BENEFITING: PLAY RUGBY INC
EVENT: Honda LA Marathon 2012
EVENT DATE: Mar 18, 2012
HERE'S THE STORY:

WE DID IT!

Well it's finally over, and despite still hobbling around in the
aftermath with what feels like could be a permanent limp, I'm 100%
glad I decided to run the LA Marathon. Thankfully, the two things I
was dreading may happen during the race never materialized - injury,
and wet weather! My troublesome right calf held firm and there was not
so much as a drop of rain all day, which ensured I was able to fully
enjoy a  truly exhilarating experience.

My marathon wingman Dan MacPherson and I were joined by 2 other
friends and we started the race at a very comfortable pace, allowing
us to settle in and take in the sights, sounds and excitement as we
traversed through Downtown LA and then up through Hollywood. At mile
12, it was time to take a short pit stop and both Dan and myself
needed to do something neither of us were able to do prior to the race
and shed a few unwanted pounds in the restroom. But with this break
taking longer than expected, we finally resumed the run, not only
losing that extra weight, but losing a good 15 minutes of valuable time
in the process!

Feeling quite comfortable around the halfway mark, we knew it was time
to step it up a notch. Dan and I gradually picked up the pace, and by
about the 18 mile mark after some window shopping down Rodeo drive, we
were ready to lift the level once again and bring it home. I surprised
myself by reaching the 22 mile mark injury free and with plenty of gas
in the tank, so there was no choice but for the two of us to finish
strong down the home stretch. At mile 25 we were truly in the zone,
weaving in and out of hundreds of weary finishers, when finally
hitting our straps after turning the corner at Ocean Ave and spotting
the finish line in the distance. This provided quite a rush, and there
was no stopping the legs now from achieving their ultimate goal, and
we stormed home through the sea of spectators to cross the line at a
respectable time of 4 hours 25 minutes.

The 3 months of pain, sacrifice and hard work was now insignificant
and I'll never forget the emotion of crossing that finish line,
particularly as only 3 years earlier I wasn't sure if I'd even be able
to walk again due to a spinal injury.

I would like to thank once again, everybody who supported me in their
own way, particularly those who donated to the two wonderful
organizations for which I was running to raise funds. I thoroughly
enjoyed the day and who knows, I may even be crazy enough to do it all again some day in the future...

 

Play Rugby USA (www.playrugbyusa.com) is working to give inner city urban youth across America the opportunity to develop long lasting life skills, make new diverse friendships, stay healthy and safe while playing one of the most engaging fun team sports in the world. Over the last two years in LA, PRUSA has partnered with LA84 Foundation to bring rugby to 27 schools and 700 kids.

The Tackling Cancer Foundation (www.tacklingcancer.org) was created to support leading cancer researchers while promoting safe and active lifestyles for today’s youth through sports. By leveraging the global participation of rugby, the foundation and its donors will help tackle cancer.

Both are non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. Help me raise awareness and funds for them!

Thank you so much!

Marc