Intro
To begin with, we arrived two days prior to the event. Whenever we travel (to run marathons) we always arrive a couple days before, to briefly explore the surroundings and to plan the ''post-run'' activities.
However, this time it was a little more difficult as we arrived right in the middle of the ninth tropical storm of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season... a little something called the side-effects of hurricane Ida! Needless to say that the winds were strong and the rain was constant for the two first days. Just getting to the running expo was a substantial task!
After spending the two first days in the hotel and at the expo purchasing arm warmers and extra layers, we started preparing mentally for miserable weather. Even though, the local news was announcing better weather for ‘’Marathon Day’’, we were a little sceptical… how could the weather change drastically in a couple of hours… was this a way for the locals to be optimistic and to encourage the runners to turn out in big numbers?
The bottom line was that it didn’t matter what
Race Day
We got up early and headed to the starting line about two hours prior to the marathon start. We wanted to encourage the participants in the 8K race. Then I would see ‘’
It was between 2-5° Celsius with light rain and light wind… it was cold! Luckily for me, a few hotels near the starting lines graciously accepted runners in their hallways until all the races began. So after the Halfers were off, I warmed up in the comforts of a hotel lobby, while pondering a change of objective for the race.
My objectives for this race were three fold, scenario 1: the race of my life and I finish with a 03:15; scenario 2: solid performance with a 03:18; scenario 3: acceptable performance to beat my PR by 1 minute with a 03:20. So basically, my plan was to start running at 4:40 per Km, which corresponds to a 03:16 marathon. I figured if it was to quick and I ended up with positive splits, I would still probably beat my PR.
As I sat in the lobby, assessing my previous 4 months of training, gazing at the weather, considering a pace change… I came to the abrupt decision: No, I might even speed it up! I was without a doubt influenced by the ambience of the race and by the book I had been reading for the past couple of days, Born to Run (When you read it, you’ll know what I mean).
The starting time was slowly approaching; I now had to face the elements until the race began, which was in about 15 minutes. I headed out wearing my faithful garbage bag and got into my coral. I started looking around at the other runners and the pace bunnies, as I was between the 03:10 and 03:15 pacers. Then I started making another mistake (using external factors to enhance my projected performance), I observed the 03:15 bunny, he was at least 5-10 years older than I and weighed at least
Miles 1 – 5
Next thing I knew, they were playing the National Anthem and the gun went off. We started running and I rapidly got rid of the garbage bag and my ‘’throw away’’ shirt. I was feeling great. There was no wind, because the first miles are among the neighbourhoods and the houses seem to shield the wind. There was a slight mist, which was perfect to keep cool… the conditions were perfect and I decided to change my race plan, even though I was only two miles in (It’s inexperience, remember). I decided to run a 4:35 pace, that way I would run a 03:15.
I had passed the 03:15 pacers and was feeling great. I had run four miles and I felt fresh. There were tons of people cheering us on, it was cool and there was no wind. The surroundings were amazing, beautiful Victorian style houses, various monuments and historical sites. The course was wide, so it was very comfortable despite the approximate 5 000 runners.
Miles 5 – 8
The course is flat up to about mile 5. However, between mile 5 and mile 7, there is a slight uphill. It is progressive and isn’t very intimidating. You are then, graciously rewarded with a downhill for about half a mile. There are a lot of people encouraging the runners along the course, it is truly motivating…
At this point, I thought I was sticking to my ‘’new’’ plan by running a constant 04:35, however I was feeling very elated and without noticing I was speeding up. By the time I had descended the downhill part of this section I had caught up to the 03:10 pacers. I was still feeling great, but for the first time in the race I had a sane thought process: slow down. I was running with the 03:10 group in a race that I originally wanted to run a 03:15.
I reflected and said to myself ‘’You aren’t ready for a 03:10, if you don’t slow down, you will bonk out. Besides, you are guaranteed a 03:15, that’s really good!’’. So I slowed down and let the group go… I was very proud of my mature decision. I was faced with the first potential danger in a race and I made the right decision… little did I know that I had already made some serious mistakes.
Miles 8 – 13
These were by far the most picturesque miles of the race. You are running along the
For the first time in the race, I started feeling a little weak on the uphills… so I was enjoying the downhills. I let gravity take over and maximise my speed on the way down.
Then, when I got to mile 12, I was a little surprised, because I thought I was arriving at mile 13. At that point, I knew I was in trouble… I wasn’t even at the halfway mark and already I was confusing the distances. I started doubting my ‘’new’’ plan.
I quickly gathered my thoughts and wondered if I should readjust. Mechanically everything was great (no pain), energy was good (I was a little tired, but that was normal), mentally I was confident, until this slip up. I concluded that I wouldn’t let this miscalculation creep into my mind and cause a self-fulfilling prophecy. I kept up the pace at 04:30 per Km and to prevent any other miscalculations, I was no longer going to guess what mile we were approaching, but rather enjoy the fans and the course.
Moreover, I usually take a Gel at the halfway mark, but I was feeling so euphoric with my ‘’newest’’ plan and I didn’t think I needed it (Huge mistake).
I finished the first half in 01:36, which is a half-marathon PR (Even bigger mistake).
Miles 13 – 16
‘’A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.’’
- Catherine the Great
After the 13 mile mark, the 03:15 group caught up to me and I thought that was a great thing. I was aiming for a 03:15 and I now had a ‘’support group’’ to help me!
I ran with the pace group for about a mile… then it felt like I was sprinting. I had to slow down… I was crushed! I realized that I made a huge mistake. I was at mile 15, and I now couldn’t even hold 04:45 pace.
As you get to mile 14, there are no more trees, no more houses, no more fans, just the wind… head wind. At this point, you are heading back towards the city and you are going to cross the Robert E. Lee Bridge
Needless to say, that this head wind, could not have come at a worse time. Now, I was mad, very mad. Every negative thought possible was going through my head. Between miles 15 and 16, I was mad at the wind, mad at the bridge, mad at the bigger and older 03:15 pacer who had passed me… mad because I started realizing that a PR might not be in the books today.
Miles 16 – 20
Finally, the bridge is a thing of the past. I was looking forward to running in the city again, shielded from the wind. These miles were a little blurry for me… however I do remember that there were a lot of people encouraging the runners.
Miles 16 to 18 were the most difficult for me. I was starting to lose a lot of speed and a lot of energy, hence I was ‘’bonking out’’. My pace was up to about 05:10 and I just wanted to keep it as close as I could to 05:00. I started wondering if I was going to finish. I had ‘’hit the wall’’ and had about 8 miles left.
I had no more energy and started having an upset stomach. Now, I knew I had to take a Gel, if I wanted to make it, but just the thought of a Gel made me feel sick… quite the paradox! I had no choice; I ripped open a Gel and ingested it without event tasting it… I will deal with the consequences of an upset stomach later!
I then took control of the mental aspect of my race. Now, I knew for sure that a PR was unattainable, so I needed to refocus and finishing strong. As long as I finish, I will have demonstrated great character and will have learnt a great deal in this road race. So, I focused on ‘’character’’ and repeated that word for the remaining 6 miles .
Miles 20 – 26
The last miles are great. There are literally a ton of people encouraging all the runners and this part of the town is very nice. The last miles are on a slight downhill and the last half mile is an abrupt downhill… and the fans are awesome!
By mile 21, I was feeling much better. The Gel was starting to kick in, I was repeating my Mantra ‘’Character’’ and was keeping my pace at around 05:00 per Km. I remembered from the elevation chart that the last miles were down hill, so I was just concentrating on a steady pace and letting gravity do its thing!
The last 2 miles , were great. It was very difficult, but I knew at this point, I was going to make it and complete my third marathon. Even though, I wasn’t establishing a PR, I had great race… experience a wide array of emotions!
As I crossed the finish line, in 03:24:13, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of a ‘’Job well done’’ and even though, my two previous marathons were great, this is the one I am proudest of.
Post-race
There was great food which included pizza. We stuck around for quite some time encouraging the marathon finishers and recounting our own experiences during the race.
Later that day, we had dinner at a great restaurant called Julep’s and enjoyed some well deserved Californian Wine!
Conclusion
This is a great course. The scenery is nice, there are a lot of ‘’fans’’, water stations at every mile, almost no hills and a downhill finish. I definitely recommend this race… just be aware of the wind at miles 14 to 16!
