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
