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TriBob
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Joined: 29 Aug 2002
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Location: Lost in Transition
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 Posted: 03/21/05 - 13:00 Post subject: Ocean Drive Marathon, Now with PICS
Ocean Drive Marathon
March 20, 2005
(Cappy notes at the bottom)
It was a cold and stormy night. Okay, maybe a little cliché; but, sets the tone for an epic. Pre-race stuff went fine. Calling for rain Saturday night and Sunday for the race. I got up Sunday morning and started watching the Weather Channel. It looks like the first storm is moving out; but, it is still raining. Relax and do some light stretching. Throw on a disposable rain poncho and head out to the start which is in the parking lot of my hotel. Still raining. Five minutes before race start it stops raining. How long will it last? Race start mid-40s but 100% humidity.
I was targeting a time of 3:45 for an 8:35 pace. This would leave some room to still break 4 hours if I ran into trouble. There was a 10 mile race that started with us. About 300 in each race. They had a different color bib but you couldn’t pace off of people until you knew for sure what they were running. I was wearing my Forerunner and using the pace on that since this is a mostly straight point-to-point course. I have my 5 mile splits on my arm so I wouldn’t have to do to much thinking.
I start towards the back to let the rabbits and 10-milers have room. The race was clock timed. Hit the line and press start. Cape May had a good send off. We head around the bay and my glasses were fogging up because of the humidity. This race is notoriously windy running next to the ocean and along the boardwalk, so glasses it was. The first half of the race was right on schedule. Hitting my splits within 30 seconds of goal time.
The race listed Gatorade 1/2 strength stating mile 11. Cool, I usually grab Gatorade and water and dilute it my self. Well the person who mixed it at mile 15 needs a math lesson. It was like syrup. I have a very sensitive stomach and beginning to get dehydrated didn’t help matters. I started hacking for about 2 miles. I tried some water which eventually helped. Hit mile 17 at 2:30. Feeling better but not good. If I can hold 10:00 pace, I’ll have the sub-4.
Plodded along taking in a small amount of water at each stop. My stomach didn’t want much but the water was helping. Mile 21, my stomach was doing better. But, I was afraid to have any more Gatorade or the 1 gel I had left. My mile splits were to close for comfort. When you add the extra .2 mile, I had lost my margin of error.
I started passing people. This was pure mind over matter. I was trying to bump up my pace to 9:30. That should give me 1 minute to spare. We were heading back towards the shore at Sea Isle. One more stinking bridge. A small one; but, at mile 23 these is no such thing. I pass about 6 people on the bridge. However, I think others were slowing down more then I was speeding up. I skipped the 25 mile aid station. To close to slow down at all with just over a mile to go.
Mile 25.2 had a clock with a 1 mile to go sign. Time 3:51:50. Double turds! I have to pull an 8:00 mile out of my butt to make sub 4. Well I didn’t come this far to go down without a fight. I was running on fumes. I picked up the pace. We hit the promenade with 3/4 mile to go. I can see the banner way off in the distance. Yikes, that looks a long way away. Try to push it some more. The head games are in full swing. I don’t even break stride to look at my watch, it wont do any good now. Half mile to go. Some spectators now. Trying to pull their energy. Quarter mile to go. More people; but, I only see the finish line. Its all or nothing. Break into a full sprint. Hit the line, press the button and double over while the volunteer removes my tag. Grab a pole and straighten up. Did I make it? 3:59:49, yeah baby!!!!!
Got my milar blanket and water and sat down. Rested for a few minutes, got my medal and hobbled off to the reception area. Changed into dry clothes. Post race massage including heat packs. Scrounged some drinks and food and took the shuttle back to Cape May. More snacks and drove home in the rain.
Details:
Race 3:59:49
30-39 AG: 22/47 (I’m at the top of this AG)
Overall: 111/304
Forerunner distance: 26.39
http://www.partypics.com/ver2/EventImages.aspx?eventid=93029&bib=147
   
Last edited by TriBob on 04/08/05 - 10:23; edited 1 time in total
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
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Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 13:02 Post subject:
Weather conditions were less than ideal, nice job on the sub 4.
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 13:08 Post subject:
Nice race TB despite the weather and gatorade...
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
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Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 13:08 Post subject:
Sweeetness. What a great report about the final mile. That's what I'm talkin' about! You're an animal Bob. Hooowaah.
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Dancer
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 13:16 Post subject:
Excellent job Bob!!!
Way to pull that last mile out of your Butt! That had to hurt.
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 14:44 Post subject:
Cuttin' it close on that four-hour mark, aren't you? 
For realz, congrats in getting tough when you needed to. 
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pokychick
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 14:53 Post subject:
Congratulations on a great race...especially that last mile 
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
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Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 15:21 Post subject: Re: Ocean Drive Marathon
| TriBob wrote: | . Did I make it? 3:59:49, yeah baby!!!!!
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so good!!!
freekin' yeah baby! great run TB. i can't imagine that last stretch. congratulations.
gotta love the jersey shore. 
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 15:28 Post subject:
Reading marathon reports gets me pumped! Nice job and nice toughness at the finish.
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Kimba90
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 19:22 Post subject:
Nice job!!! Gotta love the suspense of breaking the 4-0!!!
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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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Location: www.johnnydu.com
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 21:54 Post subject:
Great Job!!! Nice report too.
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TOsteve
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Posted: 03/21/05 - 22:29 Post subject:
Nice report - way to kick it gear in the last mile! 
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mickeyvw98
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Posted: 03/22/05 - 01:44 Post subject:
 Nice race!
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TriBob
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Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
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Posted: 04/08/05 - 10:28 Post subject:
Bump for pics.
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coachmarkos
my boys could swim
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Location: 1st in AFC West
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Posted: 04/08/05 - 11:33 Post subject:
nice work!
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