JFK Number Nine

JFK 2012

It's done and I am happy even though things did not work out as I had hoped.

Days before the race I sat down and “Guesstimated” three different running scenarios, fast, relaxed and really relaxed. I spanned all three during my run and finished between relaxed and really relaxed, not to say that much of it was relaxing.

The fast part of my race was the first sixteen miles to the canal where I was right on or slightly under my predicted fast time of two hours forty five minutes. These miles were run with ease and not a whole lot of effort, I seemed to just float over most of the course. Running into Gathland I was totally shocked as I thought we had two more miles to go, it had passed by so quickly.

By the time I reached Weverton aid station I had a sinking feeling the ease of running was over, ahead of me the battle would be waged. It wasn't legs, energy or GI track holding me back, it was building pain across my lower midsection, I bit a pain pill in half, kissed Susan goodby and headed to the canal.

When I originally considered using pain medication during the race it was to help settle down my guts not to control pain. A month before, on a muddy trail a quick left hand turn resulted in the slip of my left foot twisting my body in an unusual way. The resulting pain was unmistakable yet unremarkable at the time, I didn't give it much thought until it just would not go away.

To stay on my fast plan I needed to run nine minute miles for the next eleven and a half miles, I made it for two. I had hoped the pain would not get worse but it just was not to be, at mile twenty five I swallowed the second half of the pill.

By the time Susan met me at Snyder's landing I was confident I would finish but knew it would be at my “Really Relaxed” pace.

I have never had a pacer before but somewhere prior to mile thirty eight Larry Key was waiting for me; I had not been feeling well and bit another half pain pill just prior to seeing him. Relief from midsection pain wasn't forthcoming but running and walking with my friend made those miles sail by.

Leaving the flatness of the canal the runners are immediately presented with a pretty good hill. Most will walk but I ran, albeit slowly until I saw a homeowner with a sign.... Bagels, Bananas and Beer, I had to stop and ask if he really had beer... he produced a fresh can of Yuengling and poured half a cup; Man did that taste good !

The remainder of the run would have been a “Trudge” but I was fortunate enough to be joined by an unexpected pacer with four miles to go. Corrine, one of my trail runner friends walked and jogged me to the finish. We had a blast and I felt quite good as long as we walked. As the finish line approached she gave me a big hug, turned around and ran four miles back to her car.

A sense of satisfaction and relief swept over me as my medal was placed around my neck. A time of ten hours thirteen minutes and six seconds placed me four hundred and sixty first, almost dead in the middle of the nine hundred sixty seven who finished. It was by all measures a very good day.

The support of many made this day possible, without all of you, this would never had been. I am very appreciative. The "Coat of Arms" for the name O'Grady has the Latin phrase "Vulneratus Non Victus" which translates in English to "Wounded but not Conquered", it is how I feel about my Cancer.

Mike