UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror
What an unbelievable time! I just returned from running the Bataan Memorial Death March this past weekend at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This was the 17th annual running of the memorial march and drew the largest crowd to date- 3746 participants. The march commemorates the 70,000 American and Filipino troops who were surrendered on the Philippines Bataan peninsula in April 1942 and forced to walk 65 miles to Japanese prison camps without food or water. Soldiers who collapsed along the way were shot or bayoneted and of the 1800 captives from New Mexico, fewer than 900 survived.
Now I'll admit this run concerned me. The course was known to be brutal- mainly due to the Chihuahuan desert conditions, the tremendous elevation topography, and the infamous 1.5 mile (+/-) "deep sand" pit along the second half of the course. Time would tell if the marathon-a-month training strategy or the experience of completing two ultra marathons would help me through this different kind of race.
Travel
Ron, Clay, and I flew out of Charlotte on Friday and then to Dallas-Fort Worth where we met Ricky.
Getting ready to leave Charlotte (L-R) Me, Ron, and Clay.Ron decided to enter the race in the "Civilian Heavy" Division which means he'll have to carry a 35 lb. pack for the entire 26.2 miles(Crazy huh?). They won't let him take his pack on board as a carry-on. I decide to get a photo since I just knew it wouldn't survive the plane ride but it did!
Ron with the pack.
Fun on the plane!
We meet Ricky (L) at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.Balloon Ride Over Albuquerque
In Albuquerque we connect with two other friends, Clint and John. We also meet our hosts Murray and Julie, friends Ron know from the penguin email group. Murray so happens to be a hot air balloon pilot and after we check into our hotel and grab a bit to eat we're off for a ride!
Murray- Professional hot air balloon pilot.
There's Julie, Murray's wife and crew chief.
Welcome to the Team.
Sucker Hole defined.The best line of the day was from Ricky when we were on our way to the balloon ride. Murray pulls off the road into an open area and Ricky leans over to me and says "It just don't seem legal does it?"
Setting up the balloon.
What a view!
(L-R)Me and Clint riding high!
The Albuquerque countryside.Murray took Clint and I on a fantastic ride. We dipped low, went high, and saw some of the best views of the area. I was amazed at how well Murray could control the balloon. This comes from years of practice and knowing how to read the wind. We land and Ron and John head up next.
We chased the balloon around for a while with Julie and wondered where Murray would land. Suddenly we see the balloon drifting into a residential area and head over to assist. What happens next was probably the most remarkable thing I've ever seen. Murray lands the balloon at an intersection and picks up Ricky and Clay for their turn. Amazing!
Here they come!
Landing like this requires pinpoint accuracy.
Pack it up boys we gotta race to run.
(L-R) Ron, Clay, Me, Ricky, Murray, Clint, John.Well all good things must come to an end. We had a fantastic day in New Mexico thanks to Murray and Julie. Our plan is to get some rest, get up early and drive to the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM on Saturday morning so we can pick up our race packets.
Trip to Las Cruces
Onward to packet pick-up!
Headed to Las Cruces, NM.
Ricky spots White Sands Missile Range off in the distance. We'll be running this way tomorrow.
Me pointing out the mountain we'll be running around. Hey, where's all the trees? Oh well, time to find someplace to eat...
A double dose of carbs courtesy the Cracker Barrel, Yum!!The Marathon
We check into a Best Western Motel about 25 miles away from the base. The march starts at 0630 hrs and we have instructions to be on base no earlier than 0300 hrs. and no later than 0430 hrs. We decide to leave in the morning at 0315 hrs which gives us plenty of time to arrive and get settled in before the start.
I'm up at midnight to perform the pre-race ritual. It's all about the Chi baby!!
Ready to run!
Anticipating the hours ahead. 
Murray and Ron scope out the start.
Ricky itchin" to go. 
Pre-race ceremony.
An inspirational start. Shaking hands with a Bataan Death March survivor just before the race. 
Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!! They're just like bottle rockets only bigger....
Check out the conditions less than 2 miles into the run!
Dangers along the way.
....and other interesting sights too! Nope it's not a mirage!
Lots of great support along the way. Here's a National Disaster Medical System tent set up along the course. Hope I don't need their services today!
AAAHHHH Cooling Mists!!! The military thinks of everything...Thanks!
My directional skills put to the test deep in the desert.
Chihuahuan Desert. The 13 mi. mark is just around the corner.
Typical off road conditions. This is NOT the "deep sand" pit.
Looking good. Lot's of ground support from the US Border Patrol along the way.
...and in the air courtesy the US Military.
Ron somewhere along the course. Looking good!
Ricky plays it smart by wearing his sunglasses as he enters the laser test area.
WOOHOO!! I'm more than half way home....
Subliminal messages? Ron at mile 20. He says he was just holding the lens cap.....hmmmm??
Ron at the start of the "deep sand". It lasted about 1.5 miles. Grueling! 
Feeling pretty good with only about four miles to go.
A great sight!
Headed to the finish line.
Murray at the finish.
Clay chillin' after the long run (yes he actually wore the hat the entire run!).
Clint got carted off by Medics after passing out in the finish tent. He looks much better here.
We were getting worried about Ron when he suddenly appeared looking strong toting that pack.
Almost there. 
The official weigh in was 40 lbs. Way to go Ron!
Scream Team- John and Julie.
Our group had 5 Mangum Track Club members. Glad we all finished safe.
Good ol' New Mexico dirt.
... and plenty of sand too!The Numbers
Post Run Thoughts
I couldn't help but flash back to the Disney Triple in January 2006 when I heard that this marathon started at 0630 hrs. and we had to be on base no later than 0430 due to the road closure policy. The four hours of sleep I got didn't bother me but I noticed my stomach was more upset than normal. I hydrated more than usual and carried a water bottle filled with Cytomax. The stuff works great and helps speed recovery. I also have gotten into the habit of taking 2 E-tabs the night before the race to stabilize my electrolytes. My fear is hyponatremia.
Running in the desert was deceiving to this North Carolina boy- you couldn't tell how much you're body was exerting since you tended not to sweat. The hot dry air evaporated your perspiration almost immediately. My mouth got dryer quicker here and my nose bled throughout the race. I used 3 E-tabs per hour and did not cramp. The other good news was I urinated more here than in any other run to date. Remember the three "C's" of marathon urination? Clear, Copious, and Continuous. I stopped about every other aid station until mile 24. Hey that's better than Myrtle Beach last month where I didn't go until mile 24 and then it was mostly blood!
By far the most difficult part of this run was the deep sand pit. Everyone agreed it was grueling! I could not for the life of me run through the stuff and resorted to a fast walk looking for any sort of hard pack. Ron and Ricky confirmed this course was much tougher than Pikes Peak due to the sandy conditions. Considering all this I'm very happy with my 5:40 finish time.
It was an honor to participate and complete this marathon
"We're the battling bastards of Bataan;
No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam;
No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces;
No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces.
...And nobody gives a damn".
Special Thanks
* To Murray and Julie- Kudos for all the hospitality. It's not often a hot air balloon ride is part of the package. Go Sucker Hole!!
* To John- You're support was awesome, especially driving us back to Albuquerque after a long hard day.
* To Ricky, Clay, and Clint- It's good to laugh and hurt together. Thanks for a great time.
* To all the Military, Law Enforcement, and Civilian members of White Sands Missile Range- You guys put on an excellent event and your hard work allowed this civilian to accomplish another adventure.
* To Ron- Thanks for talking me into going on this zany adventure. We really did hit another layer of the sub-culture with this one and damn am I glad we came out of it alive! You're a great friend and a helluva tour guide.
Well that does it for this report. Stay tuned as we travel to California in April to run the Big Sur Marathon!
Later,
Marc
