31 DOWN, 19 TO GO…

Portland Marathon, Maine
Number of Runners: 23
Elevation: 350’
Time: 4:12:37
Weather: 57 degrees, cloudy

During the past 30 days, there have been good mornings, and there have been not so good mornings. Today was not one of the good mornings. This nagging head cold of mine evolved into full body aches this morning for some reason. Thirty marathons hasn’t left me all that sore, but a measly little virus wreaked havoc on my muscle and joints in less than 24-hours.

On top of not feeling great, we had another blood draw this morning. So by the time I got to the starting line (and we got lost on the way to boot), I was somewhat of a mess. There was a hole in my arm, anda dull pain in just about every bone in my body. It’s not the way you want to greet 23 spirited runners and embark on a marathon.

But once we got going and started to talking, I almost immediately began to feel better. Instead of dwelling on my ailments, I immersed myself in the stories the other runners had to share. There were many familiar faces in the group today, too. A team of two great guys who had run with me the past three marathons were there. Another who had run with me in Boston was running with us again today. And a wonderful couple who are running sixconsecutive marathons with me (this was number four) was bright and cheery. There was a Brazilian runner in the group, and a number of few first-time marathoners, one a high school cross-country runner that wasn’t sure if he was going to go the entire distance.

The course was challenging, but scenic. We ran through the hills of Maine, the fall colors in full blaze, along the Atlantic seafront, through quaint little towns, and past lush green meadows that stretched merrily beyond view. The day started out sunny, but as things progressed the skies clouded in advance of a weather system that’s sweeping across the eastern seaboard.

Support along the course today was superb. It seemed like we had people cheering and offering food and water around every corner. We hung together as group for most of the first half, then spread out a bit for the trip back home. It might have been just me, but the return journey seemed rough. The hills seemed steeper, and the flat sections seemed deceptively short lived. The entire group toughed it out though, and the first-time marathoners held remarkably strong, including the high schooler who ended up running the whole 26.2 miles.

When we arrived at the finish line, the street was lined with applauding supporters. In the crowd was theentire class of Whitefield Elementary School, who had ridden in a bus for two hours to get here. It was a great reception for a group of runners that had worked extremely hard to cross that finish line.

This was perhaps the most challenging marathon thus far. It wasn’t due to the course or the weather, but to the way I felt. What got me through it? That’s easy, the inspiration of all the terrific kindred spirits that carried me along today in their footsteps. The credit belongs to the other runners; I was just along for the ride, and loving every moment of it.

The nasty cold front that’s heading our way tonight is no match for the warm smiles I left today in Maine. Rain, bring it on! After what I witnessed today, I feel ready for just about anything.

Always the best,
Dean

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Comments

[Michael Stain/Team Aquaphor Active.com]

Dean, Go Karno's Kids! Go Girls on the Run! Anything final about where to meet in Chicago? Meet Jim Anderson at Expo? Hope to hear from you. Rock On! Michael Stain

[Kit]

Hey Dean,
I'm a South African marathon runner who has completed 3 Comrades marathons - ~89kms. Having recently read your book I realise I have only just scratched the surface of ultra endurance running! Keep up the great work and good luck for the last 18 marathons.
Kit

[Simone]

I am training for the Philadelphia Marathon and some of these long runs are lonely and boring - how do you do it every day?? I would love to join your group when you are in Philadelphia - is that possible?

thanks

Simone in Philadelphia

[Claude Deschamps]

Hi Dean,

My friends and I are following your very inspiring journey! Since the beginning of September, we've been having a great time meeting regularly for running here in Montreal. The distance and the frequency of our runs have been increasing. We are now talking about participating to marathons and triathlons.

Hope you'll feel better real soon. Best of luck.

Claude Deschamps
Montréal, Quebec
Canada

[Carri Duke]

Dean,
I must say I am in much agreement about having people motivate you when you don't feel like taking one more step. That was me this morning as I headed out for a 15 miler before work at 4:30 AM. However, I felt a thousand times better post run.
Also, I wanted to send you news that I have the ball rolling on getting a Girls on the Run chapter started in Alabama. I am very excited along with other community members I have spoken to thus far.
I must say I have been receiving full inspiration to push my body further each day by reading your book. I know you hear this all the time, but I truly feel after I read like lacing up my shoes again for a 2nd or 3rd run for the day. Thank you for what you are doing for our country!
Blessings,
Carri Duke
5th grade teacher
Montgomery, AL

[Gary Stevenson]

Dean:
I am the Assistant Race Director of the 29th Annual Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon, scheduled to be held on February 24, 2007. LAst year we had 13,000 runners in our five events. We would like to line you up as a speaker at our Expo, to be held the night before the race. Please send me an expense schedule and your avaiability for that date.

Myself, the board, and the Staff of the Cowtwon Marathon wish you only the best of running and health during your adventure.

Sincerely,

R. Gary Stevenson
Assistant Race Director
Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon
817-401-2401 (mobile)
817-640-0556 (fax)

[Luke]

Sounds like the cold is getting rough. If you read this Dean, I would recommend mega-dosing vitamin C. A couple grams hour. However, ascorbic acid or even ester-C won't do much good. Here's two high quality vitamin-C's:
http://www.beyondhealth.com/sf/detail.aspx?ID=197
http://www.optimalhealthsystems.com/display.asp?id=36
You probably already tried that one, but I thought I'd write it anyway.
You're the man.

[Carole Donohue]

Dean, you are surely THE MAN! I am so inspired by your remarkable running, upbeat attitude and love of humanity. My friend Keith Kirby sent me your book and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and passed it on to a friend to enjoy and motivate. I think we can get too comfortable in life and thank you for pushing us to get out of the box and challenge ourselves. I've signed up for the Long Branch, NJ, marathon on Nov 4th, (49 of 50) and cannot wait! Keep strong and enjoy every moment! My motto . . . run like the wind! See you in New Jersey! Carole Donohue

[Karen]

At first I thought you were crazy: attempting the Endurance50. BUT after seeing how it is effecting many, many lives for the better, what could be wrong with that?
Keep up the GREAT work and hopefully I'll be able to cheer you on in Cleveland (race is full....)
(You've inspired me to run the Cleveland Marathon in May 2007, my first one!!) Thanks for all that you are doing!
Karen

[mary lou lowrie]

Dean,
You were amazing in Portland (Maine)! From the moment you bounded out of your vehicle, greeting everyone with infectious enthusiasm, you were an inspiration. To read that you were feeling so lousy that morning.....I'm even more impressed and inspired.
Keep up your great work for Karno Kids and your wonderful sense of adventure and tenacity.
Mary Lou Lowrie

[Cory Elowe]

Dean,
I would like to thank you, even though this is belated. The marathon that I ran with you has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was so incredible to meet you and achieve one of my goals with the help of you and the others running. The cross-country team showed at regionals (in awful conditions), and having run the marathon didn't seem to slow me down much...I even beat two of the other top runners by quite a lot! I have recieved so many "congratulations," but I wish I could just tell everyone how great it really was! So, thank you again!!
-Cory Elowe ("Cross-Country")