Running with Friends at Revel Big Bear

Gysel Parajon (MM8995, DA3751, HF18751)– HAPPY MEDAL MONDAY MANIACS!!
Where do I begin? On Saturday I completed my 59th lifetime marathon, (62nd lifetime long distance race), at the 2023 Revel Big Bear along with many other maniacs! This was my third time running it and despite the delays with shuttle buses and the start, amongst another thing, that I mention below, it truly was a great day! I love nothing more than running a great course with friends who I saw before, during, and after the race, Robert Manon, Pelicano Monte Pascual, Jay Cedillo, and Eddie Hahn, who celebrated his 300th marathon on Saturday!!

I registered for the race last week, inspired by my fellow Maniacs. So Friday afternoon after work I drove down to SoCal, unfortunately getting in late and sleeping only 2 hours. But I felt good during the race at least until about mile 14 when the descent became more of a gradual one. That is the point when I started to feel my error in wearing the wrong sized shoes. (I mixed up brands and ordered the wrong size). Despite this I kept going until about mile 23 when I couldn’t take the pain anymore. I stopped at the KART aid station, (Korean American Running Team), and asked if they had scissors and they presented me with something even better, a box cutter, which I used to cut slits at the forefront of my shoes! What a difference that made! I couldn’t correct my shuffle but I was able to go faster!! My deepest thanks go to the wonderful people of #KART!!! I was truly only able to finish today because of your help!! What a day!! And now I will to try to get more sleep, rest, and strength-train before CIM in just about two weeks!!