2009 National Marathon Race Recap

The marathon last Saturday was a lot of fun. It was a chilly day because the temperature was below freezing at the start of the race and it didn’t get much warmer as the miles went on. The good thing about it though is that the purpose of the race was for training purposes only and the plan going into it was not to carbo load or taper, but just go into it like a normal training day.

My overall time was 4:15, which I was happy with but I think I went out way to fast in the first few miles at a 7 minute mile pace because I wasn’t really sure how to pace myself in a marathon distance and I wanted to see how far I could go at that pace. At the half marathon point I started to find my rhythm and at mile 21 I hit the wall lol, which I figured would happen, but it was a great learning lesson.

The support crews and volunteers were amazing and the course was beautiful, which made the race even more enjoyable.

Here is a small news segment that NBC news ran the night before of the race:
2009 Suntrust National Marathon Preview – Brian Boyle

2009 Suntrust National Marathon

I’m excited to run in the National Marathon tomorrow in Washington D.C. because it will be my first full marathon since competing in Kona in 2007.  Training has been going well these past few months so I’m hoping that tomorrow will be a nice day to run…the main goal as always is just to finish.

National Marathon on NBC4 Website

American Red Cross

2008 Ironman 70.3 World Championship

Throughout my hospitalization period back in 2004, I received 36 blood transfusions and 13 plasma treatments to replace the 60% blood loss that I experienced at the accident scene.  It has been a personal mission of mine since then to help promote blood donation and that is why I joined forces with the American Red Cross last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmehcPbSdew

Every two seconds someone in the United States  needs blood, but unfortunately, only 5% of the eligible US population donates blood in a given year.  Since there is no substitute for blood, healthy donors are the only source.

Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell, anemia and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live.

For nearly 5 million people who receive blood transfusions every year, your donation can make the difference between life and death. I am living proof of that and I’m so thankful for all the people who donated. 

To sign up for an upcoming blood drive in the area where you live, please visit: https://www.givelife.org/index.cfm

The need is constant.  The gratification is instant.  Give blood.