'Twas the Week after the Marine Corps Marathon...

‘Twas the week after the Marine Corps Marathon
And all through the house
Not a Runner was stirring
I was sore like a louse

My feet needed a warm kerchief
My poor head, a cap
No, I think I changed my mind:
All I want is a nap!

My feet needed to be nestled
All snug in my bed
But psychotically, visions of the next Marathon
Danced in my head.

When out on the race trail
There arose such a clatter
I tried to spring from my bed
But my bones, they all chattered

So away to the window I hobbled, toes smashed
I threw open the window, threw up the sash

Then what to my sleep-deprived eyes did appear...
A vision of race day my self had once feared.

New crestfallen runners
As if fallen like snow
Had tripped on Gu packets
On the unforgiving course below.

Then, Sleigh-like objects
So shiny and clear.
The rear pace car
And stragglers bus coming near!

Some handsome Marines
Offered a tempting ride
“It’s so nice and cozy,” they said
“Step in, take a ride!”

They looked oh-so-nice
And the bus looked the same
But then they whistled and shouted
And called us by name

On dasher! On dancer!
On prancer and Loser
Come on, speed it up
You regret being out last night – don’t you, you Boozer!

I waved them around
Said no thanks, I shall pass
I may be late in this race
But at least I’m not last!

And laying a finger aside my frozen nose
I waved them around
And up the final hill I rose

To the top of the Iwo Jima
I’ve already conquered the National Mall
Let’s dash away, dash away, dash away, all!

It was then I awoke
Suspected it was all but a dream
‘Til I turned over, and from the medal
Caught that sparkling gleam!

The lesson I’ve learned,
26 miles is no fright.
Happy Marathoning to all,
And to all a good night!