Shamrock Marathon 2002

It has been four months since my last long race at the JFK 50 Miler in November. My training this winter has gone pretty well, and I feel like I am close to 3:10 shape for this marathon. However, Mother Nature is not going to assist me today as the forecasted high temperature is mid to high 70s. The ideal temperature for me running a marathon would be around 45-50. On the other hand, I did run a 3:12 in Pittsburgh when the mercury climbed to 76, but the humidity was really low and the temperature at the start was 52. Then I ran a 3:23 at Pittsburgh the next year when it was 68 and humid at the start, and the temperature hit 90 before the day was done. So, I think I will try and run a conservative race and see if some clouds can move in early and I can stay hydrated.

March 16, 2002

Start    0:01

The number of runners is around 2,000 for this marathon. This is a right size marathon. There aren't too many so that you can't move. Yet, there aren't too few, which leaves you running alone and unable to draft off anyone.

Mile 1    7:21

As I approach the first mile mark, Martha and the kids are along the side of the road cheering me on, and Martha has my sunglasses, which I was hoping to not need. However, there are no clouds in the sky, so I take my Oakleys. This first mile of 7:21 is exactly where I wanted to be, but I am definitely sweating quite a bit.

Mile 2    7:12

In a shorter race, a little bit of sweat is a good thing, but in the marathon and farther, every drop of liquid needs to be replaced or dehydration will catch up later in the race.

Mile 3    7:32

As I am settling into a comfortable pace, my Access bar falls to the ground. I had it pinned to my shorts, and the wrapper was torn through by the safety pin. So, I stop and pick it up and will carry it until mile 14 or so.

Mile 4    7:19

I am running very comfortably, but it is hot! Sweat is dripping in my eyes, and even drinking two cups of water at each aid station is probably not replenishing my lost liquid.

Mile 5    7:28

I turn off of the boardwalk and run past the Cavalier Hotel. The course takes us back this way, so hopefully I will pass the Cavalier again in two hours or less.

Mile 6    7:14

This is marathon number 18 for me, I something just occurred that I have never had happened. My nose just started bleeding as I was running. This is more of a nuisance than anything else, but I don't want to lose any significant amount of blood. I start asking spectators if they have any napkins or tissues, and a lady digs some out of her backpack. Without losing my stride, I quickly plug the nostril, and the problem is solved.

Mile 7    7:31

At this point, I am feeling great, but I also realize that it isn't going to get any cooler. Furthermore, with the breezes and climbing temperature, dehydration will be a serious problem before my day is done. Therefore, I am going to try and run very conservatively. This 7:30 pace is easy, but is it slow enough?

Mile 8    7:26

This mile begins the slightly uphill climb on Shore Drive towards the entrance to Fort Story. I am not close enough to draft well off someone, but I am doing okay.

Mile 9    7:28

Another uphill mile, and everything looks good, although I am working harder to stay up with someone as I try to draft a little with the wind in my face.

Mile 10    7:30

Ten miles is a mark on the marathon when I say that I am now warmed up and well into the race. My legs are feeling very strong, and this could have been a personal record opportunity if the heat wasn't such a factor.

Mile 11    7:48

I turn into Fort Story and am done going uphill for a while. I am beginning to feel the effects of dehydration and heat, but then again it appears that I am not alone.

Mile 12    7:32

This is a good mile, but I am already realizing that I will be slowing down some more as the temperature continues to climb. I would guess at this poin that the temperature is in the mid-70s. For those that don't know, ideal marathon temperature is in the 50s, and I wouldn't complain if it was in the 40s.

Mile 13    7:53

This is getting ugly! The game begins with telling myself just to keep my mile splits under 8.

Mile 14    8:03

Well, so much for that idea. I can probably maintain low 8s until mile 20 then I think I have something to push it home. This of course assumes that the temperature doesn't get too much hotter. My halfway split is 1:38, which is right about what I wanted on a day like this.

Mile 15    8:35

I was eating my Access bar on this mile-trying to anyway. It is difficult to eat something when your mouth is completely dry. Okay, I can use this marathon as a nice training run and keep my splits under 9 minutes per mile.

Mile 16    8:31

This is a good split for my now training run. I can still look good at the finish. After all, only one person wins, but everyone has the chance to look good at the finish line. Although with all of the sweat, there is dried up salt sticking to most of my body. So, I don't know how good I will actually look.

Mile 17    9:16

I guess it is time to revise my threshold of having all of my mile splits under 9 minutes. Now, this is really a training run because my average long run training pace is around 9-10 minutes per mile.

Mile 18    9:18

Yes, I will just coast in and think about the mental aspects of trying to complete my first 100 in June. I hope it isn't this hot in Ohio on June 15.

Mile 19    9:49

I exit from Fort Story (finally), and turn to run back towards the beach. With any motivation for pushing myself hard completely gone, I guess I can't complain about this slower mile.

Mile 20    10:39

As I am plodding along wishing I could stop (I could, but it would take too long to wait for the straggler bus), a guy comes up beside me, and he is running his second marathon. This gives me a little motivation because his first marathon time was a 3:40. I let him know that a 3:40 today would be outstanding and that he could expect to be 15-20 minutes faster on a cooler day.

Mile 21    8:40

With the company and motivation of my newest friend, we click off a quick mile. Now, I think I might be able to get this guy in under 3:40.

Mile 22    9:10

Another mile with this guy, and things are looking okay, but I don't think I will be able to finish under 3:40. Maybe I can just get him to mile 23, and he will be able to push it in from there without me.

Mile 23    10:32

Unfortunately, he doesn't have any greater heat tolerance or any more hydration than I do. We both slow down and repeatedly tell each other not to let the other one hold us back from pushing it to the finish.

Mile 24    12:42

Finally, he pushes ahead of me, and I walk a bit as the legs are cramping from dehydration.

Mile 25    14:08

Ugly doesn't begin to describe this marathon on this hot day. I don't know how I ran a 3:23 in Pittsburgh in 2000 when the mercury hit 90. This has the potential to become my second slowest marathon ever out of 18 finishes.

Mile 26    10:08

Finally, I turn off of the boardwalk again and head towards the finish at the Pavilion. I will always have at least a little kick for the finish, and surprisingly, I catch my new friend as he is really hobbling.

Mile 26.2    2:07

Near mile 26, Martha and the kids are waiting for me, and I perform my patented (check it out) move just before crossing the finish line. I spin and do a 360 for the crowd and act like I could run another marathon.

Final 3:48:52 officially.

I was 162nd of 1213 finishers. I finished 16th of 112, males 30-34.

The only thing good at this point is that this race is over, and I don't think I have done any damage that would keep me from getting back to training right away. I find in the finishing area something that I had only seen at the Honolulu marathon before now. That is Coca-cola. It is the best thing for a stomach low on water and slightly on the queasy side, and a body that just wants to shut down.

The second half of this race was just plain ugly. My time for the second half is 2:10. Now, it is time to get back to Richmond, recover, and go to bed, so that I can set up in the morning for The Life, our church that meets in a middle school. My next race will be the Mohican Trail 100 on 15-16 June in Ohio. Stay in touch, and if you ever are in Richmond, VA, we have a guest room.

Never stop running,
Darin