I have tried for 2 consecutive years practicing with DaTwan and others, but the 1-month vacation in Vietnam in July kept me from running the marathon. Is there any other excuse that I could think of :-) ? DaTwan, as always you did a wonderful job organizing the marathon every year ... Thanks and congratulations to everyone! ~ Chau

This is what DaTwan summarized in his letter on Monday morning 9/24:

Wow. Great job. Our major goals were accomplished: we all seemed to have fun, and we all made it out without needing any medical treatment.  I think I saw almost everyone and there were no major glitches. I will coordinate with our photographer and send some pics out later on.  I am already thinking ahead to next year.  This year we had three teams that showcased collaboration and were there just to have a good time.  Next year I would like to get 4 teams together. One of those four teams will have a very distinct mission: make it to the top 5 on the relay team list.  I have the perfect candidate to lead us there.

Once again great job to all of you.  Special thanks to our drivers and to our photographer.  We do realize that it took a lot of time and patience to get us around from leg to leg, and to get great pictures.

Tom – We were down a man and you saved us.  Thanks for joining the relay team with such short notice.  You fit right in as if you had done this before. Lol.  I’m glad that you didn’t get enough training in for the half.

Joanna – For someone who didn’t prepare much you didn’t look exhausted at all after your run.  It looked like a walk through the park for you.  Joanna did the relay and while most of us relaxed afterwards, rumor has it that she came into work.  Wow.

Prashant – Prashant was able to provide us with a cheering crew.  People kept clapping and cheering us on when they saw Prashant.  People were bowing before him.  I truly enjoyed running the same leg with him, my role model.

Andy – What a team player.  Every year he manages to help someone get through it.  He does this year after year and never breaks a sweat.  People call you Jordan, but Jordan wouldn’t stick around to help his teammates like that.  As much as you hate to hear it, you are more like Lebron. You make the right play year after year by getting the teammates involved.  Next year we need you to be greedy.  Push the accelerator down all the way and bring us a championship.  Lead us to victory.   Don’t worry about the teammates.  Unlike the Cavs, I will surround you with the right players to get it done.  Call me Pat Riley from now on.

Jason – Wow do I have plans for you.  Lol. Great job.  Crossfit WORKS!!!  You flew.  I did Cross fit with you for two months last winter, you ran with me this fall as we agreed. I guess I’m up again. 

Parul – You were about to bail on us, and you stuck it out.  I like your no excuses approach.  It takes a lot to run with an injury.  I was there last year and I know how hard that must have been.  Hats off to you Parul.  Great job.

Me – It felt so good to run without an ankle injury.  I made it through it.  I usually run 10 minute miles.  Mike, Prashant, and I stuck together the whole time and it was a lot of fun.  They pushed me to run 9.5 minute miles.  I thank you, but my hip doesn’t. Ouch!

Naji – Your first relay.  You have come a long way since our run together a month ago.  It is great to hear that you are talking about continuing on with the running and about next year’s race.  Get that clown Kenyon to join you next year.  Anyhow, you caught it: Running fever.  Keep up the momentum.  I will sip my hot chocolate in the winter and cheer you on while you run in the snow.

Shauna – Wow.  Wow.  Kenyon warned me that you were fast.  This was a piece of cake for you.  Great job.  I am glad that you caught up with the team at the finish line.  Next year you have to join us for breakfast.

Al – You didn’t even break a sweat.  For someone who ran their first race you looked like a seasoned veteran out there.  You have a lot to be proud of.  I have high expectations for you next year.  Game on.

Mike – I tried to pair you with someone who ran your pace, and you ended up stuck with me.  Thanks for sticking around.  It was a lot of fun.  You HAVE TO START PLAYING BBALL AGAIN.  We had some good times then.  Golf when you retire.  Jordan retired too early and you saw how that whole baseball thing worked out for him.  Come back to hoops man you are a natural.

Alex – I already know what happened.  You had Andy running with you and he lulled you into thinking that your full sprint was a light jog.  Andy has a way of bringing out that in everyone.  He may have been the motivator, but you were the runner so you have a lot to be proud of.  Can’t wait to see you again next year.

Winona – You and your sense of direction.  Great job getting around to all the legs.  I know that you wanted to walk the half, but this just happened to work out perfectly.  You were a huge help.
Roberto – We saved a chair for you at the restaurant.  People were worried and I said don’t worry it’s Roberto he probably quit on his way to the restaurant.  Ok, you know I had to give you a dig for dropping out of the relay.  All jokes aside, you found your own replacement, you drove us around, and you motivated us.  Thanks.  I expect to see you on  team next year though.  Maybe we can run together.

Chau – I can’t wait to see the pictures.  You were all over the place. If you ever stop programming you can have a job as Paparazzi, I hear that it’s very lucrative.

Jackie – I didn’t see you.  I heard that you were there, and you sent me a photo of Andy and Alex running.  You have to join us next year.  I have to warn you: it’s contagious.

For those who ran the half: GREAT JOB!!!  Better you than me.  We only did half of what you ran and we are sore.  Hats off to you all.  If I wasn’t so busy, then I would do a half again.  Since I am busy I have to live my life through you all. Keep up the great work.

DaTwan