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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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 Posted: 06/19/05 - 15:51 Post subject: Race Report: Grandma's Marathon (updated with picture)
We arrive friday afternoon in time to pick up the race packet and have a spaghetti dinner. The spaghetti dinner was hosted by Michelina's (you know, the ones that make the crappy frozen dinners). Well, the spaghetti tasted like a glorified frozen dinner. For me it was pasta and carbs and some bread. For Sandy there was no taste. Later that evening we walked along the lake shore and in a nice romantic moment sitting on the rocks, looking out at the water past the lighthouse, I got a bloody nose. Meanwhile a flock of seagull type birds were circling, smelling fresh meat.
Naturally it takes a while for me to fall asleep and in the end I think I only got three or four hours, but I've read that is normal. Strangely enough I feel rested. Or something. Breakfast consists of a small blueberry muffin and a banana. I force myself to eat because I'm really not hungry. I am nervous, of course. If I get nervous before a dinky little 5k, let's just multiply that feeling by powers of ten.
I take the bus from the mall (across the street from the hotel) to the starting line in Two Harbors, about 30 miles or so away from the hotel. On the way at the 20 mile marker on the race course I see a guy wearing shoes, a jock strap, a black cape, and Darth Maul mask jumping around and twirling a long stick. If nothing else, this whole marathon experience is suddenly worth it and for just a moment I was thinking about what's to come.
We arrive, loud music is playing, I eat a small bag of Wheat Thins, go to the port-o-potty multiple times, wait, try some nasty Ultima Replenisher which is to be offered on the race course, toss my clothes in the provided bag, line up in the start corral (one big long corral) and by the time the two F-15 fighter jets give us a fly by (very cool) I have to pee again, but the corral is packed, so I'm hoping I'll find a nice tree.
The gun goes off, and the theme of Chariots of Fire begins playing (or maybe the song played first, I never heard the gun). Some people start moving and then after Chariots of Fire is over the next song is the Imperial March from Star Wars. Nothing like a nice ominous song to start a marathon to. Wanna kick me in my knee, too?
Five minutes later I cross the line. Three minutes and twenty two seconds after that I'm finally on a stretch without a crowd with some woods to the right and I join several other men in making sure the trees have enough water to last the summer. I'm back on the course and a minute or two later I see another guy run out of the woods and just take a face plant on the ground. If anything is a sign of things to come, that's probably it.
I should probably note that I spent my first 14 miles not far behind a guy who had written on the back of his white shirt "THIS SUCKS!" in big black letters.
Coming up on the first mile marker I look at my watch and see 8:15. I almost start crying. I look back down at my watch a good ten seconds later and it still says 8:15. Oh. How'd I do that. I restart my watch and cross the mile marker with a guy near me saying to someone else, "10:12". Oh, that's better.
The first miles seem to just melt away like butter. Each mile is very comfortably around 10 minutes per mile. It's beautiful. It feels great. Something is clearly wrong.
I'm watering every two miles at the water stops and pouring some water over my head to keep cool. I stop and walk to get the water so I'm getting some rest early and still holding my overall pace. It's just like the half marathon only not as fast.
Mile 6: I'm hungry.
Things are still going good and speaking of the half marathon I'm still holding a perfect pace. It's like a metronome, which is odd because the one thing I've ever been consistent at in running is not holding a pace.
At the third mile I had passed the 4:30 pacing group, but I wasn't moving too fast so I knew that if I looked back I'd see them. I didn't look but I'm positive that I never got away from them, which is perfectly fine. I cross the half marathon and I'm on pace to run a 4:20 marathon.  I always second guess myself but I'm running so easily and so in control that I decide not to question myself this time and just deal with the gut check when it happens. I figure that I'll slow down and end up working back to a 4:30 or 4:35. That's no problem and I would be beyond happy with that.
Mile 16: No kidding, I'm still on pace but am starting to slow down just a little bit. I was slightly faster than a 10 minute mile and now I'm back to the 10 minute mile.
Mile 17: my hamstring has seriously tightened up and I've seriously slowed down. The pain has set in. I'm not tired, and people are starting to feed us now (bless you, people, bless you).
Mile 19: Not only am I moving much slower now with a stride about half as long as before and I'm walking at every mile mark no matter if there is water or not, but I think I've developed a blister under my big right toe. I'll be honest, it's uncomfortable. On the plus side, the breeze from Lake Superior feels really nice and when not obstructed by trees the view of the lake is just beautiful. Gorgeous.
Mile 20: Just a 10k left, huh? I'm not too proud to walk between miles. Whatever pride I might have had was gone the moment my hamstring hurt. I'm not talking tight, I'm talking hurt. I don't think it is injured (hurt you can play, injured you can't), but there is a good deal of pain. Before the hamstring, and this is now how I count time, I was surprised by how quickly each mile marker came. Now I swear people are just moving the markers farther down the road because I should have been there already. I know what my watch says, but they're still moving the damn balloon.
Miles 21-24: The 4:30 pace group passed me by mile 16.5 so I don't actually care about pace or time right now. I always said that finishing was a goal, but I never really believed that because I never really doubted that I would finish. I didn't actually realize how much this thing could hurt. Right now, it's brutal. I'm doing a good deal of walking and when I start running again I grunt very loudly because it hurts more to start than to continue...usually. I don't care what anyone says, this is where it got long.
Mile 24-25: Halfway through mile 24 I was passed by the 5 hour pace group, which consisted of the two pacers. This disappointed me because the other thing I was doing during the last 10k was checking my watch seeing if it was possible to still go under 5. I was going to finish, but it was going to hurt. But that pace group pacing me really shook me up. I start moving a little faster trying to tail the group for a little. It's tough, and I don't know if I'll hold this. For the first time I don't get water or stop at Mile 25. I go. I catch the pacers at mile 25.
Mile 25: It's on like Donkey Kong! I'm no longer shuffling in pain and walking and struggling. I'm running (in pain). I doubt that I'm down a blazing pace, it's probably just the ten minute pace I had earlier, but I'm working for this one. We make quite a few turns during this last mile and folks are saying "it's just around the corner". Liars. I keep going and finally see my dad. He's so excited he runs out on the course with me. At this point it's not like there are a lot of runners around to interfere with. He asks me how I'm feeling and I reply, "Dad, I'm really f**king tired". I don't think I've ever cursed like that in front of him, but he gives me a huge slap on the back which almost knocked me over since it's not like I have a lot of strength left, but I'm still running and now I'm past him and turn another corner or two and see my wife who is yelling for me and that feels really good. Another corner and is that baloons I see and bleachers and sweet lord it's the finish line. Is this final stretch the entire .2? Answer: No, but it sure feels like it. I see the clock, it's over 5 hours, but only by a minute or two and keep in mind that this is chip timed and I started 5 minutes after the fact.
I hear an announcer call my name as he is calling the names of everyone coming down to the finish. That, too, feels good. It's probably easier for him since there are no big packs here.
It is finished. I walk. I wobble. I stumble. I swear my eyes are slightly glazed over because whatever I had to give was given. I see some people giving the finisher's medals and I get almost a little misty because I'll be damned if I don't feel like I've earned one right now. I Finished and that feels like an Event.
10k: 1:00:40
13.1 miles: 2:10:09
20 miles: 3:32:35
Last 10k: 1:24:32
Clock Time: 5:02:16
Chip Time: 4:57:07
I don't know a lot, but if I didn't get passed by that pace group (like if there was no 5 hour pace group) I would have never, never found the strength or flat out arrogance to knock that last mile out like I did.
For a time though, I was on pace to run an absolutely filthy 4:20 marathon. I didn't, and under the circumstances...
It doesn't bother me one bid. I'm happy, satisfied, proud, and a marathoner.
And for the rest of saturday I walked like a broken old man. A slow gimp and you could tell hours later who else finished (besides the light blue finisher's shirts of the medals they wore). They were the gimps...except for the rare few who seemed to be doing okay.
Today I'm just sore, but I walk just fine.
Food consumed during the marathon:
3 half sized twizzlers
2 full sized twizzlers
1 watermelon jolly rancher (small)
1/2 banana
2 small candy sugary chewy fruit snacks that tasted like orange
Food offered but not consumed:
Beer
Brownies
Hot dogs
Song I heard the most: "Ride a Horse, Save a Cowboy"
Song I only heard once, surprisingly: "Chariots of Fire"
Odd sightings: The guy with the Darth Maul mask and wearing only a cape and a jock, and Garth Vader the rodeo clown with a green Vader mask. Belly dancers, one of whom looked like a transvestite (maybe?).
Overall experience: Priceless
Last edited by Pug on 06/20/05 - 10:02; edited 1 time in total
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 15:58 Post subject:
Really odd side note: before any other race I have to poop at least twice before I leave the house, once more at the race, and right after I'm done.
This time: Nothing. I was as worried about that as anything else.
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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: 06/19/05 - 16:05 Post subject:
That is a great race report Pug. Congrats. 
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 16:20 Post subject:
Excellent report! I felt like I was there! I love the "I would have never, never found the strength or flat out arrogance to knock that last mile out like I did." that is very true. Sometimes you have to be overtaken by a big slice of pride. I say good for you! I'm sorry you struggled at the end, but what an amazing tale of perseverence. I hope the hamstring is okay soon.
YOU DID IT! You done good Pug!
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 16:27 Post subject:
Hella good report, Pug. Just so you know, I think the 35 or so races I've done, I've heard "Chariots" maybe twice. It maybe be inspiring, but it doesn't pump up the crowd (I think that 's what the race organizers want more than firing up the runners).
Persistence is its own reward.
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 16:52 Post subject:
great report pug. congratulations on your 26.2 miles.
i love the dad moment. really. 
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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 21238
Location: www.johnnydu.com
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 20:53 Post subject:
 Excellent report Pug. I am so proud of you! Congrats and hope your hammy is feeling better today.
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akern
Member
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Joined: 31 May 2002
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 21:34 Post subject:
Great job Pug!! When's your next one? 
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Noley
AZhat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2003
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Posted: 06/19/05 - 23:13 Post subject:
AWESOME JOB MARATHONER!!!
Pug...I read through your marathon report and just want to hug you for what you have accomplished. I read it and could relate to you with some of your woes during that race. You can train, prepare, train some more, and get into the race to find that it's an entirely new ball game. You have to walk away from it as in incredible experience, an incredible test of strength, and incredible mental prowess.
For all that it's worth, you put in 26.2 miles MARATHONER! There are few who ever set out to run that far and you're one of the exceptions out there.
YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY PUGSTER!!! I know this, because I've been watching you!
CONGRATS!
BTW. Next time you need to put I CAN-DO Attitude on your back...because you have it 100%
~marcie and (you made me cry reading your report as well)
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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: 06/19/05 - 23:47 Post subject:
You done did it...squeeked out that sub-5 chip time, hoowah!!
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Kimba90
Member
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Posted: 06/20/05 - 04:49 Post subject:
Excellent race report Pug, and great way to persevere through out the race!! Congratulations you marathoner!!!
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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: 06/20/05 - 05:02 Post subject:
Congrats on your first marathon
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Bill_Sev
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Joined: 21 Sep 2004
Posts: 727
Location: Marietta, GA
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Posted: 06/20/05 - 07:27 Post subject:
Congrats on the first marathon and welcome to the CLUB.......Now we have to show you the secret handshake!!! LOL
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sonnylax
Member
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Joined: 30 Sep 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Living in a lollipop and unicorn world
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Posted: 06/20/05 - 08:48 Post subject:
Great job Pug. Nice report!
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runaroundsue
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Posted: 06/20/05 - 08:53 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: | Really odd side note: before any other race I have to poop at least twice before I leave the house, once more at the race, and right after I'm done.
This time: Nothing. I was as worried about that as anything else. |
I know my confidence goes down the tubes for this reason alone when I line up at a race. I'm assuming that you did the pasta feed the night before. Unfornuately, (my belief anyway) these meals are too late and your system becomes sluggish. Next time, try getting your big meal down by 1-2 pm the day before.
I think you mentioned possibly doing Disney next. Disney was my digestive system nightmare. I ate alot at 8-9 pm and Disney is a 6 am start. It doesn't appear that you consumed a whole heck of all of calories "during" the race.
Your 6 mile hunger pains????? It sounds like you burned your glycogen and then your body was turning to fat stores. I think you could see big improvement experimenting with nutrition during your long runs. Carbo-loading does not work for me. I try to tap into my fat early in the race and by mile 18, I'm eating constanting for instant energy. Most people will take gu/gels early on and then every 20 minutes or so. I hold off 'til 17-20 and take gu every mile. I'm thinking maybe I'd benefit to have a burger at mile 20 
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