JFK 50 Miler 1999

On Saturday, 20 November 1999, I competed in the JFK50 mile race near Hagerstown, Maryland. Here are some insights and thoughts about my experience. I hope you enjoy reading them. The course begins with an uphill climb on pavement of about 3 miles. Then for the next 13 miles or so, the course follows the Appalachian Trail, which could not be rougher if someone planted the rocks in the ground.

9.0 miles    1:32:09 (10:14/mile avg.)

I am off to a very good start; the temperature at the start was 51 degrees. A little warm for the Polarbear.

15.7 miles    1:10:10 (10:28/mile avg.)

I make it through the Appalachian Trail, but over the last 3-4 miles, I roll my right ankle 5 times, fall once, and step on a rather pointy rock, which causes a deep bruise on the inside portion of the ball of my left foot.

16.7 miles    8:19

I drop my Camelbak off after the cliffs, and this first mile on the towpath is fast.

17.7 miles    8:07

I am trying to go slow, but there is a tail wind. Who knows, maybe I will run a 7:30.

18.7 miles    9:16

I finally slow down to the pace I should be running for this section of the race. This towpath is already boring.

19.7 miles    8:15

Oh no, I run another fast mile. My left foot feels like I have a massive hot spot/blister where I stepped on that rock.

20.7 miles    9:17

I had wanted to change shoes, but I think I have outrun my support crew.

21.7 miles    8:18

These quick miles keep popping up. My left knee is starting to be felt.

22.7 miles    10:24

I have no idea where this mile came from. I am sensing more incline in the towpath at different points this year than I did last year. Maybe this mile was more uphill.

23.7 miles    8:32

I over compensated for my last mile. I just need to keep them in between 9 and 10 minutes.

24.7 miles    10:19

My support crew is waiting for me at the 24 mile stop, thank goodness. I sit down and change my shoes and socks. I don’t even want to glance at the bottom of my left foot. It will feel better when it quits hurting or goes numb. I take off my T-shirt since it is so warm.

25.7 miles    9:31

Keep it steady.

26.7 miles    8:43

A little fast, but this is all right.

27.7 miles    9:57

I start to walk a minutes each mile, and it doesn’t seem to affect my time too much. I have lost too much water because of the heat (it is now about 65 degrees). Around 27 miles, I passed a Boy Scout troop camping beside the towpath. One of the adult leaders is Basil Moncrief, a guy who works where I do. The motivation of seeing him lasts for about a half mile.

28.7 miles    9:55

My left leg hurts when I start running after walking for a minute, but I can feel my strength returning as I am able to get some fluids into me.

29.7 miles    10:14

Okay. Maybe with the walk breaks I will just have to accept 10 and change until I get off the towpath at mile 42.

30.7 miles    10:17

My left leg isn’t getting any better, and I still am dehydrated.

31.7 miles    10:49

I cannot let these slip below 11 minutes per mile.

32.7 miles    9:55

A little extra effort still works, which is a promising sign.

33.7 miles    11:01

This is not good. The extra effort didn’t continue past the last mile. I begin to run the calculations in my head. Although I am on a sub-8 hour pace, I could still get an 8:30 if I only average 11-minute miles from here.

34.7 miles    13:28

So much for all of my calculations. My whole left leg hurts. The foot is just there, but the pain seems to begin in the knee and radiate up and down the leg. At this pace, I could almost walk, which I begin to do.

35.7 miles    14:35

A full mile of walking, not a bad time.

36.7 miles    15:02

This is depressing, but my latest calculations figure that 15-minute miles will bring me in around 9:30.

37.7 miles    16:23

Walking 15-minute miles takes a determined effort.

38.7 miles    13:04

I try some running, but it isn’t very profitable.

39.7 miles    13:05

This is extremely slow running, but in some ways it hurts less and in some ways more.

40.7 miles    12:22

Here we go. Three of my teammates have now passed me. One was already ahead of me. That makes me our fifth and last scoring member. I have to finish or else one of the slugs will count as our fifth score and they are a couple of hours back.

41.7 miles    17:03

Running is now too painful. It takes me a while before I am back into my 15-minutes per mile walking groove.

42.2 miles    12:56

*half mile split. We get off of the towpath, and now it is just 8 miles on the roads to the finish. Walking will take me two hours, but I will finish.

43.2 miles    15:26

I am really trying to push my walking pace.

44.2 miles    14:49

I put back on a T-shirt and try to run again, but my left leg might as well be cut off.

45.2 miles    15:47

Only 5 miles to go, and people are passing me left and right.

46.2 miles    15:22

Here is the next to the last aid station. I am still trying to walk quickly.

47.2 miles    14:48

Not bad, another mile under 15 minutes. At this rate I will finish around 9:40. I will try running the last mile or so.

48.2 miles    16:53

Some uphill portions.

49.2 miles    12:48

With a mile and a half to go, I decide to give running another try. I start very, very slowly and easily. Only the knee is hurting now, not the whole leg, really.

50.2 miles    7:19

I re-pass a total of 16 runners in the last mile and a half. I am flying. I only wish things had been different. I finish strong, looking good (only one person wins, but everyone can look good at the finish).

Official Finishing Time    9:34:40

269 out of 856 finishers

I realize later that evening that it is my IT band on the outside of my left knee that was causing the pain. I think it was strained by running more on the outside of my foot, which I must have done unconsciously due to the bruise/blister from the Appalachian Trail.

Darin

Hartford Marathon 1999

Four years ago I attempted to run a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon so that I could run in the 100th running of this famous marathon. That attempt failed (my fourth marathon), and since then I have failed to run a qualifying time (3:10) seven more times.

On Saturday, I attempted yet again to run a 3:10 in my 12th marathon. My training has been progressing well since my last marathon, a personal best at Pittsburgh in May (3:13).

Oct 9

Start 0:04
I am surprised how quick everyone moves out, and I cross the start line. It has been raining during the night, but stopped about 15 minutes before the start. It stopped raining about the same time I was finishing my Access Bar.
Mile 1 6:59
A little fast at the start, but the 3:10 pace guy is ahead of me. It is humid and warm enough, so the shirt is thrown away around the 0.5 mile mark.
Mile 2 6:56
Still a little fast; I need to slow down. I am now 30 seconds ahead of my goal pace.
Mile 3 7:17
Good split. All I have to do is hold it right here for the next 20+ miles.
Mile 4 7:23
This is okay since I have seconds to spare, but I need to pick it up slightly. A bank's clock says the temperature is 60, and I am sweating a little bit too much. Fortunately, it is still completely overcast.
Mile 5 7:07
This is becoming a trend. If I push, I run faster than 7:10, and if I hold back, I run slower than 7:20.
Mile 6 7:18
Feeling good. Nothing is giving me trouble. Even my left knee, which has been there for the past year is symptom free.
Mile 7 7:23
I wish I had an automatic cruise control that I could set at exactly 7:15/mile.
Mile 8 7:09
I catch up to the 3:15 pace guy, who obviously went out too fast. He is telling another runner that he has run exactly one 3:15 in his life (3:15 is his personal best). Nothing like little experience, not like experience helped Adam Beam at Chicago in '97.
Mile 9 7:15
Finally, I have found my pace.
Mile 10 7:09
The trees are changing, and we are running up a nice country highway. It is beautiful, but there is not much of a crowd.
Mile 11 7:21
The course turns around and begins to head back toward Hartford. The 5-10 mph breeze is now in my face. It has a nice cooling effect.
Mile 12 7:24
These 7:20s keep popping up on me.
Mile 13 7:14 (half split 1:35:10)
I am exactly on pace, even though I thought I might be a little ahead. I wonder if I can run the second half faster. At Pittsburgh, I ran the second half three minutes faster.
Mile 14 6:59
Having completed halfway, I get a little excited.
Mile 15 7:20
I eat my peanut butter Access bar during this mile.
Mile 16 7:05
Ten miles to go; warm up is over. I am in a pretty good groove, but can I hold it?
Mile 17 6:55
I am pushing, but there is still at least an hour left.
Mile 18 7:07
The bank's clock says it is still 60 degrees. I am feeling good and have taken water every mile.
Mile 19 7:25
Some doubt enters my mind about holding on through the end, but I know all I have to do is keep my miles under 7:30.
Mile 20 7:22
Only six to go, but my legs are getting tired.
Mile 21 7:34
The course has been virtually flat, but now there are a few hills.
Mile 22 7:37
Another hill. What goes up, must come down, but I don't know if I can bring this in.
Mile 23 7:50
These last four miles show a terrible trend. I don't know if I can turn it around. I need to pick it up or else I am going to miss a 3:10 by a minute or two.
Mile 24 7:22
Just past the 23rd mile mark, I come up on the 3:10 pace leader, who is now cramped up and hobbling. I say, 3:10, huh? His response, no, not anymore. Then he adds, you're probably on a 3:13 pace. I think no way, I can get this 3:10 yet!
Mile 25 7:16
I blow through a water stop asking the volunteers to just throw the water on me. I find that there is still some life left in my legs after all.
Mile 26 7:37
I climb the final hill and head towards the finish. This is going to be close.
Mile 26.2 1:14
I finish flying fast. When I see the clock, it is still on 3:10 and change. I have it! I am going to Boston!
Final 3:10:44 officially.

My watch had me at 3:10:43, but I am not going to quibble over this second. Fifteen seconds is a small margin of error, but if the minimum wasn't good enough, it wouldn't be the minimum.

I was the 97th finisher of 1196 finishers. I placed 36th of 311 males, age 30-39.

Final thoughts: My training continues to roll. With the Access bar for energy, Provex for Plantar Fasciitis and allergy symptoms, Glucosamine for the knees, and supplements for overall health, I see no reason why I can't continue to improve. Before I take a trip to Beantown in April, I am running the JFK50 in November.

Never stop running,
Darin

Pittsburgh Marathon 1999

On Sunday, I ran the Pittsburgh Marathon. Here are my split times by mile and my thoughts along the way. My training has gone extremely well even in my current position. However, I am not very optimistic because of the current weather forecast. The low is supposed to be 46, but the high is predicted to be in the mid-70s.

May 2, 1999

Start    0:20

This is the time to cross the start line. The temperature is 51 degrees F.

Mile 1    7:28

I take off my shirt and toss it to my dad right after the start. This is a good start, but I want to make sure I run conservatively because of the coming heat.

Mile 2    7:25

I feel great, except for my left knee, which is a little tender on the front outside below the knee.

Mile 3    7:26

I am coasting through these miles, but in the back of my head I am thinking that maybe I shouldn't be going this fast.

Mile 4    7:34

On the other hand, I should continue this pace while the weather is still cool. I seek out the shade whenever it is possible.

Mile 5    7:24

Up and over the 16th street bridge to the north side of the Alleghany. This first hill doesn't even change my stride.

Mile 6    7:30

So far I haven't seen anyone to pace off of, but a lot of runners keep passing me. I let them go because I am sure we will meet again, later in the day.

Mile 7    7:28

It is simply a gorgeous day, but not for running a really fast time in a marathon. My pace is on cruise control with little effort.

Mile 8    7:26

Up and over the West End Bridge. The hills are coming very easy. My left knee is still there, but it is not causing any trouble.

Mile 9    7:26

It is now time to gather my strength, both mental and physical to mount the climb beginning in the 12th mile.

Mile 10    7:32

Southside is a nice place to run, but there aren't many beer drinkers out at this point in the morning.

Mile 11    7:26

Here we go as we start to cross the Birmingham Bridge, and then up into Oakland.

Mile 12    7:16

I decide to take a page out of Keith Brandtly's race from last year when he left the rabbit and the field by charging up this hill. I knew I was pushing hard, but I was surprised when I saw my watch.

Mile 13    7:37

Finishing off the hill as I pass the Carnegie Museum and the University of Pittsburgh.

Mile 14    7:38

I use this mile to recover from the tough climb of the last two miles. Other runners, who passed me in the early going, are coming back to me.

Mile 15    7:16

While eating my Access Bar, I am actually able to pick up my pace. Walnut Street is packed about 2-3 deep on both sides of the street.

Mile 16    7:27

This mile is mostly uphill, but since I still feel good and not very hot, I decide to throw down the hammer and see if this is going to be my day.

Mile 17    7:12

Okay, my legs are starting to turnover quickly, and the miles are coming up fast.

Mile 18    6:57

I am obviously pushing hard at this point. I guess I will go as hard as I can for as long as I hold out. I have been drinking two cups of water at every stop. My stomach is full of water, but it isn't slowing me down much.

Mile 19    7:07

Wow, these mile markers keep sneaking up on me. This is great!

Mile 20    7:27

My note at this mile from last year says this is definitely uphill. I know it is, but it is not a laborious climb.

Mile 21    7:04

I am still feeling good, my left calf is getting a little tight, but I think I am not in danger of cramping.

Mile 22    7:06

I pass the church I attended during college and head into Bloomfield. The crowds are getting bigger with the beautiful weather. I start to wonder if I might still have a chance at a 3:10 (qualify for Boston).

Mile 23    7:02

The crowd is 3-4 deep in Bloomfield, and I am really pouring it on. I decide to really push hard down the hill for the next mile to see if I have any chance for a 3:10.

Mile 24    6:36

I was hoping to get here by 2:54 or less, but it is already 2:55 and change. Therefore, I won't be able to get a 3:10, but this has still been an awesome run.

Mile 25    7:35

Sometimes downtown can look so close, but yet so far. I am now having to bear down mentally.

Mile 26    7:47

Martha, Nathan, Amy, and my parents are surprised to see me so soon. Nathan is holding his sign he made, "Go Dad."

Mile 26.2    1:34

I pick it up for the final push into Point State Park. I finish in 3:13:07 from the start of the gun. My net time by the chip is 3:12:45. Two minutes shy of a trip to Boston.

Final note: Before the race, I mentioned to my dad that if I ran a 3:30, I would be pleased given the weather. After 10 marathons, everything finally came together on the 11th. My training went well, I didn't get sick, and the weather, while not the best, didn't hold me back too much. My plans now include running the Hartford Marathon in October and then the JFK50 again in November.

Never stop running,