Notes
It's a miracle I managed to PR by more than a minute the way I was feeling. I guess I gotta be pretty proud of this one :)
Well, here is one of many possible Columbus Marathon Reports as there were several of us there. Unfortunately we weren't able to hook up for various reasons but I did recognize Dave (Tuf-aint-enough) a the start line port o potty which was nice.
BTW - This was my 2nd full marathon.
With 10,000 runners packed into a relatively tight starting area I never saw Tuf or anyone else after that. Let it be known it was also hard to find a port o potty that didn't have a long line up but in retrospect I wish I had waited. I ended up needed to visit the first set on the route and blew almost 2 minutes away (I got budded in front of twice!). I made the mistake of trying to make up for lost time by getting myself back on track, ignoring Garmin's "Slow Down" message for the next couple of miles.
My sore right knee (ITBS) acted up immediately but I felt would be bearable for the 26.2. I stumbled on a sidewalk crack and very VERY nearly did a face plant making my way back down to the road. I only headed up to the side walk because some of the side streets were way too narrow to navigate the walkers (they started an hour before the runners) The half marathon also took a shortcut from the course a bit which made it difficult when they came back as it made them almost a mile behind so that meant we were having to pass slower pace runners. You use a lot of energy weaving around and avoiding bumping. My Garmin also measured 26.5 at the end so I did a fair amount of weaving throughout the race!
So with the race course layout my wife and Cameron (7 yr old) were able to walk me to the start and then meet me at 10 miles, 15 miles and the finish. It was nice although once more at 20 or 22 miles would have been lovely. At ten miles I picked up my Gu's and a knee tensor that I wasn't sure I was going to need. I am glad I got it as it seemed to suppress the pain a bit. At the 15 mile mark my parents joined them. The weather being as good as it was allowed them to enjoy the race much more than last time where it was cold and rainy.
I finished the first half in 1:50 and felt I could repeat that for the 2nd half. I was originally gunning for 3:30 or so but I knew with the reduced training due to my knee that it was not going to be possible. By 17 miles I knew it was going to be a rough finish. My left leg began to fatigue due to compensating so much for the right. By 20 miles, the wall was all too present. I didn't eat well the day before (traveling with my parents is not a good idea for scheduling meal times or anything for that matter) I walked around the Easton Town Centerfor far too long...but how can you not, it is a great place to shop! This was also right after the race expo and then the kids races so I basically ruled out any great expectations right then and there.
The highlight of the weekend was Cammy coming in 2nd in the 6-8 yr old race (About a half mile).
By mile 21 I was done and the walking began. Everything hurt and when I pulled my leg up to stretch my quads at mile 22 my hammies locked up and I could barely straighten my leg back out. I was a mess! I was seriously thinking it may be possible I don't finish. The hardest thing I have ever done was that last 6 miles. I know that is a marathon standard line but man, I was done. At 23 miles the 3:50 pace bunny passed me during a walk break and I tried to get going and finish with them but I could maintain their pace any longer.
Also, it got pretty hot. Not 'Chicago' hot but hot for me. I haven't done a warm weather run for months. To make it worse, I have a habit of migrating to the right side of the road, and in this case, it this kept leading me into the sunniest parts. I would consciously make my way back to the shade only to find myself in the sun a minute later!
At mile 25 I felt awesome and whipped off a sub 9 minute mile and then conked out again, as I suspected I might.
At mile 26, my hammie locked up again and I couldn't move. I could see the last turn heading to the finish but I had to limp over to the side walk and stretch it out. A policeman said I was right there and to keep moving but I told him I was stuck and he laughed!!
I got going again and managed to limp around the last corner and fortunately a downhill to the finish. I managed a smile as I tucked in a minute and 20 seconds faster than my first marathon. 3:55:15, a small victory! No, make that a huge victory considering all of the circumstances.
I spent about 15 minutes with a paramedic afterwards and then another 15 in the medical tent. I was diluted. I went to see them because I felt really dizzy and it hurt to pee...even though no pee came out! I got worried so went t them to make sure I was fine. Turns out the Gu's I avoided to take because I didn't want stomach cramps was a bad idea. I took 1 gu before the start, 1 at 10 miles another at 15 and a another at 22. I only had a few cups of gatorade during the race so basically I was electro-low! With my reduced mileage training I am feeling it today. Sore everywhere! Both knees now hurt and I can't get up after sitting for more than 10 minutes.
Finally, I need to sleep more. I tried to change my regime of going to bed at midnight every night but it is a hard habit to break. More sleep is a sure fire way to improve my running and overall health. I learned a lot (again) and I am actually looking forward to the next one to see how much of what I learned I can apply and hopefully have strong, recovered knees to train harder.
Summary
number of finishers: 3972
number of females: 1520
number of males: 2452
average time: 04:19:34
Dave Emilio
bib number: 2092
age: 40
gender: M
location: Toronto
overall place: 1447 out of 3972
division place: 227 out of 378
gender place: 1144 out of 2463
time: 3:55:15
pace: 8:59
5 mile: 42:35
half: 1:50:55
20 mile : 2:54:30
26.2 mile : 3:55:15