Marine Corps Marathon

Congrats to Finish Strong's marathon couple - Yves Puisieux and Irina Shikounova for completing the 40th Marine Corps Marathon held in D.C. on Sunday, October 25.  The MCM had a spectacular start with international flags from 54 different nations and the firing of the M2A1 Howitzer.

2067 Yves Puisieux M 54 Magnolia, TX 3:58:33 3:59:44 9:05/mi Marathon
23968 Irina Shikounova F 44 Magnolia, TX 5:35:43 5:36:55 12:48/mi Marathon

Here's a race report from Yves:

 "MCM is also named the "People's Marathon" for a reason. The race is open to all lottery winners no matter if they can run it in 2:30 or 6:00 hours. No prize for the winners, so no world-class champions but 30,000 runners who enjoy the scenery, the thousands of spectators cheering for you and the great organization by the Marines. It is also fun to think that the whole city is shutdown just for you !!!
The Marine Corps Marathon is also nicknamed the “Marathon of the Monuments" as you run through all monuments of the nation's capital.

Long walk to get to the start line (security) which is just a few yards form Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon. It was a rainy day, great temperature but 80% humidity.
Mile 2 is a steep climb which I always run too fast and then pay the price at the end :o)
You run downhill to cross the Potomac river on Key-Bridge, then M street in Georgetown, Rock Creek Parkway up and down, this is where you see the race leaders a couple of miles ahead of you...

You then leave the Lincoln Monument on your left and run towards Hains Point. Mile 13 is very unique. Also called the "blue mile" decorated with the photos of Marines fallen in action.
After Hains Point, you hit Independence avenue, with the Washington monument on your left and run all the way trough the Capitol.

This is generally where you start feeling the fatigue (miles 17-19). You have to "beat the bridge" at mile 20, crossing the river again towards Crystal City. The last 2-3 miles are generally challenging, not only because you have no legs left but also because this is the only area where spectators cannot go...while you would really need them.  But the last 0.2 miles are worth all the pain. It is a steep ascent to the finish line, the crowd is incredible and you feel emotional. The medal presentation is done by Marine Corps lieutenants !!

And it is a really beautiful medal, with a special ruby color this year to commemorate the 40th MCM
I followed my coach instructions, (don't push hard 2 weeks before Austin 70.3; target 4 hours), finishing in 3:58. It was not a problem at all as I had pretty much nothing left at the end:o))

Irina did even better, beating her MCM PB by almost an hour !!!!! Flying back the same day we were at least 10 MCM finishers on the plane, easily identifiable as we all wear the medal for the next 24 hours; one of them had run over 100 marathons already :o) Anyway, this is a very special race. I recommend all runners to run it at least once."

For more results, go to:
http://www.marinemarathon.com/Results/MCM_Results.htm