A Marathon Run with the Marines - USMC | 26.2 Miles [2014]

 

 

In Honor of Master Gunnery Sargent Ralph Anthony Eason [E9}, Tony Eason commits to running the Marine Corps Marathon [26.2 miles / 44 km].

One month prior,  on a marathon training run, Tony develops IT Band Syndrome.

Unwilling to surrender to defeat, having not run in a month, he arrives to Arlington, Virginia start line.

With a knee injury, fortitude, and the tough love of the United States Marine Corps, he endures a brutal yet profound marathon journey.

 

 

 

• Marine Corps Marathon #RunWithTheMarines | Tony Eason : http://ynottony.com/ynot/marine-corps-marathon/
• Ynot Truth Podcast Website: http://ynottruth.com
• Tony Eason Website: http://ynottony.com

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
In honor of Master Gunnery Sergeant,
E9
Ralph Anthony Eason
In 2014, I announced:
Tony Eason is going to run the Marine Corps Marathon.

So I initiated the training plan (00:21):
Starting with seven miles. Every three weeks, increase by 1.5 miles.
The first few months went as planned.
Yet,
On my 19 mile run; at the 9 mile mark,

(00:45):
I experienced knee pain.
Therefore,
I halted the run.

I figured (00:52):
It's just a bad day!
Therefore,
I took the week off,
no cycling, no running for one week
After a week off,
I began another 19-mile run. Again, at the 9-mile mark, I felt knee pain.

(01:19):
The run was halted! And, I questioned my ability to participate in the upcoming marathon.
Upon arriving home,
I googled outer knee pain.
I spoke with my running mentors & I consulted physical therapists.

(01:45):
After assessing the information,
the verdict was out.
My support team concluded,
Tony you are suffering from IT Band Syndrome.
Therefore,
to strengthen the knee, I initiated physical therapy.
to lessen the ankle pronation; I purchased new Asics Running Shoes.

(02:08):
to relieve pain and inflammation; I ingested Arnica.
I refrained from running until race day
26 October 2014

(02:29):
After finishing my morning coffee,
I proceeded to the DC Metro Station.
Arriving to the metro station
I was amazed.
It was full of positive energy.
Thousands of marathoners lined up on the platform.
Exciting conversations filled the cars.
As I disembarked the train,

I felt something was missing. And then, I realized (02:51):
I left my gear bag, nutrition, and water bottle on the train.
Therefore I recycled a discarded bottle,

(03:13):
filled it with water & duct-taped it to my hand. And then, I proceeded to the start line.
As the B- 52 bombers flew above & the crowd cheered on.
The marathon began,
though uncertain how long my knee would last.

(03:37):
I ran with form and stayed focus.
I knew I had to persevere.
I refused to face my father without the marathon medal.
As I passed the nine mile mark,

(03:59):
A smile came to my face.
I felt excellent.
I believed my knee was healed Yet as I approached the 15-mile mark,
The IT Band Syndrome returned.
The pain was even greater than before.

(04:22):
My run was halted!
As I sat on the side of the road, I felt dishonorable.

You see (04:31):
Being the son of a "Master Guns," [E9}
A military brat.

I've been taught (04:38):
If you sign up for the mission,
complete the mission
When the ship hits the fan; Suck it up!
Minutes later, I drew energy from everyone that ever loved me,

(04:58):
My parents.
My teachers.
My yoga students.
My sponsors.
My trainers.
My friends.
And then, I yelled out,:
HELL
NO
NOT TODAY!
With 11 miles to go, although speechless & cross-eyed

(05:21):
I held my head up,
and continue to run, limp & walk painfully forward,
Moving at a tortoise's pace,
I could hear the Marine Corps ' tough love echoing through the streets. As the Marines noticed the insignias on my sleeve.

(05:47):
The marines yelled out "Master Guns." And. with every shout, I was reminded why I was there.
Accordingly,
I kept on stepping forward like a Marine would.

(06:08):
At Mile 19,
A fellow runner whispered in my ear.
If you do not make it to the bridge by 1:15 pm.
You will be transported to the finish line.
If you arrive to the bridge by 1:15 pm.
the Marines will wait for you at the finish line - because no one gets left behind,

(06:29):
Although yelling out profanity,
limping & crying with minutes to spare,
I beat the bridge
As I proceeded to mile 21, I realized the importance of fortitude - not only while running a marathon,

(06:51):
but more so throughout one's entire life,
although covered in sweat,
cross-eyed & beat down.
7 hours & 15 minutes later, I completed the mission. I presented the marathon medal to my father.

(07:15):
A most brutal,
yet precious experience indeed.