tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.comments2023-08-17T01:59:26.552-07:00Drew From TVDrew Careyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830101126969514731noreply@blogger.comBlogger781125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-13474955250639679122011-11-02T09:19:52.613-07:002011-11-02T09:19:52.613-07:00Congratulations! You never forget your first time...Congratulations! You never forget your first time, and regardless of how you feel about running a 4:37, your first marathon is not about the time on the clock but just having the experience of going 26.2 miles. I'm one of the coaches in the local running club (MCRRC) that gave you that yellow singlet. My first Marine Corps was in 1994 when Oprah ran it and it poured rain on us the whole time. You at least got to suffer on a gorgeous day! I was one of the mobility impaired athletes and I was thrilled, THRILLED to run a 5:57:06 and qualify for Boston. This was my 11th Marine Corps since the one in 1994. I look forward to joining you in MCM next year as well!<br />Bill Riggsbillriggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16606841416995541946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-2368283740213858262011-11-02T09:08:26.684-07:002011-11-02T09:08:26.684-07:00I had a heartbreaker, too. My IT band started act...I had a heartbreaker, too. My IT band started acting up around mile 4 and I knew that it was going to be a long walk from there. Though I was able to suck it up and keep running, my knee totally gave out at 21 and I had to limp the last 5.2 miles to the finish. I couldn't even look the marines in the eye as they handed me my medal. It was my first marathon and I was sure I could do it around 4: 30. My time was 6: 14. No amount of "at least you finished" will take away that disappointment.<br /><br />BUT, that's the risk you take when you challenge yourself to a marathon. It can be as humbling as it can be glorious. I guess the true test is whether you will rise to either occasion. I'll see you out there next year!jkeenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04505720222207357324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-1582169014225120572011-11-02T08:54:01.232-07:002011-11-02T08:54:01.232-07:00Nice work, Drew! I was running with the four-hour ...Nice work, Drew! I was running with the four-hour team, so you definitely passed through very close to me. Then, alas, we probably passed you somewhere on the Mall, given your description.<br /><br />But you are not the first (and won't be the last) to get hit by cramps in the latter miles. My friend Mark (also shooting for sub-four) had a very similar story. Are you taking gels or doing anything to get some calories and electrolytes in you during the race? That may be the key next time. Regardless, it was an honor running with you and everyone else.Godric of Finchalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11216445738518707806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-33825469804104651112011-11-02T08:28:58.508-07:002011-11-02T08:28:58.508-07:00Ooooh-rah!!!! Speaking from experience, they do g...Ooooh-rah!!!! Speaking from experience, they do get easier. My first marathon, which was Chicago '09, I vowed never to do it again. I felt like crap. When 2010 rolled around I was like "hell no, not going through that again." As the days drew nearer to the event I felt a longing and this crazy voice in the back of my head urging me on. Two weeks prior the marathon I found out that it was going to be 10-10-10. There is no way I was going to miss that. Bought a bib off someone who got hurt. Prepared with all the right items; gloves, ear muffs, hat, music and my camel pack (security blanket.) I had the time of my life! The crowed was so lively I didn't listen to my head phones at all. No cramping, no previous hip injury, just running and enjoying the positive words and encouragements... the feeling of completion cannot be explained. It's kind of like trying to explain how Marine Corps boot camp felt. There are no words for it. You just look a marathoner in the eye and just know. Congrats on finishing! That is an awesome time too. I'm an hour behind you. Thank you for sharing your story.MaggieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05296971127945219838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-54575482241847054672011-11-02T08:14:15.137-07:002011-11-02T08:14:15.137-07:00Congrats! MCM is a great race.
The best rule or l...Congrats! MCM is a great race. <br />The best rule or lesson I learned, is that especially the first, your goal is to finish. Save the time improvements for your next marathons! Don't be disappointed in your time, learn from it and you'll improve next time.Haleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15929504482187591586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-83959040818982916662011-11-02T08:00:55.783-07:002011-11-02T08:00:55.783-07:00Drew, a marathon is never about the time. It's...Drew, a marathon is never about the time. It's about what it took to finish, what you live through to complete a marathon.<br /><br />Congratulations on your finish and joining the club. You are a marathoner!Jeff Rowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07896349703162597269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-68094981706723521102011-11-02T07:52:48.502-07:002011-11-02T07:52:48.502-07:00Yeah Drew!! Welcome to the world of marathon finis...Yeah Drew!! Welcome to the world of marathon finishers!Doc Otthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505861261887668398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-90471769714160119432011-11-02T07:38:21.908-07:002011-11-02T07:38:21.908-07:00Drew, what an awesome story - and completely under...Drew, what an awesome story - and completely understandable! I am shooting for my first full 3/4/12 in Little Rock ... but with far less loft time goals! I just want to finish before the finish line is disassembled! Nice job, great finish time, and awesome attitude ... not surprising you want to do it again next year!Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14296360847206882702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-83482506742257497572011-11-02T06:58:05.805-07:002011-11-02T06:58:05.805-07:00OMG Drew! You poor thing..it was cold but I wasnt ...OMG Drew! You poor thing..it was cold but I wasnt as cold as you..it was my first marathon as well and I felt great till 20...then I thought my IT band was going to snap off...it was brutal...finished in 4:20 which for a marathon virgin was pretty damn good...MCRR knows what they are doing...me and my other Marathon virgins are going to do Chicago next year...You should come with us!! It is supposed to be flat and earlier in Oct so cold wont be an issue. wooohooooo..cant wait till next yearAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-53478657036563047422011-11-02T06:45:59.579-07:002011-11-02T06:45:59.579-07:00Drew,
Love the post! Just wanted to share that y...Drew,<br /><br />Love the post! Just wanted to share that year the MCM was my first marathon as well. My goal was the same as you (under 4 hour finish). Again like you I was hit with the quad cramps starting at mile 19-20 and struggled with them the remainder of the race. I ended up finishing in 4:11. This year my goal was the same, but also I added to that goal to be cramp free. Well, unfortunately, I did not beat either goal. I did finish in 4:02 this year, but still had the cramps right around the same point in the race. I was a little disappointed at first that I did not make the under 4 hour mark, but then I looked back at the experience again and the sheer accomplishment of running the 26.2 miles was enough to get me past the 2 minute overage. There is always next year right! Here's to being cramp free the next time!<br /><br />Have a good one!RichWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12587166021977639125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-6136799699822864522011-11-02T06:37:17.874-07:002011-11-02T06:37:17.874-07:00You know what? I think you did awesome. When its...You know what? I think you did awesome. When its not a perfect run; you work harder. Its harder mentally when you don't have the sunshine, the warmth. When you hit 'the wall' it is very hard. I too, completed my first marathon a couple weeks ago. I was not prepared for it (longest run 16 miles) but I wanted to challenge myself. My run was SL-OW.. slower than Oprah (which ticked me off) but I finished, and I didn't die, and I didn't lose a toe nail or even get a blister. I cried and cried, and yes, also pissed my pants (I'm a mother, I have rights to pee). But I'm soo glad I did it. I ran from USA to Canada. Not many people can say they did that! I'm proud of you Drew. VERY PROUD. Did you wear your medal everywhere and have people look at you funny? Its is a small percentage of people who complete marathons (like 1%), so join the elite. You are AWESOME! <br />Jenny From CanadaJenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10280307507309439866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-10483523156254621722011-11-02T06:27:31.972-07:002011-11-02T06:27:31.972-07:00First marathons rock whether they go well or not. ...First marathons rock whether they go well or not. My first was the MCM in 1997. It poured and was freezing. I ended up injured and hobbling most of it but still, it was one of the best days of my life. Suddenly, I knew there was nothing in the world I was not capable of. Congratulations on your first of many marathons Drew!BrennanAnniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17532269249386535411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-90297926628338997092011-11-02T06:04:26.585-07:002011-11-02T06:04:26.585-07:00I'm so proud of you!! My friends finished the ...I'm so proud of you!! My friends finished the same race on Sunday and one did it in 6 hrs. Your time was outstanding! I've finished 2 marathons around 6 hrs and plan to do my 3rd in 3 weeks! Outstanding determination Drew!Elaine Valliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14144370040546432562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-55903047133384687272011-11-02T05:51:39.044-07:002011-11-02T05:51:39.044-07:00LOVE IT!!! Congratulations on being a finisher an...LOVE IT!!! Congratulations on being a finisher and I understand that this is the best 1st marathon course to run. It was truly an amazing day (also my first marathon) and one of the best experiences that certainly is worth doing again - and doing better. And you finished something that many people will never start...so congratulations and all your hard work and effort and seeing it through to the finish line....hopefully I will see you at next years race :)Sandra Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11083716854820721289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-87623528773767498222011-11-01T21:28:24.199-07:002011-11-01T21:28:24.199-07:00Drew,
The last line says it all. It's a stran...Drew, <br />The last line says it all. It's a strange addiction, isn't it? Midway between torture and elation lies...serenity? I've done a full and a half, both after 45. The body is balky, unpredictable. I had a much easier race, and recovery from the full than the half, despite being in better shape overall for the latter. Congrats, and happy trails!<br /><br />KellyKellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15671498644433675364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-42841903604091327582011-11-01T17:54:32.429-07:002011-11-01T17:54:32.429-07:00This was my first MCM, and my third marathon.
It ...This was my first MCM, and my third marathon.<br /><br />It was a bit nippy at the start. But the energy and excitement of the crowd more than made up for it. <br /><br />The firefighters in Alexandria had the American flag draped across the course low enough so that runners could touch it as they ran underneath. Kind of set the tone that this wasn't just another marathon.<br /><br />The Marines at the water stops were getting into motivating the runners. Giving them a "Ooh-Rah" back and watching the excitement got to be a game for me at the water stops.<br /><br />Somewhere around the third hill, a couple of the wheelchair racers were struggling to go up. You couldn't help to ignore your own discomfort and encourage them on. <br /><br />Every time I started to loose my determination and focused on my pain, I'd look up and I'd be heading towards the Washington Monument, so I'd just focus on it.<br /><br />As I was starting up the final hill up to the Iwo Jima Monument (who'd have thought such a small incline could be such a royal b**ch!) I could hear the announcer calling out the names of those who crossed the finish line. The first name I heard was "Drew Carey!". I finished 19 seconds behind you.<br /><br />When I returned to Cincinnati, the first question everyone wanted to ask me was "What was your time?". I always respond by pausing, pondering for a moment, then saying, "You mean they actually time these things?".<br /><br />See you at the finish line next year,<br /><br />Semper Fi<br /><br />Chad RichterChad Richterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636842647152995886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-18502957613364058052011-11-01T17:05:49.580-07:002011-11-01T17:05:49.580-07:00Marathons are kind of like sex. Your first time is...Marathons are kind of like sex. Your first time is NOTHING like they tell you it should be. It's painful, embarrassing, awkward, and covered in all sorts of strange bodily fluids. But there's still something about it, so you keep at it and one day after your second, or your third, or your tenth attempt, you finally have that great moment that you've waited your whole life for, and you think, "Yeah. Now I get it. That's what the big deal is about."<br /><br />Welcome to the world of marathons. Check your ego and your toenails at the door!thefirecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17252139550073127683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-76414046562093542352011-11-01T16:43:21.556-07:002011-11-01T16:43:21.556-07:00Great personal narrative of the MCM, Drew! Every ...Great personal narrative of the MCM, Drew! Every single runner of the MCM is there with their individual backgrounds, pursuits, and objectives. It was my 3rd MCM, and I finished this year in 5h 24m 17s, about 4s slower per mile than last year. I was not crestfallen. I was happy! I stopped to greet my friends and dog Baxter along the route. I run with a camera and stop to take fun photos. As you note, the MCM is a rush, a shared experience among the 30,000 individual runners. However, it isn't a nightmare. I want to do it again next year as well. Next year will be my 4th MCM. My first year, 2009, was triggered when a work colleague posted on Facebook that he had registered for MCM. In a lark, I registered for the 2009 MCM. I had never run outside before. Now running is an essential part of my life. Thanks, Drew, for your personal perspective on the MCM. It is, of course, the People's Marathon. All the best! - RickRick Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08853994644591492149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-52158555908379354012011-11-01T16:41:00.722-07:002011-11-01T16:41:00.722-07:00Way to go Drew! My wife and I live right there an...Way to go Drew! My wife and I live right there and watched the start and finish. It was freezing at the start and we can't believe you stood out in that weather for 2 hours before the race. Crazy. You should be very proud of your performance and make it an annual tradition! Thanks for the inspiration.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00108322857670260763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-90960957093639856542011-11-01T16:30:34.596-07:002011-11-01T16:30:34.596-07:00Been there done that! Congratulations Drew Carey! ...Been there done that! Congratulations Drew Carey! This was my story last year to a "T" ...except for the part where you were being interviewed, ...the official starter, etc. When your body gives out like that it's a freak show, I didn't know if I should shuffle or hop to get through the thing; but seeing all of those marines, I could not quit. Good job! See you next year!! I'll be there for #3!Mary Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05004682696149987767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-24126027379992022802011-11-01T15:30:23.642-07:002011-11-01T15:30:23.642-07:00Drew, congrats! This was my 7th MCM, like you I a...Drew, congrats! This was my 7th MCM, like you I am an old Marine. Running the MCM must be what crack is like because you always come back for more. I hope to see you out there next year <br /><br />Bill DavisDelawareVikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06281145507270511261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-23761788826066293502011-11-01T15:15:15.874-07:002011-11-01T15:15:15.874-07:00Congratulations on your first marathon Drew! Don&#...Congratulations on your first marathon Drew! Don't be disappointed in your time - it's a huge accomplishment just to finish. I finished in 4:53 and had hoped for 4:30. It was my 4th full. Each time something prevents me from getting that goal that should be well within my ability. This time it was a stress fracture that kept me from getting all my training in. I also wrote up my story that you might enjoy. It's on my website www.sweatygirlsrock.ca under running stories. Congratulations again - you did awesome!<br /><br />SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667993205221253651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-18164087795502884772011-11-01T15:11:51.408-07:002011-11-01T15:11:51.408-07:00Would you consider running for a charity? Each yea...Would you consider running for a charity? Each year we attend theMCM in honor of my brother and two other marines who have lost their lives while serving this great country.Cpl Mimushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992671155405661372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-17619102257689565522011-11-01T14:43:03.981-07:002011-11-01T14:43:03.981-07:00It is a bit addicting, huh? Please do not lose th...It is a bit addicting, huh? Please do not lose the motivation. Keep up the training as much as you can. I know things get a bit crazy. <br /><br /> I was running with my wife the whole way because it was her 1st as well. Her knee stopped her from running the last 13mi. But like you, she said "I started this I am going to finish". We did our run for the SGK foundation. Everytime she wanted to quit, she reminded herself of why she was there. She also told that since she was married to a Marine, she could not let me be married to a quitter. <br /><br /> She will not be doing the run next year, but if I am state side, I hope to see you next year, since I missed you this year.<br /><br />Stay Moto Devil@iT aGaiNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03739191315852771760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428328458337475875.post-37711676150029491752011-11-01T14:21:58.947-07:002011-11-01T14:21:58.947-07:00My husband finished the marathon in about six hour...My husband finished the marathon in about six hours. (this was his 5th MCM) He described pretty much the same experience where he cramped up around Haines Point and walked the rest of the way because the pain was so bad. Congrats on finishing! That's the most important part! And yes, this was my first MCM experience as a spectator and the positivity around was awesome. I found myself cheering for complete strangers especially at the hill going up to the monument. But wear that medal and red competitor shirt with pride and we'll see you next year!!Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06861852615706070139noreply@blogger.com