JFK 50 Miler 1998

Since I ran the Marine Corps Marathon four weeks ago, my recovery has gone very well. I resumed my regular running a week after the marathon, and I was able to comfortably run an 18 miler two weeks ago. Here are my notes from the JFK 50 miler, the largest ultra in the country.

Fri., 20 Nov.

- Several of us from the defending champion military team meet around noon to go up to Hagerstown, MD (I wasn't on the team last year). - We arrive at the Hagerstown Days Inn around 3:30pm and pick-up our race packets. Some of the veterans show us rookies where the race gets onto the Appalachian Trail. - In the evening, we go to a local pizza joint for all we can eat. We meet the Marine team from Albany there and begin to discuss the "bet." - After dinner, we adjourn to the bar at the Days Inn to finish the deliberations for the "bet." The final "bet" is our (Quantico-One) top four plus Mr. Davis verses their (MATCOM Marines) top four plus LtCol Burton. If MATCOM wins, Mr. Davis will get a high & tight. If Quantico wins, LtCol Burton's husband will get a high & tight. (Note: Mr. Davis has never won a race bet.) - I make it to bed about 8:45pm.

Sat., 21 Nov.

3:18am - I wake up after six and half hours of restful sleep.

4:22am - I give up trying to get any more sleep.

6:58am - The race starts, and I am wearing shorts, a long sleeve t-shirt, short sleeve t-shirt, and Camelbak. In the side pockets of the Camelbak, I have three Access bars. The miles weren't marked, but here are some of the aid station splits/mile markers.

Mile 2    (20:02)

The race starts going uphill from the start, but we are still on the road, so running is relatively easy.

Mile 4    (40:46)

Big uphill, but we are now on the Appalachian Trail. I take my first leak since the race started.

Mile 9.5    (1:41:55)

The AT is quite rough. As a matter of fact, I don't think the rocks could be more of an obstacle if somebody had gone along and planted them. I am now six minutes behind my 10 minutes per mile goal. However, it was nice to see somebody besides other runners. I take my second leak of the race at 1:30.

Mile 15.7    (2:53:03)

The AT is now behind me. I only rolled my right ankle twice. I am now 16 minutes behind my goal pace, but the goal on the AT is to get it behind me and not hurt myself. I am now on the C&O Canal tow path. My support crew recommends I wipe some spit on my forehead to make it look like I am sweating. At about 2:30, I take my third leak of the race.

Mile 20.3    (3:30:50)

I am now only 8 minutes behind my goal pace, and I hope I am not pushing too hard. I am currently running 9 minutes and walking one.

Mile 30.5    (5:17:24)

I pass Brent Andberg, who is also running is first ultra. He had told me before the start that he was shooting for about 10 hours. I inform him that he is way ahead of his goal. I am back to 12 minutes behind my goal pace. I take my fourth leak of the race at 4:30.

Mile 41.9

I don't get a split, but I find out that Ohio State is beating Michigan, and I finally am off of the C&O Canal tow path. I grab some chow and head up the road. I am now running four minutes and walking one. I take my fifth and final leak at the 5:30 mark. Brent Andberg passed me back around the 36.5 mile mark.

Mile 48.2    (8:36:00)

Only two miles to go. I think I have enough to run it in from here. There is an aid stop at 48.6, but I don't even get a drink of water. I can smell the hay in the barn.

Mile 49.2    (8:45:02, 9:02 mile)

As I turned the corner after the last aid station that I didn't stop at, I see Brent Andberg about 200 yards ahead of me. Maybe I can catch him.

Mile 50.2    (8:53:24, 8:22 mile)

I keep gaining on Brent and he stops to walk once. I make the final turn onto the home stretch, and I pass him with about 400 yards to go. I spin a 360 before I cross the line, and I am pumped with no pain (for the moment). I wanted an 8:30, but am happy with getting under 9 hours. My goal pace of 10 min/mile would have given me an 8:20.

Finish: 8:53:24 officially

Post race thoughts: This was definitely a different level from a marathon. During the race, there were a few miles (36-40) when I wondered why I was doing this and whether I could finish under 9 hours. There were times when my right hip started hurting then it would subside. There were times when my left knee hurt then it would subside. However, in the end I feel great (for about 2 minutes), and I start to think about next year.

My next race looks like it will be the Charlotte Marathon Run for Peace. It is scheduled for 16 January, 1999.

Never stop running, Darin

P.S. I was 157th out of 774 finishers and only 9 women beat me.

Marine Corps Marathon 1998

On Sunday, I ran (mostly) the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Once again, here are my split times by mile. Since I am now an Aide-de-Camp and no longer have control over my schedule, I flew to San Diego on Tuesday the 20th, caught a cold on Wednesday, and flew back home on Friday the 23rd, two days before the marathon.

25 October

5:00am – my alarm goes off, and I have had probably the best night of sleep before a marathon, ever! I eat a bowl of corn flakes and drink some OJ with my Melaleuca vitamins. 6:05am – Martha and I have the kids packed in the car, and we head north to Washington. 7:08am – We finally manage to find a way into Ft. Meyers and a great parking spot. We load Nathan and Amy into the stoller and head down to the Iwo Jima Memorial for the start of the race. 8:28am – The race starts, and I am wearing shorts, Oakleys, and my Asics DS Trainer 96s. I have one Access Bar pinned to my shorts. The race starts with about 16,000 runners. I have no shirt on since the temperature is already about 60 degrees. Start    0:28

The race is packed, but I have strategically placed myself perfectly.

Mile 1    7:53

The first mile is done, I will see how I feel before I make my decision for a goal time.

Mile 2    7:23

This is feeling good, let’s see what happens. My Access bar has come off, so I hold it in my hands while I run.

Mile 3    7:32

Okay, maybe a sub-3:20 is a good possibility.

Mile 4    7:27

Hold steady on this pace for the next 22 miles, and I will be in great shape.

Mile 5    7:08

I am now cranking, but I don’t think this is too hard. I am not breathing hard, but I am losing a little too much sweat (although I don’t realize this at the time).

Mile 6    7:11

The crowd has really turned out since the weather is so nice and warm!

Mile 7    7:15

This pace doesn’t feel too hard, maybe I could drop down to a 3:15 or less.

Mile 8    7:25

I try to hold myself back as the crowd is huge and cheering loudly.

Mile 9    7:14

This feels good, but my experience tells me that in these balmy conditions, a 3:10 isn’t possible.

Mile 10    7:28

Just hold this nice pace.

Mile 11    7:12

Hold back, but I feel good, although water is pouring out of my body. The temperature is close to 70.

Mile 12    7:30

I need to keep this pace at least this slow. The water stops are only every two miles.

Mile 13    7:29

I decide to eat my Access bar now. My mouth is so dry, it is a challenge, but I overcome.

Mile 14    7:25

A good mile considering I was eating with a dry mouth while I ran.

Mile 15    7:41

The heat continues to build, and I don’t know when the water loss will take its toll.

Mile 16    7:50

Some uphill into the wind. The wind feels good because of the cooling effect, but it does slow me down some.

Mile 17    7:35

I head into Hanes Point, a.k.a. death valley of the MCM.

Mile 18    7:14

It is really hot without the wind blowing in my face, but with times like these, who cares?

Mile 19    8:22

I care, as the heat is starting to take its toll.

Mile 20    8:48

I see Rich Leino and then Steve Lawson going the other way, so I have a couple of miles on them.

Mile 21    9:04

Okay, I am down to the survival state because of the intense conditions (temp. 75 or so). I get some water and figure that I can coast in with 9 minute miles.

Mile 22    9:41

It is hot. Hopefully, there is water soon. I still think every marathon should definitely have water at every mile after 20.

Mile 23    9:46

No water in sight. It has no been two miles since I had a little drink of life sustaining H20.

Mile 24    13:15

At 23.5 miles, my back cramps a little around my kidneys, and I make the wise decision to walk until the next water stop, if there is one. Finally, just after the 24 mile mark, they decide to let us have some more water.

Mile 25    15:55

I got some water, but my legs are done, and I have plans to run the JFK 50 in four weeks. Therefore, I walk this mile.

Mile 26    10:28

Andrew Faulkner (also running the JFK 50) comes up to me and mentions trying to get under 3:45. I decide it is worth running for, so I get going. The crowd is huge, and enjoying the beautifully hot October weather, and I charge up the hill heading into the Memorial.

Mile 26.2    1:59

I am running pretty well up the hill for a totally dehydrated person. I ignore my leg muscles and pass a couple of people. My energy level is good thanks to the Access bars, but my legs are shot due to lack of water. The day was definitely too hot for the Polarbear running a marathon. I finish in 3:41:38, my 7th fastest of now 10 marathons. It is now time to begin the recovery process, and I hope that the weather cools off between now and November 21.

Final note: I have the JFK 50 on my schedule, and then I don’t know what I will run next. I will most likely run Pittsburgh in May, but don’t know if I will do one in January or February. Thank you for your support. Darin

Pittsburgh Marathon

On Sunday, I ran the Pittsburgh Marathon. Here are my split times by mile and my thoughts along the way. In 1991, Pittsburgh was where I attempted my first marathon and had to drop out at mile 16. Since then, I have now completed 9 marathons.

3 May 1998
12:22am - Amy falls out of bed, but is okay. I actually am able to get back to sleep easily.

5:11am - I wake up from a dream where I finished in 3:27; can't go back to sleep. The race doesn't start until 8:30am

8:15am - I leave my hotel room at the Westin William Penn and walk two blocks to the start line. The weather is overcast with a chance of showers—humid and 55 degrees.

8:30am - I am wearing shorts & a thin cool max t-shirt. One Access bar is pinned to my shorts. The race starts with about 2,700 runners.

Start 0:24
This is the time to cross the start line.

Mile 1 7:44
A cautious start, but I feel warm. Maybe the humidity is just making me feel this way.

Mile 2 7:30
It is warm enough to lose the t-shirt. Martha reminds me later that the shirt cost $20, but I counter that it was three years old.

Mile 3 7:21
This is a comfortable pace, but I don't want to go to fast.

Mile 4 7:21
Another quick mile.

Mile 5 7:51
I slow down some and we cross the bridge over the Alleghany to the north side.

Mile 6 7:32
Now, this is the pace I want to hold. I pace off of a female close by, #2416.Mile 7 7:30
Steady as we go. I pass Three Rivers Stadium.

Mile 8 7:31
Cross the West End Bridge. The pacer I have selected is running very consistently.

Mile 9 7:28
This is going well. And the temperature at the last bank said 58 degrees. I am comfortable.

Mile 10 7:42
I pass #2416, thinking that she is slowing down.

Mile 11 7:29
The streets are wet, but I haven't been rained on yet.

Mile 12 8:03
I cross the 24th St. Bridge and head UP into Oakland.

Mile 13 7:59
Still climbing, but the major hill is done now. I reach the halfway mark just under 1:40. On pace for my 3:20. #2416 comes back past me.

Mile 14 7:45
Okay, I need to hold back for a few more miles. I trade places with #2416 before I leave her at mile 16.

Mile 15 7:33
Running through Walnut St. picks me up along with a little downhill portion. I eat my Access bar.

Mile 16 7:50
Mostly uphill. It will be rolling hills from here on.

Mile 17 7:22
Some downhill running. I try to save myself for the last 3 or 4 miles.

Mile 18 7:38
I spot a tall man a few hundred meters ahead and wonder if he is my Engineering Electro-Magnetics professor from CMU.

Mile 19 7:42
I am gaining on the tall man, but I wish the downhill to the finish would hurry up and get here.

Mile 20 8:13
This had better be the last uphill portion!

Mile 21 7:45
The uphill is over, but where is the downhill? I pull even with the tall man, who is in fact Professor Jim Hoburg. I pass him and think about the 2 Cs he gave me in his classes.

Mile 22 7:41
I head up Liberty Ave. and know that it is downhill from here. I am now getting rained on, but it is a light rain and actually feels good.

Mile 23 7:55
Believe it or not, there is yet another small uphill someone slipped into the course.

Mile 24 7:23
Finally the downhill I was expecting, although it is sharp and short. However, as I turn onto 28th St., I spot a Marine ahead in olive dab shorts, which has to be Karl Brower.

Mile 25 7:58
I blow by Karl and don't even slow down to say hi. I think I might still be able to make a 3:20.

Mile 26 8:00
I surge back and forth with a couple of other runners. The legs are exhausted from the ups and downs, but my energy level is high thanks to the Access bars. I see the divided street right before entering Point State Park.

Mile 26.2 1:46
I finish well. My finishing time is 3:21:56--a new personal record by 58 seconds! At this rate, of improving about a minute per year, I will get my time down to 3:15 in time for my 35th birthday, and I can qualify for Boston. Until then I need a 3:10 to qualify. I am happy about my time and beating Karl Brower (he finished in 3:25). Although, he didn't use the Access bars and therefore, I might have had an unfair advantage. However, they were available to him.

Final note: If Pittsburgh is the fastest spring marathon in North America as advertised then there aren't any fast spring marathons in North America. I hear that London has a fast course in April. My next marathon will probably be the Marine Corps in October. I think I have over 20 weeks until then. The knees are doing great with Replenex, and I am definitely addicted to this activity!

NSR,
Darin

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