Three hours of sleep (darn social commitments:), no warm up (traded it for one hit of the snooze button, and no iPod (out of juice) would normally not lead to a good race. Yet today was something special. I knew the race was going to finish inside the Florida International University stadium, where for the past eight months I've had my sights set on starting my legal education, and that the course would go through Tamiami Park. Yet, until I arrived at the park, I had failed to make the connection that it was the same park a tight group of us Marine Corps Officer Candidate School selectees used for our Phsycial Fitness Tests back in 2000-2001.
At one of those PFT's we were graced by a prior enlisted Marine outside of our group who already went to OCS the summer before and was pretty much there to support the program and the rest of us while he finished his up his last semester or two. I don't think Michael Felsberg ran his fasted three mile time of 15:45 that day but it was definitely well, WELL, under the 18:00 minute mark for a perfect score. Felsberg was a track star at FIU that went on to take his commission in the Corps. He volunteered for Iraq to fill the spot of a Second Lieutenant who had given his life for our country. Sadly Felsberg would face a similar fate.
As the other runners and I stood still for the customary pre-race audio of the Star Spangled Banner, I notice the guy to my left had a USMC tatoo and the guy in front of me happened to have a shirt from the Marine Corps Marathon. This race was going to be run for Michael. In honor of him and the men and women that courageously run into harms way so saps like me can run a 5k back home on a beautiful day.
During the run I could have sworn I heard something to the effect of "Come on, Marine!" emanate from the runners going the other away a little after the mile mark as I was just passing the 2 mile mark. I don't know who it was for but I'm pretty sure I heard it. I also give 20 seconds' credit to the fact some older gentleman caught up with me and tried to motivate me to keep up with his pace for the final 3/4 mile. He quickly pulled forward but the inspiration took hold in its own way. Great job by the way, to you, sir!!
22:56. Not fast in Felsberg standards, but it is my personal best and finally a step towards my goal of 21 flat.
Thank you, Michael. Happy 4th of July.
