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