2005 The Racewalking Begins

• First endurance event - April of 2005, Country Music Half Marathon. Naomi had done the Nike Womens Marathon in October of 2004, and I'd gone along to watch. Decided I needed the exercise, and if I was going to be able to see her on Saturdays and this was what it would take, it was worth it. 13.1 miles in 3:17:22. (Naomi was over 30 seconds per mile ahead of me, clearly more training needed.)


• Signed on with TNT in May of 2005, started training more regularly. Found out it's hard work, but there are signs of progess.


• August 7, 2005 - Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon, Naomi and I finished together in 3:08:21. Felt reasonably good about the time and was able (barely) to move the next day.


• September 4, 2005 - Virginia Beach Half Marathon, Naomi and I finished together in 3:10:38. Last three miles is on the Boardwalk and HOT!


• October 23, 2005 - Nike Womens Marathon, San Francisco, CA. Finished in 6:50:25 My first full marathon, and about four miles into it I stumbled (toe caught a crack in the pavement) and "strawberried" my knee. Ever see a little boy who fell? That's what it looked like, but it really was not painful so keep on going. All seemed fine until about Mile 20, when it seemed impossible for me to stand up straight, because my back was not working right. Kept going, but looked so bad every TNT Coach who saw me said "Tom, how do you feel? Are you going to finish?" (Later saw a picture of me at this point in the race - my face was ashen, can't blame them for asking.) My standard response became "I feel like dog *%$t, but I'm going to finish." Did so, then took Coach advice and went back to the hotel and took a 10 minute ICE bath (tub of water/ice, insert body for 10 minutes). Took care of the muscle injury, went to the TNT Victory Party and did some dancing that night. Not much, but some.


• We came back to DC, then spent the following Sunday cheering on our TNT TeamMates as they did the Marine Corps Marathon. Took lots of pictures, probably walked 10 miles, but recovered from Nike.

We managed to complete some interesting and challenging events, and in the process thanks to the generosity of my friends and clients I managed to raise over $6,000 for leukemia and lymphoma research. Given several family members and friends battles with blood cancers, that is the best part of all.

Racewalking to save lives. Curious? Go to: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaTCFarnam07