Meet Team BOMF

This week Mother Nature came calling with some snow to put an additional challenge in our training. John, Chris, Brian, Amanda, Bing and I all agreed to meet after Bing got out of work on Saturday for a long run. Some of the snow had melted, but there were a fair amount of sidewalks still iced over. With determination and team spirit, we crushed the 10 miles in just over 80 minutes.

Weekend Long Run by BOMF

In lieu of going into long winded detail about the run, I figured I would showcase one of our marathon team members, Kenneth P. Kenneth was an original member of Back On My Feet when it began in DC almost a year ago. Here is my brief interview with the man we all know as Bing...

DSB: What is your full name?
KMP: My full name is, Kenneth Marlin P.
DSB: Where were you born?
KMP: I was born in Washington, D.C. in (D.C. General Hospital).
DSB: What is your shoe size?
KMP: My shoe size is, ten.
DSB: What is your favorite food?
KMP: My favorite food is a whole, deep fried turkey.

DSB: How did you end up living at 801 East?
KMP: After 14 years of incarceration, I found myself homeless and ended up moving into 801 East.

DSB: What made you sign up for BOMF?
KMP: Three members from a running group called, "Back On My Feet", by the names of Wylie, Monica and Amanda, came to recruit ten guys out of 801 East, to join their group. They explained that with successful completion, (six months), we would receive a grant for one-thousand dollars. I immediately signed my name on the dotted line.

DSB: What was your reaction to the first day running with BOMF?
KMP: My first reaction to the first day running with Back On My Feet was "we're not only running with dudes, there are also good looking chicks running!!"

DSB: What was your first race? What were you thinking / feeling before, during and after the race?
KMP: My first race was a 5k at George Washington Parkway. The only thing I could remember thinking was, completing 3.1 miles at a consistent pace. I wasn't absolutely sure before the race, that I'd still been able to stick to the plan, having considered the likelihood of it almost certain outcome, would surely hinder me. There were hills to climb throughout the course, which I felt were slightly brutal, and couldn't be ran up, only walked. I convinced myself that if I could stay more focused on deep breathing through my nasal passage instead of only my mouth, then I may stand a chance. It was only a half mile left to go and my shoelace came loosened. After finishing the race I cut back on smoking cigarettes and double tied my shoelaces.

DSB: What was your favorite race with BOMF? Why?
KMP: My favorite race with Back On My Feet was the Crystal City 5k where I got the chance to eat Ann Mahlum's dust. After finishing the race I felt like I've achieved the beginning of many more accomplishments to come and that is impossible to fail at as long as I continue trying. I also felt drenched, because it rained cats and rats after-wards!

DSB: What made you sign up for the National Marathon?
KMP: I signed up for the National Marathon for two reasons, one's that I wanted to experience what it feels like to have absolutely no energy to do or say anything and then a few twenty-four hours later, feeling like, probably in the best shape I'd ever feel in my entire existence!! Second, I have to represent my bank SunTrust!

DSB; What is your favorite part of running with BOMF?
KMP: My favorite part of running with Back On My Feet is the unconditional generosity, that each one gives and has taught me to give, no matter what!!

DSB: What are your running goals for the next year?
KMP: My running goals for next year will be something sort of a re-cap of last year’s runs but to incorporate much swimming as possible, as far as my short-term goes. My long-term goal is to complete a triathlon.

DSB: As a former “resident”, what would you like to teach / show the current residents?
KMP: As a former resident I would like to teach the current residents the importance of having to do something different, in order to want something different. I want to show them how determination, sacrifice and staying focus can bring about a change.

Interviewers Note: I have run [by "run" I mean, "I tried to keep up with"] several races with Bing...he is a physical beast. He is skinny and roughly 9 feet tall with 7 foot tall legs. He makes the weekend long runs look effortless. What I am trying to say is, be careful "elite" marathon runners...if a tall, high speed blur runs screaming passed you during the race, just wave and smile at our man Bing.