Indescribable – A Seriously Long Illustration!
There is just no other way I can tell you how the sensation of the 2011 ING New York City Marathon felt! The build up to the race was a growth experience; one I’ll remember in forthcoming undertakings. After setting personal bests in two distance races within a month, I had reached my limit in the bleak 2011 winter. My right foot was in torturous pain. I finally went and had it checked out.
Footsteps
Nobody can coach desire. Sometimes the spark is gone. Life takes form in unexpected extremes. Plans are made, but never is the outcome planned. Footsteps just happen, and then they are gone, and then the next ones step. Is there always a better foot forward? Sometimes I plan such. Always the outcome takes form, regardless of my intentions. Sometimes the spark is snuffed out unexpectedly.
Surely I thought that taking two full weeks of recovery following the Miami marathon January 30, 2011 was in my best interest. I had just qualified for the 2011 NYC marathon and signed up for the race just days later! Thus coming out of the 2 week layoff I again picked up training. But something wasn’t right. My foot hurt. My footsteps were not right. Pushing through pain I again raced, four weeks exactly after Miami, in the Team Club Challenge 10-mile race in Columbia MD. Setting both personal best at Miami in 2:51:21, and the 10-mile best in 61:02, was just enough to take one footstep right out from under my feet. The combination of 36 race miles at a 6:25/mile pace, along with a full year of some 2,500+ miles, was just enough to break the footstep. Well, a sprain to my foot anyway.
A thin line exists between a runner and the word pain. I jive each other about the hurt of this and that, but sparingly self impose the word injured. Walking down the street with pain in each step for several weeks was enough - I’m going to the doctor.
Thus I went, and X-rays and two orthopedists later concluded a sprained mid-foot, a Lisfranc (Napoleon Army Doctor) sprain. Rushing late to the appointment from work I literally ran there - I left that appointment on March 8, 2011, hobbling away on crutches. The doctor prescribed rest, nothing weight bearing on my right foot, and time. He said, “It’s either do nothing for a length of time, or metal screws – those measures only can heal your foot. And metal screws may mean never running again. Even if you do recover, you may have chronic pain. Take this very serious,” he concluded.
I best used my time, aside from any cardio, to gain strength and perhaps a little mental break. I was lifting several times a week, and the crutches were a serious abs and upper body workout. One month later I went back to the orthopedist and left with a custom carbon fiber orthotic in my right shoe. That was torturous pain for three or four days; that was all of the orthotic I could handle.
Now, in the middle of April, after just about losing my mind from no cardio work for over 6 weeks, I had to run. I ran about 1/3 of a mile. Each day I would run maybe ½ mile, and after a few days I went a mile. After about 10-days I may have gone for 2-miles. The month of April yielded 26 total miles. I cumulated that much alone on January 30th. This is going to be a rough road back.
What is done is done. No words or suffering on my part can change any of my setbacks. I had to pick up the pieces, take an inventory of myself, and re-establish goals. I’m now 31 years young, and although I’ll never see the likes of an 11.31 second 100-meter dash again, I do believe I’ll hit personal bests in every distance event, even mid-distance track events, through my 30’s. I’m supposed to be in my prime; right?
Lacking all cardio I achieved over the previous year I set forth to work on my raw speed again. I have not worked my quick twitch muscles, and at that, the really quick ones, in several years. I got back to the basics. 1, 2, 3, and 400’s – I think my first track workout was literally just turning 4x100 meters. Maybe the second track day I did 1,000 meters of work. These were all quick, all short distance, but trying to get quality.
It took about a month or more until I was comfortable running just 5 miles. And it took about that long until I had over 20-miles in a week. For the longest time, I battled to get up to 30-miles in a week. Steadily, I was improving my fitness, but realizing just how out of shape my cardio systems had gotten. At this point, it’s late spring, and I’m battling through a softball season, to have a little fun, take my mind off of my current inability to race, work quicker twitch muscles, and to keep playing ball as I’ve done for about 23 or 24 years.
By now it’s May and I’ve started to bike to Tuesday night track workouts. I started doing my own workouts, short intervals, repetition work; 4’s, 2’s, sometimes 8’s. It took until June until I could do a semi-full workout.
A Late Spring Classic
I do each and every year, the Irv Zablocky Memorial Run, came at me fast and hard this year. Z’s race, a 3.55 mile race in Muncy, PA, created by Z, is always a test of my fitness entering the summer months. This year I ran about 1min 20-sec slower than last. I captured 4th place in 21:07, a 5:57 pace. That is about as good as I could expect. I didn’t show it outwardly; but I was upset.
From Z’s race (first race since February and the injury) I had to keep working hard. I threw together a track mile at the Baltimore Road Runners Meet of the Miles on July 13. 5:01 was all I could muster, but well enough for an 8-second PR. I went back on July 27th for the BRRC Summer meet 2, and eclipsed the 5-min barrier for the first time ever, running 4:57.24. While I was at it, I raced the 800 meter for a personal best 2:08.57, and also ran the 2-mile at tempo paced (PR at that simply because I’ve never raced the 2-mile) 12:35. (This 12:35 is sort of hilarious because later this summer I was doing 2-mile tempo based repeats under 12-min). As it would be, the meet was a huge motivator!
Skipping out on the Catoctin 50k, as I just was not ready for this on July 30th, I opted to run in Patapsco Park. As you would have it, my right foot, the bad one, rolled hard under my shoes. I finished the run, and of course ran more than I should have that day (about 19), but did it with a black and blue and swollen foot. It is sore, but somehow didn’t sideline me. This was pain. Not the illusive “injury” word.
At this point of the season, I’ve entered August. I’ve been throwing together solid track interval workouts, a few long runs, and just started to add in tempo workouts. I still have foot pain. It’s there every day. It hides itself often, in the form of plantar fasciitis, as well as a bruised bone.
With my eyes set on the NYC marathon on November 6, 2011, I had just 12-weeks left to train, taper, and rock it. I’m now entering into high weekly mileage; something I may or may not have been ready for – but something I had to do in order to find a better foot forward.
Humid Hot Summer
The next journey’s move was the Leesburg 10k. I was hoping for a good showing; at least enough to make Z proud. Fortunately I have not lost my desire: That intensity has grown upon stronger, more painful footsteps. The race, unfortunately, was a complete let down. I had a terrible day. It was hot, muggy, 100% humidity, and I just had no energy. I couldn’t breathe on this Mid-August Sunday morning. The disappointing 41:44 was enough to let me re-assess, get grounded, and remember humility.
I came back and 3 days later ran another BRRC road runners club track meet. Running the 800 meters in an all out effort was painful! Rolling through 200 meters in :28sec, quarter mile in :59sec (:31), 600 meters in 1:32 (:33), set me up for a gigantic piano to jump on my back and finish 2:11.8 (:39, :72). Running :28, :31, :33, and :39 is NOT how you should race. Losing to Remus just sucks. Running later in the race that day with a 56.4 leg 1 of the 4x4 was a fun time against Ed Aramanyo. Ouch.
High Mileage
After summer softball and track racing ended I had entered higher mileage running. I’m now consistently over 50+ each week, and entering into the 60’s range. On September 10th I tested my luck in the Western Maryland Half Marathon, running a 1:23:40 even effort personal best. 6:23/mile felt good – but hurt. The next day I raced at tempo pace with totally trashed legs an 18:26.8 at the RM Classic 5000meter track meet. The week ended at 72 miles and tired legs! But still okay enough to keep my legs turning over. The rest of September was a monster mileage month, running 28 of the 30 days, and cumulating 292 total miles. The camel’s back was breaking.
Or it had broken. And I knew it. I was tired. My legs were shot. I had massed an 85 mile 7-day effort in the lead up to the Baltimore Half marathon – the last true test before NYC. I was shooting for a low 1:20 at Baltimore. What a terrible day. I broke. I ran 1:31:02 – disappointment. Each mile was torture on my legs after the half way point. I had burnt out – too soon. I pushed too hard this season without enough base mileage. I was seriously ready to hang it up.
Good friends and good advice go a long way. Nobody can preach desire, but Brennan and Ryan and Ed and Chrissie and Coach Glenwright and Christa and a little help from God kept my spirit alive. My spark felt gone… Running is a game to maintain positive mental awareness of my body I push. The next 3 weeks were all about recovery, maintenance running and taper as best as possible. With my last 10 kilometer training run before NYC on Friday Nov 4th, in which my quads still had fatigue (oh shit – not good starting a marathon with tired legs) I was taking this sprung right foot of summer into this late season fall marathon. Here we go NYC!
The Trip and Expo
With bags packed and all of my idiosyncrasies queued, Christa and I set out on Amtrak to NYC. Entering New York New York Penn Station I scarfed down 2 slices of Manhattan pizza! Yes! Off to a good start. Checking bags we went to the race expo. Nothing out of the ordinary – except the dude at the line who gave me my number got me motivated. Then we watched a 20-min flick on the race itself, with a course preview. I was getting excited, emotional, and mentally prepared. I am tired, though, and need a nap. We got back to the hotel, found Diane, and checked in! After a quick debacle getting bags from bag check, I was able to crawl in bed for a brief nap – but no real sleep. Ugh.
Fortunately, Christa, Diane, Alex, and I were able to get out for an early dinner. I had a grilled chicken Caesar salad and some Veal Parmesan Pasta – good stuff! Back to the hotel, pack the rest of my gear, and into bed. It was 10pm. With an alarm set at 3:20am, this is not a lot of rest. Thank God we had daylight savings time and we fell back 1 hour.
The Shuffle of Energy to STATEN ISLAND
DST didn’t matter much, though, as I couldn’t sleep. Finally around midnight I think I dozed and had 2 dreams. I dreamt I was running. Ugh. I did my thing in the morning while Diane slept away on the pull out couch, getting her plenty of Z’s before she got her VIP sub-elite treatment lol :) I walked to the Subway, at 4:30am on November 11, 2011, and got on the Red #1 to the Staten Island Ferry. I met the first of tenths of thousands of runners I’d see that day, and 1st of over a million participating in the race, waiting for the subway – at about 4:40am. At the ferry terminal I rendezvoused with Brennan and Trisha Feldhausen. We took the ferry over to Staten Island at 5:30am.
The Ferry ride was interesting – nothing but runners getting to the Verrazano Straight Narrows Bridge, and drunks getting home from a long night in Manhattan. We got off and hung out in the Ferry Terminal to stay warm and relaxed. We saw some random lady dressed up in all 80’s punk rock pink talking about laughing and a circus act or some random weirdness. Haa! Trisha, just what was she talking about???
At any rate, we soon randomly ran into Christa’s friend Rosie from JHU. The four of us hung out, got our bags ready, and finally headed out to the busses. We got in line and boarded buses. This shuttle ride of about 25 min or so got us to within about 1 mile of the starting line. From here it was a hike to get to bag drop, then into our corals. After final gear readiness, a quick Metallica head bang, and getting my nutrition for the race in my pockets and drop bag to the UPS truck, I walked toward my coral.
We had to be in our corals at least 45min before the start. I was in Orange Wave 1 Coral 2. This meant I was in the front of the line – for the exception of the sub-elites of Diane and such - that were escorted to the start. They were given liberties to do striders and jog around. I was able to continue being smashed by the masses and sit on a cardboard box to keep my butt warm. Then there was the ever flowing urine stream that we had to dodge flowing down the bridge. Nasty! The time was approaching, and I tossed my warm up gear, including the never seen again 1994 Hughesville Soccer West Branch Champions Green Jacket - almost a classic! My legs were a bit tired, but overall felt great. Somehow any pain I’ve had all year didn’t bother me. My hamstrings were okay, no plantar fasciitis pain, and my sprained foot didn’t hurt today!!! Amazing!
The Anthem, Song and 26.2 Mile Dance Toward MANHATTAN
The magnitude of this race, the experience of 2011 to get back in shape, the scene of 9/11 we’d be running toward, and the sadness that two of my friends were no longer here because of the events following 9/11 in Iraq and Afghanistan – all brought tears to my eyes during a spectacular National Anthem. In a muffled voice I gave a little extra “Ohhh” during the Oh Say Does That Star Spangled…Banner Yet Wave!!! And the Land of the Freed, and the Home of the Brave! Immediately a loud and dignified military artillery shell shot from cannon signaled the start of the race. We were off. And no sooner did Frank Sinatra’s New York New York become playing loudly and happily! And by the way, WE GOT HIM!!!
What a feeling. In the midst of a nearly perfect sunny, breezy, crisp fall morning, we slumbered off at 9:46am. The first mile was pedestrian – with thousands of people all around, and up the hill of the Verrazano Bridge, I only crossed the first mile in 7:30. About that point I saw Brennan in the Blue wave just on the other side of the concrete barrier; we exchanged good lucks, and kept on our own race strategy. Somewhere on top of the bridge we enter Brooklyn, and kept pushing downhill.
BROOKLYN
Coming off the Verrazano Narrows Bridge with a second mile in 6:26, I felt fine, with the weather perfect and anticipation and excitement growing. The race allowed me to wear good clothing on a sunny 50 degree clear sky day with low humidity! The wind was a little strong and chilly, but overall not a significant factor. I was wearing a pair of throw away gloves and throw away orange and blue Saucony arm warmers, shorts, T-shirt, and a blue bandana headband as my armor leading me into Brooklyn.
And what a welcome! Even some kind older New York man came out to greet me (and others) at the turn onto 4th street. “Welcome ta Brooklyn, now git the Fuck Out”, he said in his WOP voice with Guido smile! Haa!
4th Avenue was awesome, and at about the 4th mile I took my first energy – a power gel Tangerine 2x caffeine. Bam! I was moving slowly at this point. I had come through mile 3 in 6:57, 5k in 21:36, and 4th mile in 6:47. My 4-mile time was 27:42, and this was already about a minute off of my Miami time from January. But this was clearly not Miami – this is NEW YORK BABY!!! Something was awesome about this race. The fans and crowd support was everywhere! I mean everywhere!!! Bands, cheers, music noises, noise makers, stereos – COWBELL!!! I had a unique feeling at about the 4th mile – I knew today was going to be fun. The diversity of the city, the race and the people running the race – it was magical. Something I’ve not expected I’d see or feel. It was awesome! I was enjoying the moment.
At this point, outside of listening to the “physical” body I was carrying, I didn’t have to think. I had to stay in tune with my pace, but really only by feel. The race kept my mind off of myself – the atmosphere kept me out of my head. It was awesome! I began racing at mile 4, and did nothing but catch people now. I was sick of running next to slow people. Time to move – and I did. 4th Avenue took me from mile 4 to Mile 8, and my pace was dropping into the low 6’s by the time I hit my first true test, Lafayette Street. I used an arrow on the hill from my quiver (Thanks Ryan), and pushed through my first milestone challenge. This mile came off slower than I thought it would, but I was still running strong. All three color starts were now running as one unified race. The race has taken full form and is underway!
In Brooklyn I would soon see Andy and Jen Koshi - and not long after Cheese! WE GOT HIM!!! Cheese, WE GOT HIM!!! We exchanged energy chants, and I kept moving.
We sure did get him, just like I got on it at mile 10 on Bedford. This was my 2nd arrow – and I had to be smart. I felt great at this point, and the throw away gloves were long gone, and the arm warmers were soon to go.
QUEENS, I think!!
Now, out of nowhere, Arjun and Melissa Mujumdar were changing Barf!!! WE GOT HIM, I would yell back!!!! I don’t remember what mile this was, and frankly, it didn’t matter. My body felt good, I was eating energy along the race with Power Gel Energy Blasts and other water and Gatorade and sport beans. I was enjoying the day – and now I’m racing well. I came through mile 10 in 1hr 6min flat – and feel good. I don’t remember if this was before or after I saw Melissa and Arjun – it didn’t matter. Now, as I approach the half marathon mark, I saw Spence Green! Spence was hurting, and I gave him encouragement, but I kept pushing onward. Approaching the half way point I had my 3rd arrow notched, went up the Pulaski Bridge, and pushed through the half way point in 1:26:22, only 17 seconds slower than my Miami marathon half way point. I felt great. I was confident. It was having fun. I’m glad half full half empty and all pumped. I had to stay smart, and through here I did just that. I tossed the arm warmers after some random dude came up to me and said only 1 in 10 people negative split the race. I was soon going to find out if I was capable of that feat.
Queensboro Bridge into MANHATTAN
At mile 15 the last arrow I had in my quiver was notched, and ready to hold steady. I perhaps could have had 1 more left for mile 24 climbing into Central Park – but previous marathon experience told me it didn’t matter that deep in a race – that’s where I’ve got left what I’ve got left. So I pulled the last arrow out, and unfortunately had a misfire. My left calf started to cramp up. And now my quads had to work harder and stronger. The bridge was difficult - HARD. Very steep, windy, isolated, and long. The bottom roadway of the double deck bridge was deceiving and difficult, and I couldn’t see the top. I slowed my pace and ran a pedestrian 3:56 from 15 to 25K (7:52 pace), but crested, and pushed down in 3:00 (6:00pace). My left calf was hurt – cramped, and tight. My quads were burning a bit, but not fatigued. This was a mental setback, but I kept pushing.
1st Avenue
A little after mile 16 I hit 1st Ave. The excitement of Manhattan is raining down! Let it rain more. I was nervous about this part. The loud crowd and anticipation of this speed stretch kept me on guard – even keel. It reminded me of the last ½ mile at Boston before the finish! But my left calf didn’t allow me to pick it up. So I kept pushing. Races of late have given me difficulty breathing when I get emotional. It happened at Baltimore. It happens at Z’s race. It happens when I don’t want it to. I kept that in check, and didn’t have any problems. I was excited, and was pushing onward. I was eating gels, and energy, and staying hydrated. I was drafting off runners, as I had all race long. Slingshot maneuvers. 70th street. BARRFFFF!!!!! WE GOT HIM!!!!!!!!! Ryan, Alyssa, and Meg McNew were there going ape shit!!! WE GOT HIM, as I made sure they heard the news!!!
80th street. 90th street, 100th street. I was sooo excited to get close to the White Castle. I was excited to see Christa. I was looking forward to this for a long while. I am getting emotional now just typing this I saw her at 103rd Street on the left side, but oddly never saw a White Castle? Strange! Oh well, we exchanged a smile and glance, I was running strong, and she gave me a pack of Power Gel Cola Blasts. It was awesome! She said Good Work and Keep Going! I was happy. Very shortly after I passed the 30k mark, and hit my split. I was running at about 2:03:35, which was about a 2:53 marathon pace. My legs were in-tact, yet fatigue is setting in. My quads were starting to feel the race, and my left calf is in pain. Somehow in the last 6 miles my paced dropped off PR pace – this is when I realized I either had to accelerate to PR or maintain and hold a solid pace – but just not break! There is still 7.6 miles to go. YES!!! Only 7.6 miles to go! I love the 30k mark. The marathon race has now begun, and my legs are feeling just that! Focus, don’t break, DBAP - make Z proud.
BRONX Bombers
Crossing mile 20 in 2:12:45 I realized I was still in the game. I was tired, and my legs were hurting. 1st Avenue took it out of my quads. But, I was used to the pain. My quads grew strong during training this season. I didn’t have the hill training I had hoped to get, but I was still passing people everywhere. There was a guy that pushed past me at the bridge heading into the Bronx. The 20-mile bridge was tough. I was starting to feel it. But I was having fun, and still reveling in the moment. What a feeling. More than a feeling! Now I’m in a strangely familiar neighborhood; but I’ve never been here? The Bronx reminded me of Baltimore. Industrial, terrible looking, dingy… The crowd had dissipated, and the race was thinning out. At this point I’m running single file, with a now and again passing of 2 or 3 people at once – but mostly just whizzing past those who are hitting the wall. I’m approaching mile 22 at this point, and crossed the last bridge, and heading toward 5th avenue. If I had an arrow left, I’d use it… But, oh well, I can still throw my bow. I was giving all I had. I ran mile 19, 20, and 21 in 6:38, 6:48, and 6:39, respectively. But mile 22 was tough in 6:55. The bridges were hard, but now they are over. I worked on Mile 23, and right at the end of it I split 6:44.
Central Park
And then something awesome and emotional took me by surprise. Right at the beginning of the 24th mile, the mile I think was the hardest of the race (debatable with mile 16 on Queensboro Bridge), Christa was right there cheering me on. She jumped in and ran with me for a while and a few or several strides. I was hurting. I couldn’t talk, and I got emotional. The first real emotion of my race crept out. It hurt to say anything, and after she encouraged me for several awesome moments, I put my finger over my mouth for her to be quiet, gave her a glance and stare, and kept moving forward. She gave me encouragement. Her steps were awesome. I pushed my head down toward the ground, lumbered up the hill heading into Central Park, and kept my eyes on my Z’d up knee caps. This mile was hard. Again, I’m emotional just writing this. What an awesome feeling. This is why I train and push hard, for this exact feeling, to be part of this race – breathtaking!
Then I hear BAAAARF!!!! Ed was there out of nowhere screaming!!! WE GOT HIM – just to remind him!!! Ed would respond YOU GOT THIS!! Go Joel!!! My friends out of the course that day were awesome, and in just the right spots!! Nearing the top of the hill, mile 24 illuminated itself. Somewhere around here I saw Ryan, Alyssa, and Meg McNew again. WE GOT HIM!!!! We got him Joel, we got him, Ryan announced rather loudly back!!! I kept pushing into Central park, and had an awesome feeling. Except that mile 24 hurt badly and it was my second slowest mile on the course in 7:20, I was in a good place this deep in the marathon. I was still able to race, and that’s off the wall as I’m entering mile 25.
Superman. Superman. I kept hearing Superman?!! This dude in front of me, running fairly well, drenched in a superman cape and outfit, was stealing all of the thunder and crowd. That dude just frustrated me. I picked it up – ego took over, because WE GOT HIM needed to be heard. Flying past superman I pushed mile 25 in 6:45. Video evidence at 40 kilometers showed me 15 or so seconds ahead of Superman. Christa, No, I did not get beat by a superhero
WE GOT HIM, WE GOT BIN-LADEN
I crossed mile 25 and I had a feeling I’ve never had in a marathon. I didn’t want the race to be over. Physically, my body was tired. My quads hurt on every step, and calf that cramped up at mile 15 was still in pain (but subdued), and my hamstrings that had been sore since 30k were really pulling. My stomach was queasy, and I was tired and hungry. The abysmal feeling was peculiar because I wanted to keep running. I was full of pain, but the experience of the New York City Marathon was dazzling. I was yelling WE GOT HIM, WE GOT BIN-LADEN. People would look at me, not knowing what the hell I was talking about, and then I’d be almost by and I’d hear laughs and claps and cheers. WE GOT HIM, we sure did! Laughs cheers claps… again and again… Mile 26 was freaking awesome. High fives along endless spectators was, simply, great!!
I had realized when I came through mile 22 in 2:33:03 (Miami I was 2:30:xx), that I would not PR today. So at this point I just didn’t want to have a complete breakdown and still push a good solid time. In the last mile I thought I may be able to get under 2:55, but short of a sprint, it wasn’t going to happen. Soon enough I see the “half mile to go” sign, then “800 meters to go”, “400 meters to go”, “300 meters to go”, “26-mile”, “A set of tits…” Eerrcchhh, record scratch, a set of boobs???!! Yep – right there, some chick, standing on the fence, topless, just hanging out… WTF? Hahah!!! Okay, keep moving, “200-meters to go”, round a corner at “100 meters to go” and then the finish line unveils itself – what an exceptional emotion. In anti-climatic format I crossed the line, slowed to a halt, and about keeled over. I finished in 2:55:32, good enough for 722nd / 47,107 Starters and 146th age group. I was the 685th Male to cross the line. Now I’m breathing heavy and light-headed…
The Med Tent
I couldn’t breathe, and I was wheezing. A race volunteer helped me out, and ultimately got me to a medic. They took me to the med tent. I somehow was able to get onto the cot, and they slapped the stethoscope all over my chest and back. Nothing in my lungs was affected, but I was wheezing heavily. Ultimately it was concluded it was all in my throat, esophagus, and some sort of exercise educed (psychological and situational) asthma. They gave me oxygen, and after about 3-minutes of O2 I was up and able.
The Prize and Take Home Reward
Getting out of the long parade line until bag drop, I was ready to get changed and find Christa. To my delight, she was at my bag drop, and met me right at the gate. She met me with a kiss, and got to see Brennan, Carly, Diane, Alex, Ryan, Alyssa, Arjun, Melissa, Jen, Andy, Cheese, and Ben Ingram. The support crew, the magnitude of the race, and the experience were tremendous and humbling!!!
I had 5 goals before the race: 1) Time goal sub 2:50 – I was 2:55:32 on a significantly more difficult course than Miami. 2) Top 500 – I was 722. 3) Arrive at the starting line with energy – I was not fully energized at the start. 4) Finish Strong – I definitely did that! 5) Don’t get hurt – All signs show success after 4 weeks rest!!! All in all, I think I achieved a 2.5/5.0 from the goals. Add in a bonus point for all the fun, and also that I ran a very even and smart race – I was totally happy with a 3.5/5.0 rating. The question now becomes Boston 2012 and can I go sub 2:50??
Extraordinarily pleased with the race day experience and my second fastest marathon I can say this was (almost) INDESCRIBABLE!!! Now I’ve got 19 weeks to train for Boston 2012.
Splits
Mile Time Mile Split
1 7:30 7:30
2 13:56 6:26
3 20:53 6:57
4 27:40 6:47
5 34:08 6:28
6 40:26 6:18
7 46:49 6:20
8 53:16 6:26
9 59:49 6:35
10 1:06:02 6:13
11 1:12:39 6:37
12 1:19:02 6:23
13 1:25:35 6:32
13.1 1:25:21 :46
14 1:32:11 6:36
15 1:39:01 6:50
16 1:45:56 6:55
17 1:52:41 6:45
18 1:59:19 6:38
19 2:05:57 6:38
20 2:12:45 6:48
21 2:19:24 6:39
22 2:26:19 6:55
23 2:23:03 6:44
24 2:40:23 7:20
25 2:47:08 6:45
26 2:54:03 6:55
26.2 2:55:32 1:29
Pace 6:42/mile
Kilomoter 5k split total time 5k pace total pace
5k 21:36 21:36 6:58 6:57
10k 20:18 41:54 6:33 6:45
15k 19:56 1:01:50 6:26 6:38
20k 19:48 1:21:48 6:23 6:35
25k 21:07 1:42:55 6:49 6:38
30k 20:40 2:03:35 6:40 6:38
35k 21:05 2:24:40 6:48 6:40
40k 21:27 2:46:07 6:55 6:42
42.195k 9:25 2:55:32 6:55 6:42
Placed 685th Male
Placed 722th overall of 47,107 Starters
Placed 146th Age Group
7:30 for 1st Mile
64:28 for miles 5-14 (10 miles) - 6:24 Pace - 2:48:33 Pace
71:15 for miles 4-14 (11 miles) - 6:28 Pace - 2:49:26 Pace
1:51:58 for miles 2-19 (18 miles) - 6:35 Pace - 2:52:29 Pace
49:35 for miles 20-26.2 (7.2 Miles) - 6:53 Pace - 3:00:26 Pace
Slowest Miles - 1 (7:30), 24 (7:20), 3 (6:57), 16 (6:55) 22 (6:55) 26 (6:55)
Fastest Miles - 10 (6:13), 6 (6:18), 7 (6:20), 12 (6:23), 8 (6:26)
* Miles 5-13 only 1-mile over 9 miles (mile 11 - 6:37) slower than any single mile from 14-26
* Fastest single mile back half (14-26 = 6:36)
* Avg Mile 6:42 - Front half 10-miles faster, 3 slower
- Back half 3 miles faster, 10 miles slower
There is just no other way I can tell you how the sensation of the 2011 ING New York City Marathon felt! The build up to the race was a growth experience; one I’ll remember in forthcoming undertakings. After setting personal bests in two distance races within a month, I had reached my limit in the bleak 2011 winter. My right foot was in torturous pain. I finally went and had it checked out.
Footsteps
Nobody can coach desire. Sometimes the spark is gone. Life takes form in unexpected extremes. Plans are made, but never is the outcome planned. Footsteps just happen, and then they are gone, and then the next ones step. Is there always a better foot forward? Sometimes I plan such. Always the outcome takes form, regardless of my intentions. Sometimes the spark is snuffed out unexpectedly.
Surely I thought that taking two full weeks of recovery following the Miami marathon January 30, 2011 was in my best interest. I had just qualified for the 2011 NYC marathon and signed up for the race just days later! Thus coming out of the 2 week layoff I again picked up training. But something wasn’t right. My foot hurt. My footsteps were not right. Pushing through pain I again raced, four weeks exactly after Miami, in the Team Club Challenge 10-mile race in Columbia MD. Setting both personal best at Miami in 2:51:21, and the 10-mile best in 61:02, was just enough to take one footstep right out from under my feet. The combination of 36 race miles at a 6:25/mile pace, along with a full year of some 2,500+ miles, was just enough to break the footstep. Well, a sprain to my foot anyway.
A thin line exists between a runner and the word pain. I jive each other about the hurt of this and that, but sparingly self impose the word injured. Walking down the street with pain in each step for several weeks was enough - I’m going to the doctor.
Thus I went, and X-rays and two orthopedists later concluded a sprained mid-foot, a Lisfranc (Napoleon Army Doctor) sprain. Rushing late to the appointment from work I literally ran there - I left that appointment on March 8, 2011, hobbling away on crutches. The doctor prescribed rest, nothing weight bearing on my right foot, and time. He said, “It’s either do nothing for a length of time, or metal screws – those measures only can heal your foot. And metal screws may mean never running again. Even if you do recover, you may have chronic pain. Take this very serious,” he concluded.
I best used my time, aside from any cardio, to gain strength and perhaps a little mental break. I was lifting several times a week, and the crutches were a serious abs and upper body workout. One month later I went back to the orthopedist and left with a custom carbon fiber orthotic in my right shoe. That was torturous pain for three or four days; that was all of the orthotic I could handle.
Now, in the middle of April, after just about losing my mind from no cardio work for over 6 weeks, I had to run. I ran about 1/3 of a mile. Each day I would run maybe ½ mile, and after a few days I went a mile. After about 10-days I may have gone for 2-miles. The month of April yielded 26 total miles. I cumulated that much alone on January 30th. This is going to be a rough road back.
What is done is done. No words or suffering on my part can change any of my setbacks. I had to pick up the pieces, take an inventory of myself, and re-establish goals. I’m now 31 years young, and although I’ll never see the likes of an 11.31 second 100-meter dash again, I do believe I’ll hit personal bests in every distance event, even mid-distance track events, through my 30’s. I’m supposed to be in my prime; right?
Lacking all cardio I achieved over the previous year I set forth to work on my raw speed again. I have not worked my quick twitch muscles, and at that, the really quick ones, in several years. I got back to the basics. 1, 2, 3, and 400’s – I think my first track workout was literally just turning 4x100 meters. Maybe the second track day I did 1,000 meters of work. These were all quick, all short distance, but trying to get quality.
It took about a month or more until I was comfortable running just 5 miles. And it took about that long until I had over 20-miles in a week. For the longest time, I battled to get up to 30-miles in a week. Steadily, I was improving my fitness, but realizing just how out of shape my cardio systems had gotten. At this point, it’s late spring, and I’m battling through a softball season, to have a little fun, take my mind off of my current inability to race, work quicker twitch muscles, and to keep playing ball as I’ve done for about 23 or 24 years.
By now it’s May and I’ve started to bike to Tuesday night track workouts. I started doing my own workouts, short intervals, repetition work; 4’s, 2’s, sometimes 8’s. It took until June until I could do a semi-full workout.
A Late Spring Classic
I do each and every year, the Irv Zablocky Memorial Run, came at me fast and hard this year. Z’s race, a 3.55 mile race in Muncy, PA, created by Z, is always a test of my fitness entering the summer months. This year I ran about 1min 20-sec slower than last. I captured 4th place in 21:07, a 5:57 pace. That is about as good as I could expect. I didn’t show it outwardly; but I was upset.
From Z’s race (first race since February and the injury) I had to keep working hard. I threw together a track mile at the Baltimore Road Runners Meet of the Miles on July 13. 5:01 was all I could muster, but well enough for an 8-second PR. I went back on July 27th for the BRRC Summer meet 2, and eclipsed the 5-min barrier for the first time ever, running 4:57.24. While I was at it, I raced the 800 meter for a personal best 2:08.57, and also ran the 2-mile at tempo paced (PR at that simply because I’ve never raced the 2-mile) 12:35. (This 12:35 is sort of hilarious because later this summer I was doing 2-mile tempo based repeats under 12-min). As it would be, the meet was a huge motivator!
Skipping out on the Catoctin 50k, as I just was not ready for this on July 30th, I opted to run in Patapsco Park. As you would have it, my right foot, the bad one, rolled hard under my shoes. I finished the run, and of course ran more than I should have that day (about 19), but did it with a black and blue and swollen foot. It is sore, but somehow didn’t sideline me. This was pain. Not the illusive “injury” word.
At this point of the season, I’ve entered August. I’ve been throwing together solid track interval workouts, a few long runs, and just started to add in tempo workouts. I still have foot pain. It’s there every day. It hides itself often, in the form of plantar fasciitis, as well as a bruised bone.
With my eyes set on the NYC marathon on November 6, 2011, I had just 12-weeks left to train, taper, and rock it. I’m now entering into high weekly mileage; something I may or may not have been ready for – but something I had to do in order to find a better foot forward.
Humid Hot Summer
The next journey’s move was the Leesburg 10k. I was hoping for a good showing; at least enough to make Z proud. Fortunately I have not lost my desire: That intensity has grown upon stronger, more painful footsteps. The race, unfortunately, was a complete let down. I had a terrible day. It was hot, muggy, 100% humidity, and I just had no energy. I couldn’t breathe on this Mid-August Sunday morning. The disappointing 41:44 was enough to let me re-assess, get grounded, and remember humility.
I came back and 3 days later ran another BRRC road runners club track meet. Running the 800 meters in an all out effort was painful! Rolling through 200 meters in :28sec, quarter mile in :59sec (:31), 600 meters in 1:32 (:33), set me up for a gigantic piano to jump on my back and finish 2:11.8 (:39, :72). Running :28, :31, :33, and :39 is NOT how you should race. Losing to Remus just sucks. Running later in the race that day with a 56.4 leg 1 of the 4x4 was a fun time against Ed Aramanyo. Ouch.
High Mileage
After summer softball and track racing ended I had entered higher mileage running. I’m now consistently over 50+ each week, and entering into the 60’s range. On September 10th I tested my luck in the Western Maryland Half Marathon, running a 1:23:40 even effort personal best. 6:23/mile felt good – but hurt. The next day I raced at tempo pace with totally trashed legs an 18:26.8 at the RM Classic 5000meter track meet. The week ended at 72 miles and tired legs! But still okay enough to keep my legs turning over. The rest of September was a monster mileage month, running 28 of the 30 days, and cumulating 292 total miles. The camel’s back was breaking.
Or it had broken. And I knew it. I was tired. My legs were shot. I had massed an 85 mile 7-day effort in the lead up to the Baltimore Half marathon – the last true test before NYC. I was shooting for a low 1:20 at Baltimore. What a terrible day. I broke. I ran 1:31:02 – disappointment. Each mile was torture on my legs after the half way point. I had burnt out – too soon. I pushed too hard this season without enough base mileage. I was seriously ready to hang it up.
Good friends and good advice go a long way. Nobody can preach desire, but Brennan and Ryan and Ed and Chrissie and Coach Glenwright and Christa and a little help from God kept my spirit alive. My spark felt gone… Running is a game to maintain positive mental awareness of my body I push. The next 3 weeks were all about recovery, maintenance running and taper as best as possible. With my last 10 kilometer training run before NYC on Friday Nov 4th, in which my quads still had fatigue (oh shit – not good starting a marathon with tired legs) I was taking this sprung right foot of summer into this late season fall marathon. Here we go NYC!
The Trip and Expo
With bags packed and all of my idiosyncrasies queued, Christa and I set out on Amtrak to NYC. Entering New York New York Penn Station I scarfed down 2 slices of Manhattan pizza! Yes! Off to a good start. Checking bags we went to the race expo. Nothing out of the ordinary – except the dude at the line who gave me my number got me motivated. Then we watched a 20-min flick on the race itself, with a course preview. I was getting excited, emotional, and mentally prepared. I am tired, though, and need a nap. We got back to the hotel, found Diane, and checked in! After a quick debacle getting bags from bag check, I was able to crawl in bed for a brief nap – but no real sleep. Ugh.
Fortunately, Christa, Diane, Alex, and I were able to get out for an early dinner. I had a grilled chicken Caesar salad and some Veal Parmesan Pasta – good stuff! Back to the hotel, pack the rest of my gear, and into bed. It was 10pm. With an alarm set at 3:20am, this is not a lot of rest. Thank God we had daylight savings time and we fell back 1 hour.
The Shuffle of Energy to STATEN ISLAND
DST didn’t matter much, though, as I couldn’t sleep. Finally around midnight I think I dozed and had 2 dreams. I dreamt I was running. Ugh. I did my thing in the morning while Diane slept away on the pull out couch, getting her plenty of Z’s before she got her VIP sub-elite treatment lol :) I walked to the Subway, at 4:30am on November 11, 2011, and got on the Red #1 to the Staten Island Ferry. I met the first of tenths of thousands of runners I’d see that day, and 1st of over a million participating in the race, waiting for the subway – at about 4:40am. At the ferry terminal I rendezvoused with Brennan and Trisha Feldhausen. We took the ferry over to Staten Island at 5:30am.
The Ferry ride was interesting – nothing but runners getting to the Verrazano Straight Narrows Bridge, and drunks getting home from a long night in Manhattan. We got off and hung out in the Ferry Terminal to stay warm and relaxed. We saw some random lady dressed up in all 80’s punk rock pink talking about laughing and a circus act or some random weirdness. Haa! Trisha, just what was she talking about???
At any rate, we soon randomly ran into Christa’s friend Rosie from JHU. The four of us hung out, got our bags ready, and finally headed out to the busses. We got in line and boarded buses. This shuttle ride of about 25 min or so got us to within about 1 mile of the starting line. From here it was a hike to get to bag drop, then into our corals. After final gear readiness, a quick Metallica head bang, and getting my nutrition for the race in my pockets and drop bag to the UPS truck, I walked toward my coral.
We had to be in our corals at least 45min before the start. I was in Orange Wave 1 Coral 2. This meant I was in the front of the line – for the exception of the sub-elites of Diane and such - that were escorted to the start. They were given liberties to do striders and jog around. I was able to continue being smashed by the masses and sit on a cardboard box to keep my butt warm. Then there was the ever flowing urine stream that we had to dodge flowing down the bridge. Nasty! The time was approaching, and I tossed my warm up gear, including the never seen again 1994 Hughesville Soccer West Branch Champions Green Jacket - almost a classic! My legs were a bit tired, but overall felt great. Somehow any pain I’ve had all year didn’t bother me. My hamstrings were okay, no plantar fasciitis pain, and my sprained foot didn’t hurt today!!! Amazing!
The Anthem, Song and 26.2 Mile Dance Toward MANHATTAN
The magnitude of this race, the experience of 2011 to get back in shape, the scene of 9/11 we’d be running toward, and the sadness that two of my friends were no longer here because of the events following 9/11 in Iraq and Afghanistan – all brought tears to my eyes during a spectacular National Anthem. In a muffled voice I gave a little extra “Ohhh” during the Oh Say Does That Star Spangled…Banner Yet Wave!!! And the Land of the Freed, and the Home of the Brave! Immediately a loud and dignified military artillery shell shot from cannon signaled the start of the race. We were off. And no sooner did Frank Sinatra’s New York New York become playing loudly and happily! And by the way, WE GOT HIM!!!
What a feeling. In the midst of a nearly perfect sunny, breezy, crisp fall morning, we slumbered off at 9:46am. The first mile was pedestrian – with thousands of people all around, and up the hill of the Verrazano Bridge, I only crossed the first mile in 7:30. About that point I saw Brennan in the Blue wave just on the other side of the concrete barrier; we exchanged good lucks, and kept on our own race strategy. Somewhere on top of the bridge we enter Brooklyn, and kept pushing downhill.
BROOKLYN
Coming off the Verrazano Narrows Bridge with a second mile in 6:26, I felt fine, with the weather perfect and anticipation and excitement growing. The race allowed me to wear good clothing on a sunny 50 degree clear sky day with low humidity! The wind was a little strong and chilly, but overall not a significant factor. I was wearing a pair of throw away gloves and throw away orange and blue Saucony arm warmers, shorts, T-shirt, and a blue bandana headband as my armor leading me into Brooklyn.
And what a welcome! Even some kind older New York man came out to greet me (and others) at the turn onto 4th street. “Welcome ta Brooklyn, now git the Fuck Out”, he said in his WOP voice with Guido smile! Haa!
4th Avenue was awesome, and at about the 4th mile I took my first energy – a power gel Tangerine 2x caffeine. Bam! I was moving slowly at this point. I had come through mile 3 in 6:57, 5k in 21:36, and 4th mile in 6:47. My 4-mile time was 27:42, and this was already about a minute off of my Miami time from January. But this was clearly not Miami – this is NEW YORK BABY!!! Something was awesome about this race. The fans and crowd support was everywhere! I mean everywhere!!! Bands, cheers, music noises, noise makers, stereos – COWBELL!!! I had a unique feeling at about the 4th mile – I knew today was going to be fun. The diversity of the city, the race and the people running the race – it was magical. Something I’ve not expected I’d see or feel. It was awesome! I was enjoying the moment.
At this point, outside of listening to the “physical” body I was carrying, I didn’t have to think. I had to stay in tune with my pace, but really only by feel. The race kept my mind off of myself – the atmosphere kept me out of my head. It was awesome! I began racing at mile 4, and did nothing but catch people now. I was sick of running next to slow people. Time to move – and I did. 4th Avenue took me from mile 4 to Mile 8, and my pace was dropping into the low 6’s by the time I hit my first true test, Lafayette Street. I used an arrow on the hill from my quiver (Thanks Ryan), and pushed through my first milestone challenge. This mile came off slower than I thought it would, but I was still running strong. All three color starts were now running as one unified race. The race has taken full form and is underway!
In Brooklyn I would soon see Andy and Jen Koshi - and not long after Cheese! WE GOT HIM!!! Cheese, WE GOT HIM!!! We exchanged energy chants, and I kept moving.
We sure did get him, just like I got on it at mile 10 on Bedford. This was my 2nd arrow – and I had to be smart. I felt great at this point, and the throw away gloves were long gone, and the arm warmers were soon to go.
QUEENS, I think!!
Now, out of nowhere, Arjun and Melissa Mujumdar were changing Barf!!! WE GOT HIM, I would yell back!!!! I don’t remember what mile this was, and frankly, it didn’t matter. My body felt good, I was eating energy along the race with Power Gel Energy Blasts and other water and Gatorade and sport beans. I was enjoying the day – and now I’m racing well. I came through mile 10 in 1hr 6min flat – and feel good. I don’t remember if this was before or after I saw Melissa and Arjun – it didn’t matter. Now, as I approach the half marathon mark, I saw Spence Green! Spence was hurting, and I gave him encouragement, but I kept pushing onward. Approaching the half way point I had my 3rd arrow notched, went up the Pulaski Bridge, and pushed through the half way point in 1:26:22, only 17 seconds slower than my Miami marathon half way point. I felt great. I was confident. It was having fun. I’m glad half full half empty and all pumped. I had to stay smart, and through here I did just that. I tossed the arm warmers after some random dude came up to me and said only 1 in 10 people negative split the race. I was soon going to find out if I was capable of that feat.
Queensboro Bridge into MANHATTAN
At mile 15 the last arrow I had in my quiver was notched, and ready to hold steady. I perhaps could have had 1 more left for mile 24 climbing into Central Park – but previous marathon experience told me it didn’t matter that deep in a race – that’s where I’ve got left what I’ve got left. So I pulled the last arrow out, and unfortunately had a misfire. My left calf started to cramp up. And now my quads had to work harder and stronger. The bridge was difficult - HARD. Very steep, windy, isolated, and long. The bottom roadway of the double deck bridge was deceiving and difficult, and I couldn’t see the top. I slowed my pace and ran a pedestrian 3:56 from 15 to 25K (7:52 pace), but crested, and pushed down in 3:00 (6:00pace). My left calf was hurt – cramped, and tight. My quads were burning a bit, but not fatigued. This was a mental setback, but I kept pushing.
1st Avenue
A little after mile 16 I hit 1st Ave. The excitement of Manhattan is raining down! Let it rain more. I was nervous about this part. The loud crowd and anticipation of this speed stretch kept me on guard – even keel. It reminded me of the last ½ mile at Boston before the finish! But my left calf didn’t allow me to pick it up. So I kept pushing. Races of late have given me difficulty breathing when I get emotional. It happened at Baltimore. It happens at Z’s race. It happens when I don’t want it to. I kept that in check, and didn’t have any problems. I was excited, and was pushing onward. I was eating gels, and energy, and staying hydrated. I was drafting off runners, as I had all race long. Slingshot maneuvers. 70th street. BARRFFFF!!!!! WE GOT HIM!!!!!!!!! Ryan, Alyssa, and Meg McNew were there going ape shit!!! WE GOT HIM, as I made sure they heard the news!!!
80th street. 90th street, 100th street. I was sooo excited to get close to the White Castle. I was excited to see Christa. I was looking forward to this for a long while. I am getting emotional now just typing this I saw her at 103rd Street on the left side, but oddly never saw a White Castle? Strange! Oh well, we exchanged a smile and glance, I was running strong, and she gave me a pack of Power Gel Cola Blasts. It was awesome! She said Good Work and Keep Going! I was happy. Very shortly after I passed the 30k mark, and hit my split. I was running at about 2:03:35, which was about a 2:53 marathon pace. My legs were in-tact, yet fatigue is setting in. My quads were starting to feel the race, and my left calf is in pain. Somehow in the last 6 miles my paced dropped off PR pace – this is when I realized I either had to accelerate to PR or maintain and hold a solid pace – but just not break! There is still 7.6 miles to go. YES!!! Only 7.6 miles to go! I love the 30k mark. The marathon race has now begun, and my legs are feeling just that! Focus, don’t break, DBAP - make Z proud.
BRONX Bombers
Crossing mile 20 in 2:12:45 I realized I was still in the game. I was tired, and my legs were hurting. 1st Avenue took it out of my quads. But, I was used to the pain. My quads grew strong during training this season. I didn’t have the hill training I had hoped to get, but I was still passing people everywhere. There was a guy that pushed past me at the bridge heading into the Bronx. The 20-mile bridge was tough. I was starting to feel it. But I was having fun, and still reveling in the moment. What a feeling. More than a feeling! Now I’m in a strangely familiar neighborhood; but I’ve never been here? The Bronx reminded me of Baltimore. Industrial, terrible looking, dingy… The crowd had dissipated, and the race was thinning out. At this point I’m running single file, with a now and again passing of 2 or 3 people at once – but mostly just whizzing past those who are hitting the wall. I’m approaching mile 22 at this point, and crossed the last bridge, and heading toward 5th avenue. If I had an arrow left, I’d use it… But, oh well, I can still throw my bow. I was giving all I had. I ran mile 19, 20, and 21 in 6:38, 6:48, and 6:39, respectively. But mile 22 was tough in 6:55. The bridges were hard, but now they are over. I worked on Mile 23, and right at the end of it I split 6:44.
Central Park
And then something awesome and emotional took me by surprise. Right at the beginning of the 24th mile, the mile I think was the hardest of the race (debatable with mile 16 on Queensboro Bridge), Christa was right there cheering me on. She jumped in and ran with me for a while and a few or several strides. I was hurting. I couldn’t talk, and I got emotional. The first real emotion of my race crept out. It hurt to say anything, and after she encouraged me for several awesome moments, I put my finger over my mouth for her to be quiet, gave her a glance and stare, and kept moving forward. She gave me encouragement. Her steps were awesome. I pushed my head down toward the ground, lumbered up the hill heading into Central Park, and kept my eyes on my Z’d up knee caps. This mile was hard. Again, I’m emotional just writing this. What an awesome feeling. This is why I train and push hard, for this exact feeling, to be part of this race – breathtaking!
Then I hear BAAAARF!!!! Ed was there out of nowhere screaming!!! WE GOT HIM – just to remind him!!! Ed would respond YOU GOT THIS!! Go Joel!!! My friends out of the course that day were awesome, and in just the right spots!! Nearing the top of the hill, mile 24 illuminated itself. Somewhere around here I saw Ryan, Alyssa, and Meg McNew again. WE GOT HIM!!!! We got him Joel, we got him, Ryan announced rather loudly back!!! I kept pushing into Central park, and had an awesome feeling. Except that mile 24 hurt badly and it was my second slowest mile on the course in 7:20, I was in a good place this deep in the marathon. I was still able to race, and that’s off the wall as I’m entering mile 25.
Superman. Superman. I kept hearing Superman?!! This dude in front of me, running fairly well, drenched in a superman cape and outfit, was stealing all of the thunder and crowd. That dude just frustrated me. I picked it up – ego took over, because WE GOT HIM needed to be heard. Flying past superman I pushed mile 25 in 6:45. Video evidence at 40 kilometers showed me 15 or so seconds ahead of Superman. Christa, No, I did not get beat by a superhero
WE GOT HIM, WE GOT BIN-LADEN
I crossed mile 25 and I had a feeling I’ve never had in a marathon. I didn’t want the race to be over. Physically, my body was tired. My quads hurt on every step, and calf that cramped up at mile 15 was still in pain (but subdued), and my hamstrings that had been sore since 30k were really pulling. My stomach was queasy, and I was tired and hungry. The abysmal feeling was peculiar because I wanted to keep running. I was full of pain, but the experience of the New York City Marathon was dazzling. I was yelling WE GOT HIM, WE GOT BIN-LADEN. People would look at me, not knowing what the hell I was talking about, and then I’d be almost by and I’d hear laughs and claps and cheers. WE GOT HIM, we sure did! Laughs cheers claps… again and again… Mile 26 was freaking awesome. High fives along endless spectators was, simply, great!!
I had realized when I came through mile 22 in 2:33:03 (Miami I was 2:30:xx), that I would not PR today. So at this point I just didn’t want to have a complete breakdown and still push a good solid time. In the last mile I thought I may be able to get under 2:55, but short of a sprint, it wasn’t going to happen. Soon enough I see the “half mile to go” sign, then “800 meters to go”, “400 meters to go”, “300 meters to go”, “26-mile”, “A set of tits…” Eerrcchhh, record scratch, a set of boobs???!! Yep – right there, some chick, standing on the fence, topless, just hanging out… WTF? Hahah!!! Okay, keep moving, “200-meters to go”, round a corner at “100 meters to go” and then the finish line unveils itself – what an exceptional emotion. In anti-climatic format I crossed the line, slowed to a halt, and about keeled over. I finished in 2:55:32, good enough for 722nd / 47,107 Starters and 146th age group. I was the 685th Male to cross the line. Now I’m breathing heavy and light-headed…
The Med Tent
I couldn’t breathe, and I was wheezing. A race volunteer helped me out, and ultimately got me to a medic. They took me to the med tent. I somehow was able to get onto the cot, and they slapped the stethoscope all over my chest and back. Nothing in my lungs was affected, but I was wheezing heavily. Ultimately it was concluded it was all in my throat, esophagus, and some sort of exercise educed (psychological and situational) asthma. They gave me oxygen, and after about 3-minutes of O2 I was up and able.
The Prize and Take Home Reward
Getting out of the long parade line until bag drop, I was ready to get changed and find Christa. To my delight, she was at my bag drop, and met me right at the gate. She met me with a kiss, and got to see Brennan, Carly, Diane, Alex, Ryan, Alyssa, Arjun, Melissa, Jen, Andy, Cheese, and Ben Ingram. The support crew, the magnitude of the race, and the experience were tremendous and humbling!!!
I had 5 goals before the race: 1) Time goal sub 2:50 – I was 2:55:32 on a significantly more difficult course than Miami. 2) Top 500 – I was 722. 3) Arrive at the starting line with energy – I was not fully energized at the start. 4) Finish Strong – I definitely did that! 5) Don’t get hurt – All signs show success after 4 weeks rest!!! All in all, I think I achieved a 2.5/5.0 from the goals. Add in a bonus point for all the fun, and also that I ran a very even and smart race – I was totally happy with a 3.5/5.0 rating. The question now becomes Boston 2012 and can I go sub 2:50??
Extraordinarily pleased with the race day experience and my second fastest marathon I can say this was (almost) INDESCRIBABLE!!! Now I’ve got 19 weeks to train for Boston 2012.
Splits
Mile Time Mile Split
1 7:30 7:30
2 13:56 6:26
3 20:53 6:57
4 27:40 6:47
5 34:08 6:28
6 40:26 6:18
7 46:49 6:20
8 53:16 6:26
9 59:49 6:35
10 1:06:02 6:13
11 1:12:39 6:37
12 1:19:02 6:23
13 1:25:35 6:32
13.1 1:25:21 :46
14 1:32:11 6:36
15 1:39:01 6:50
16 1:45:56 6:55
17 1:52:41 6:45
18 1:59:19 6:38
19 2:05:57 6:38
20 2:12:45 6:48
21 2:19:24 6:39
22 2:26:19 6:55
23 2:23:03 6:44
24 2:40:23 7:20
25 2:47:08 6:45
26 2:54:03 6:55
26.2 2:55:32 1:29
Pace 6:42/mile
Kilomoter 5k split total time 5k pace total pace
5k 21:36 21:36 6:58 6:57
10k 20:18 41:54 6:33 6:45
15k 19:56 1:01:50 6:26 6:38
20k 19:48 1:21:48 6:23 6:35
25k 21:07 1:42:55 6:49 6:38
30k 20:40 2:03:35 6:40 6:38
35k 21:05 2:24:40 6:48 6:40
40k 21:27 2:46:07 6:55 6:42
42.195k 9:25 2:55:32 6:55 6:42
Placed 685th Male
Placed 722th overall of 47,107 Starters
Placed 146th Age Group
7:30 for 1st Mile
64:28 for miles 5-14 (10 miles) - 6:24 Pace - 2:48:33 Pace
71:15 for miles 4-14 (11 miles) - 6:28 Pace - 2:49:26 Pace
1:51:58 for miles 2-19 (18 miles) - 6:35 Pace - 2:52:29 Pace
49:35 for miles 20-26.2 (7.2 Miles) - 6:53 Pace - 3:00:26 Pace
Slowest Miles - 1 (7:30), 24 (7:20), 3 (6:57), 16 (6:55) 22 (6:55) 26 (6:55)
Fastest Miles - 10 (6:13), 6 (6:18), 7 (6:20), 12 (6:23), 8 (6:26)
* Miles 5-13 only 1-mile over 9 miles (mile 11 - 6:37) slower than any single mile from 14-26
* Fastest single mile back half (14-26 = 6:36)
* Avg Mile 6:42 - Front half 10-miles faster, 3 slower
- Back half 3 miles faster, 10 miles slower
