Notes
Garmin lost signal on the lower level of the Verrazano. Worked in Brooklyn but lost signal again going over the Queensboro Bridge and again in Central Park when it mattered most. Thought I was on pace up to this point and only realized otherwise at mile 25. Here is my email report:
Thanks, Paul, and thanks to the rest of you.
Nice to have your support. I am pleased. I made two of my three goals (sub 3:08:40 (PR), sub 7:00 pace, and sub 3 hour finish). I would have been overwhelmed with emotion (as I was with my Boston PR) if I had stayed on pace after mile 20. Unfortunately, I lost pace without realizing it because my Garmin failed in Central Park as it had earlier in the race.
At mile 20, I knew I was on pace because the math was easy: 20 times 7 minutes is 140 minutes or 2:20, and I was three minutes under that according to the clock. (The clock showed just under 2:18, but I crossed the starting mat a little over a minute after the gun, so I knew I was at least three minutes under 2:20.) I knew I had to run a 6:52 or better for a sub 3 hour finish, and 8 seconds per mile times 20 miles is 160 seconds. Because I was at least three minutes (180 seconds) under 2:20, I knew I had 20 seconds to spare. In essence, I was one second per mile under my required pace for a sub 3 hour finish. This matches my 6:51 pace at mile 20 according to the final results.
At this point, I reminded myself of my plan: Pace the first 20 miles, race the last 6. It was now time to start racing, so I focused on persons around me and tried to pass them or at least not get passed. I think I was successful. I don't remember getting passed, and I know I passed several runners. This gave me the sense that I was increasing my pace, when in fact the entire field was slowing because of the gradual uphill on Fifth Avenue and the overall mileage.
At mile 23, I had about 22 minutes left. I figured I was on pace. I thought to myself, keep racing, but don't blow up. As I tried to accelerate, my calves responded as if they were about to cramp. This happened during my Boston PR, when I thought I would have to stop as my calves started to cramp during the last four miles, and I managed to stop the cramping by slowing down while still finishing sub 3:10 to my surprise and great elation. (This is what gave me my guaranteed entry for NY.)
So in Central Park, I told myself not to accelerate if it meant my calves might cramp. I figured I had a sub 3 hour finish in the bag if I simply continued at the same pace I was running. I had no idea that my pace slowed to 7:33 for mile 24. It was not until I saw the clock at mile 25 that I realized I was off pace and that I would almost certainly not have enough time to finish in under 3 hours. Every time I tried to accelerate, my calves started to cramp, and I was forced to back off.
On Central Park South, with 800 meters to go, I felt renewed. I swung my fist and tried to sprint to the finish. Unfortunately, as soon as I did this, my calves seized up and I broke stride briefly into a hopping limp before I regained my previous stride. At this point, I knew that a sub 3 hour finish had escaped me, and I just wanted to cross the line and rest. I felt good enough to jump and click my heels as I crossed the finish mat, which was my way of trying to compensate for letting big one get away.
Overall, I was happy, but I felt nothing like the emotion that overcame me when tears welled up in my eyes with my 3:08 PR in Boston. At that time, I was wearing a 3:15 pace band on one arm and a 3:10 pace band on the other, and I was only hoping to finish somewhere between those two times. I had no expectation of finishing under 3:10 and thereby qualifying for NY.
Had I finished in 2:59:59 or better, I would have been overcome with emotion beyond description. That's why this finish was bitter sweet. Still, I agree that I have much to be proud of and grateful for. With a little training and a faster course, I think I will break 3 hours.
Would I have broke 3 hours if my Garmin had not failed? I have to doubt it. I could not run any faster when I needed to because my calves were on the verge of cramping and actually did so when I tried. This tells me I need to do a few long runs of 24 miles or more in my next training regimen, together with more speed work in combination with long runs. I welcome any other suggestions.