Brandon Running Association

This is from one of our runners who has run a couple of 4+ hour marathons,
and started running with us in early 2007.  Not everyone has the goal of
qualifying for the Boston marathon, and we have many folks with many goals,
but if your goal is to go to Boston, check this out and come join us . . . .
(this is based on his run at the Jacksonville Marathon on December 16th,
2007 in 3:14:53)


     WOW!!!  Elton, thank you very much.  I guess I'm not dreaming after
all...at least not anymore!!!  It feels simply amazing.  All the hard
work, the long miles, the sacrifice's made which definitely include the
efforts of my wife Nora and 5 beautiful children for without those I
wouldn't have been able to make it to the starting line!!!  To finally
reach this goal is an amazing, amazing feeling and a dream come true.
I've played it in my mind over and over because they say it's good to
visualize success.  Well, the real life race and eventual finish was
better than anything I dreamt up.  I'm definitely on cloud 9 right now.
Tom, Elton, Steve, Kathy, Tanya, Jan, Dorcas...I promise to stop
drooling over your Boston medals, hats and jackets...well, at least by
April 21st, 2008!!!  LOL!!!  :O))))))

     That was by far the hardest personal accomplishment EVER!!!  I couldn't
have made it without the efforts of everyone!  From the training plan,
to the weekly workouts, the advice, the wisdom and knowledge, race
strategy, Steve gutting it out through injury, to Elton getting me on
pace, to the supplements that I had no idea I needed, to Dorcas for
driving us to Jacksonville (in RECORD TIME!!!  LOL!!!), to the crowd
support (Tom, Veronica and Tanya thank you...you being there was HUGE
for me!!!), to Kathy picking me up at mile 24 (all I can say is that was
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE...I was fading fast those last few miles and your
efforts definitely picked me up and got me back on pace...not sure I
would have made it without that), to Big Daddy D and Caribbean Steve
yelling to me, "you've got 2 minutes left...sprint for it now Matt!!!,
to Tom screaming as I crossed the finish line, "YOU'RE GOING TO BOSTON
BAAAAAABY!!!" (definitely would have to say I won't soon forget those
words!!!

     The last 6-7 miles was all about how much and more importantly how long
I could endure pain and misery.  I was in a gap running by myself for
several miles and at that point of the race when fatigue sets in and
your mind begins to play tricks on you and all the what ifs begin to
speak LOUD AND CLEAR in your mind.  It was the biggest gut check of my
life!!!  I'm glad I didn't disappoint myself but more importantly I'm
glad I didn't disappoint all those supporting me.

     But as the madness goes we arrived back at the hotel room just after the
race, showered and rested for a wee bit and while Big Daddy D and I were
waiting on the others to arrive in the hotel lobby we were actually on
the internet scoping out the next marathon!  It's a crazy business but I
love it!!!

     Kathy and Jan great PRs and awesome job on taking home age group
awards!!!

Matt