QualifyGrampyQualify-Part XVI-10/05/2010

Yesterday the starting gun had just sounded we walked about 7 minutes from our start position to the actual starting line and we were off and running.

At this point of a marathon your biggest enemy is adrenaline. You heart is pumping with excitement, you are surrounded by hundreds of runners many of which are running much faster than your goal pace. A runners natural instinct is to not get passed. In these first few miles you can literally set yourself up for failure. Running a marathon is all about energy management. You only have so much to expend and if you blow out those first few miles you'll run out before the end. I drill into my team that we will have a strategy to meet our goal and if we stick to that strategy we will succeed.

I have mentioned that this season my team really stuck to the training program and my three runners Sunday continued to do so and stayed right with the pace that I was setting for them. We stayed within a few seconds of our goal pace of 10 minutes per mile. It was still chilly but the sun was up and when we were not in the shade it basked us with its warmth and energy. My gloves came off about 3 miles into the run.

Water/Sports Drink stops were plentiful and well manned. It only took a slight slowing of the pace to grab a cup, shout a thanks to the wonderful volunteers and move ahead. Drinking a cup of water while running is an interesting exercise. It is really easy to get a nose-full so you pinch the top of the cup closed and drink from the spout that you just created. It's still sloppy and messy, personally I am distracted by sticky fingers and face so I drink the sports drink, some of the water then splash the rest on my hands and wipe my face.

The day could not have been more perfect, it was warming up, we were running well. We would see some old friends, exchange a few words, give a high five and keep the pace. We ran strong, crossing over the river into St Charles. About mile 8 I noticed the port-a-potty station had no line so I sent the team ahead and made a quick port-a-potty stop.

You can lose a lot of time so it is important to watch for an opportunity for a stop. I was in, out and back running in less than 3 minutes. It is also important to be patient, knowing that you can make up for the lost time and catch your team if you just pick up the pace a bit. I caught up in about 2 miles and we were together again. However, I do think that they picked up their pace just a bit while I was behind, I'm sure just to make me work harder :)).

Annie, my first time marathoner had a small shoe problem about mile 11 so we stopped to adjust and re-tie her shoe then once again eased back up with Andrea and Mary. We were all careful to keep our nutrition intake steady timing it before water stops so it didn't sit in a lump in our stomachs.

By mile 1o we were beginning to pass runners, many of which had passed us early in the run. It was continued to be a bit crowded with the half marathoners still on the course. As we came into St Charles itself the crowds grew and the cheering was more frequent. Except for the cheers, "you're almost done" they were a great boost.

The course split at about 12.9 miles and we veered slightly to the right and ran past the finish line, we were half way there! Clock time was about 2:11, exactly half of our goal time. I heard my name, looked up and saw Maggie, my wonderful daughter-in-law and mother to my 2 grandchildren cheering me on. She had just finished the half in a time of 1:55:32. Congratulations Maggie!

Suddenly we went from nearly 8000 runners to under 800! The course was wide open and continued to be flat for the next 3-4 miles. Andrea was starting to feel a bit rough about mile 14 but hung tough. Seeing her husband and kids a few miles later seemed to help, she persevered and stayed right with us even as we entered the hilly part of the run. Again, energy management is key, we maintained a good pace but slowed slightly on the uphills, picked up the pace on the downhills using gravity for a boost.

At about 14 miles Mary, who has never met a stranger, struck up a conversation with a couple running their first marathon. They joined our little band and stayed with us for the remainder of the race. At about mile 19 we "officially" inducted them into the No Passing Zone team.

Mile 17 brought a Paul sighting. Paul one of our team who will run Chicago next week was there helping control traffic and taking some pictures. At mile 18.5 Edee another team member (New York City Marathon) directed us around a corner and helped us with some orange wedges, thanks again Edee that sugar boost really hit the spot!

At about 20.5 Mary needed to make a stop. We were back on the Katy Trail, level running again but somewhat loose traction which makes for some lost energy. The grind has begun!

Barry Magee, Olympic Marathoner, 1960 Bronze said:

"Anyone can run 20 miles. It's the next 6 that count."

While I don't take him literally, I agree that the last 6 make the difference.

Mary tried to catch up, probably a bit to quickly and couldn't quite get back up to us. She had handed off her water bottle to me so I looped back, checked on her and assured that she was alright went back up with rest of the team. I didn't have to loop back very far but catching up at that stage of the race took some much needed energy, I knew I must be careful.

This is the stage of the race that runners often "hit the wall". Glycogen supplies can get depleted, sugar levels can drop, and your legs begin to feel like they're made of lead. At mile 22 we had another aid station, I ate 2 GUs chased with water and added a sports drink for good measure. I was fueled and ready for the 4.2 miles to the finish.

Our time was right on target, if everyone maintained the pace we would come in right at our 4 hour 22 minute goal, if anyone had some "juice" left we could beat our goal time. About mile 24 Annie began to pickup her pace, I stayed with her, Andrea began to lag but assured me she was okay. Our new friends were hanging in there also.

At mile 25 a friend and half marathon coach had come out to help run us in, she was a welcome sight. I asked her to go back and run in with Mary.

Annie continued to run strong, I stayed a step or two behind her letting her set the pace. As we came off the Katy Trail onto the street we could see the finish line in the distance, we were nearing the end!

During our training we occasionally have to run an "out and back". That is you run past the finish area out for a distance, turn and run back to the finish. It is not a popular way to finish a long run. I have always agreed with our head coach and believe that it builds mental strength. I mention this because as we approached what I thought to be nearly the finish the crowds were "blocking" the road. Oh Crap! A left turn into a parking lot, right turn and run some more. Finally the 26 mile marker, only 2/10ths of a mile to go! Two more right turns and we are on the final straight away to the finish line.

As we made that first left, I began to make my move. Annie is a sweet gal, but I wasn't about to let her beat Coach Grampy! The picture was taken right at the 26 mile marker, we were neck and neck, she was smiling. I was, shall we say "focused".

One of my favorite running writers, Lola wrote: "The greatest asset a distance runner can have is a body with nothing left to give and a mind that believes otherwise." When I made the final turn and the finish line came into sight, my mind believed! I ran the final 0.2 at a 5 minute/mile pace. During his high school cross country career my son Mathew became known for "The Peters Finish" for his ability to go hyperspeed at the finish. I have always felt an obligation to live up to his example.

Here are the results for my amazing team (Note: PR = Personal Record)
Eric: 4:20:35 (PR) 6th in Age Group
Annie: 4:20:43 (1st Marathon & PR) 17th in Age Group

Andrea: 4:23:57 (PR) 22nd in Age Group

Mary: 4:24:37 (Tied previous PR) 19th in Age Group

And our honorary members:

Juli: 4:21:50 22nd in Age Group (Female)

Terry: 4:21:50 53rd in Age Group (Male)

I cannot express how proud I am of the No Passing Zone Team. I am certain that next week in Chicago Paul, Jaclyn and Mary will do us proud once again! And again on November 7th, Edee will wrap this season up with yet another PR

While this was "One Final Journey" for Lewis & Clark, it is not the end of my journey. More on that later.

Eric

aka RunGrampyRun