Honolulu Marathon 2005

Last Sunday (12/11/05) I ran in the Honolulu marathon. This was my third marathon and my second with the AIDS marathon training program. The AIDS marathon training program is not just a six month training program the prepares runners to finish a marathon, it is also a fundraising program that, for the DC area participants, benefits the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a local organization that helps and assists people living with HIV/AIDS. There are number of AIDS marathon training programs across the country, in places such as Chicago and LA, all of which benefit a local AIDS clinic.

As far as the training goes, the AIDS marathon training program is a great way to leisurely tackle 26.2 miles. The first thing that makes this program great is that you are assigned to a pace group depending on the speed at which you feel comfortable running. So, each weekend, when all the participants gather to do a long distance run, you are always with your pace group, chatting, hanging out, never feeling rushed or competetive. I have done other programs, and I prefer the AIDS marathon training program in large part because they put you in a pace group. During the week you are only asked to run two times on your own for about 40 minutes each time. It is the weekend runs, with your pace group, when you tackle the longer runs.

The other great thing about the AIDS marathon training program is the amazing way in which they prepare you both physically and mentally for the marathon distance. Many people who sign up to do the training program are reluctant early on to face the challenge of the training because 26.2 miles can seem very daunting. Many participants have never run more than a mile at one time and do not beleive that they can actually complete a marathon. But the type of training makes 26.2 a managable and reachable goal. The cool thing about this program is that at the beginning of the training, a 6 mile run seems daunting, but before you know it you are 4 months into the program and 10 mile runs are considered "short runs" are a piece of cake.

The training is designed around a method created by the famous marathoner, Jeff Galloway, where you intersperse running and walking. Depending on your pace you will run for a set amount of time and then walk for a set amount of time. Over long distances this method helps many runners maintain there posture, form, and endurance. For instance my pace group would run for 5 minutes and then walk for 1 minute. When I did my first marathon with the AIDS marathon training program, I was hesitant to do this run/walk method but after trying it, I found myself run/walking longer distances faster and more comfortably than I had run them. When running long distances, for a novice runner like myself, I tired easily and my form deteriorated towards the later miles and when I finished I was exhausted and in pain, opening up the potential for injury. When I started the run/walk method, I was finishing those same longer distances much faster and was feeling and looking much better at the end. For those thinking of doing a marathon, look into the run/walk method because you would be surprised at the results in can produce.

And finally, the great thing about the AIDS marathon program is that you are fundraising for a really great organization. Fundraising is oftentimes more challenging than the training but it can also be surprisingly fun and is always rewarding. Depending on where the marathon is being held, runners have to raise anywhere from $1,700 to $4,000. To compete in the Honolulu marathon, all of us had to raise $3,400. Most of this money goes to the clinic, but some of it is also used to pay for the participants' airfare and hotel stay for two nights in the marathon destination.

Some participants have no problem raising the money, while others, unfortunately, end up dropping out of the program because they are unable to reach the fundraising deadlines. With a little creativity and some free time though, anyone can raise the money. It is amazing to see how creative people get in order to raise money. People have parties, bake sales, date auctions, get restaurants to sponsor them, sell doughnuts at the metro, sell parts of their bodies (depending on the amount of money someone donates the runner wil write the donors name on a part of their body for race day, such as 100 bucks gets the donors name is on the runner's arm, 500 bucks gets a name on a leg, and 1,000 bucks gets a name on a forhead etc.).

Anyway, the Honolulu marathon was a great experience and spending time with the friends I met during the six month training program made it even that more special. The run itself, started at 5am, which meant that most of us were up at 2:30am to eat a quick breakfast, meet up with our pace groups, walk to the shuttle pick up area, take the shuttles to the starting line, use the porto potties, line ourselves up in the appropriate corral, and then wait anxiously for the marathon to start.

Since it started so early, the first 2 1/2 hours of the marathon were in the dark. During this time I was wishing the sun would come up quicker so I could enjoy the beautiful scenery, but when it finally did rise I soon wanted it to go back down. It was around 81 degrees for the last 10 miles of my run, which made for a very dehydrating, sweaty, exhausting, please kill me now, experience. During miles 21 through 26 my body was overheating and running on empty. Every time I doused myself in cold water the cooling sensation lasted only a few seconds until I again fell victim to the sweltering heat.

I was pleased when I finally crossed the finish line. But, I must say, despite the torture through which I put my body, the best part of this whole experience in Hawaii was meeting up with the other members of my pace group at the end and just lying in the cool grass near the finish tent, talking about the pain we were in, about how are run had gone, and figuring out which bar we were going to go to that night.

To train and fundraise for, run, and complete a marathon is a very rewarding experience especially when it is shared with others. Setting challenging goals linked to a good cause, and then adjusting and discplining your lifestyle to reach those goals is a beneficial experience for anyone and I highly recommend the AIDS marathon training program for those interested. I can tell you one thing...no matter who you are...you can run a marathon! And that is why I love this event.

Peace Out,
Daryn