I have always wanted to finish a marathon, but I wasn't ever in the shape to do so. Here are the obligatory photos!! Bataan 2016
I began training for this event back in August of 2015. But the journey to reclaim my fitness back in January of 2014 here is a link to that story.
The Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon was truly an inspirational event. My final time was 6 hours, 47 minutes. That landed me at 40th overall in the Civilian Heavy Category and 10th in my age bracket (30-39). The really frustrating part for me was the most intense pain I've ever felt from a cramp in my right calf around 13.5ish miles. I couldn't seem to shake it. I know it cost me around 40 minutes. But that's ok!! I finished and I know what to do next year to post an even better time!! Even more important to me, is that I know I was able to push through the worst pain I've ever endured to finish a goal. I have been forever changed by the experience.
A little about the Memorial Marathon--it is truly one of the most inspirational events I've ever experienced. There were over 6600 competitors marching/running to remember and memorialize the atrocity of the Bataan Death March. I saw everything from teams joining us from Germany, Great Britain, to wounded warriors with prosthetic limbs, to a 10-year old boy competing. Many of the racers carried personal memorials of fallen soldiers on packs or paid tribute to family members that served and have since passed away. You can't help but be changed after being a part of that event.
There are a few different options when running the course. You can race as Military or Civilian and either light (no pack) or heavy (pack weight of at least 35lbs post race). I ran as a "Civilian Heavy". After the race, despite all of my planning, my pack weighed in at 45lbs.
Thanks for reading! And remember, it is never too late to check an item off your fitness bucket list!!!
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