Monday, January 12, 1998

Charlotte Observer Marathon

On Saturday, the 10th of January, 1998, I ran the Charlotte Observer Marathon. Below are my splits per mile with some of my thoughts along the way. Please feel free to comment, critique, and give me feedback.

9 Jan 98
9:45pm - arrive in Charlotte after six hours of driving. The Westin doesn't want to give us a non-smoking room as per our reservations. After a little haggling, we get a King size bed with a roll-away in a non-smoking room.
10:30pm - we get into our room with the kids in tow.
11:30pm - I am finally in bed with the alarm set for 6:30am.

10 Jan 98
6:25am - I turn off the alarm after having been awake for at least 45 minutes.
6:45am - I get my runner's packet and bib number.
7:00am - I get back to the room with some toys from the car for the kids. However, I forgot to bring up Access bars.
7:15am - Martha makes a trip to the car to get Access bars.
7:30am - I get Amy dressed and then eat an Access bar while I am trying to watch the Weather Channel and find out what the current temperature is.
7:45am - I make my last trip to the restroom and then head for the elevator. I walk two blocks to the start and get there around 7:52am.
8:00am - The current temperature is 40 degrees, and I am wearing tights, a Coolmax t-shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a stocking cap. One Access bar is pinned to my tights. The race starts, and 1,200 of us move out.

Mile 1    7:41

I run cautiously slow to prevent going out too fast. Throw hat away before first mile.
Mile 2    7:33
Feel comfortable and cool, but know that I am slightly overdressed. Clear and sunny.
Mile 3    7:50
The hills roll on and my pace goes up and down, but my effort remains constant.
Mile 4    7:18
A little downhill to help my time. I am just coasting along.
Mile 5    7:44
I decide that the next piece of clothing to go will be the sleeves of my long sleeve t-shirt.
Mile 6    7:34
Both sleeves have been ripped off and all strings are untangled.
Mile 7    7:25
Slight downhill.
Mile 8    7:36
I keep rolling along at a very comfortable level.
Mile 9    7:25
So far, so good.
Mile 10    7:17
Definite downhill. I tear off the bottom few inches of my now sleeveless t-shirt.
Mile 11    7:47
Coming back uphill.
Mile 12    7:37
Holding steady.
Mile 13    7:41
I reach the halfway point in 1:39:12. Right on target for a sub-3:20.
Mile 14    7:40
Begin to eat my second Access bar.
Mile 15    7:46
Access bar has been consumed, and now it is almost time to throw down the hammer.
Mile 16    7:40
Okay, I have waited long enough--only 10 miles left.
Mile 17    7:38
Picked up the effort, but hills are relentless.
Mile 18    7:34
Holding steady, starting to push hard.
Mile 19    7:31
Get to 20, and maybe I can pick-up the pace if these hills subside.
Mile 20    8:10
Completed a big hill. How many more hills are left?
Mile 21    8:33
Another hill, push harder.
Mile 22    7:39
Finally, some downhill.
Mile 23    8:07
Calves are on the verge of cramping, just hold on.
Mile 24    8:41
Another hill, this is getting really rough.
Mile 25    9:12
The hills continue and force me over the 9 minute threshold.
Mile 26    8:29
Another guy and I battle back and forth, trading surges.
Mile 26.2    1:51
The last hill, but the finish is at the end. I finish in the clear and the announcer calls out my name. I pick it up and do a 360 for the crowd. My finishing time was 3:24:59. My second best marathon time ever and only two minutes off of my personal best. I was 17th in my age group, and 150th overall. For the testosterone record, 10 women beat me. I did not reach my 3:20 goal, but I am satisfied on this difficult course.
It has been 12 weeks since I ran Chicago and finished in a disappointing 3:40. Now, there are 16 weeks until my next scheduled challenge. The Pittsburgh Marathon is on 3 May 98. Replenex has kept my knees pain free, and I will continue to train.

NSR,
Darin

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