Race Report 24 HOUR AROUND THE LAKE Aka The Mistake at the lake (Read 502 times)

Mistake at the lake report Well, I should have known that it was not going to be my day when I started getting calf cramps on the drive to Wakefield for the race. I spent a hour and a half in stop and go traffic on Route 128. Once I arrived, I was able to massage out the cramp, and downed a pint of propel. The registration line was pretty short , so I warmed up and felt fairly good. My calf was still sore but most of the cramp was gone. By this time, the starting announcements were being made. We learned that the marathon would be starting in a different location than the ultra and relay races. The start was to be on the other side of the parking lot, by the billboards. We were told to head over there and would be met by the starter. Once we got around the building to the other side, we were lead to another point about a ¼ mile farther away. As another runner put it, she felt like we were going on a walking tour of Boston with a tour guide pointing out the sights. During this walk, I met two very friendly ladies, who are going to walk the marathon. I can’t remember their names, but I’m sure I’ll see them again as this is a loop course. It’s time for one last announcement , and the race director starts the countdown , followed by the shout of “Go” and we were off! My first marathon start, and I am passing people . This should have been a sign that it was going to be very long night. After a few minutes, I realized I had not started my Garmin 305 , or as my wife calls it “Garmie”. So I started it, so I can record my data. Up ahead is the turnaround point, the race director mentioned and now we are heading back to the point where the ultra and relays start. I passed Mel and was feeling pretty good (see photo) .Now I have reached the rest of the course, 8 laps around the lake. First lap, I’m feeling pretty good, nice pace or so I thought, until I checked my watch. Garmin told me I was running a 8:58 pace. I slowed down and headed out for my second lap. I was still cruising along much faster that I should have. I was trying to keep up with Dave, who was wearing a Marathon Maniacs shirt and Tom, who had traveled from Green Bay. I enjoyed listening to Dave tell Tom about some of the over 200 marathons he has run .I passed them but had to stop at the water stop as I can not drink and run (or even walk) Now I’ve made it through the first six miles, still feeling pretty good, but my pace is still fast .for me .I am now at a 9:18 pace about 2 minutes faster that I had planned. It seems pacing is an issue for me lately in 5Ks and 10Ks , I’m just starting out too fast. I slowed down a bit more and introduced myself to Dave & Tom and told them that I am a marathon virgin, and have enjoyed hearing about some of the other marathons that Dave has run. I followed them for a lap, and during this time, the hot spot on my left foot worsened into a painful blister. Once I got back to the start, I was able to apply a blister bandage after I changed my socks- I also asked Mel to call Ed, and have him bring either moleskin or duct tape. Mel had struck up a conversation with Sandy, who was there cheering for her husband Joe and a friend Kathy, who were walking the ultra and marathon respectively. Sandy would have been walking herself, but the combination of no ½ marathon option and recent knee surgery kept her on the sidelines. I barely get thru the next lap, and Ed has arrived with roll of the handyman’s secret weapon- duct tape. After taping up both feet, I headed back out along with Ed. I did a little bit of jogging only to discover that I have taped my feet too tight and now my toes are numb and my foot hurts. I get back to start and re tape my feet so I can continue. I head back out and continue running/jogging/walking when I spot a familiar face from a few other local races. I don’t remember his name, but we talked and ran together for about another lap. By this time, I have blisters on my right foot and it is bleeding. I am now at mile 18 and probably should have quit. I made my way over to Mel and collapsed in her chair. She brought me a protein drink and now my calves and quads are cramping . A couple of other runners had mentioned taking sodium tablets, but I had not tried them before, so I stuck to the idea of “nothing new” on race day and opted for some goldfish crackers instead. I had some more propel, changed my socks and headed out again. I spotted Ed and thanked him again for coming out to support me. By the way, he got a 20 mile run in during the time it took me to run 9 miles. On my next loop, (miles 19-21) I met a woman who was doing the ultra and her husband who was riding his bike so he could check on her during the laps. I finished this lap, and discovered that my lap times have gone from 30 minutes a lap to one hour and 20 minutes of stumbling. I was surprised Ed was still hanging out and I thanked him again. I staggered off for the final lap, not knowing this would be my longest lap yet. It took me an hour and 33 minutes to finish. Many times I had to will myself to continue. I keep repeating to myself: “You can do this” “Believe in yourself” As it was, it took all of my stubborn self as I stumbled in the final lap, both feet bloodied and my spirit broken. After finishing in a time of 8 hours and 33 minutes, I have now finished my first marathon. I got my medal around my neck, Best I can say, is I competed he marathon distance, but I was not competing. I really underestimated the distance. I failed to respect the distance, and as Ed tells me ( You can get up that morning feeling great, and everything falls apart. You can be well trained, know the course, and have the race planned out in your mind....then you have to readjust your plan mid race. ) Fortitudine Vincimus (by Endurance We Conquer) Thoughts - First off, let me say a few good things about the overall marathon experience. I feel like it was a well run race. This was my first marathon, and while I had a good time, The course, overall, is well lighted When you consider it is run at night and the volunteers friendly and helpful. I am a pathetically slow runner. I am disappointed that the race did not go as I had planned. But as I sit here and write this report, I think, I will do another marathon. Even though this was my First full marathon, I have learned a very valuable lesson. I should have RESPECTED THE DISTANCE! 26.2 mile is a LONG way and you never know what race day holds. I think the half marathon is my distance as my time at the halfway point was 2:27:13 according to Garmin and I was feeling pretty good .The next 13.1 miles took 5 hours and were some of the most painful steps I have ever taken. As I told Mel on the ride home, I have “Dougternation” but not many brains, stubborn as a mule and I used to weigh as much as one.

That is quite a story; I have great respect for your determination to finish what you started. Simon.

By this time, I have blisters on my right foot and it is bleeding. I am now at mile 18 and probably should have quit.

I probably would have called it a night, I was amazed that you were able to keep going.

As it was, it took all of my stubborn self as I stumbled in the final lap, both feet bloodied and my spirit broken.

Fixed it for you.

After finishing in a time of 8 hours and 33 minutes, I have now finished my first marathon. I got my medal around my neck Fortitudine Vincimus (by Endurance We Conquer)

I said it that night and I'll say it again, I believe it's less punishing to run a four hour marathon than an eight hour marathon. That was some major vincimus-ing.

I am a pathetically slow runner.

More fixin'.

26.2 mile is a LONG way and you never know what race day holds.

I would be willing to bet your 50 state maniac friends would tell you this is still true for them, even with all those notches on their belts.

I have “Dougternation”

Yeah determination doesn't quite describe it, you probably do deserve your own word. I'm sure the lessons learned will serve you well in races of any distance Doug, hope you are recovering well.

Way to keep at it and get the finish!! Next time it will go smoother.