National Marathon RR - One Bridge Too Far (Read 724 times)

This was a goal race for me. My goal was 3:30 (9 minute PR over my last race in October). That didn't happen today. I arrived early and met up with a bunch of great RA'ers in front of the Armory near the start of the race. Met up with MamaofThree, AmoresPerros, Kimmie, WillRunForBeer, and PreDawnRunner (and one more RA'er who's name is escaping me, my apologies). Missed Shangen and Tri-Kev and some others. AmoresPerros (Perry) had agreed to pace me since he had run his goal race and BQ'd in fine style a couple of weeks ago. He was an amazing running partner. He let me drive the pace and reeled me in some when we needed it. We ran together until mile 23 when I basically begged him to let me suffer alone, but that gets to the end of the story. The first half was amazing. After an 8:15 first mile cutting through the crowds, we ran comfortably past the capitol and down to the National Mall. Great scenery and some fantastic neighborhoods up the hills into Adams Morgan. We held pace nicely through here. Miles 2 through 10 were 7:39, 7:40, 7:55, 7:52, 7:47, 7:45, 7:31, 7:28, and 7:40. At this point you may be thinking, "What the hell? That doesn't look like a 3:30 pace! That looks faster.". You would be exactly correct. It was faster. But it felt comfortable so onward we pushed. We hold pace and finish the first half in 1:43, nearly a two minute PR for me and two minutes ahead of pace. Miles 11-13 were 8:03, 7:49, 7:52. After the loop around the Armory, Perry got to see his lovely wife, Crystal and we continued to hold pace back past the capitol building and made the left under the Mall towards the waterfront. Miles 14-17 were 7:43, 7:45, 7:43, 7:39. Going under the capitol the splits get strange through Mile 19 but we're holding on well. After the waterfront, we make the right past the new Nationals stadium and cross the bridge over the Potomac. This was the bridge and it was one bridge too far. We hold pace but I can really feel it now. Miles 19-21 pass in 7:55, 8:04, 8:17. At this point, basically the wheels fall off and bonk. I bonk hard. I bonk to the point where we start with a walk break and by the second walking break I go to my knees and try but fail to throw up. We shuffle along through mile 22 and 23 when I beg Perry to keep going and he finally does. Miles 22 and 23 pass in 11:01 and 14:00. By mile 24 both of my hamstrings have seized up and I can barely jog for more than a 20 or 30 yards before walking again. Miles 24-26 are 14:10, 13:35, and 11:43. This last 5K was easily the most painful 3 miles of my running life. I finish in something like 3:53, but frankly I'm not entirely sure of the exact time. I don't bother stopping my garmin until probably 7 minutes later. I tell this story to serve as a lesson to others. Mostly, its the lesson of making incremental improvements rather than trying to bite off nearly 13 minutes on my PR (based on our 3:26 pace). Ironically, I don't really regret the race. I regret not showing more pace control in the first half but I don't regret pushing my body to and past its limit. I'll run smarter next time. I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet and run with Perry. I also got to have lunch with Kimmie and her family, Perry and Crystal, Lou and Harriet. That made the whole painful experience fade by the time the entrees arrived.

Sorry you didn't get the race you wanted, but as I mentioned to you, a) you went for it, and, b) you toughed it out to the finish. Congratulations on the finish -- I don't know if I could have with what you were going through. It was great to see you for lunch -- this was a really fun day all around for Harriet and me, and lunch was a great part of it.

Nice race, guys! So cool that so many RA peeps were there to meet. This has me EXTRA excited for Bayshore in May! Dave, sorry the wheels fell off so bad at the finish, but at least you gutted it out and didn't get a ride in a TV van for the last 3-7 miles. It was a learning experience, even if not a very pleasant one.

Tramps is the other guy we met this morning.... Hey Dave, You are an inspiration to me. Sometimes I work hard, sometimes I don't. Today, you worked hard and you did great. How else can you know what you can do if you're not wiling to take the risk? And it's awesome that you have such a great perspective. Thanks for making the effort to find us at lunch. Shows you how much I know directions, because I thought it would be an easy place to meet. Have a beer and relax, knowing that you pushed it to the limits today.

Sometimes I read race reports and glance at people's training logs and wonder, "What the? How'd they pull that off?" Seems with a marathon, you just never know. Next time you might be ready for the 3:30. Always be proud of doing your best, and you certainly did that today.

Way to blow up Dave...seriously awesome job!

... * Questionable use of quotes seem to flow more freely w/ vodka.

Which reminds me -- one aid station in the first half was offering beer

Which reminds me -- one aid station in the first half was offering beer

haha, that was pretty random. One girl in front of me grabbed a cup and almost gagged, so I didn't test it... My favorite shirt of the race was one this Asian dude was wearing that said: "Powered by Dim Sum" LOL!