Digg! this story.
I wish I wrote this just after the race because I would have liked to get my initial take on paper. When I finished I felt like I did everthing I could to run successfully. Almost immediately and certainly in the days after, I’ve thought of the mistakes I made and areas in which I could’ve done better. I am not disappointed just following what I consider to be human nature. During the race I tried to savor each mile and focus on what I was feeling along the way.
My goal was to run between 3:30 and 3:35. Training times indicated this was possible. I finished in 3:47:45. My slowest miles were 20 to 21 (heartbreak hill) and the last mile.
It was very crowded at the start and I knew I would be off pace but wanted to stay calm as well as be patient with the pace because I didn’t want to go out too fast. Again, I was trying to stay under 3:35 but in striking distance of 3:30.
After about 10k I was about a minute and a half off goal time and slipping. I reassessed and knowing the course would get harder before it got easier I would be happy with 3:35. At about 20k I was not feeling great and hyperventilated for about 200 meters. I was trying to breathe my way through it and hoped I wouldn’t pass out. Got through that and soldiered on. Around mile 15 took a potty break. Stomach was not happy there was one open so I ducked in. Getting my mind off the physical problems was key to mentally preparing myself for the hills starting at mile 16. Ouch - the Newton hills lived up to their reputation although I’d say Heartbreak hill was the easiest (mentally) of the 4. At this point I was so far off goal, running very slowly and thinking 3:45. Had a gel with caffeine at mile 19 and by mile 20 (heartbreak hill) felt relatively good. Miles 20 to 22 went by rather quickly, I think I even missed mile 21 which was a good sign. At 22 I was feeling bad again. I was pretty much done. By mile 23 I’m thinking “can I run 10 minute miles and still break 3:50?”. That would be my qualifying time and although I had been accepting my goal readjustments I just couldn’t let this one slip away. The last mile was incredibly hard as evidenced by it being my 2nd slowest. Literally stumbled over the line - I remember thinking I wasn’t sure I could make it to the 2nd mat and wondered whether it mattered or if they just do redundant timing. Had another major hyperventilation attack and sat down for a few minutes to get my wits about me. I was really happy to be finished and could only think that I’ve got no business running marathons, and certainly don’t want to do it again!
Although my confidence in my being able to “race” a marathon was shaken and I was way off my goal of 3:35, I am very happy with my experience. I know that I am blessed to have the athletic ability, financial means, familial support, etc. to be able travel to pursue what is basically a selfish goal. One cannot describe how amazing the Boston experience is. I am convinced there is not another road race that can pull off what they do. It was an honor to run on the course, there were many times I thought of all the blood sweat and tears that had been shed on the road over the last 112 years. I got to slap so many hands - many kids out there who reminded me of my girls and really kept me going.
The highlights:
* The extreme level of organization and how thoughtfully everything is planned out. Everything appears to be organized with the athlete’s experience in mind.
* The Wellesley Girls - This was where I had my little breathing attack. Other than that it was so fun to see all the young women out there screaming and smiling and cheering.
* The Newton crowds - They’re so proud of their hills.
* The Boston College crowd - same reason as above. Lots of young people having a blast and spreading cheer.
* At the expo they were giving out wristbands with your pace mapped out. From start to finish I would see these little red bands strewn on the course. I had to smile each time as I thought of yet another runner saying “to hell with it” and tossing the band aside.
* The volunteers at the finish who were so helpful with smiles, blankets, water, etc.
* The chocolate bar in the goody bag at the finish. Odd choice but it was the first thing I ate and I think it saved my life! Plus it reminded me of Harry Potter and how chocolate helps one to recover after an encounter with a dementor.
The Lowlights - a.k.a. my mistakes:
* Only drank water on the course. I didn’t like the Gatorade flavor and made the bad decision of thinking water would be best because it was hot. Only afterward did I realize how dehydrated I was.
* Not eating enough. Ate 3 gels but in retrospect I realize I need to figure out how to get a few more calories in me, especially if I’m not getting calories in the drink.
* The noise. Although it can help to have crowds cheering, I am finding that I am really negatively impacted/annoyed by the noise and stimulation.
* Should’ve put on sunscreen. I didn’t want to mess around with stuff on my skin but it would’ve saved me the pain of sunburn afterward. Damn sun - I’m from Seattle I haven’t seen the sun in 6 months!
* Should’ve trained on more downhills. I was prepared for the ups, but clearly the pounding of the downs first half took their toll. Not sure there’s anything that can be done about this.
The future:
I am nothing if not a glutton for punishment so it’s unlikely I will back out of NY in Nov. I need to get my brain wrapped around going for 26.2 again. I try to remind myself that although I have been an athlete for 20+ years, I am new to running with purpose. I have run 4 marathons and 3 half marathons (one while pregnant so does that even count?) I should be able to improve I just need a little time to chill and regroup.
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 04/21/2008
- Time: 10:30:00
- Total Time: 3:47:45.00
- Distance: 26.2 miles
- Average Pace: 8:41.74/mile
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