My sixth consecutive year doing one of these races. With a marathon planned for tomorrow I select the two mile race over the 8K. Jared has been running some and I encourage him to join me. Maybe I will hold back and run with him. Tacoma is my priority this weekend, but I do like this race. Lots of state agency folks get out of their cubicles for this one. I am not usually motivated by ribbons and trophies but they do have very nice awards here and with all the fast runners doing the 8K or resting for other races, I usually place pretty well. Jared and I arrive in plenty of time to register. It is drizzling so we go back and sit in the car till closer to start time. I am suffering with a head cold, but it feels a little better today. In the past I have run with "stuffiness" with little problem, but I wonder how it will affect my race today and tomorrow.
Start - Eventually we make our way down Capitol Blvd for the start line. We watch the 8K start and then line up for our race. Uphill a half a mile, then flat to the turn around. Downhill finish, turning left onto the road that takes us to the winged victory statue at the Capitol building. Here at the start there are a few kids eager to get going, toes to the start line. Also I see Brad Hooper who should win. Jared and I are right behind the front row, but there really is not anyone in front of me. I might as well toe the line and know that my watch time will be the same as my official time. Jared does not seem to care if I run with him or not, so I guess I will just do my own thing.
Mile 0.25 - Breathing a little hard. Uphill climb. I did not warm up much at all, saving precious miles for tomorrow. How fast should I be going? Gonna play this one by feel.
Mile 0.5 - Hill is leveling off. Passing the kids and a few others.
Mile 1.1 - Heading back now, looking for Jared. There he is, doing fine. We hand slap and I refocus on the task.
Mile 1.6 - Not going to catch the kid in front of me unless he fades big time. I do not need to be running as hard as I am. Slow down a little to protect my foot/stride on the downhill. Not going to go all out today but I am going much faster than planned.
Mile 1.8 - The sound of footsteps behind me. Someone trying to catch me. Since I had slowed some I feel the ability to speed up and decide to not let anyone pass. We have made the turn to the statue and I can see the finish line ahead. Pick up the pace and get the job done.
Mile 2 - Strong finish but no gasping for air or feeling like I am going to vomit. I head directly back to watch Jared make his final kicks. He comes in strong. We get some snacks and watch the slower two milers and faster 8K runners finish up. Cheer for some friends. Now it is raining a little harder so we go to the car to dry off before the award ceremony. We each take first in our age groups and get identical trophies.
14:28
7th of 49 1st in age group
6th YMCA/Public Agency Challenge race
****
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
4/11/09 Easter Marathon
My fourth year in a row running this race. This year it is being held in Elma out of Vance Creek Park. I have run shorter distances here and know the course to be flat and out on country roads. Today will be a double out and back. I don't mind that. With so few runners in the marathon it will gives us a chance to see each other a few more times. I am also concerned about the weather. Supposed to shower and it is awful cloudy. I don't want to wear my rain jacket. This way I can towel off and grab it at the 13.1 mile mark if needed. Since I ran Yakima just last week I am not concerned about time goals. Actually I don't seem to be too concerned about anything. Getting ready, gathering my stuff this morning and driving to the race was about like going to work on any given day. I guess I have the routine down and since I have no great expectations for this race I am totally calm. Parking and registration are a snap and soon I am lining up with eight others who will take the early start. I decide to go off at a 9min/mile pace and see what happens. I will not dig deep today and I will just enjoy the run.
Start - Good to see Evil Triplet Jim, Maniac Jim and Maniac Lesa. Good to meet Maniac Sue and new Maniac Keith down from BC. Only two people here that I do not recognize. Bob Green marks our numbers as early starts and off we go.
Mile 1 - Running with Jim, Jim and Lesa. I could stay with these guys all race and it would be fun. Here I am in elite company. For those who think that what I do is a bit much: one Jim is running his 293rd marathon, the other Jim is running his 177th and Lesa is running her 72nd and is in the middle of completing 13 in 12 weeks. Nice chatting, but just a little slower than I planned so I move on ahead.
Mile 2 - Keith and one other guy are way ahead. I knew he was fast and did not expect to be near him. Maniac Sue and another woman are ahead of me and extending their lead. Sue's times are usually a little slower than mine so I think that I will catch up to her later.
Mile 3 - Road kill rough-skinned newt. I feel sorry for the little guy. It is drizzling. My rain hat and Maniac jacket keep me dry enough.
Mile 4 - Hmmm. Chalk mark for mile 4 on the road but my watch says 4.1. If the road mark is correct than I have not gone as far as my watch indicates and my pace is off. I need to go a little faster to match my pace to the official mile markers. Light rain. Farm country. Cows being fed come jogging to the farmer and start up a big mooing.
Mile 5 - Rut Ro. Watch says 5.3 miles. I am starting to question the road markers. Time is 46 minutes. Too fast if I am at mile 5.3 and too slow if I am at mile 5. Gosh those two women are little black specs in the distance. I may never catch up to them.
Mile 6.55?? - This is the turn around so I am calling it 6.55, but that was a short mile and a half. In fact my watch now says only 6.4 miles. By both accounts I am now running faster than planned. Aid stations are now set up so I do not need to rely on my own water bottle. Rain has let up.
Mile 7 - Small stone works its way down the back of my shoe and nestles under my foot. Would hate to have to stop for a stone. But now I really can not feel it so maybe I will not have to deal with it.
Mile 10 - An hour after we started there was the start of the half marathon, ten miler, 10K, 5K , one mile and the regular start for the marathon (although most runners seem to take the early start). These runners doing all these races are now running toward me at all different speeds. Hard to tell who is doing what race. Very little traffic on the road so I have been crossing now and then to get the inner curve. Runners are on both sides of the road. One cow is munching hay by the fence and there is some hay spilled on my side. I am tempted to stop and see if he will eat out of my hand. But I keep moving.
Mile 13.1?? - A little loop through the parking area and right past my car. No need to stop. Tap the watch to set a new lap and note that the distance reads 12.8. Also I am at 1:53 about the same time as I was at last week. I think we have a short course here and it will be interesting to see what the GPS reads for the second loop.
Mile 15 - Starting to tire. Not sure what pace I should be running. The two women in black were about a quarter mile ahead of me, but now appear to be closer. Looking ahead at a long straight stretch. I decide to pick up the pace and chase them down, without going too fast.
Mile 16.5 - Caught them. Nice to have some company. Shelly from Oregon has a much faster PR than either Sue or I. They have run together the whole way and seem to be out for a fun run. I remind them that one of them could be the overall female winner, but neither one seems very competitive.
Mile 18?? - Its the mile 5 or 5.3 aid station. I sped up a little prior to the stop and then had a quick drink and moved on. Now I am ahead of the women and going at my own pace, whatever that is.
Mile 20ish - The dreaded wall. All of a sudden this is much harder. Muscles tighten, energy feels low. This did not happen last week. I am in good spirits though and I am doing the math to see about getting in under four hours. Looks like I could do 11 minute miles from here and get there. That would be really great. As long as I do not take walk breaks.
Mile 22 - Pace is now at about 9:40/mile. Still running.
Mile 23 - Several vultures circling overhead and swooping lower. Do they know how tired I am? Still running.
Mile 24 - I need to cross the road. I can not hear any vehicles behind me. I should look back but it is hard to turn the neck and keep running. Actually if I got hit and killed here I would be all done running. OK, maybe I don't want to be killed, but if I got clipped a little, maybe knocked to the ground, then no one would expect me to keep running. I could just walk it in. Oh I better look back. No cars, but Sue and Shelly are not far behind. If I melt down any more they are going to pass me.
Mile 25 - Still running and feeling a little stronger. Not going to be passed. Going to beat four hours easy.
Mile 25.5 (road marker for the one mile race) - Turn into the wind (not that strong) and long straight shot to the park. Keep moving, nothing dramatic, and cruise in to the finish.
Mile 26.2 - Mile 25.54 by my watch, mile 25.7 by Jim's watch. At least I did not PR or I would feel a little guilty. Pigtails would run another half a mile, but I am not doing that. If I had gone another half mile I think I still would have beat four so I am pleased. I'll call my time what my watch said rather than the two minutes faster the officials recorded. Sue and Shelly cross the line together. Try to eat. Socialize for a while. Watch the start of the triathlon. Wait for the regular start marathoners to come in so that I can know my place.
3:53:09
5th of 15 runners
31st marathon or ultra, 4th Easter marathon
****
Start - Good to see Evil Triplet Jim, Maniac Jim and Maniac Lesa. Good to meet Maniac Sue and new Maniac Keith down from BC. Only two people here that I do not recognize. Bob Green marks our numbers as early starts and off we go.
Mile 1 - Running with Jim, Jim and Lesa. I could stay with these guys all race and it would be fun. Here I am in elite company. For those who think that what I do is a bit much: one Jim is running his 293rd marathon, the other Jim is running his 177th and Lesa is running her 72nd and is in the middle of completing 13 in 12 weeks. Nice chatting, but just a little slower than I planned so I move on ahead.
Mile 2 - Keith and one other guy are way ahead. I knew he was fast and did not expect to be near him. Maniac Sue and another woman are ahead of me and extending their lead. Sue's times are usually a little slower than mine so I think that I will catch up to her later.
Mile 3 - Road kill rough-skinned newt. I feel sorry for the little guy. It is drizzling. My rain hat and Maniac jacket keep me dry enough.
Mile 4 - Hmmm. Chalk mark for mile 4 on the road but my watch says 4.1. If the road mark is correct than I have not gone as far as my watch indicates and my pace is off. I need to go a little faster to match my pace to the official mile markers. Light rain. Farm country. Cows being fed come jogging to the farmer and start up a big mooing.
Mile 5 - Rut Ro. Watch says 5.3 miles. I am starting to question the road markers. Time is 46 minutes. Too fast if I am at mile 5.3 and too slow if I am at mile 5. Gosh those two women are little black specs in the distance. I may never catch up to them.
Mile 6.55?? - This is the turn around so I am calling it 6.55, but that was a short mile and a half. In fact my watch now says only 6.4 miles. By both accounts I am now running faster than planned. Aid stations are now set up so I do not need to rely on my own water bottle. Rain has let up.
Mile 7 - Small stone works its way down the back of my shoe and nestles under my foot. Would hate to have to stop for a stone. But now I really can not feel it so maybe I will not have to deal with it.
Mile 10 - An hour after we started there was the start of the half marathon, ten miler, 10K, 5K , one mile and the regular start for the marathon (although most runners seem to take the early start). These runners doing all these races are now running toward me at all different speeds. Hard to tell who is doing what race. Very little traffic on the road so I have been crossing now and then to get the inner curve. Runners are on both sides of the road. One cow is munching hay by the fence and there is some hay spilled on my side. I am tempted to stop and see if he will eat out of my hand. But I keep moving.
Mile 13.1?? - A little loop through the parking area and right past my car. No need to stop. Tap the watch to set a new lap and note that the distance reads 12.8. Also I am at 1:53 about the same time as I was at last week. I think we have a short course here and it will be interesting to see what the GPS reads for the second loop.
Mile 15 - Starting to tire. Not sure what pace I should be running. The two women in black were about a quarter mile ahead of me, but now appear to be closer. Looking ahead at a long straight stretch. I decide to pick up the pace and chase them down, without going too fast.
Mile 16.5 - Caught them. Nice to have some company. Shelly from Oregon has a much faster PR than either Sue or I. They have run together the whole way and seem to be out for a fun run. I remind them that one of them could be the overall female winner, but neither one seems very competitive.
Mile 18?? - Its the mile 5 or 5.3 aid station. I sped up a little prior to the stop and then had a quick drink and moved on. Now I am ahead of the women and going at my own pace, whatever that is.
Mile 20ish - The dreaded wall. All of a sudden this is much harder. Muscles tighten, energy feels low. This did not happen last week. I am in good spirits though and I am doing the math to see about getting in under four hours. Looks like I could do 11 minute miles from here and get there. That would be really great. As long as I do not take walk breaks.
Mile 22 - Pace is now at about 9:40/mile. Still running.
Mile 23 - Several vultures circling overhead and swooping lower. Do they know how tired I am? Still running.
Mile 24 - I need to cross the road. I can not hear any vehicles behind me. I should look back but it is hard to turn the neck and keep running. Actually if I got hit and killed here I would be all done running. OK, maybe I don't want to be killed, but if I got clipped a little, maybe knocked to the ground, then no one would expect me to keep running. I could just walk it in. Oh I better look back. No cars, but Sue and Shelly are not far behind. If I melt down any more they are going to pass me.
Mile 25 - Still running and feeling a little stronger. Not going to be passed. Going to beat four hours easy.
Mile 25.5 (road marker for the one mile race) - Turn into the wind (not that strong) and long straight shot to the park. Keep moving, nothing dramatic, and cruise in to the finish.
Mile 26.2 - Mile 25.54 by my watch, mile 25.7 by Jim's watch. At least I did not PR or I would feel a little guilty. Pigtails would run another half a mile, but I am not doing that. If I had gone another half mile I think I still would have beat four so I am pleased. I'll call my time what my watch said rather than the two minutes faster the officials recorded. Sue and Shelly cross the line together. Try to eat. Socialize for a while. Watch the start of the triathlon. Wait for the regular start marathoners to come in so that I can know my place.
3:53:09
5th of 15 runners
31st marathon or ultra, 4th Easter marathon
****
Saturday, April 4, 2009
4/4/09 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
For many of my recent and upcoming marathons I have sacrificed a "fast" time for a "good" (fun) time. Sometimes I will run with a friend who is a little slower, sometimes I will run for a while with a friend who is a little faster (causing me to crash later in the race), sometimes the weather or the course is a factor and sometimes I am running on tired legs having raced the weekend before. I would not trade any of that, I love running with my friends and I especially like a challenging course. Here at Yakima none of this applies today. Today is all about the numbers and trying to run my best. For the first time in ages I have written out projected split times and will carry that paper with me just in case my GPS watch is not accurate to the mile markers. Two weeks ago I raced 20 miles at an 8:29 pace. My goal today is to run the first 20 miles at an 8:40 pace (I know I can do this) and then see what I have left for the end. If I can hold that pace I will PR (3:48 is my PR, an 8:40 pace gets me in at 3:47). One little issue though is how miserably I faltered here last year. There is that mile long up hill at mile 22. Last year I was at about an 8:35 pace at mile 20, yet finished in 3:57, running the last 6.2 miles at 10:32. Therefore my goals are to PR (don't really expect to do this) or run a sub 3:50, or run a sub 3:57 (beat last year's time) or beat 4 hours. But I also want to enjoy the day and scenery. This is one quality race and I am thankful to be here. And big thanks to Jody for coming out again and picking me up at the finish.
Start - Cold but no wind and brilliant sunshine. Also about 100 maniacs here for a reunion race so lots of yellow and red shirts. Having run this last year lets me relax a little, knowing where to pick up my number and exactly where the start line is to be found. I find my place smack in the middle and soon we are off.
Mile 1 - Glad that I am wearing sunglasses. It is really bright out. The road is narrow and I am crowded in a big bunch. Hit mile one at 8:55 which is fine. I'll pick up the pace ever so slightly.
Mile 2 - 8:41 pace. I am still packed in a crowd. Six runners elbow to elbow in front of me. I am on their heels and don't like it, but I am at my goal pace. It would take effort to get around them, and then all I would be is running faster than I had planned. I ease up a bit to give myself some room and stay behind them for now.
Start - Cold but no wind and brilliant sunshine. Also about 100 maniacs here for a reunion race so lots of yellow and red shirts. Having run this last year lets me relax a little, knowing where to pick up my number and exactly where the start line is to be found. I find my place smack in the middle and soon we are off.
Mile 1 - Glad that I am wearing sunglasses. It is really bright out. The road is narrow and I am crowded in a big bunch. Hit mile one at 8:55 which is fine. I'll pick up the pace ever so slightly.
Mile 2 - 8:41 pace. I am still packed in a crowd. Six runners elbow to elbow in front of me. I am on their heels and don't like it, but I am at my goal pace. It would take effort to get around them, and then all I would be is running faster than I had planned. I ease up a bit to give myself some room and stay behind them for now.
Mile 4 - First aid station broke up the pack and I am free to run as I please, but still a lot of runners all around me. Lenore Dolphin sighting.
Mile 5 - Into the canyon. 8:40 average pace.
Mile 7 - Hunger pang. I could not each much breakfast, I hope I don't get too hungry this morning. I am confident that I have enough stored energy to get me to the end.
Mile 10 - 1:26 - right on schedule
Mile 13.1 - 1:53:34, four seconds slower than planned. Really pleased that I could do that without walking or speeding up to adjust the pace. So far so good.
Mile 14 - Significant uphill, and the pace slows but I will make it up on the way down. Beautiful day in the canyon. Cool in the shade, warm in the sun. Outer shirt comes off and ties around my waist. Camber of the road is horrible in places and not good for the ankles. I am reminded of some training runs recently in a neighborhood with slanty driveways. I would alternate running on the sidewalk and the road running either up or down each driveway, putting pressure on my ankles, telling myself that I was training them for Yakima. I have been looking forward to this race for a long time and it sure is great to be here.
Mile 15 - Big downhill, no problem getting the pace back to 8:40
Mile 18 - Shoe insert lying in the middle of the road. Then as I throw my empty cup in the box at the aid station I see another insert. Did some fast runner actually take off their shoes, remove the inserts and keep running?
Mile 19 - Still on pace, but it is not as easy as I had hoped for. I could speed up I guess, but just maintaining is more work now.
Mile 20 - 2:53:35 - twenty seconds slower than planned, but not bad at all. I am also one minute slower that last year. If I have the same finish as last year I will struggle to beat 4 and it will be a miserable next hour. As I hit the lap button on my watch I feel like the past three hours, the past two days, the past two weeks and even the whole past year have been preface to this moment. Lets see what I can do.
Mile 21.75 - The past 1.75 miles was flat and I maintained about an 8:50 pace. But now is the hill. The hill that takes the runner all the way up to a higher elevation than the start line. The hill that is over a mile long. This is really really hard. I have had a great attitude all along, telling my usual dumb jokes, but now it time for quiet digging in. I keep at it, letting the pace slow, but there is no way I am going to walk. I pass walkers and I very slowly pass a couple of runners. No one is passing me here. Volunteers cheering for me are very much appreciated as is the music from a boom box and the inspirational signs. Average pace for the almost three miles since twenty is creeping over 9:30, but the top of the hill is in sight.
Mile 23 - All down hill from here!! And a little flat stretch too. With the same effort I am now moving much faster. Average pace is dropping rapidly and I feel like I am flying down to the finish.....
Mile 24.5 - ......except that three miles is still a long way, especially at this stage, even if it is mostly downhill. My legs are so beat up and tired I just can not maintain this pace.
Mile 25 - Last year I was taking walk breaks even here, but not today. I know that I will run the whole race, but I see the PR slipping away. Legs just can not turn over fast enough. Feeling nausea and just plain ready to be done. Maybe 3:50? Don't know, don't really care, it will still be a good and fast time as long as I keep pushing a little longer. Guy in red shirt passes me and a tell him to break 3:50 for me. He says that is the plan.
Mile 26.1 - There is Jody with camera. There is the finish clock. This will be my second fastest marathon to date. Someone trying to pass me, I race ahead and beat her to the line with what little kick I have left.
Mile 26.2 - I ran the last 6.2 miles a full 8 minutes faster than I did last year, beating that time by over 7 minutes. Really happy with how it went, my even pacing, the beautiful day, incredible course, quality race and fellow runners.
3:50:32 Marathon#29, Marathon or ultra #30, Yakima Marathon #2
113th of 437
*****
Saturday, March 21, 2009
3/21/09 Steilacoom Res Run 20 miles
The minute I saw M678 and M761 they made me feel good about my decision to not run the six hour ultra last Sunday. It sounded like a miserable time in cold sloppy MUD. I am sure that I will get my chance for such adventure some time, but last week was not the time for it. Today we are in Steilacoom where I will complete the series (5,10,15,20 miles) for the first time since 2000. This will be my third time racing this twenty miler. It is a great way to train for a marathon and previously I treated it exclusively as a training run. Looking over my previous results yesterday, it occurred to me that I should be able to PR here if I have a decent day. I ran fairly hard this week and did not rest up for this race because I want it to be a tough training run, but if all goes well I have a shot at a speedy time. That is speedy for me. I see that the crowd is smaller today and it seems like only the really fast runners participate in the longer runs at Steilacoom. Cold and fog again. Jacket over two shirts, hat and gloves, but am wearing shorts.
Start - Line up closer to the back with RW. We talk about starting slow, running a negative split and finishing strong. Soon enough we are off and going a little faster that I should.
Mile 1- 8:42 - Faster than I should be going. I was thinking that 8:50-8:55 pace would be better, but oh it feels so nice and easy. RW and I start policing ourselves better and slow up a bit.
Mile 3 - We meet M1002. He is the brother of M2. He goes off ahead some.
Mile 4 - RW and I have been slowly catching up to M678. I suggest that we run with him instead of behind him. This is nice on the residential road but when we hit the long, straight, busy, little shoulder stretch we have to get more single file. Still it is nice to have pacing company and be in our little pack.
Mile 9 - Not much to report. Steady pacing, holding a 8:43 average. Good conversation. M678 dropping back some. Bob Dolphin sighting. Out and back course lets me say hi to many familiar runners and friends.
Mile 10 - 1:26. An even split will get me that PR (2:53:33). I still plan to turn on the power (if I have any left) at about mile 16.
Mile 10.5 - Wow, we are pretty far back in this race. I thought I would see more folks after we turned around, but there are few of us back there. Nice group a ways in front that I hope to catch in a while.
Mile 11.5 - Tree frogs and crows making noise in the foggy woods
Mile 13 - RW still wants to hold back, but I am feeling ready to speed up some. I am hoping that today will be the day where we really battle it out and finish close. It is surprising to me that we can be so fairly evenly matched yet never finish all that close together. Lately one of us has a bad day or is not racing so much for time. But it is always nice to start together and see how it plays out.
Mile 14 - I keep running at the water station and do not look back as I sense RW is not directly behind me.
Mile 15 - Overall pace is 8:39. I remember "dropping the hammer" here in the 15 mile race. I could pick it up quite a bit, but decide to increase the pace just slightly and save something for later. Five more miles is a long way.
Mile 16 - Overall pace at 8:38. Strung out pack of five in front of me. I catch M1002. Following that blue shirt also reminded me of the fifteen mile. This time I did reel in my prey. Pass two more runners.
Mile 17 - The only significant hill. There is a Maniac that I should have met some time ago. I have seen her at each of these Res Runs and we run about the same pace, but I have not had a good chance to introduce myself. I am just behind her and another runner. I take the opportunity and ask for help up the hill. M1074 reaches her hand back and as I grab it she pulls me up the hill for a second or two. Very funny and nice. We talk for just a bit, but the timing was perfect as I forget all about the hill. Now I am at the top and feeling strong so I move along.
Mile 17.5 - Overall pace is 8:33. Nice longish downhill lets me go faster. I have passed all the runners that I could see in front of me. Now it sort of feels like I am in the lead. As I hit the last water station I say that I feel like I am in front. Someone says "hey whatever works for you".
Mile 18 - I usually do not look back but I do take a quick look over my shoulder at a turn. Nobody going to catch me unless I have a drastic slow down. It is so wonderful to be in such a positive state of mind this late in any race. I am thoroughly enjoying the day and the fact that my body is cooperating with what I am asking of it.
Mile 19 - Hello old friend, the wall. Muscles tighten, energy feels low, and quite suddenly it is not so easy to maintain pace. With only a mile to go I can handle it. Probably great training again. I have my PR in the bag, but if I can keep up I have a good shot at finishing under 2:50. That would be really great and is a goal worth fighting for. O wall, I know you too well by now and you can not beat me with your usual tricks. I can do mind over body for a mile. Really only 0.75 miles, because there is the finish on the track. Shorten stride, don't fret over the watch and just plow on ahead.
Mile 19.75 - Down the gravel hill to the track. Watch says 2:48. Wish I knew the seconds. Then it snaps to 2:49 with about half a lap to go. Working really hard now. Make the turn and can see the clock ahead. YES!! I can.
Mile 20 - Finish. Too bad only the race volunteers are here to see me. Everyone else is up in the school eating chili or something. As I wander around recovering I wait for those behind me. My new friend M1074 looking strong. Then here comes RW. Off day for her but she will be ready for whatever she peaks for. Finally M678 who was hoping to beat 3 hours. I can see the clock and it may be close, but he still has to make the turn. I yell a few times and he steams in just under his goal time. I am very bored with the Steilacoom course and can easily wait till next January to run these races again. But I will be back, because of the many great people. Also the price, location and organization makes it a great option for someone who prefers racing over training.
Next: 6 marathons in 3 months? Starting with Yakima April 4
2:49:44 PR (8:29/mile pace)
race #159, 20 miler #3
42 of 59 really fast runners
*****
Start - Line up closer to the back with RW. We talk about starting slow, running a negative split and finishing strong. Soon enough we are off and going a little faster that I should.
Mile 1- 8:42 - Faster than I should be going. I was thinking that 8:50-8:55 pace would be better, but oh it feels so nice and easy. RW and I start policing ourselves better and slow up a bit.
Mile 3 - We meet M1002. He is the brother of M2. He goes off ahead some.
Mile 4 - RW and I have been slowly catching up to M678. I suggest that we run with him instead of behind him. This is nice on the residential road but when we hit the long, straight, busy, little shoulder stretch we have to get more single file. Still it is nice to have pacing company and be in our little pack.
Mile 9 - Not much to report. Steady pacing, holding a 8:43 average. Good conversation. M678 dropping back some. Bob Dolphin sighting. Out and back course lets me say hi to many familiar runners and friends.
Mile 10 - 1:26. An even split will get me that PR (2:53:33). I still plan to turn on the power (if I have any left) at about mile 16.
Mile 10.5 - Wow, we are pretty far back in this race. I thought I would see more folks after we turned around, but there are few of us back there. Nice group a ways in front that I hope to catch in a while.
Mile 11.5 - Tree frogs and crows making noise in the foggy woods
Mile 13 - RW still wants to hold back, but I am feeling ready to speed up some. I am hoping that today will be the day where we really battle it out and finish close. It is surprising to me that we can be so fairly evenly matched yet never finish all that close together. Lately one of us has a bad day or is not racing so much for time. But it is always nice to start together and see how it plays out.
Mile 14 - I keep running at the water station and do not look back as I sense RW is not directly behind me.
Mile 15 - Overall pace is 8:39. I remember "dropping the hammer" here in the 15 mile race. I could pick it up quite a bit, but decide to increase the pace just slightly and save something for later. Five more miles is a long way.
Mile 16 - Overall pace at 8:38. Strung out pack of five in front of me. I catch M1002. Following that blue shirt also reminded me of the fifteen mile. This time I did reel in my prey. Pass two more runners.
Mile 17 - The only significant hill. There is a Maniac that I should have met some time ago. I have seen her at each of these Res Runs and we run about the same pace, but I have not had a good chance to introduce myself. I am just behind her and another runner. I take the opportunity and ask for help up the hill. M1074 reaches her hand back and as I grab it she pulls me up the hill for a second or two. Very funny and nice. We talk for just a bit, but the timing was perfect as I forget all about the hill. Now I am at the top and feeling strong so I move along.
Mile 17.5 - Overall pace is 8:33. Nice longish downhill lets me go faster. I have passed all the runners that I could see in front of me. Now it sort of feels like I am in the lead. As I hit the last water station I say that I feel like I am in front. Someone says "hey whatever works for you".
Mile 18 - I usually do not look back but I do take a quick look over my shoulder at a turn. Nobody going to catch me unless I have a drastic slow down. It is so wonderful to be in such a positive state of mind this late in any race. I am thoroughly enjoying the day and the fact that my body is cooperating with what I am asking of it.
Mile 19 - Hello old friend, the wall. Muscles tighten, energy feels low, and quite suddenly it is not so easy to maintain pace. With only a mile to go I can handle it. Probably great training again. I have my PR in the bag, but if I can keep up I have a good shot at finishing under 2:50. That would be really great and is a goal worth fighting for. O wall, I know you too well by now and you can not beat me with your usual tricks. I can do mind over body for a mile. Really only 0.75 miles, because there is the finish on the track. Shorten stride, don't fret over the watch and just plow on ahead.
Mile 19.75 - Down the gravel hill to the track. Watch says 2:48. Wish I knew the seconds. Then it snaps to 2:49 with about half a lap to go. Working really hard now. Make the turn and can see the clock ahead. YES!! I can.
Mile 20 - Finish. Too bad only the race volunteers are here to see me. Everyone else is up in the school eating chili or something. As I wander around recovering I wait for those behind me. My new friend M1074 looking strong. Then here comes RW. Off day for her but she will be ready for whatever she peaks for. Finally M678 who was hoping to beat 3 hours. I can see the clock and it may be close, but he still has to make the turn. I yell a few times and he steams in just under his goal time. I am very bored with the Steilacoom course and can easily wait till next January to run these races again. But I will be back, because of the many great people. Also the price, location and organization makes it a great option for someone who prefers racing over training.
Next: 6 marathons in 3 months? Starting with Yakima April 4
2:49:44 PR (8:29/mile pace)
race #159, 20 miler #3
42 of 59 really fast runners
*****
Saturday, March 7, 2009
3/7/09 Run For Luck 10K
This will be my fifth consecutive Run For Luck 10K. I like this race because:
1) Thurston County Parks and Recreation puts on a great low key event
2) Accurate distance
3) Scenic flat course on the Chehalis Western Trail
4) Another green t-shirt
5) Timing by Rich and Bill this year
6) Each year I can compare myself to the previous years
7) Post race Irish potato stew, indoors
8) Close to home
I am not however expecting a fast time this year, but I have great excuses.
1) Got back late last night from Catalina Island, where I was with 17 seventh and eighth graders on an "eco-adventure". The boys cabin bunks were uncomfortable and for some reason the boys did not just go to sleep right at lights out time. But we did have fun.
2) We were totally isolated at Fox Landing, with no roads and a very rocky beach. I had little time and no place to run, so I did not even try. First time in a long while that I went five days with no running at all. Photo is the view from our cabin.......not the Run For Luck :)
3) Five days of all you can eat camp food buffets.
4) Lots of cold shivering (in and out of the water) all week, plus the motion of the ocean stays with me for hours after being on the water
5) Here at the Run For Luck it is very cold and breezy. Strongest winds I have run in for a while.
As I do a two mile warm up I think back on my week. Snorkeling, kayaking over kelp beds, night snorkeling!!, astronomy lesson and star finding, rock climbing, ropes course, hiking and all day trip where we kayaked to a remote beach and went eeling, tide pooling and relaxing on the beach. In between these activities we had entertaining lessons about phytoplankton, osteichthyes, porifera, cnideria, mollusca, pinnipeda, fissipeda......all my favorites. Believe it or not, I did not even miss running.
But now I am all warmed up and ready to race. We line up and will run into the strong wind for a tenth of a mile or so before turning onto the trail. Here is the countdown: "five, four, three, two, go" I am sure there was no "one" but that is OK. I tap my watch and cross the line.
Mile 0.5 - I started with Paul and Greg. Paul is hoping to do this in 45 minutes and is somewhat faster than me. I let him slip ahead and stick with Greg, who I do not know. It is a small race and we seem to be all sorted out now that the 5K runners turned onto their course. But I do sense someone catching up. I think it is a bike, but it won't pass me. Then it does and I realize that I am being "strollered". At least it is early in the race. Maybe Stroller Girl is fast and strong. I let her go ahead.
Mile 1.0 - Been wondering about the foot. I can feel the plantar but not bad at all. Continue to monitor and adjust the pace if needed. First mile in 7:40
Mile 1.5 - Stroller Girl is just ahead and not gaining her lead. Greg has dropped back. I surge and run next to her. Breeze is strong and some small branches are coming down.
Mile 2.0 - Pair of mallards lands in small pond next to the trail. With the sun so bright, the iridescent green of the male's head is stunning. Baby in stroller makes a noise. Stroller girl lifts the front wheel up and gets a happy giggle. Makes me smile and chuckle which makes Stroller Girl laugh a little.
Mile 2.8 - Out and back course lets us see the leaders. Some guy that I do not know is way in front. I wonder about Stroller Girl's position, because there are not many in front of us. I did see Karen Steen at the start but if she ran the 5K, there is a chance that I could be running with the female leader. Nope, there is Karen.
Mile 3.1 - Hit the turn around and get a very quick drink of water. Paul has about 30 seconds on me. Stroller Girl is in second of the women. I am with her running comfortably hard. I did not plan on running this fast, but the foot feels pretty good. Sweat and wind on my sunburned/windburned face is not so pleasant, but everything else feels like a nice hard run.
Mile 3.5 - Western gray squirrel scampers across the paved trail in front of us. Stroller Girl and I are not really talking, the pace is too fast, but we are feeding off each other pace wise. Sometimes I am a step in front, then she takes over doing the work of keeping us moving.
Mile 4.0 - There have been some pedestrians on the trail, now we are about to pass two women who are walking a dog and there are some 10K walkers still coming at us. I decide to make a surge, get ahead of Stroller Girl, and shoot through the hole. That will give her room too and then it will be up to her to come get me if she can. I put on the power and am happy with my acceleration. Past the congestion and a good twenty feet ahead of Stroller Girl.
Mile 4.1 - She is tougher than I figured and is right back at my side.
Mile 5.0 - Now it is her turn to put on a surge. Right at the five mile marker she makes her move. Impressively strong. I think about giving up and jogging it in. That last mile was tough. But I keep at it and slowly reel her in.
Mile 5.5 - I am about three feet behind her. Paul and a black t-shirt guy had been together but now Paul is ahead. Both of them are coming back to us, but are far enough in front, I do not think we will catch them. I tell Stroller Girl "Do, not let me beat you....and I am not going to let you win either". This is exactly the friendly competition that I love and that makes me run a much faster time.
Mile 5.9 - Stroller Girl has kick and I do not. Then the turn to the finish. Finally the wind at our backs. She will beat me by a few seconds but I am fine with that.
Mile 6.2 - Done! Second half 49 seconds faster than the first half. Average pace under 7:30/mile. I shake Stroller Girl's hand and look at the sleeping baby. Fun to give my tag to Bill for timekeeping I am a minute slower than last year, but faster than I expected. Foot feels a little off but not bad at all. A few weeks ago I thought that I would skip this one, but I am so glad that I got to do it. Last year I came in fourth in my age group. This year, although a minute slower, I earned a first place in my age group ribbon. Definitely plan to come back for this one every year.
Next up: March 15 - Six hour endurance race, March 21 - Steilacoom 20 miler (tentative depending on family plans), April 4 - Yakima River Canyon Marathon
46:35
9th of 42, first in age group ribbon
****
1) Thurston County Parks and Recreation puts on a great low key event
2) Accurate distance
3) Scenic flat course on the Chehalis Western Trail
4) Another green t-shirt
5) Timing by Rich and Bill this year
6) Each year I can compare myself to the previous years
7) Post race Irish potato stew, indoors
8) Close to home
I am not however expecting a fast time this year, but I have great excuses.
1) Got back late last night from Catalina Island, where I was with 17 seventh and eighth graders on an "eco-adventure". The boys cabin bunks were uncomfortable and for some reason the boys did not just go to sleep right at lights out time. But we did have fun.
2) We were totally isolated at Fox Landing, with no roads and a very rocky beach. I had little time and no place to run, so I did not even try. First time in a long while that I went five days with no running at all. Photo is the view from our cabin.......not the Run For Luck :)
3) Five days of all you can eat camp food buffets.
4) Lots of cold shivering (in and out of the water) all week, plus the motion of the ocean stays with me for hours after being on the water
5) Here at the Run For Luck it is very cold and breezy. Strongest winds I have run in for a while.
As I do a two mile warm up I think back on my week. Snorkeling, kayaking over kelp beds, night snorkeling!!, astronomy lesson and star finding, rock climbing, ropes course, hiking and all day trip where we kayaked to a remote beach and went eeling, tide pooling and relaxing on the beach. In between these activities we had entertaining lessons about phytoplankton, osteichthyes, porifera, cnideria, mollusca, pinnipeda, fissipeda......all my favorites. Believe it or not, I did not even miss running.
But now I am all warmed up and ready to race. We line up and will run into the strong wind for a tenth of a mile or so before turning onto the trail. Here is the countdown: "five, four, three, two, go" I am sure there was no "one" but that is OK. I tap my watch and cross the line.
Mile 0.5 - I started with Paul and Greg. Paul is hoping to do this in 45 minutes and is somewhat faster than me. I let him slip ahead and stick with Greg, who I do not know. It is a small race and we seem to be all sorted out now that the 5K runners turned onto their course. But I do sense someone catching up. I think it is a bike, but it won't pass me. Then it does and I realize that I am being "strollered". At least it is early in the race. Maybe Stroller Girl is fast and strong. I let her go ahead.
Mile 1.0 - Been wondering about the foot. I can feel the plantar but not bad at all. Continue to monitor and adjust the pace if needed. First mile in 7:40
Mile 1.5 - Stroller Girl is just ahead and not gaining her lead. Greg has dropped back. I surge and run next to her. Breeze is strong and some small branches are coming down.
Mile 2.0 - Pair of mallards lands in small pond next to the trail. With the sun so bright, the iridescent green of the male's head is stunning. Baby in stroller makes a noise. Stroller girl lifts the front wheel up and gets a happy giggle. Makes me smile and chuckle which makes Stroller Girl laugh a little.
Mile 2.8 - Out and back course lets us see the leaders. Some guy that I do not know is way in front. I wonder about Stroller Girl's position, because there are not many in front of us. I did see Karen Steen at the start but if she ran the 5K, there is a chance that I could be running with the female leader. Nope, there is Karen.
Mile 3.1 - Hit the turn around and get a very quick drink of water. Paul has about 30 seconds on me. Stroller Girl is in second of the women. I am with her running comfortably hard. I did not plan on running this fast, but the foot feels pretty good. Sweat and wind on my sunburned/windburned face is not so pleasant, but everything else feels like a nice hard run.
Mile 3.5 - Western gray squirrel scampers across the paved trail in front of us. Stroller Girl and I are not really talking, the pace is too fast, but we are feeding off each other pace wise. Sometimes I am a step in front, then she takes over doing the work of keeping us moving.
Mile 4.0 - There have been some pedestrians on the trail, now we are about to pass two women who are walking a dog and there are some 10K walkers still coming at us. I decide to make a surge, get ahead of Stroller Girl, and shoot through the hole. That will give her room too and then it will be up to her to come get me if she can. I put on the power and am happy with my acceleration. Past the congestion and a good twenty feet ahead of Stroller Girl.
Mile 4.1 - She is tougher than I figured and is right back at my side.
Mile 5.0 - Now it is her turn to put on a surge. Right at the five mile marker she makes her move. Impressively strong. I think about giving up and jogging it in. That last mile was tough. But I keep at it and slowly reel her in.
Mile 5.5 - I am about three feet behind her. Paul and a black t-shirt guy had been together but now Paul is ahead. Both of them are coming back to us, but are far enough in front, I do not think we will catch them. I tell Stroller Girl "Do, not let me beat you....and I am not going to let you win either". This is exactly the friendly competition that I love and that makes me run a much faster time.
Mile 5.9 - Stroller Girl has kick and I do not. Then the turn to the finish. Finally the wind at our backs. She will beat me by a few seconds but I am fine with that.
Mile 6.2 - Done! Second half 49 seconds faster than the first half. Average pace under 7:30/mile. I shake Stroller Girl's hand and look at the sleeping baby. Fun to give my tag to Bill for timekeeping I am a minute slower than last year, but faster than I expected. Foot feels a little off but not bad at all. A few weeks ago I thought that I would skip this one, but I am so glad that I got to do it. Last year I came in fourth in my age group. This year, although a minute slower, I earned a first place in my age group ribbon. Definitely plan to come back for this one every year.
Next up: March 15 - Six hour endurance race, March 21 - Steilacoom 20 miler (tentative depending on family plans), April 4 - Yakima River Canyon Marathon
46:35
9th of 42, first in age group ribbon
****
Saturday, February 21, 2009
2/21/09 Resolution Run 15 Miles
Fourth year in a row I find myself here for this uncommon distance. Same old course in Steilacoom, just add 2.5 miles on to the turn around from last month's ten miler. Foot has been gradually getting better. I should take it easy today. I'll hold back and see how I feel at the turn around, maybe get in a negative split. Not a chance of a PR or beating last year's time, so I do not have any real goal today other than to have fun and get in a good workout. Weather is looking great!! Cold and foggy but it is going to burn off and warm up. No wind. No rain. I realize that I have not been rained on in a race since the first week of October, some nine races ago.
Start - My favorite racing friend is not here...sniff, sniff.....but I think I will have an enjoyable time with so many other friends new and old. I line up way in the back, on the High School track, and it takes me a good ten seconds to get to the start line. Nice sized crowd today.
Mile 1 - In a pack of Maniacs. I already know M626 and M215. Wearing my red Maniac shirt alerts the others that I am in the club and I meet M31 and M726 who are in stealth mode.
Mile 2.5 - Feeling good and I am inching up the pace ever so slowly. Nice running with M726. I remember this little hill from last year. A year ago I very much wanted to PR and beat a certain someone. I knew it was going to be a bad day when I felt leg tired going up this bump of a hill. I had run a marathon thirteen days previously and was just not fully recovered. Today it feels fine, I am going out slower than last year, but that feeling of power in the legs, conquering this small hill, is a good sign. Oh and like last year I did run a marathon thirteen days ago.
Mile 4.5 - Volunteers are great. Even more so when you know them. Thank you for the water Wayne!!
Mile 5.5 - Pass M678, always great to see him on race day. Then a Bob Dolphin sighting.
Mile 6 - Haiku time: Black, blond ponytails - rhythmically swish to and fro - paint sweat on shoulders
Mile 7.5 - Average pace kept getting faster, I find myself at the turn around with an 8:12/mile pace, at least ten seconds faster than I wanted to be. Foot aches some but is manageable. Otherwise feeling fine.
Mile 9.5 - Slowly catching up to a pack of six runners (six pack?) No need to rush, I am slowly gaining on them. Now I am right behind them and the running is easier as I am at their pace and no longer speeding to catch them. I'll take a few minutes to regather my strength then make a move.
Mile 10 - Hey for fun lets see how many people I can pass in the last five miles and see if I can run that last five pretty quick. Tap the watch to set a new lap and make my move. In about 20 seconds I pass all six of them and hurry on my way. Running much harder now.
Mile 10.5 - Thank you Wayne, for the water again.
Mile 11 - I ran that last mile in 7:51, pass my seventh runner and keep on running hard. My next victim is M31. He is about 100 feet in front of me and coming back ever so slowly.
Mile 12 - Still chasing M31, maybe 50 feet between us now. That big blue Portland Marathon shirt is going to be etched into my brain.
Mile 13 - Still chasing M31, but I have lost form and am flailing about. Really need to regroup and focus on form
Mile 14 - M31 is gaining his lead and I do not have a chance. I am toast. It's OK though, I did not come here to beat him or anybody. I have one more mile to go and I need to just push on. This is marathon training now. It took 14 miles of good hard running to get to this point. Now I need to persevere and not slow drastically. Run on tired legs with little fuel in the tank. Think about form and enjoy the moment.
Mile 15 - Down and around the track. Surprised to see the clock still on 2:02. I am only a minute behind last year's time. First ten miles at 8:11/mile pace. Last five miles at 8:03. Was not passed by anyone during the second half and I passed at least 11 runners. Good day today.
2:02:25
89th of 108 runners
157th race, 5th 15 mile race
****
Start - My favorite racing friend is not here...sniff, sniff.....but I think I will have an enjoyable time with so many other friends new and old. I line up way in the back, on the High School track, and it takes me a good ten seconds to get to the start line. Nice sized crowd today.
Mile 1 - In a pack of Maniacs. I already know M626 and M215. Wearing my red Maniac shirt alerts the others that I am in the club and I meet M31 and M726 who are in stealth mode.
Mile 2.5 - Feeling good and I am inching up the pace ever so slowly. Nice running with M726. I remember this little hill from last year. A year ago I very much wanted to PR and beat a certain someone. I knew it was going to be a bad day when I felt leg tired going up this bump of a hill. I had run a marathon thirteen days previously and was just not fully recovered. Today it feels fine, I am going out slower than last year, but that feeling of power in the legs, conquering this small hill, is a good sign. Oh and like last year I did run a marathon thirteen days ago.
Mile 4.5 - Volunteers are great. Even more so when you know them. Thank you for the water Wayne!!
Mile 5.5 - Pass M678, always great to see him on race day. Then a Bob Dolphin sighting.
Mile 6 - Haiku time: Black, blond ponytails - rhythmically swish to and fro - paint sweat on shoulders
Mile 7.5 - Average pace kept getting faster, I find myself at the turn around with an 8:12/mile pace, at least ten seconds faster than I wanted to be. Foot aches some but is manageable. Otherwise feeling fine.
Mile 9.5 - Slowly catching up to a pack of six runners (six pack?) No need to rush, I am slowly gaining on them. Now I am right behind them and the running is easier as I am at their pace and no longer speeding to catch them. I'll take a few minutes to regather my strength then make a move.
Mile 10 - Hey for fun lets see how many people I can pass in the last five miles and see if I can run that last five pretty quick. Tap the watch to set a new lap and make my move. In about 20 seconds I pass all six of them and hurry on my way. Running much harder now.
Mile 10.5 - Thank you Wayne, for the water again.
Mile 11 - I ran that last mile in 7:51, pass my seventh runner and keep on running hard. My next victim is M31. He is about 100 feet in front of me and coming back ever so slowly.
Mile 12 - Still chasing M31, maybe 50 feet between us now. That big blue Portland Marathon shirt is going to be etched into my brain.
Mile 13 - Still chasing M31, but I have lost form and am flailing about. Really need to regroup and focus on form
Mile 14 - M31 is gaining his lead and I do not have a chance. I am toast. It's OK though, I did not come here to beat him or anybody. I have one more mile to go and I need to just push on. This is marathon training now. It took 14 miles of good hard running to get to this point. Now I need to persevere and not slow drastically. Run on tired legs with little fuel in the tank. Think about form and enjoy the moment.
Mile 15 - Down and around the track. Surprised to see the clock still on 2:02. I am only a minute behind last year's time. First ten miles at 8:11/mile pace. Last five miles at 8:03. Was not passed by anyone during the second half and I passed at least 11 runners. Good day today.
2:02:25
89th of 108 runners
157th race, 5th 15 mile race
****
Sunday, February 8, 2009
2/8/09 Valentine Marathon
I have some beautiful, special, festive marathons coming up....but this is not one of them. Nobody "peaks" for this race. All I hear at the start line is "this is just a training run for me" and I do feel the same way. I feel like it has been forever since I ran long and doing so today will be a nice build up for future races. Goal time? I guess 4:10 would be fine. I'll probably go off faster than that but I really expect to hit the wall and do some walking. I'm happy to see RW but she has become a dilemma. If I` go off at her pace I will suffer more in the later miles, it is just a little too fast for me. I was smart in Seattle to let her go after a couple of miles and ran my own race and finished strong. But I really like running with her and in fact today I will choose to run with her and suffer the consequences. I'm going to suffer anyway, might as well do it right. Oh but as we talk I learn that she has a bad cold 
and almost didn't come today. That is terrific!! Not really, but it does mean that she will take a slower pace at least at the start. I tell her that I'd like to hit the half way point at 2 hours even and she seems fine with trying that. Good group of about 30 mostly Maniacs for the early start, others to follow an hour later. Fog, no wind, cold at the start....pretty much perfect conditions. Show off my new license plate to those who understand.
and almost didn't come today. That is terrific!! Not really, but it does mean that she will take a slower pace at least at the start. I tell her that I'd like to hit the half way point at 2 hours even and she seems fine with trying that. Good group of about 30 mostly Maniacs for the early start, others to follow an hour later. Fog, no wind, cold at the start....pretty much perfect conditions. Show off my new license plate to those who understand.Mile 1 - Out of the beautiful old growth forest park and onto the 50MPH country road with little shoulder. I am in a nice pack of 8 runners which should help with safety. Happy cow comes romping over to us, as excited as I have ever seen a cow.
Mile 4 - Foot starting to ache. This is not good. I start feeling negative about the whole thing. I may end up walking a long way today if this foot gets worse.
Mile 5 - I am starting to be able to read RWs mind. I can tell when she wants to slow down or speed up. We are so used to this now, we are keeping a very steady pace, with minor adjustments on the hills.
Mile 6 - The group of 8 has become two groups of 3. RW and I meet Maniac Eddie. We talk about music, work and running of course and the miles ease by. Foot is a little better. I am in a much better mood.
Mile 10.5 - Up over the interstate. Sharp right turn and a long boring stretch to the turn around. Since we started early, there are no aid stations set up yet. Sure hope they have one at the turn around, my fuel belt bottles are running low. RW is carrying a water bottle. Nobody is talking and that water in her bottle is sloshing with every step. It is rhythmic but monotonous, on and on and on.
Mile 11.2 - A road intersects to the left. IBO ave. That is a strange name. As we get closer I see that it is 180th ave. Wow my mind is going already and I am not even halfway there.
Mile 11.7 - Our first spectator. She offers water and must be waiting for a friend or family member, because nobody comes out just to watch this race. I cheer for her.
Mile 13 - RW wants to walk a bit and I convince her to do so before the turn around, thus making our split time a little better. It sets us up to hit the halfway point at exactly 2:00 hours.
Mile 13.1 - 2:00 exactly as planned. This also sets up an interesting thought. Its always nice to break 4 hours and that has often been my goal. Now in order to do so I must run a negative split. If I can run the second half faster than the first half I will be rewarded with a sub 4 finish. I really doubt it will happen but the option is there and may keep me moving in the later miles. I move on leaving RW and Eddie behind. I plan on going the same speed we have been and I am sure RW will catch up in a few steps.
Mile 14 - Fun to see runners coming at me. I try to say hi to each one. Foot is hanging in there. This race is going great. I got 13 miles of RW time, now I can run alone and think about things. I have things to think about and sometimes the mind goes weird places later in the marathon. All the years combine, they melt into a dream.
Mile 16.5 - Starting to tire. There is another spectator. He tells me I look good. I say that I am afraid I am hitting the wall. He says it is just a bad patch, I'll do fine. Hey great words, that is probably right, I have learned about bad patches and how to overcome them. But still I worry about the remaining 10 miles.
Mile 17 - That group of three just may be coming back to me. Ever so slowly. I do like being able to see a half mile or more ahead and see if I am gaining on anyone. I have in fact passed a good number of runners and my pace is holding.
Mile 18.5 - Pass two of the three from that group. Now I have RW and Maniac Robert behind me. Both are clearly faster runners than I and I fully expect them to "pigtail" me at some point soon. It is fine if they do, but I will try to not let it happen.
Mile 19 - I remember being here at the Christmas Marathon in 2007 and seeing Tammy. She tried to encourage me but I was hitting the wall bad. That was a very poor end to that race. Well today I feel much better than that day at least. I am tired but the pace is holding. Whoa!! look who is here!! A car load of Club Oly friends. Mark's bald head hanging out the window yelling for me, Billy yelling, Deb driving her new car she just got yesterday. Looks like I am going to get by with a little help from my friends. What a surprise. They are going to drive around and stop at aid stations and Billy will probably hop out and run some. They even have a professional looking Club Oly sign with my name on it. What a hoot.
Mile 19.5 - Pass Maniac Ken. Took me about 4 miles to gradually catch up to him. I'd be happy to just run it in with him, but he is slowing and I would like to hold my pace.
Mile 20 - I have been carrying three chocolate hearts in red foil since the start. I thought it would be fun to pass them to a runner coming the other way, just to jazz up this Valentine Marathon a little. I chickened out a few times and everyone else looked too intent on running but finally here is someone just walking on the road. I pull over and make her take one. She smiles. Meanwhile Debbie is pulling up behind me and can't believe that I am handing out candy while racing. Well I am in great spirits and the pace is holding, but I still have 6 miles to go.
Mile 21 - Aid station. Head is clear but I pop my last S!Cap just to be sure. Still worried about a "rogue wave" attack. I ask Mark to start a timer, wait for her, then drive up and tell me how far ahead I am.
Mile 22 - Get the report that I have a seven minute lead on RW. She must be hurting. Hope it is not too bad, and it looks like today will be one of those rare occasions where I finish before her.
Mile 22.5 - Oh crap. Here it comes. I was doing so well and in such great spirits. Now I feel awful in many ways. Want to vomit. Energy Drained. 26 miles, 26 years. Now here comes Billy to run me to the end. Guess I won't be going deeper into space this time. Glad for the company.
Mile 24 - That rough patch is over. Try a little surge on a hill that does not work well. But the pace is holding and I could run faster if I had to. Doing math in my head. I still have a great shot at beating 4 hours. Get rid of that heavy fuel belt. What a relief
Mile 25 - This has gone very well. I never thought I would make it with no walk breaks (the one at mile 13 does not count). The legs are fine. If my foot felt better I would have gone faster. I like mile 25 here because it is only about a half mile to the park entrance where everything changes and you just sprint to the finish.
Mile 25.6 - 3:55 on the watch. Billy telling me to go faster. 3:56. Billy saying something about I should give it my all here. 3:57. Billy says I will do it. 3:58 There is the turn I was waiting for. Yes I can
Mile 26.2 - 3:59!! Negative split. Under 4 and feeling good. No aches or pains....except my foot of course. I'll head home soon to ice it. My club oly friends are so supportive, that was really nice to see them. RW finishes soon and looks good but she had a tough day. I myself can't wait for the next marathon and 5 weeks seems like so far away.
3:59:15
Results Pending
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