• Home
• About the SRRC
• Club Events
• Club Officers
• Contact Us
• Find a Running Buddy
• Group Fun Runs
• Links
• Photo Gallery
• Race Reports
• Running Calendar
• SRRC Membership
• Training
• Where to Run

Questions? Comments? Contact us: srrunner@srrunners.org

SRRC Race Reports

Marine Corps Marathon, Arlington, VA —October 29, 2006
by Ranjith Marappan

My First Marathon

Marathoner . . .

It all started when Muthu asked me back in May if i wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon. I said, "YES" without fully realizing what I was getting into.

I had never run more than 6 miles at that time. Every time I ran more than 6 miles during the training, I would feel elated but still wasn't sure if I could complete a marathon. Only after I ran 12 miles during a training run, did I really believe that I might have a shot at finishing a marathon. The weekend long runs in Round Hill and Purcellville were really great experiences. I am looking forward to run there as a part of training for my next marathon.

The month long vacation I took in India was great except that it spoiled my training schedule. I also was sick the week before the race. As I had run two 20 milers as part of my training, I was confident that I could complete the race.

Finally, on the night before the race, I was too excited and couldn't sleep well, waking up often during the night. Muthu and I started out around 5:15 a.m. from South Riding and reached the Crystal City public parking lot at 6 a.m. I was really thankful that we had our gloves. We took the shuttle to the starting point.

The warm-up routine with music performed by the ladies on the stage was great. (I forget what organization they belong to.)

Muthu and I started in the first wave. Everything was good during the first phase of the marathon. I ran into Beth from the Loudoun Road Runners and Bill Taylor from the office. Just as I crossed my 7th mile, I started getting IT band pain, and I had serious doubts about finishing the race. I didn't expect to get into trouble so early in the marathon. I started running slowly, determined to give it all I had.

At the 10-mile mark, I saw Beth from LRR again, and she showed me some stretches specific to IT band. I am very thankful to her. I started stretching after every water stop. After my 15th mile, my knee pain was getting worse. Muthu suggested I take Tylenol, so I took two of them. Muthu was kind enough to lend me his IT band strap, too. So with muthu's encouragement and crowd support, I started again. On my 21st mile, I hit another road block and started getting leg cramps. I stopped running and started walking. Even walking was tough. Luckily there was a guy on the bridge distributing ice. I applied the ice all over the cramps, and began to feel better, so I started running again. From then on, I drank a lot of Powerade and water at every water stop. Again at the last water stop, I applied some ice to my aching legs. I ran my last 1.2 miles.

I should say special thanks to Muthu who helped me all the way.

The crowd support was excellent, and they helped me forget my pain. It was an experience that I will never forget in my life.

October 2006

The SRRC would love to hear about your running, racing, or crewing experiences! If you would like to submit a race report, to be posted on the SRRC website, please email srrunner@srrunners.org.