, we might have been able to push ourselves a little harder -- my average heart rate is posted below -- but all advice suggested that we, as first time marathoners, run conservatively. We agreed completely and followed the advice, waiting for my IT band problem to strike and expecting the "wall" to hit us at any moment. (My IT band had bothered me as recently as the previous Sunday at the end of our nine (9) mile run.) In the end, the long-nagging injury was almost a non-factor during the marathon except for a handful of scattered, labored strides. With our prayers answered, we were able to finish this adventure just as we started -- together with a shared goal.

Thank you all for moral support and for your contributions. Together, we raised more than $8,700 to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. During the summer, not only did we grow physically and psychologically, but we also witnessed firsthand the impact of AIDS and HIV and the ways that the Foundation fights them. The Foundation's work and your generosity further strengthened our faith in people and in grace. While completing the 2008 ING Amsterdam Marathon was a personal victory for us, it was was so much bigger than either of us. "Overwinning" is Dutch for victory, but we won't soon get over the entire experience.

Statistics:
Distance: 26.2 miles
Start Time: 10:38 a.m.
Time: 4:53:49
Temperature at Start: 50 degrees

High Temperature: 60 degrees
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Maximum HR: 171
Average HR: 150
Money Raised to Date: $8,781
Days until Next Full Marathon or Half Marathon: 124