Marathon Complete!

I want to say "Thank You" to everyone who prayed for me, encouraged me, supported me, and cheered me on!! I was on track to complete the 26.2 miles in around 4:45, which was right in line with my training goal, when the race was 'canceled.' I first got word of this when I was passing mile 21, and at every opportunity was told to walk by race officials. Though I could hear sirens (they had actually been sounding continuously since shortly after the race started), I had no idea the strain on the emergency response/aid station infrastructure caused by the number of runners succumbing to the heat. Like all runners with me, the race being 'canceled' did not compute, and we kept running. At 4:04 into the race, passing mile 22, however, race officials with megaphones instructed all runners to walk, informed us that the race clocks had been turned off, anyone finishing the race after the four hour mark would not recieve an official time, and encouraged bus rides (provided by race officials) back to the finish line for all runners. My first impulse was anger, as the frustration of having trained for over six long months for a goal that would now be witheld overwhelmed me. However, a second later, the anger and the frustration were flushed out by some very different emotions. Joy that I had the physical capacity to train for, enter and participate in the marathon; Gladness that I had been a lightning rod for many to participate in making a difference for years to come in the lives of those in Malawi; and Encouraged by the Community and fellowship of the SCPC and TWV runners and staff that had all paid a price to make this event a success in my life--whether I finished or not.
I was able to 'walk out' the remaining 4.2 miles in the company of SCPC team members, finishing the full distance (unlike many, who were forced off the route or transported back to the finish line as the route was closed down by race officials). I was able to 'jog' accross the finish line, though I'm sure it was not a pretty sight (it sure hurt a lot, picking up the pace after walking so much that late in the race), and I'm recovering fine (I was able to walk myself onto the aircraft the next day without TOO noticeable of a gimp). I'll be sending out a more detailed account by email later for those who are interested, but that is taking more time to write than I anticipated, so I wanted to get this out now.
Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, this was a great experience for me and so, so worth it for the folks in Malawi (the SCPC team raised over $25,000.00 overall).

Semper Fi, JarHedJon