I was extremely fortunate to get to run the majority of the way with 2 friends I have met over the last year through Live Uncommon, John "Obi Run Kenobi" O'Brien and Emily Bucy who certainly helped keep the miles ticking and get me through the rough patches.
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| John showing off some impromptu cold weather head gear |
We started off in the very back, in fact we were still at the Port-A-John's when the cannon fired to signal the start of the race. We eventually crossed the start line timing mat at just about the 5 minute mark, this was actually exactly what we had planned for. We wanted to start off slow and ease our way into 8:30 pace and then make up any lost time on flat easy stretches throughout the course.
The first 4 miles went by pretty easy and we tackled the only real hill of the course. Once we made it down to the boat ramp in Bettendorf I ran up ahead to use the bathroom which is pretty much a ritual now at this point for me. We timed it perfectly and as I headed back on to the course John and Emily were just stopping at the water station and I rejoined them.
We talked casually as we ticked off the miles, the pace and effort seemed very relaxed and easier than I had expected. Somewhere along the bike path in Davenport we picked up another runner, Tom from St. Louis and the 4 of us traded off breaking into groups of 2 running and talking along the course. About this time we started coming up on some fellow LU members who were running the Half Marathon, which runs with the Marathon for the first 7+ miles then breaks off before rejoining back on the Arsenal Island.
When we made our way on to Centennial Bridge I was surprised at how good I still felt, I remember this being the beginning of a low point for me last year and being thankful I was running with someone then. Making our way through the District of Rock Island I was feeling good and strong and very confident that I would make my goal of 3:45. Coming on to the Arsenal we crossed the half way mark at just at 1:52 so we were right on track to make the 3:45 mark.
Running through the Arsenal I noticed a hitch developing in Emily's gait and I asked her how she was feeling, she told me her left knee was bothering her. John dropped back with her and I joined up with our new friend Tom and ran ahead with him. I felt bad for Emily she ended up running the last 7 miles or so solo after John left her to catch back up with me. She was okay and would still finish but she was going to have to back off a bit, she still finished under her goal of 4 hours at 3:59 so it ended up being a good day still for her.
Once we got off the Arsenal and on to the out and back stretch of River Drive, I was starting to feel the accumulated effects of the first 20 miles, I was hurting just yet but I was starting to get some tightness in my hamstrings and my quads were burning. Once we hit the 23 mile mark I had to stop to stretch my hamstrings, I knew then that 3:45 was not going to happen so I just wanted to do what was necessary to get under 3:50. Earlier John had asked me what my fastest 5k was and I told him 20:21 and he told me we would cruise the first 3 miles of and then go for my fastest 5k in the last 3. I knew then that wasn't going to happen and once I stopped to stretch going at 8 minute miles was going to be difficult. Mile 23-24 I just kept moving forward and knew I would have to turn it up on 25 and 26, I stopped to stretch again, and tried to stretch my quads and my hamstring instantly knotted up, so I just kept moving. When I hit the 25 mile marker I picked up my pace a little, I haven't looked back at my splits yet but it will be interesting to see what they were at the end. Once I saw the 26 mile marker I just went as fast as I could and summoned the last bit of my energy and ran as hard as I could to the finish line. John was there waiting for me along with other LU members and I remember doubling over as he congratulated me and saying "That hurt so f***ing bad".
All in all it was an absolute amazing race, I didn't make my top goal of 3:45 but I'm very happy and proud of going under 3:50. I felt better through the first 22 miles than I have in my previous 2 marathons so I know my training was good, I just hit a wall at the end and that happens sometimes, but I still finished strong.
Thanks again to not only John and Emily for running with me but to everyone that I have had the pleasure of running with over the last 9+ months, especially all the amazing Live Uncommon members that I have gotten to know over the year.
I look forward to taking some time off from running, 1 week for sure and then easing back into training for the Wildcat 50k on Nov. 11th.
Until next time...Do today what others won't, so tomorrow you can do what others can't.
Good Job! You want to come run some race with Rich and my dad? It's a 12K with a 50 foot climbing wall at the end! Can't remember what the race is called though...
ReplyDeleteWhen is it? I have a race on Oct. 27 and nothing on else on my schedule the rest of the year.
DeleteYour pace makes my head spin. Way to go, man! I have only done 1 marathon (last year) and I run real slow so I am always amazed by race reports like yours. I am currently training for my next marathon and that wall at mile 20ish is on my mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I've had the benefit of running and training with some very talented runners this past year and I've learned that I often sell my own abilities much too short. Getting to run with better runners has greatly helped me run faster.
DeleteI think my biggest issue with "the wall" was not having enough long runs (18-20+) this time around. Although I was in much better shape with all the tri training I only did one 20 miler and I think that's why the wall hit so hard this year.