|
Saturday night I put on all my race clothes: shorts, short sleeve Coolmax,
socks, shorts and pinned my race number and energy gels to the band of my
shorts, and my name tag to the front of my shirt. This is the first time that I've
completely done this, usually trip to attach the pins early Sunday morning and
prick myself.
Awake at 2:20, got out of bed at 3:30 and ate an early standard pre-race
breakfast (bagel with peanut butter, cup of oatmeal and banana) so it would digest
in time.
Called another marathon runner at 4:00 to insure they were up.
I went out on my balcony dressed in only shorts and short sleeve shirt at
4:30 am to check conditions - it was freezing!! Normally I trust the weather to
stay the same as the evening before.
The wind from the north at 10-15 mph with gusts to 30mph (I heard later) so
it was below freezing with the windchill. A big change from the evening before
since a cold front had arrived. So I put on some extra layers: a long sleeve
shirt and jacket and running pants. Already planned to use a hat and gloves for
early on; expected conditions to improve during the run.
Called a late-rising marathoner at 5:30 to insure that she was awake.
Out the door and dropped by nearby work to print out another name tag, this
one to put on the back of my hat since my front name tag would be hidden under
the long sleeve shirt and jack. But the computer network was down so there was
no access to the laser printer -swearing did not help things. But used the
rest room since I was well hydrated but was more frustrated than I should have
been.
Took Parmer to Mopac and exited for 183 and saw a huge line of red car brake
lights. Was worried that there might have been an accident but it turned out
to be only the traffic lights that had stopped the traffic. All lanes but the
left most were full of stopped cars trying to turn right on Tudor for the
parking garage, so I took the passing for 100 yard more and turned by Dave and
Busters into the nearly empty parking lot and drove up and parked in front of the
Orvis store like I usually do.
Met crowd of AustinFitters circling Marie Calendar's restaurant trying to
find a place for the group to stretch out of the wind. They settled on the
downwind side by the entrance and we started stretching at 6:15.
Long lines at the toilets so found a secluded spot with a tree in the parking
lot and proved that I was still well hydrated.
Got in line to turn in my duffel bag as my drop bag but was told that only
clear bags were being taken, so left crowd and started emptying the duffel bag,
back in line and handed it over.
Walked back to the nearby car and dropped off the duffel bag. Got to the edge
of the parking lot and was amazed at the size of the crowd of runners waiting
to start. I started walking up the right side of the crowd in front of the
line of portapotties, looking left to find the 3:30 Mizuno pace group sign ...
until I collided with a door opening as someone stepped out of their portapottie.
I hit my right shoulder pretty good and hoped that it would not bother my run.
I could not find any 3:30 sign, so put myself about mid-way between the 3:20
sign and the 3:40 sign.
The crowd started moving and I never heard the starting gun or whatever was
used this year. I started off well, moving around groups of people who were
walking, past the many people off in the woods on the right and did the first
mile in 9 minutes. Figured that the 3:30 pace group must be up ahead, so I ran
hard for the next two miles. I caught up to Henry Hobbs who said he was with the
3:15 pace group and that the 3:30s must be behind. But that early sprint
really rattled me, since I knew that I'd wasted energy and I never got into a
rhythm after that.
But felt strong and enjoyed the route. Skipped the first four water stops to
avoid the crowds and to catch the 3:30 group and was amazed at the number of
people who had brought bottles of PowerAde and who were throwing them aside
half full. Had my first water at mile 5 where I learned that they were handing
out the PowerAde in bottles this year.
Saw at friend at the mile 5, it was hard to see her since that seemed to be a
popular spot and was crowded.
Planned to give my jacket to a friend at mile 8, but wondered if I should. So
undid the zipper most of the way, and asked the guy beside me with only two
shirts on how he felt. He said he was actually hot so I took off the jacket at
mile 8 and handed it over. Still had both shirts, my shorts and running pants,
hat and gloves on. It was supposed to warm up to the 60s but it only got to
the 50s (not including the wind chill).
Realized that I had not put the bandages over my nipples. I'd left them out
on the counter and put them on my final to do list, but forgot about the list
after my last wake-up call when I left the apartment.
I had planned to leave my long sleeve shirt and pants at the half way mark
but never saw my friend so wore them till the end and was glad I did. Searched
the crowd on both sides of the street but there were too many people and too
much noise so did not see them (turns out they were not there after all).
Felt strong until mile 15. On the out portion of the out and back on Lake
Austin Blvd west of Mopac I started to feel tired and that the turn-around point
seemed to be farther than it should be.
My stomach was gurgling since I'd only had one half cup of water with the
power gel, so I started to scout around for a portapottie without a long line.
Reached the turn-around point and then soon saw the 3:30 pace group-they were
about a minute behind me. Saw Pedro and then Mike after the pace group and
shouted their names and waved. I saw fewer people than usual on this run, I
think that starting up front and then the early sprint meant they were all behind
me in the pack.
Saw injured Yellow 8:30 coach Vic Ramirez at the mile 17 water stop where he
said he be and made sure that I got my water from him. The 3:30 group passed
me while I (start Sanitized Version) waited patiently in line at the mile 17
rest stop instead of running deep into the nearby thick brush and used both my
gloves as toilet paper (end Sanitized Version).
I hurried and caught up with the 3:30 group and then got in front where
Yellow 8:30 Brent Boller was leading the pace group.
The only person I spoke with was Brent, and we talked for a few minutes. Then
I walked and drank at the mile 18 water stop but Brent kept going and I never
saw him again. He'd been looking strong so I figured that he had motored on.
I kept to the front of the pace group, along Caesar Chavez and along Town
Lake where I'd hit the wall on my previous two marathons. Was still tired but the
energy gels were helping and I was doing OK. I noticed some times that I was
not as tired as I had been, so I credit the gels for helping there. Started
taking them every 30 minutes about half way into the race.
I had great form for third last mile, thinking of the Tuesday night speed
training and AustinFit half marathon coach Mario Garcia telling us to use proper
form, and for me to swing my arms farther back and not from side to side. Expected
to keep this good form until the finish line but I'd stopped taking the gels
too early and ran out of energy about 3:20. My form started to fail during my
second last mile, and it was all I could do to not walk for the last mile. I
never did walk but did not have the energy to sprint the final steps to the
finish line. Tried to unroll the bib number for the last photographers but not
sure if I did that in time.
Hit the stop button on the watch as I crossed the finish line and then looked
at it - 3:29:10. (5:20 faster than last year; a 7:59 pace).
In a daze as I got my medals and walked inside. Not very crowded yet so got
my drop bag and then some food and ate the bagel and banana in line as I waited
for my jacket.
Got the jacket after a short wait and then found the only place in the room
to sit, on the edge of the unused stage where I kept my legs moving as I found
the two Snickers bars and fried chicken treats that I had packed for myself.
Changed into the thick wool socks and saw my first blood blister on my right
foot, and a broken blister (never felt it) on the sole of my left foot.
Went outside to try and watch people finish, but the bleachers blocked the
way. I liked the setup last year where it was easier to see people finish and
could wait for them as they entered the reception area.
So went back inside the Auditorium where it was heated, walking stiffly, back
to the edge of the stage, sat down and talked with people that I knew as they
slowly limped past.
I think I can improve that time next year. Lots of credit to the 18 pounds
that I lost in the new year, so I was 17 pounds lighter than last marathon
weight. Made some mistakes with not drinking enough water with the gels and
starting out too fast without the pace group.
Things to get/how to improve:
-
Saw runners wearing belts where you button your race number bib to. This
would have kept my bib securely fastened so that I did not have to think about
hold it in place after it tore when I saw photographer. And would simplify
changing out of pants to the lower layer of just shorts if that had happened.
- also saw a belt with a second elastic layer sewn over it that lets you
stuff the energy gels between the two layers and holds them securely so that you
again do not have to pin the gels to your shorts.
- will follow Debra's recommendations and get some tiny plastic bags to hold
the pills. I stuffed them into my key pocket (along with my keys) and took a
while to dig them out (and I dropped a few) mid race when I took a couple
Aspirin and Ibuprofen.
- find a place to safely keep my keys so that I do not have to carry them.
This frees up lots of space in that tiny key pocket.
- practice drinking while I run, maybe with a straw so that I do not have to
walk through the water stops.
Goal for next year: 3:25
Scott Wedge
A/F Class of 2001
|
