Short version:
Chip time - 4:04:17
Gun time - 4:15:33
OA - 1497/4453
AG - 88/260
Long version:
Reason for running: My goal fall marathon was MCM where I achieved my goal of 3:50. I also ran the HHFMM in late November for the challenge of the course. Most of my long-run training friends were training for the White Rock Marathon. I had not even considered running with them and instead intended on rest, recuperation, and planning for a spring goal marathon. I recovered well from the HHFMM. I took an easy week after HHFMM, then upped my miles back up to >40miles/week. Longest run being ~8miles. I ran a couple of runs with the training group and they got my interest up for White Rock. Opie (from KR) of course egged me on a bit with having a place to stay, so I told everyone if it did not fill, I would sign up at the expo. It didn't fill, so I called Opie up Friday night and we made arrangements to ride down to Dallas on Saturday.
Goals (I always need goals): Since I already had met my time goal for the year and really wassn't trained up to attempt a PR in this race, I had to set myself some different goals.
FR - Yellow/black Marathon Maniac singlet over long-sleeved black tech shirt, navy running shorts, Thorlos socks, black & yelow NB 904 shoes, white running hat and throwaway gloves (no throwaway shirt). While sitting in traffic, I checked Facebook and Spareribs had posted that it was a singlet only day and that most would be way overdressed for the race. I took his advice and shed the long-sleeved black shirt and gloves, running in a singlet. He was dead-on in his prediction, thanks Spareribs.
Weather - At start foggy and 51 degrees, at finish sunny and 62 degrees, light breeze, IRC.
The race: Starting at the back of the field provided an interesting perspective. I took it real easy and avoided bobbing & weaving as I passed slower runners. My pace for the first mile was >10min/mile. Coming out of downtown, the crowd started easing up a bit and I was able to run a comfortable pace of 9:15-9:30/mile. It was still very crowded, but much easier to manuever. I had planned my first gel at the 6 mile water station, but the crowds were still too thick for me to even try to take one on the run. I decided to wait until the lake after the half-marathoners had split off. After the half group split off, the course opened up a bit and I was able to set in at a nice 9:00/mile pace. I took my first gel at mile 9 with plenty of water. Miles 8-18 are easy rolling terrain around White Rock lake. Very scenic and easy to run. I picked up my pace a bit through here. I passed one of my long-run training friends at mile 15. He was pretty close to his expected pace and doing well. Mile 18 is the low elevation point on the course. I took my second gel here, once again with plenty of water and proceeded on to the big hill on the course (Dolly Parton hill). It's really not that big of a hill but being from mile 19-21, it is in a tough place on the course. From mile 21 to the finish it is truly downhill all the way. I planned on just holding my pace even at around 9:00/mile through here which would put me in a bit below 4 hours. At mile 22, I heard someone shout "Go Paul" from the crowd. Since my bib did not have my name on it, that suprised me. I have no idea who it was, though it was nice to have someone in the crowd shout-out. Just past mile 23, I caught up with another long run training friend who had started in B corral. His goal was 3:50 (trying to beat my MCM time). He was really struggling and walking at the time. Since I had no goal time and was only shooting for negative splits and a strong finish, I walked with him for a bit and we started running again after a couple of blocks. I decided to stay with him and try to help get him the rest of the way in. We ran together until ~25.5 miles and he said he had to walk again. We walked to mile 26 and ran the last 0.2 in. He finished with a 4:13 (15 minute PR for him, but he was still pretty bummed). At the finish we met the third member of our long-run training group who ran White Rock. He had finished with a 4:08 (30 minute PR for him). He, too, had struggled a bit the last 1.5 miles.
Post race: Water, food, beer at the finish festival, in that order. Then off to find Opie to get checked-out of hotel and back to OKC.
White Rock Marathon comments: This is the 3rd time I've run this race. It is a beautiful course and well organized. For the first time though, I do have three complaints of which 2 are beyond the RD's jurisdiction.
Thanks for reading.
Paul
Paul's blog
Out there running since dinosaurs roamed the earth
Congrats on another fine race, Paul. Glad the digestive issues did not give you problems. Perhaps you've found the answer to that.
White Rock is on my to do list.
i'm lovin' it... MM#1949
Perch's Profile "I don't know if running adds years to your life, but it definitely adds life to your years." - Jim Fixx "The secret is to make in your mind possible what was not possible before. The secret is to make easy what was difficult, instead to make difficult what really is easy." - Coach Renato Canova
pfriese, it sounds like the day was a success. You avoided the stomach distress, got your negative splits, spent time with opie, and helped a friend finish. Good job.
TomS
Marathon Maniac #957
Paul - Very nice report - I really enjoyed reading this! I hope that ends up being the answer to the gel/Gu issues for you. I find that those marathons with no goal time are so much more enjoyable then those where I’m trying to get a “best performance” in. Good luck with your fall BQ attempt.
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
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