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| Marathon 2 Marathon or Bonkin Loses His Marathon Virginity (Read 385 times) |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:05 PM |
So I signed up for this race simply because it had a cool name (I mean, who wouldn't want to run a marathon into Marathon?) and I didn't feel like waiting until December to run a local marathon here in the Dallas area. Why I signed up for a race 500 miles away in the middle of nowhere, I'll never know. But, I'm very glad I did. I had a great time.
Pre Race Fun
The marathon web site's tag line is "The Hard Part is Getting There". Boy, were they ever right! We left home at 6:00am on Thursday morning and headed west. Just shy of 500 miles and 8 hours later we arrived in the tiny little town of Alpine, TX. The phrase "the middle of nowhere" only begins to describe this part of Texas.
We checked into the Holland Hotel, a quaint bed and breakfast type place. After a nice dinner in the hotel's restaurant we went for a walk of the town. Not counting the shopping time, that took all of 10 minutes. This is definitely small town Texas. Here's a picture of my kids at the edge of town:
Friday morning we decided to head down to the Big Bend National Park. We headed south about 80 miles. No gas stations, no stores. Nothing but west Texas desert, a Border Patrol inspection station, and more desert. The mountain scenery was fantastic, though. Before we got to the park, we first headed to Historic Terlingua Ghosttown. Here's a shot of the old church:
We then headed into the Big Bend National Park and just before the entrance gate, we happened upon a coyote grabbing some shade.
After getting into the park, on the ranger's advice we then drove 40 odd miles into the Santa Elena Canyon and Rio Grande river.
The canyon wall on the far side is Mexico. We drove a little further to a place where the kids could have some fun. Which to an 8 and 10 year old means getting muddy and throwing rocks into the river. We also saw some coyote and mountain lion tracks near the river - we were glad we only saw the tracks!
It also meant climbing some hills. I do not recommend this part for first time marathoners the day before your race. My legs were sore after all the hiking and hill climbing. We then made the 100+ mile drive to Marathon, TX to pick up my race packet. We passed a cool sight called The Mule Ears on the way:
Here's me at the edge of town after picking up my race packet containing my lucky number 7 bib.
Race Day
So I got up at 6am and got ready. My wife and son drove me to starting line a couple miles outside of Alpine, TX. The race started at 8am and as you can see, the sun is just now coming up. A nice cool low 62-63 temperature, too. Not as cool as I wanted it, but it worked just fine.
After a shotgun start (here's the local sheriff - gun in hand - yes he really dresses like that as do his deputies) -
We were off and running. The #25 guy in black and the woman behind me were also first time marathoners. The veterans around us got a kick out of calling us the Three Marathon Virgins.
I was taking Bob's advice to just have fun and not really worry too much about time. Plus the first 10 miles were mostly uphill - so I maintained a fairly consistent 10:00ish pace for most of the first half. We had a constant 15-20 mph headwind for the entire race - great for blowing off the sweat - bad for running into all day. A couple miles in an elderly gentlemen tripped and a couple of us stopped to help him up. Several times, the semi trucks would blow everyone's hats off - it made for some fun times of helping everyone grab their hats before they flew off into the desert shrubs and cacti.
About mile 8, I came across a guy who looked like he ready to quit. I offered him a gel pack and some water and ran slower to make sure he was okay. It turned out that he lives about 20 minutes from me (talk about a small world!) and was running his 49th marathon! He had simply made the mistake of going out WAY too fast and just died energy wise. He invited me to join up with him and a group of his friends at the TCU track for their weekly speed work sessions. Sounds good to me. Once he looked like he could manage on his own again, I headed off.
Around mile 17, I came upon a couple guys run/walking. One of them was a younger guy - maybe late teens / early 20's. He was wearing basketball shoes - I've never seen this in a race before. The funny part was he running with one hand on each butt cheek - apparently trying to massage away his pain. I felt bad for him - but somehow managed not to laugh.
There were only 65 people in the marathon, so I spent the majority of the race by myself. The beautiful scenery, the wonderful friendly volunteers at the aid stations kept me going though. The truckers, bikers, sheriff, and townsfolk would drive by and honk their horns and wave periodically.
I've heard several times that after 20 miles in the marathon, you are only halfway there. I think whoever told me this was right. I spent about 15 minutes walking in the last 10k. Even though it was mostly downhill, I was tired. Very tired. It didn't help that I could see the town of Marathon for almost the entire final 6 miles. But I just kept plugging along, mile by mile, aid station by aid station, until I could finally see the finish line. My 10 minute miles were replaced with 11's and 12's at this point - and I could do nothing about it but keep moving. My kids met me a couple of hundred yards before the finish line cheering me on. They were very excited to be able to cross the finish line with me!
Here's me. Finally crossing the finish line in 4:41:00.
And again at the edge of town on the way back to Alpine for a shower and the 8 hour drive home.
I was extremely happy to cross the finish line of my first marathon. I had a total blast! I could NOT have done it without many of you here on Running Ahead. The things I've learned here taught me a lot of the right things to do and the encouragement kept me going. I dedicated this marathon to the recovery of Bob (btb1490) who had injured his foot recently and is working on healing! Thanks everyone! Special thanks to Bob, Pam and all the folks in the 100 mile club! Your encouragement has helped SO much!
So 3 days, 1,400+ miles of driving, 26.2 miles of running and 1 warning from the highway patrol for doing 2 miles over the speed limit later  - I'm home and feeling great - may even go for a run later today - after I finish all my chores  Oh yeah, I'm not a marathon virgin anymore. Now it's time to get faster! |
Your monkey gives me the creeps. - andahuff
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| view log Burninated Peasant |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:13 PM |
| Congrats Mike! |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:18 PM |
wow. WOW. wow.
I sat in awe of the incredible pictures, I laughed at your commentary, I cried as I saw you head to the finish with your kiddos.
WOW. You did great! I'm so happy for you!  Thanks for a great report and I look forward to reading many more of them!  |
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| view log Runs With Snowplows |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:27 PM |
Mike, those photos are AMAZING--Texas really has some beautiful scenery...and those blue skies--Wow! We have too much humidity (and pollution from Gary and Chicago) to see skies like that very much.
I LOVE your report AND your son's t-shirts. Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
I'm glad you had such a great first race. Now the rest are all about beating that PR!
k |
Kirsten
• Ladies Locker Room •
.: 2008 Goals :.
• Run 1500 miles
• October 5 - 1st marathon - Milwaukee Lakefront - in my home state of WI
• PRs: 5k ~ 15k ~ 25k
• 1st trail race |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:45 PM |
| Congratulations Mike!!! GREAT report and awesome pics! Your report was really interesting and fun to read. I also thought it was cool that your kids crossed the finish line with you; way to be the role model! |
| $$$ Take me to the Top!$$$ |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:49 PM
modified: 10/14/2007 at 8:59 PM |
Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your report and your pictures are only outdone by your marathon performance and experience itself! What a great first time experience! The choice for your first race was a great one! What a unique race, one you will never forget. I asked you to go out and have a great time, and you did just that and more. Thank you! I'm really happy things went well for you. That was awfully nice of you for the race dedication, I think my ankle feels better already! Rest up, and take what you've learned from this race and start kicking some butt out there! Keep up the great work! Thanks again for taking the time to put together this great report for us!
Oh, and I'm with Kirsten... I loved your son's t-shirts! Gotta get me some of those!
edit: Don't short yourself Mike, your official time is listed as 4:40:59.7! |
| Running Boston for Children's Hospital |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 8:57 PM |
GREAT race report and pictures!! You have beautiful children! First off CONGRATS!!! Personally I think you kicked that race's butt!! I can't even imagine running a mile or two in the desert, let alone 26.2!! I am so glad you we're able to enjoy the race, and HOW AWESOME it was that your children could run the last bit and finish with you!! You don't even look like you just ran a marathon in that last picture!! Awesome that you stayed with that guy and helped him out until he was recovered from starting out too fast. Cool and weird that you guys live so close! Definetly a small world. Now enjoy your recovery week!! (btw my first marathon time was 4:40:34 )
Thanks for taking the time to write up your report, post some great pictures!! I really enjoyed both! |
Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson
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| view log Gandalf the Grey |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 9:25 PM |
Superb ... good report, great photos ... and most of all ... WELL DONE!
Neil
UK
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Running ... just keep running!
My Website |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 9:57 PM |
WTG!!! You ran an awesome race!!!! Loved the pics and your kids are just beautiful! That is so great that you were able to enjoy your first marathon. You are one cool dude for taking the time to help those people out.
Congrats again
Love your son's T shirt |
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)
Unus Dies Procul A Vicis
• Go With The Flow
• Thyroid Support Group |
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| view log Girls on an AK Beach |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 9:58 PM |
I love all the pictures and the report. Looked hot. I think having your family there was a great boost eh? You looked none the worse for wear after the run and you must feel awesome. Did you get a medal or a belt buckle???
PS. I will write my race report soon...my first...marathon...4:41:23...Damn you beat me by 23 seconds. |
Run like you are on fire!
5K goal 24:00 or less (PR 24:34)
10K goal 50:00 or less (PR 52:45)
HM goal 1:55:00 or less (PR 2:03:02)
Marathon Goal...Victoria Marathon 2008 (PR 4:33:23) |
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 10:26 PM |
Everyone - thanks for the comments and I'm glad you enjoyed the report and photos. My wife and mother-in-law get the credit for the photos, though. It was great having them there for the support and we had a great trip together. MIL wants to know my race schedule so that she can come to more of the races!
My son will be pleased to know his shirts were a hit.
Crabby - I got a medal - but the picture didn't come out too good and I didn't feel like messing around with the pics anymore to do another. Don't worry about the 23 seconds - apparently Pam beat me by 26. If we average it out we can start a 4:41 club!
I also got a rain gauge in the packet. I guess since they don't get any rain out there they had plenty of extra to give away to the runners |
Your monkey gives me the creeps. - andahuff
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| view log Runs With Snowplows |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 10:31 PM |
| Quote from Bonkin on 10/14/2007 at 10:26 PM: My son will be pleased to know his shirts were a hit.
Dane has a few funny shirts, too (LA County Jail, "I didn't do it"--funny, since he is an only child, "I tried to be good, but I got bored"). We don't have him wear them when my MIL is around--woman has ZERO sense of humor. I have no clue how she birthed my DH.
k |
Kirsten
• Ladies Locker Room •
.: 2008 Goals :.
• Run 1500 miles
• October 5 - 1st marathon - Milwaukee Lakefront - in my home state of WI
• PRs: 5k ~ 15k ~ 25k
• 1st trail race |
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| view log Undertrained. LAME. |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 10:31 PM |
Mike, awesome job. Can't wait to join you in the finisher's club. Great pictures, great commentary, way to go.
Thanks for sharing! |
Drew
Road to the Monkey
Just run, baby.
So much for my brilliance. |
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| view log Jazz, happy dog |
posted: 10/14/2007 at 10:48 PM |
Hey Mike,
Outstanding job in your race, and what a great report. Now I have another race on my "must-do" list. I haven't run Texas yet! |
| Just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should
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posted: 10/14/2007 at 11:25 PM |
| Great report and awesome pictures! Congratulations! I'm so happy to hear that your first marathon was filled with so many memories. I think it was wonderful that your children were able to join you at the end like that. |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
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