I had no concerns this year with the weather as reports had called for rain late Saturday night and clearing for Sunday?s Marathon. I was however quite concerned for some of my friends and all of my fellow runners that were preparing to run the Chicago Marathon in what appeared to be extremely high temperatures.
My goals for this race were:
1 ? To finish healthy so that I can enjoy the New York Marathon on November 4.
2 ? To get another BQ so that I don?t have to worry for two more years.
3 ? To better my course PR of 3:32:40.
4 ? To better my marathon PR of 3:26:49.
5 ? To run a 3:20:00 marathon.
For those who don?t wish to read the full report I succeeded in the first three should have done all ? no excuses?but I?m happy and will prepare for New York now.
When I woke up at 4:30 and went downstairs for breakfast, I took a quick look outside and could see that it had indeed rained pretty good overnight (I had heard it during the night as well) but could see that it was trying to clear up. I also took a quick look on-line at intellicast.com and their radar and could see the clearing headed our way and the temperature was 54 degrees. So I didn?t concern myself much more about it and toasted a wheat bagel and put some peanut butter on it for breakfast with a glass of OJ and a glass of chocolate milk.
This year I was riding in with my friend Joel and my wife was going to meet me at about mile 20 with a fresh bottle of Gatorade. I donned my orange Adidda?s Boston shirt and my black and orange Boston shorts, my 2006 Boston runners? hat, white socks and a pair of Asics running shoes. I made sure I had my race number pinned on, my timing chip around my left ankle and my Garmin 305 and Heart Rate Strap in my bag along with a change of clothes and a clean towel to use at the USM Gym for the post race shower.
Joel stopped by to pick me up right on schedule at about 6:15 and we headed to Portland. We arrived at about 7:00 and were able to find a nice parking spot about one minutes walk to the start right where we parked last year. We waited for Wendi one of my co-workers wives to arrive so that she could pick up her race packet which I had gotten for her. Then I headed out for my routine visit to the porta potty, the massage tent and my warm-up. I positioned myself just a bit nearer to the front this year took my first gu and last drink of water about 10 minutes prior to the start of the race.
After the routine announcements which included the fact that a group of Army National Guard soldiers headed out earlier and were humping the marathon route in memory of their fallen comrades. The singing of the National Anthem took place and as usual boom no warning the gun sounds and we are off and running.
The rabbits were passing me left and right and I just kept telling myself ?you?re not racing them, just run your race? over and over I would repeat that mantra to myself. God I felt like I was crawling and yet I still passed mile marker one in 6:49 holy **** that was almost a minute faster than I wanted but it felt so slow! I continued on constantly reminding myself that I wasn?t racing anyone and that most of these runners were probably running the half marathon. The pace still felt a very slow and I passed mile marker two in 7:14 (14:03) as we turned off Baxter Boulevard and headed onto Bates St on our way to Route 1. As we headed down Veranda St. there?s a nice little down hill (that is the last killer little hill on the way back) that I used to just coast a bit and we crossed over onto Route 1 North as we started to travel over Martin?s Point Bridge the Bagpiper was playing as he does every year a nice little tradition and then came mile marker 3 at 7:21 (21:24) I?m about 1:30ahead of pace at this point. As I cross over the bridge I and approach the turn onto Phillips Road I am feeling really good but still can?t seem to slow my pace down enough as I pass mile marker 4 at 7:16 (28:40). I passed mile marker 5 as we turned onto Route 88 in 7:21 (36:01) that was a little better as I encounter a little bit of a long gradual hill not too bad but a hill none the less as we head towards Skillin?s Greenhouse which is where I will see my wife on the return and there is always a pretty large gathering here. As I trudge up the hill I prepare to take my first GU and wait until I see the water station before taking it and pass mile marker 6 in 7:25 (43:26). Just a bit before mile marker 6 I had seen Jeff Tidd and we chatted briefly before I told him to go on ahead since he was only running the half. As I got close to the half marathon turn around I encountered a nice downhill jaunt immediately followed by a nice uphill climb that I managed to maintain pace on quite comfortably. I passed mile marker 7 in 7:15 (50:41) **** that?s 2:45 ahead of pace. I so wish I could hook up with someone and realize at this point just how alone I was on the course today. No one is passing me and I am slowly picking people off as I progress along the course. I?m still feeling really good as I pass mile marker 8 in 7:32 (58:13). This area is really a rolling route during mile 9 which I manage quite easily and pass the mile marker at 7:21 (1:05:34). The next two miles feature a couple of pretty good hills, but once again I am able to maintain pace with no problems and pass mile marker 10 at 7:34 (1:13:08). It was just before mile marker 11 that I saw the eventual winner pass by me as he made his way back to Portland and he had about a half mile on the next runner?wow! I passed mile marker 11 at 6:53 (1:20:01) Holy **** where did that one come from, whoa that was a fast mile slow down NOW! There is always a big crowd as we turn onto Gilman Road and they didn?t disappoint us this year. I made my way down a nice hill and turned onto Prince?s Point Road and then passed mile marker 12 in 7:22 (1:27:23). The next few miles just clicked on by without any problems mile 13 was clocked at 7:10 (1:34:33). As I ran through this area I began to think about my running companion from last year?Angela who was running Chicago?.I really missed having someone to work off and to chat with and knew that would be tougher later on in the race. Mile marker 14 passed by at 7:27 (1:42:00) I wish that I knew I was this far ahead of pace at the time ? **** ? I?m in trouble and don?t know it yet but I certainly should have! As I approached the next water station I took another GU and then grabbed a couple of waters at the Aid Station and then made the turn back onto Route 88 as we headed back to Portland. I also saw Jamie and her friend Irene as they were headed the other way on their way to the turn. The number of runners making the turn the other way was pretty significant at this point. It had been a very long time since anyone had passed me other than the occasional ?relay? team member that I wouldn?t even let bother me, as a matter of fact I was still systematically picking off runner after runner especially as I made my way up the hills. I passed mile 15 in 7:33 (1:49:33). We continue to cruise and pass mile marker 16 in 7:33 (1:57:03). Here is where I think I began to make some mental mistakes as I knew that the next four miles seem to be the toughest for me on the course and I slowed a bit and began the ?mental struggle? that would be my undoing in today?s race. I passed mile marker 17 at 7:53 (2:04:56) still almost 5 minutes ahead of schedule but my downfall had started. I was still feeling physically fine as I passed mile 18 at 7:38 (2:12:34) and mile 19 at 7:58 (2:20:32). As I got to about a half mile from mile 20 I squawked my wife to let her know I was coming and then took another GU as I could see the Aid Station ahead. Mile 20 passed in 8:10 (2:28:42) **** my first 8 minute mile that one was a killer mentally. As I approached Skillin?s Greenhouse I began to watch for my wife and saw her up ahead taking photos. I waved to her and could once again see her snapping away and then give a shout ?I Love You? yeah I love you to babe! This year I grabbed my water bottle (with Gatorade) and handed her my empty one. There would be no cramping for lack of electrolytes this year! What happened over the next 5 and one-half miles is perplexing to me. I?ve hit the physical wall before and struggled on in but I had never really dealt with the mental wall the way I did today, I just need to step back and figure this one out, anyways I hit mile 21 at 8:38 (2:37:20) still three minutes ahead of pace. I knew at this point that short of not finishing I was going to get my BQ and a course PR. However my marathon PR and that 3:20 were in a great deal of doubt at this point. Shortly after mile 21 we made the left turn onto Route One South towards Martin?s Point Bridge and I was beginning to slow down and really feeling the loneliness out on the course today. As I headed down a slight hill and passed the mile 23 marker in 9:10 (2:55:25) I could see the next to the last final little hill ahead and forged my way up. Then I made the right turn onto Sherwood Street and knew this was it, we would go down a small hill and up the very final small little hill! As I passed mile marker 24 at 9:24 (3:04:49) I just couldn?t muster up any kind of consistent pace. I made my way through Payson Park back onto Baxter Boulevard towards the finish, and passed mile 25 at 9:36 (3:14:25). Boy this last mile seemed to go on forever, but I finally passed it at 9:44 (3:24:09) I had let my wife know that I was just a few minutes away so that she could spot me coming in. As I closed the gap I came up behind a few runners one in particular a young man (#333) I had pretty much relegated myself to finishing right behind him but was able to summon enough strength to push myself to pass him and finish ahead of him by two whole seconds?a small mental victory but a much needed one at this point.
Well let?s see ? last year I said that 3:30 was obtainable so it?s pretty hard to be too disappointed. I got my BQ and a course PR and I finished healthy what more could I ask for?
The final numbers:
Gun time ? 3:28:39 ? Chip time ? 3:28:31
OA ? 97/645
AG ? 9/43
Course PR ? by 4:09
Oh and here are a few photos taken by my wonderful wife:
Approaching my wife at mile 20
Getting ready to swap water bottles
Heading towards the finish
All right I can pass # 333
Yes I make the pass and finish ahead of him by 2 seconds!
Another marathon done!
3:28:31 another BQ, I?ll take it!
My goals for this race were:
1 ? To finish healthy so that I can enjoy the New York Marathon on November 4.
2 ? To get another BQ so that I don?t have to worry for two more years.
3 ? To better my course PR of 3:32:40.
4 ? To better my marathon PR of 3:26:49.
5 ? To run a 3:20:00 marathon.
For those who don?t wish to read the full report I succeeded in the first three should have done all ? no excuses?but I?m happy and will prepare for New York now.
When I woke up at 4:30 and went downstairs for breakfast, I took a quick look outside and could see that it had indeed rained pretty good overnight (I had heard it during the night as well) but could see that it was trying to clear up. I also took a quick look on-line at intellicast.com and their radar and could see the clearing headed our way and the temperature was 54 degrees. So I didn?t concern myself much more about it and toasted a wheat bagel and put some peanut butter on it for breakfast with a glass of OJ and a glass of chocolate milk.
This year I was riding in with my friend Joel and my wife was going to meet me at about mile 20 with a fresh bottle of Gatorade. I donned my orange Adidda?s Boston shirt and my black and orange Boston shorts, my 2006 Boston runners? hat, white socks and a pair of Asics running shoes. I made sure I had my race number pinned on, my timing chip around my left ankle and my Garmin 305 and Heart Rate Strap in my bag along with a change of clothes and a clean towel to use at the USM Gym for the post race shower.
Joel stopped by to pick me up right on schedule at about 6:15 and we headed to Portland. We arrived at about 7:00 and were able to find a nice parking spot about one minutes walk to the start right where we parked last year. We waited for Wendi one of my co-workers wives to arrive so that she could pick up her race packet which I had gotten for her. Then I headed out for my routine visit to the porta potty, the massage tent and my warm-up. I positioned myself just a bit nearer to the front this year took my first gu and last drink of water about 10 minutes prior to the start of the race.
After the routine announcements which included the fact that a group of Army National Guard soldiers headed out earlier and were humping the marathon route in memory of their fallen comrades. The singing of the National Anthem took place and as usual boom no warning the gun sounds and we are off and running.
The rabbits were passing me left and right and I just kept telling myself ?you?re not racing them, just run your race? over and over I would repeat that mantra to myself. God I felt like I was crawling and yet I still passed mile marker one in 6:49 holy **** that was almost a minute faster than I wanted but it felt so slow! I continued on constantly reminding myself that I wasn?t racing anyone and that most of these runners were probably running the half marathon. The pace still felt a very slow and I passed mile marker two in 7:14 (14:03) as we turned off Baxter Boulevard and headed onto Bates St on our way to Route 1. As we headed down Veranda St. there?s a nice little down hill (that is the last killer little hill on the way back) that I used to just coast a bit and we crossed over onto Route 1 North as we started to travel over Martin?s Point Bridge the Bagpiper was playing as he does every year a nice little tradition and then came mile marker 3 at 7:21 (21:24) I?m about 1:30ahead of pace at this point. As I cross over the bridge I and approach the turn onto Phillips Road I am feeling really good but still can?t seem to slow my pace down enough as I pass mile marker 4 at 7:16 (28:40). I passed mile marker 5 as we turned onto Route 88 in 7:21 (36:01) that was a little better as I encounter a little bit of a long gradual hill not too bad but a hill none the less as we head towards Skillin?s Greenhouse which is where I will see my wife on the return and there is always a pretty large gathering here. As I trudge up the hill I prepare to take my first GU and wait until I see the water station before taking it and pass mile marker 6 in 7:25 (43:26). Just a bit before mile marker 6 I had seen Jeff Tidd and we chatted briefly before I told him to go on ahead since he was only running the half. As I got close to the half marathon turn around I encountered a nice downhill jaunt immediately followed by a nice uphill climb that I managed to maintain pace on quite comfortably. I passed mile marker 7 in 7:15 (50:41) **** that?s 2:45 ahead of pace. I so wish I could hook up with someone and realize at this point just how alone I was on the course today. No one is passing me and I am slowly picking people off as I progress along the course. I?m still feeling really good as I pass mile marker 8 in 7:32 (58:13). This area is really a rolling route during mile 9 which I manage quite easily and pass the mile marker at 7:21 (1:05:34). The next two miles feature a couple of pretty good hills, but once again I am able to maintain pace with no problems and pass mile marker 10 at 7:34 (1:13:08). It was just before mile marker 11 that I saw the eventual winner pass by me as he made his way back to Portland and he had about a half mile on the next runner?wow! I passed mile marker 11 at 6:53 (1:20:01) Holy **** where did that one come from, whoa that was a fast mile slow down NOW! There is always a big crowd as we turn onto Gilman Road and they didn?t disappoint us this year. I made my way down a nice hill and turned onto Prince?s Point Road and then passed mile marker 12 in 7:22 (1:27:23). The next few miles just clicked on by without any problems mile 13 was clocked at 7:10 (1:34:33). As I ran through this area I began to think about my running companion from last year?Angela who was running Chicago?.I really missed having someone to work off and to chat with and knew that would be tougher later on in the race. Mile marker 14 passed by at 7:27 (1:42:00) I wish that I knew I was this far ahead of pace at the time ? **** ? I?m in trouble and don?t know it yet but I certainly should have! As I approached the next water station I took another GU and then grabbed a couple of waters at the Aid Station and then made the turn back onto Route 88 as we headed back to Portland. I also saw Jamie and her friend Irene as they were headed the other way on their way to the turn. The number of runners making the turn the other way was pretty significant at this point. It had been a very long time since anyone had passed me other than the occasional ?relay? team member that I wouldn?t even let bother me, as a matter of fact I was still systematically picking off runner after runner especially as I made my way up the hills. I passed mile 15 in 7:33 (1:49:33). We continue to cruise and pass mile marker 16 in 7:33 (1:57:03). Here is where I think I began to make some mental mistakes as I knew that the next four miles seem to be the toughest for me on the course and I slowed a bit and began the ?mental struggle? that would be my undoing in today?s race. I passed mile marker 17 at 7:53 (2:04:56) still almost 5 minutes ahead of schedule but my downfall had started. I was still feeling physically fine as I passed mile 18 at 7:38 (2:12:34) and mile 19 at 7:58 (2:20:32). As I got to about a half mile from mile 20 I squawked my wife to let her know I was coming and then took another GU as I could see the Aid Station ahead. Mile 20 passed in 8:10 (2:28:42) **** my first 8 minute mile that one was a killer mentally. As I approached Skillin?s Greenhouse I began to watch for my wife and saw her up ahead taking photos. I waved to her and could once again see her snapping away and then give a shout ?I Love You? yeah I love you to babe! This year I grabbed my water bottle (with Gatorade) and handed her my empty one. There would be no cramping for lack of electrolytes this year! What happened over the next 5 and one-half miles is perplexing to me. I?ve hit the physical wall before and struggled on in but I had never really dealt with the mental wall the way I did today, I just need to step back and figure this one out, anyways I hit mile 21 at 8:38 (2:37:20) still three minutes ahead of pace. I knew at this point that short of not finishing I was going to get my BQ and a course PR. However my marathon PR and that 3:20 were in a great deal of doubt at this point. Shortly after mile 21 we made the left turn onto Route One South towards Martin?s Point Bridge and I was beginning to slow down and really feeling the loneliness out on the course today. As I headed down a slight hill and passed the mile 23 marker in 9:10 (2:55:25) I could see the next to the last final little hill ahead and forged my way up. Then I made the right turn onto Sherwood Street and knew this was it, we would go down a small hill and up the very final small little hill! As I passed mile marker 24 at 9:24 (3:04:49) I just couldn?t muster up any kind of consistent pace. I made my way through Payson Park back onto Baxter Boulevard towards the finish, and passed mile 25 at 9:36 (3:14:25). Boy this last mile seemed to go on forever, but I finally passed it at 9:44 (3:24:09) I had let my wife know that I was just a few minutes away so that she could spot me coming in. As I closed the gap I came up behind a few runners one in particular a young man (#333) I had pretty much relegated myself to finishing right behind him but was able to summon enough strength to push myself to pass him and finish ahead of him by two whole seconds?a small mental victory but a much needed one at this point.
Well let?s see ? last year I said that 3:30 was obtainable so it?s pretty hard to be too disappointed. I got my BQ and a course PR and I finished healthy what more could I ask for?
The final numbers:
Gun time ? 3:28:39 ? Chip time ? 3:28:31
OA ? 97/645
AG ? 9/43
Course PR ? by 4:09
Oh and here are a few photos taken by my wonderful wife:
Approaching my wife at mile 20
Getting ready to swap water bottles
Heading towards the finish
All right I can pass # 333
Yes I make the pass and finish ahead of him by 2 seconds!
Another marathon done!
3:28:31 another BQ, I?ll take it!
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