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.
The temperature is 50 degrees at the start, and the skies are overcast.
9.0 miles 1:40:56 (11:13 avg./mile)
I am definitely taking it easy on the Appalachian Trail. Hopefully, since I am taking it easy I will have plenty of legs left when I get down to the towpath.15.7 miles 1:14:42 (11:09 avg./mile)
This second part of the AT is rougher than the first part, but I get into a good groove navigating through the rocks, and I am able to make decent time. Still, I was hoping to be onto the towpath in 2:48, not 2:55! I had taped my right ankle for the trail portion, so my support crew cuts off the tape at this point. I also change from my trail shoes to my DS Trainer (’96 model).16.7 miles 9:15
Okay, the key on the towpath is to stay consistent and bide my time. My perfect plan would have been to average between 9:30 and 10:00 per mile on the towpath.17.7 miles 9:09
These mile markers were put in place by the park service and are not official by any means. These miles feel like I am doing okay.18.7 miles 9:28
All I have to do is maintain this pace for the next 24 miles, and then I can throw down the hammer for the last eight miles.19.7 miles 8:13
Melissa Belleman surprises me when she comes up behind me. I decide to run a little with her.20.7 miles 9:37
Melissa is running faster than I think is wise for me, so I let her go ahead of me.21.7 miles 8:09
I don’t know if my pace was going this fast or if it is just the inaccuracies of the mile markers. I pass Melissa back.22.7 miles 9:26
Another well paced mile, but I am definitely not in the zone today.23.7 miles 9:00
A little quick, but the faster I run the sooner I finish.24.7 miles 11:02
I think an average between this mile and the last one is appropriate because I haven’t altered my pace this much.25.7 miles 9:43
This is better, and I hope I can hold this until I get off the towpath. I am actually not trying to figure out finishing times at this point.26.7 miles 9:15
My refueling plan is to eat a lot during the run and as much liquid as possible. I have eaten a couple of bagels and several bananas. At each aid station, I have been drinking two cups of Powerade (not what I prefer, but it is what is being offered). I also have my Camelbak on and have been getting a drink of water every 15 minutes. Furthermore, I ate an Access bar before the start, and then one every two hours.27.7 miles 9:43
Nothing special, but still where I want to be as far as pace goes.28.7 miles 9:36
The towpath is flat, except for the fact that we are following the Potomac River, up stream! This fact does not escape me, and I would love some rolling hills about now.29.7 miles 9:47
Except for the mile 24 aberration, I have kept these towpath miles under 10 minutes.30.7 miles 9:12
It is at this point that I spot a familiar figure up ahead; it is LtCol McMannis. I pass him and think that he is having a rough day.31.7 miles 10:00
This is okay, I wanted to make sure I didn’t start going too fast after passing the LtCol.32.7 miles 9:14
Ideas of throwing the hammer down early creep into my head, but I remind myself that I still have over 17 miles to go.33.7 miles 9:25
I cannot wait until mile 42 when I get off this towpath. The gravel on the towpath is starting to make my feet hurt.34.7 miles 10:46
Hopefully, this is just another aberration, but I don’t think so because LtCol. McMannis catches back up to me.35.7 miles 9:47
I try to pull ahead of the LtCol. again, but he stays close.36.7 miles 10:41
It is obvious that LtCol. McMannis and I are at a terminal velocity of 10 minutes and change per mile. We begin a serious, unspoken game of cat and mouse.37.7 miles 11:17
He surges ahead.38.7 miles 10:15
I cover the gap. I haven’t thought about calculating any possible finishing times because I am totally focused on staying with one person.39.7 miles 10:13
We stay close as we are both in the same terminal velocity vicinity.40.7 miles 10:06
Maybe there is something left in these legs of mine. I don’t feel like anything is hurt, but my quads have taken a toll today.41.7 miles 10:26
As we pull into the last aid station on the towpath. Melissa comes up behind us and tells us to hurry up. Both the LtCol. and I beat her out of the aid station and walk up the hill.42.2 miles 9:00 *half mile split
I think this is more than a half mile, but it makes the mileage work out right. Also, this split is all up a steep hill coming off of the towpath. Therefore, I walk up it with LtCol. McMannis.43.2 miles 9:01
When we reach the top of the hill, I start off running very well. I am excited to be on the roads, which is where I do almost all of my training.44.2 miles 9:20
Okay, the calculations are starting to come to my mind. I essentially left Melissa and LtCol. McMannis when we hit the pavement. If I can stay close to nine flat miles, I still might be able to beat 8:30.45.2 miles 10:07
Well that was a quickly fleeting thought. I guess I will stick with this terminal velocity. However, Melissa comes flying by me looking very strong.46.2 miles 10:19
All I have to do is keep Melissa in sight, and hopefully I can out kick her in the last mile. Last year, I ran a 7:22 last mile, so I have a lot of hope.47.2 miles 9:58
I am trying to maintain sight of Melissa, but she must be running at least nine flat miles!48.2 miles 10:41
My wonderful support crew informs me that she is four minutes ahead of me. My kick is good, but it isn’t that good.49.2 miles 10:22
I gather my remaining strength, one last time, for the final mile.50.2 miles 9:06
Not a bad final mile considering what I have been running. I guess I was successful at losing LtCol. McMannis back at mile 42.Official Finishing Time 8:36:19
89th out of 703 finishers
Melissa ended up beating me by six minutes, and I beat LtCol. McMannis by two. Phil Young (another of my team members) crosses the line five minutes after me. This time is a 17 minutes personal best, but I wanted a sub-8:30. The temperature never got above 60 degrees, but the Polarbear prefers at least 10 degrees lower for ideal conditions. I am not sure what my next marathon will be, but Melissa and I are planning on running the Vermont 100 in July 2001. I want to thank my dad for providing my support this year.
Darin
