Great race report, by the way. I learned some valuable info on running through a cramp. And you also scared the crap out of me.

Yes, great race report. Reminds me of why I just did the Half this year at CMM. I'm really gonna hate this. If I'm walking and you lap me at the Monkey...just pretend you don't see me.

No this will be my 3rd. First was CMM 2007, 2nd was Marine Corps Marathon 2007. Stomach problems at the top of the hill at mile 17 put me in a "walk/jog, push just hard enough to NOT throw up again" mode in my first. At MCM I was on target to break 4 hours but between mile 20 & 21 I ran out of gas...or wimped out..or something. The CMM half this year was really the first time I've been able to run hard and not have stomach problems. I did some mile repeats and LT runs which I think made a big difference.

How can they transfer bibs?

How can they transfer bibs?

OK, whew! I found it. For a second, I thought we were going to need to enlist the help of Internet Detective. MCM Transfer Policy Registered but unable to run? You can transfer your 2008 MCM entry to another would-be marathoner between July 30 and September 22. The new transfer system for the 2008 MCM will require the registered runner to fill out the online transferor request form and receive a confirmation email with a one-time use code. This email should be passed to the transferee, who will need the code to fill out the online transferee application and pay the $25 transfer fee. Click here for more details.

Are you riding down to Tupelo with us? I'm driving. Leaving around 11ish from Nashville.

It's a possibility. I appreciate the offer and I'm glad to hear that you have a plan! One out of five ain't bad! I'm trying to get the low down on what MJ and GITM's plans are as well, so we can all make the operation run as smoothly as possible. The latest is that MJ is coming to Nasvhille on Friday, but wasn't sure if he was driving or flying. And, GITM? I haven't the slightest idea what his plans are. I've asked him twice. MTA: GITM said he is driving, which I guess means he's not coming thru Nashville prior.

Tony. I feel you on the stromach issues. I ran my worse marathon ever 3 weeks before CMM this year because of stomach issues. You may hear people around here refer to it as "Candicing" You don't really want to know what that means.

Oh, that's right. I remember reading about some of this on the NS site. It sounds like you were able to diagnose the problem and dial into those variables that were necessary to correct the problem. Once you find the formula, you can stick to it! That's why I always eat oatmeal now before marathons and long runs. I know what to expect. I've heard good things about MCM. This group that I run with on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings out here in H'ville is sending 35 people. They had some cancellations, so if you know of anybody that wants in, they can transfer bib numbers. They are trying hard to get me to run it, but it just doesn't seem like my thing. I'm committed to only running the no frills (course that's hard as a mother f'er) races in '08. So, far I've stuck to the plan.

I'm glad I did MCM even though I realized that after mile 15 or so I don't care at all about the sights to see. Before it started, standing there in front of the Pentagon with 30,000 people hearing the National Anthem and watching two V-22 Ospreys fly toward the horizon as the sun was rising is really pretty hard to describe. It's a picture in my mind that I don't think I'll ever forget. The finish at the Iwo Jima Memorial was pretty awesome too. At the beginning of the hill up to the finish were the words "Semper Fi - beat the hill", so that gave everybody a kick in the pants to run up the hill no matter how much like hell they felt. The downside is - it was really crowded all the way through. At the water stops, masses of people would just stop and it was tough to go around them. Unlike the CMM, everyone was running the Full because there was no Half.

Hey Tony, Speaking of Marine Corps, they are changing the route this year to make it less challening for runners. This is SO unmonkeyish. http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/08/18/daily35.html