Lindsey Mastis

I did it! I ran a full 21 miles. I started at Fletcher’s Boathouse at 7 a.m. with the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation team. It rained the day before so the first three miles were difficult. I was constantly running through mud and jumping over puddles.

I felt confident because I ran a portion of this trail last week. I knew where to go… up to a point.

By the time I got through running the C&O Canal trail and started to veer onto the Rock Creek Park Trail, my preparedness was causing me problems. I packed my water waist-belt full of chewable energy bites. So full that when I rounded a corner, the bag fell out (along with my car key). I had to stop and re-pack the entire waist belt. As soon as I started to run, it all fell out again. I had to walk for a few minutes while I figured out a way to re-organize the belt. By the time I started running again, almost everyone passed me up.

I put on my headphones and listed to the Cee-Lo Green channel on Pandora. It was great. I tuned out the pain in my legs and concentrated on moving forward. The sights were beautiful. I was so happy when I saw the tunnel, because I got to run through a portion of the zoo. I didn’t get to see any animals, but I pretend that I’m running through Jurassic Park 3– and I’ve got to get through before the pterodactyls and tyrannosaurus rex get me. Then I get through the forest and I’m safe. And the best part– I’m close to a restroom stop. And I’m 7 miles in!

A woman in my group– Erin– caught up with me and we were able to take a break together. The DetermiNation team provided us water and GU. I re-filled my water bottles and tried out a Chocolate Mint GU (so good!) and then I took off again.

I was warned that the next five miles would be up hill. No problem, I thought. Five miles didn’t seem like that much, but I wasn’t real sure about where I was going. The night before the run, I made a pocket-sized map. I kept getting it out, looking at it, and even asking people for directions. It was hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that the “trail” was Beach Road and that it was closed to traffic. I could run in middle of the street.

I ran ahead of Erin and started running longer without breaks. At one point my music stopped. I was surrounded by nature and I was alone. I had no phone service. There were no cars. All I could think about were snipers. I walked cautiously and took about a two minute walking break. I knew I was safe, but I wanted to keep my brain occupied. I didn’t even think about how tired I was.

Soon I was heading downhill– somewhat. I knew a turn would be coming up soon so I kept my eyes peeled. Then I saw my coach in a red shirt. He gave me directions and soon he and Erin were running with me. I wanted to take a walking break so bad, but I didn’t want to hold them up so I pushed on.

We ran by horse stables and across some roads. Then we reached our next pit stop. We got more water and GU. I filled up my water bottles again and took off. This was where we switched from running Rock Creek Park trail to Georgetown Branch Trail — the “future” site of the Capital Crescent Trail.

I was feeling pretty good at this point. I was trying to enjoy myself. I was running on a gravel-sand-like substance that felt better for my knees. There were a lot of people on the trail. There was even two races going on. And then… a tunnel!

It was long and could have been scary but after running through Jurassic Park and an eerie forest, I could tackle this. I couldn’t get my brain to imagine anything exciting, so I just focused on the tunnel itself. I loved the orange lights. I thought it was neat to see the bicyclists zoom through. And soon I was out of the tunnel and in Bethesda Row!

I knew this trail the best. It’s where I’ve been running for years. The Capital Crescent Trail is one of my favorites. I knew that from here, I only had about five miles to go. I couldn’t do math at this point, so I couldn’t comprehend how far I already ran. I just knew I had to keep going and soon I’d be done!

I kept focusing on taking walk breaks. I didn’t want to push myself so hard that I’d fail. So I ran eight to ten minutes and then walked two to three minutes. I did this over and over again. When I got to the bridge that passes over the C&O Canal, I just wanted to take off. I was so close! I kept running at a steady pace and I was to the “finish line” before I knew it. I saw George– the coach. I raised my arms up and cheered. I was so excited. He gave me a high-five. I asked who else was left– and it was Erin. I hadn’t seen her since before I got to Bethesda. I wanted to stick around, but I also wanted to get a shower.

I stayed and stretched for a little bit and then headed home. Patrick made me the best victory meal: a variation of French Toast featuring a hole in middle of the bread with a full egg, and sausage perfectly cooked. He even made little toast circles. It was amazing.

I had grandiose plans of going downtown, and walking all around. Instead, I drained my blisters (which meant I couldn’t walk for a while), and went to sleep. I slept for most of the day and then stayed up until about 4:30 in the morning watching movies with Patrick.

I really am proud of myself for running so far. A few times I was thinking of race day. I’m excited to wear my special outfit (patriotic) and honor those that suffered from cancer. I hope that my training will help me be able to hold conversations while running. I truly want to talk about the American Cancer Society and everyone that I’m honoring by doing this run.

And I also have to work on training myself more. I finished in 4:17– which means I ran a 12:14 pace. I need to knock at least a minute off per mile if I want to finish the race in less than five hours. (As long as my finishing time starts with a “4″ I’ll be happy!).

I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks. I will be running another 20-something miler, so I hope to see an improvement. Now, I’m excited for race day!

I arrived at Fletcher’s Cove a bit late and unprepared. My weekday training runs were both disasters. My “runs” became painful walks. My feet aren’t getting better. But I wanted to push myself Saturday. I wanted to run the full 15 miles. So I ran alone, with my music and my mind.

The first four miles were about running with pain. I stopped on several occasions to stretch my calves, re-tie my shoes, and shake the feeling back into my foot. I tried to zone out– and mentally move the pain out of my feet and into thin air.

I don’t know what I thought about. I do remember listening to the Cee-Lo Green channel on Pandora. (Thanks to my husband for the subscription so I can listen commercial free). The music was blues and hip hop. I loved it.

By the time I got to the National Mall I felt that familiar feeling of inspiration. That’s how I feel every time I run the mall. Or walk the Mall. Or drive by the Mall. The sun was starting to get intense and I didn’t bring my sunglasses. I squinted my eyes, took a lot of pictures, and kept running.

Anyone that has run around the Capitol Building knows why they call it “The Hill.” Let’s just say I had to walk a little bit of it, and stop for a water break. But when I got to the top I breathed a sigh of relief. That is, until I saw the guys with the guns, and then I started to run a little faster. It’s always a bit intimidating.

I rounded down the hill, and across the Mall again. Then I went around the Tidal Basin. I decided to walk through the FDR Memorial. I took a lot of pictures. This is part of the stretch that is in memory of Kathleen Maddy. Her brother, Duane, is sponsoring eight miles of my Marine Corps Marathon run, because this is a place his sister used to take him as a child. I can see why it’s such a great place to take a little brother. Lots to see, and even a little bit to climb on!

As soon as I got out of the memorial, I had to turn back around. The trail was closed because of last minute work being done to the MLK Memorial. I was able to run on a trail next to the water and then continue onto the WWII Memorial. I ran back to the Lincoln, down past the Watergate, and then along the Capital Crescent.

I was hungry. All I ate before I left was a banana. I ate both my GUs on the trail. And then my stomach started growling. I was only a few miles away, but I ran out of energy. Then a couple of women from my training group passed by and I tried to follow them for a while. I think it only worked a half mile. I was run, walk, run, walk until I finished. But my feet were feeling decent.

I stretched for a bit and then limped to my car. When I got home I didn’t crash like I normally do. And I stayed hydrated. It was a great day, thanks to the mind-game.