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2000 Miles of Starting All Over
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Race Report (Read 71 times)
dspeer
posted: 10/27/2008 at 4:16 PM
Allright, so I planned this race, and ran it to help raise money by doing a "challenge" with a guy I work with who is faster. We were able to raise a lot of money, and that's what we were after.

The first mile, we hit in 6:28, and the lead runner, a female, was already 30 seconds or so ahead of us. We settled in at that 6:30 - 6:35 pace for a while and passed a couple of guys who went out obviously too hard. Up and over the big hill at 3.5 miles, and we're still running 6:30's. I was actually shocked at how good I was feeling at this point, given the lack of sleep and already being up and around so early that morning. All the aid stations were up and running really well, and it was cool to hear the volunteers who knew me cheering for me. We pass back by the start at 4.5 miles, and I didn't even glance over to the finish line to check on things. I just had to trust my wife on that. I was carrying my cell phone in my hand the whole race, just in case something major happened. Up a hill just before the 6 mile mark, the fatigue in my legs hit me like a ton of bricks. I pass up the energy gel at 6 miles (mistake) and hold on through 10k. At a downhill there, I tell my coworker I'm running with that I'm backing off a little bit on the downhill to recover. And that's where it was pretty much over. I tried to reattach to him just before 7 miles, but it wouldn't happen... I just couldn't pick my turnover back up. I was passed by a few people here, and I tried to hang on to everyone who passed but I couldn't. I have no idea what pace I was running since I wasn't wearing a watch and we didn't have people calling out splits (another mistake), but I knew I was slowing down a lot. I got a call on my cell before the 9 mile mark and answered it without even thinking. And had to give directions to the finish line for someone who was lost. (mistake) By 10 miles, I knew the guy had a good 90 seconds on me, and being as this wasn't a goal race for me at all, I just jogged it in. I hate to do that, because it just means I wimped out when it got hard, and I'm kicking myself for it a bit. I could have run under 1:30 had I just kept pace. Oh well, not much I could do about it. I was passed by 3 more guys after the 12 mile mark, but at this point, I didn't care. I was actually really, really happy the last few miles because things went so well. All the aid stations had plenty of volunteers, course monitors were out in force, the course was very well marked, cops were where they were supposed to be, and I just felt a ton of relief. I let myself enjoy it a bit. Made the turn towards the finish at the 13 mile mark, and jogged in a bit with my wife who was heading things up while I was out running. Crossed the line with a smile and just in shock at how cool things looked.

There's a lot of ways we can improve, but nothing major went wrong. We had much greater than anticipated turnout, and already some excitement about next year. And I have already been approached by some sponsors who want to be more involved next year.

Some pics...

The start...


And more runners at the start...


Coming back by the start with my coworker, still feeling okay...


And again...


At the finish... I didn't even think to pull a jscovill. I should have...
JakeKnight
posted: 10/27/2008 at 4:24 PM
Great race ... and great race.

I've gotten to watch a certain race director running his race ... and I know it can be pretty stressful and challenging.

Glad to hear your race organization went well. That must be a whole different kind of rewarding, huh?

And great pics. If you were really that close to a PR, you sure made it look easy.
E-mail: JakeKnight2002@aol.com
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Daddyo
It's BQ year!
 posted: 10/27/2008 at 4:26 PM
Quote from JakeKnight on 10/27/2008 at 4:24 PM:
Great race ... and great race.

I've gotten to watch a certain race director running his race ... and I know it can be pretty stressful and challenging.

Glad to hear your race organization went well. That must be a whole different kind of rewarding, huh?

And great pics. If you were really that close to a PR, you sure made it look easy.


Ditto, and ya, that is a 'easy' looking almost PR. Nice.
Dave ~ Marathon Maniac #1166
www.daddyo.ca
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
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