I've only told to few but I decided to run another marathon in Kansas City almost 1.5 months after completion of my disappointing 2008 Chicago marathon.  A couple of weeks after the Chicago Marathon, I tested my legs by running a long run (20 miles) and I felt confidence enough in challenging myself for another marathon run to qualify for Boston this year. I kept my plan to run another marathon almost secretive to most of the people to avoid putting my pressure on myself like I did for Chicago.  In addition, I was so determined to qualify for Boston that I did not want people to question my plan.  It had been a challenging time training in the cold Chicago weather and even tougher trying to keep myself in a strict diet when there were so many events to celebrate.   However, every time I felt like giving up, I kept reminding myself that "hard work will result in success".  One of my close friends asked me after the Chicago marathon why do I even run the marathon and my answer was simple:  I want to reach the goal that I set up and I don't want to be a quitter.  If you have ever achieved the goal due to your hard work, you should understand my desire.  I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many successful friends and this is a small way for me trying to validate myself as a better individual like my peers.  Many of my friends are hard workers in their own professions.  There is one that is excelling as a top player in his professional sport, one that is being a perfect husband and father, one that is an inspirational to all the women for being a top management in male oriented business world,  one that continues to strive for his excellence in biking and running, my list goes on and on.  I don't think some of them realize how much their efforts inspire me to be more determined!  

My Kansas City marathon on November 23, 2008 started off fantastic.  The weather was at ideal running condition: 33F at the starting time(8AM)  and at lower 50's by 11AM.  This was my first marathon that I have ran outside of Chicago -also very small (only 200 marathon participants)- so I did not know what to expect.  The course was set up to go about 75% trails and 25% city streets.   For the first 3 miles, I was mostly concentrating on defrosting my toes that almost froze up by waiting so long before the race. The scenery of the city and trails in the woods were very relaxing and peaceful and I was not fatigued at all for the half marathon.  I finished off my first half marathon at a pretty respectful time of 1:35:15 and my legs were feeling fresher than I expected.  There was 1.3 miles stretch of hill around at 6th miles but I was able to overcome it with ease and my confidence level was very strong.  From miles 12th to 18th, the course took off in the trail and for a while, I was worried that I was running a wrong route because I did not see anyone within my sight for a long time.  The consistent up and down of the trails were somewhat fun because it gave my legs a different rhythm to run but running alone on a trail that I have never been before felt a bit lonely.  My running up to 19th miles though, was the strongest that I have experienced in the longest time.  19 miles through 22 miles, the course went back to the street and I began to slow down as steep hill presented at mile 20.  The approximate a mile long of hill at 20 miles definitely took a toll on my legs and my right harmstring began to cramp up and had to slow down my running at 8:00/mile pace.  I was looking forward for water/banana/power gel somewhere after 21st miles marker to shake off my cramping but oddly, the organizer did not have any station set up between 19 to 25 miles.  (After the race, I complained to the lead organizer about it and she did not know why the stations were not set up.  If this was a larger marathon like Chicago, she would hear nastier complaints from all the runners!!) With no hydration and fatigueness taking a toll on my body, my pace has gradually slowed down since the hill at 20 miles and I realized that I had no shot of making the qualifying time 3:10:59 when I checked my time at 24 miles mark and it showed 3:00:00.  It was impossible for me to run sub 5 minutes for the last 2.2 miles so I made a choice to walk/run the last 2.2 miles. I walked around half mile and then jogged off to finish the race strong.  My racing time for the full marathon ended up at 3:20:57, 10 minutes short of the Boston qualifying time.  

Even though I did not qualify for Boston, I was satisfied with my experience.  If I had prepared myself for the hill at 20th mile, I may have come closer to the qualifying time.  This was my 5th marathon I have completed in as many times and I believe that I am becoming better runner each time.  I am looking forward to train again in the future and learn from some of the mistakes that I have made. For the next marathon, I will be needing to lose about 10 pounds to ease off poundings on my knees and I obviously have to work on my endurance a little more.  I may attempt 20 marathons before I can finally qualify for Boston but I can not wait for the day that I will be qualifying.  It will be well worth it and I am sure you will hear from me about it! .  

Well, now that I am finished with my marathons this year, I am going to take at least couple months off from hard training and enjoy foods, drinks, and much needed rest.  My next event I am planning to compete is a triathlon in late April next year.  Until then, I wish everyone a wonderful thanksgiving and joyful holidays.