Marathon Weekend

Last weekend was busy but rewarding. On Friday we went to our friends Boris and Stacey's wedding in Old Town Alexandria. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a lot of fun. It was our first traditional Jewish ceremony so we enjoyed being exposed to new rituals, including the stepping on the glass and the chair dance. Many of the revelers were Ukrainian or Russian so about half the toasts we didn't understand. But they sounded like good advice, we think. The dance floor was hopping with enthusiastic dancers. Nancy and I took a spin around but once the music switched from Sinatra to Euro disco, we were out of our league and retreated to the table. All in all, it was a great evening and we're very happy for Boris and Stacey.

Nancy's sister Sara and her family arrived on Friday night to spend the weekend with us. On Saturday the boys, Paul, and I went to the Air and Space museum to watch an Imax movie about fighter jets. Afterward, we walked to the National Gallery of Art so we could soak in some culture. On the way home we stopped by Gravelly Point to watch planes land and kick a soccer ball around. That night we went to one of my favorite pizza/pasta places, Atlantis, and carbo-loaded for the big day on Sunday.

On Sunday I ran the Marine Corps Marathon. It was a perfect day for running and I was happy with my time, 4:38. It's 9 minutes slower than Oprah but I ran as hard as I could. My right leg has been bothering me for the last month and it felt worse than ever during the last ten miles. At times it was hard to lift my right foot. But I managed to move along well enough to finish in my fastest time yet (my previous record was 4:42 in the 1999 NYC marathon).

The coolest part of the race was crossing the Francis Scott Key Bridge into Georgetown around mile 4 when it was really foggy. From the bridge, the only thing I could see of Georgetown was the spires sticking up from the fog. The Potomac River also had a spooky feel to it with all the foggy mist rising from it. Perfect for the weekend before Halloween!

Nancy, Katie, and the Sueta clan were there for me at mile 23 in Crystal City. It was very nice to see them! I saw our friend Chris around the same place. It was nice knowing that my parents were keeping track of my progress via the internet. Every time I crossed a sensor, I hoped my progress was being sent to them (which it was).

Unfortunately, I missed the Del Ray Halloween Parade but it sounds like everyone had fun. Katie wore her cute bunny outfit, Matt was the Joker, and Michael wore a George Washington mask. Mark appeared to be a chia pet.

Here are some photos from the weekend. You can view more photos here.


"My designer? Hefty, of course!"


Saying goodbye to Nancy as she dropped me off at the crack of dawn in Pentagon City.


The boys wait with Katie in Crystal City.


Here I am passing my fans at mile 23. The photo is blurry because I'm moving so fast, I hope.


This is me trucking towards mile 23.


Waiting for the Del Ray Halloween Parade to start.


Nancy with her favorite bunny.


A gaggle of Madelines parade down Mt Vernon Ave.


Michael, Sara, Katie, and Matt hop in the parade.


Katie wearing her Dad's Marine Corps Marathon medal.