You’d think after 25 miles of running, well, not just running, but doing a few other old football warm-ups including 100 yard back pedals, more than just the thighs and back would be sore.  That’s about all today.  I dreaded getting out of bed as I laid there this morning.  I’m just so used to stepping foot, one by one and almost falling over from the pain when I ran my first full marathon that next morning.  This time I felt as though I just had a long training run the day before.  The hips, hammys and calves feel good. 
After 24 laps I thought my left foot was going to fall off.  I had decided to use “normal people” shoes which I’d used the previous year for my runs.  They’re Asics, which are really good and comfortable, but after you run in Vibrams for a year, it’s like breaking in a new shoe all over again.  I did it because the track was dirt, and 25 miles in the Vibrams was something I hadn’t done or planned on doing.  Luckily, after a break to sideline myself for a couple minutes, take off the socks and shoes and find some athletic tape to tape up the entire foot so my feet didn’t rub as much on the soles, forcing blisters (which were already happening in the first six miles).  Aaron Smith helped me out big time, he had some tape in his golf bag.  I was going to try and finish 30 laps before taping, but my feet couldn’t handle it anymore.  In order to accomplish my goal of 80 laps, I had to do it quick. 
Prior to those laps, I completed five miles on the football field between three and four o’clock.  That was before the actual events started, but I didn’t want a bunch of kids running around on the football field, away from where they needed to be.  I was going to do ladders, but the lines on the field weren’t cut to the point I could see them well enough.  I was able to do one 100-yard (2,100 yards total) ladder along with a 50-yarder.  Otherwise, I was planning instead on doing 42 “down & backs”.  That’s 8,400 yards of running on the field.  Approximately 4.8 miles – with the final .2 a lap and a half around the field. 
During the lap, I thought about it…I was pretty sure that would have been the last place Coach Drex coached before passing away the next week, homecoming week of my senior year.  I called one of my coaches from that time along with our starting quarterback to confirm that.  It made it a little extra special to run in memory of Drex – 25 miles (25 was my number in HS football) at the final location he would have been head coach for us. 
I explained that in a quick talk as they announced all the teams.  Al Couligan brought me up to explain what I was doing.  People might start to wonder what a kid is doing wearing a purple and gold practice jersey with the #25 on it and carrying a flag.  I also told Kevin, my co worker and one of the co-chairs of the event I wanted to speak before we started going, especially after I got that information confirmed about Waubun being the last place Drex coached.  I didn’t mention that we won that game, 48-0.  There was a couple girls from Lake Park Audubon school’s FCCLA that were part of the event too, they spoke before I went up for their team.  Ironically enough, that was the team we beat homecoming week after Drex had passed.  Another thing I didn’t bring up. 
I talked about Corey and how all of this got started.  I made sure people knew Drex was a war vet as well.  It all seems to work out right.
For the down and backs and first portion of the laps I wore the old Eagles’ practice jersey.  The only time I carried the flag was the 41 laps prior to the lighting of the luminaries.  After that, out of respect for the red, white & blue, I retired the colors to the press box since it was too dark.  If someone would have followed me with a spot light running as well, I would have felt better about keeping it on the track.  I switched from the practice jersey to the Land of the free, Because of the brave – Philco’s Freedom Team shirt with Corey’s picture on it. 

I was able to keep a good pace most of the night.  There were a few points I had to slow down and walk or get some food/drink to refuel.  One thing I notice worked extremely well was protein shakes I had with.  I had five with for the night, drank four of them.  Not just drank them, but downed them, quick.  Full of protein and potassium to help prevent cramping, they worked wonders.  Thank goodness Nutrilite helps to provide those for me. 
Once again this year, I had lots of people, especially kids, join me on the track for at least a lap or two.  One kid at the end told me, “By the end of the night, I’ll have gone six miles, thanks to you.  I wouldn’t have been able to without you.”  Hearing that from a 10-year old was pretty nice.  Yep, that wasn’t a misprint – 10 years old.  He ran well too!  So did the other kids that joined in for a lap or two at a time.  There was group of probably 8-10 that finished with me at the end, in the final two laps.  Crossing the line where you started and being able to say “two more to go, that was 78” is an awesome feeling.  I did have a couple doubts that I’d make it the full 80 laps by Midnight when they’d be wrapping up, so did another lady that told me I wouldn’t finish.  I got to the point with 30 laps left, I didn’t care how much it hurt, I was going to finish strong, and before Midnight.  So I did.  11:45pm I came across the line for the 80^th time in a mission to complete 25 miles of enjoyment.  And I wonder why people call me crazy, I call 25 miles “enjoyment.”  I guess when you do it for someone else, it is. 
I got a few hugs after the run was complete by several people who were asking throughout the run “how much farther to go?”  That’s good people don’t mind how sweaty you are.  I did a lot of that last night, sweat from the first minute of running it was so humid to start.  But I made sure I brought plenty of fluid and energy to keep me going. 

It was a special night for many and hopefully the running around the track for the entire night made it a little extra special for some.  I met one guy there that said “Les was the greatest coach this area ever had.  You’re very blessed to have been able to have him as a coach.”  I agreed.  I honestly don’t remember his name, but that man, probably around Drex’s age, started crying when he spoke of him.  Another instance showing that no matter where you go, there seems to be someone who’s been impacted by the person you’re running for. 
I’m going to rest for the remainder of the day, and tomorrow too.  Then it’s right back at it Monday evening to prepare for the upcoming runs in June.  On the 16^th I’ll be taking part in the Hillsboro Running Club’s 5K/10K that night at 7pm directly following that, our next half marathon in Duluth, MN on Saturday June 18^th bright and early at 6:30am!
Another mission: Accomplished.