My passion for long distance running began in 2004 when I was assigned as network manager for the Marine Corps Marathon.  We worked long hours ensuring the telecommunications network supporting the large staff of the marathon were equipped with voice, data, and radio capabilities. One of our main tasks was to ensure the multiple law enforcement agencies which support this marathon could communicate with one another.
The morning of the race, we arrived at the site at 4am to conduct sound and comm checks with law enforcement and medical staff.  Our Command Post was close to the finish line. The race started and our new radio equipment ran flawlessly. I grabbed my radio and walked over to the finish line to catch a glimpse of the finishers. This was my first time witnessing something like this. I saw people weeping at the finish line, limping to get across, and some photo finish sprints.  Most moving of all, I saw a double amputee crossing the finish line.  From what I witnessed at the finish line, it became clear to me why the Marine Corps Marathon is known as "The People's Marathon". At that moment, I decided I wanted to one day run a marathon. Shortly after that race, I deployed to Iraq and from there a series of life changes which did not allow me to make this goal a reality until 2008 when I ran my first marathon in Brussels in 2008. I became fascinated with the races.  So far I've ran 6 marathons and 8 half-marathons and do not plan to stop any time soon.
Fast forward to 2013.  As soon as my alarm on my phone alerted me to sign up, I did.  Thankfully, there is an earlier sign up for military personnel.  Even under those conditions, I tried several times to get into the race.  I knew few friends who were running, to include a dear friend, Karla, who I went to Boot Camp with in 1997.  I had visualized a whole training plan in my head but it did not work quite like my vision.  A combination of travel, poor time management and awful summer heat made my runs very far in between.



Packet Pickup

 I thought of not running the marathon but I also wanted to be there for Karla, who was running her first marathon. Karla arrived from Boston and we headed to the expo. I was disappointed when I saw the huge line to pick up packets. We stood for 1 1/2 hours just to go into tent where young Marines were twiddling their thumbs waiting for the runners to arrive. I had been so proud of my work in 2004&2005 and was personally disappointed with this check-in process.  The expo had a lot of great features and vendors but I wish they could have streamlined the entry of the armory and packet pickup.  I know security is a concern, but to have hundreds of people waiting in line outside doesn't make it the safest environment either.
Race day was complete redemption.  The morning of the race we were both motivated to run.  I was honest with Karla and told her I was not able to run the race at her pace but I will pace her for the first 5 miles.  Thankfully I was able to pace her for 10 and started slowing down from there.  I was not prepared.  My run turned into a jog by the halfway point and my jog turned into a shuffle by the 20 mile mark.  At mile 22, my toes started cramping and I literally limped across the finish line.


Marathon, Done...

 To me, there were three highlights of the race. One, the Marines who went above and beyond with the water, support, and aid stops. Loved running by the Lincoln Memorial as the Marines' Hymn played and being given my medal by one of my own.  Secondly, the scenery.  Washington, DC is one of my favorite cities in the world.  This course truly allows you to see all the things which make this city truly special.  Third, was to run the race with one of my dearest friends and sisters in arms. Although I was in pain during and after the race I do not regret running this race. Embracing Karla at the end made the six hours worth every little cramp.  I can truly say it was the best of races and the worst of races in the sense the experience was inspiring but my body was not conditioned for it. Although once that finish line was crossed, all that pain just seemed like an afterthought.
Overall, the race was a great experience.  I really would like to see an improvement next year on the packet pickup.  The organization race day was superb.  Every little detail was taken care of.  You can always trust Marines with that.  Semper Fi!

Once upon a time (in the 80's), I was a little school kid in Puerto Rico giving it my all in a 100 meter dash at our annual Field Day. Fast forward to present time:  I found myself at the starting line of the Puerto Rico Half Marathon.  I arrived two days before the race in a very convenient and relatively short flight from Reagan National to San Juan via Jet Blue.  One of highlights of being back in the US is the proximity to my roots, Puerto Rico.
Although Puerto Rico has two popular races: World's Best 10k and The San Blas Half Marathon this is the first year a Boston Qualifier marathon takes place in Puerto Rico.  When I saw advertisements for it via Facebook, I was compelled to run the full marathon and quickly signed up for it a few days after my Miami Half Marathon.  I went to Australia with the best intentions of clocking in my long runs but I was too busy hugging Koalas and drinking Aussie wine to do so.  I had trouble catching up due to my nonexistent sleep schedule post race.  Given those factors, I decided to run the half instead.

Race Medal

This half marathon is my third race since returning to the United States.  Every race in every country has its own personality and Puerto Rico did not disappoint.  As soon as I landed in San Juan, it was 89 degrees and it confirmed my intention to downgrade to the half.  I arrived at the expo, which was located at the Caribe Hilton (the hotel in which we also stayed in) and the booths were very limited, which I can imagine is normal for a race of only two thousand.  One of the things which can be improved for next time is to send releases by mail.  Having to fill out and sign releases before picking up the bib was time consuming and created a stop at the packet pickup.  Also I heard from other runners that by the time of their arrival they did not get safety pins for their bibs.  This is something which can be taken into consideration for next time.
Aside from that, race day was perfectly executed.  The shuttle buses from the Caribe Hilton to the start were on time.  At 5am, warm breeze already caressed my face at the start line.  I knew it was going to be hot.  As we started our race, I couldn't help thinking this is the warmest race I have ran.  As we ran past El Condado, one of the popular hotel and nightlife neighborhoods in San Juan, we saw people leaving the club of Hotel la Concha or having a post party margarita at the dive bar wedged between the art deco buildings.  I was tempted to have a margarita being Cinco de Mayo and all, but I decided to keep running.  The mood was animated for both the runners and the spectators (both the intentional and unintentional ones). 
The sun continued to creep and my miles took longer.  I received a lot of motivation from other runners, especially a woman maybe in her late 40's who her husband (I assume) was riding his bike alongside her the whole time. We constantly passed one another until the end and we exchanged words of encouragement. The water stands were excellent as well:  many young and energetic volunteers  with cold water and Gatorade gave an extra boost.  Also notable was the Police of Puerto Rico. While managing the crowds and traffic, many of them gave us words of encourgament.



My "Glam Squad"

The last 4 miles were the toughest.  By 7am the sun was shining bright and sucking all of my energy while heading uphill to Old San Juan to loop around to Sixto Escobar Stadium.  As the finish line approached, I realized I ran the slowest half of the six 13.1's I have done so far but felt as if I had worked the hardest.  When I crossed, I heard my best friend Jaime calling me.  When I look, she's wearing a T-shirt which states "Major Diva Glam Squad" and so is my other friend Mike who both traveled from NYC to be spectators. I was so moved, I began to cry.  I cried because of the faith my friends have in me.  Despite what happened in Boston, families and friends still lined the finish line to wait for their loved ones.  Although the race was challenging, especially because of the heat, I was grateful for the experience to run in the land who witnessed my first race as a child.  For the warmth and generosity of my people , the people of Puerto Rico I will forever be thankful.  This race next to Madrid Marathon and Berlin Half, has been one of the most spirited I have ran from the organizers to the spectators to the runners.  A sincere thanks to my friends and family who still pledge to see me cross the finish line....



Starting line!!

 

All finished! The sisterhood of the travelling combat boots!

Celebratory post race mimosas with Carlis from SpicyCandy

 Overall, I am very happy with the race.  The course even with its challenges (huge hill by Rock Creek and uphill finish line) was a fun and scenic and a great way for those who are visiting DC to be familiarized with the local neighborhoods.  For me, it was also a great experience to run with two women who I have had the pleasure to serve my country with and admire deeply.  Lastly, I ran this race in the memory of my niece, Amanda who left this earth exactly 10 years before this race.  She is my inspiration to live in the present and to the fullest.