Traverse City Michigan -
Unique spot for a marathon. You start right next to the high school track
and by the mile marker you are running along Lake Michigan - the third
largest of our great lakes.
With a starting time of 7am, cool temps are always assured and today was no
different. Race temp @ the starting line was 48 deg.
I sat in my van listening to some iTunes and relaxing until about 10 minutes
before race start (1400 entries today) the jogged to the line. I situated
myself in the top 50 or so runners and asked around for peoples goal time -
it ranged from 3:00 to 3:30 so I figured I was in the right spot. 3 minutes
later, bang and we're off.
Going along lake Michigan is very scenic and nice. A cool lake breeze just
light enough to keep you comfortable was there the whole race and at a
couple points I got a tad cold. Then the sun popped out and I got a little
hot. But, overall, perfect temps running along the shoreline.
Caught up in the excitement I run a silly 6:40 first mile. Geez, you'd
think an experienced 39 yr. old distance runner and coach would know better
than to go out too hard, but I did it anyway. My training has gone much
better than my last marathon (2 yrs ago, same course 3:21) so I thought I
could meet the Boston Qualifier (3:15). Second mile 6:50, third 7:00, lots
of people passing me as I slowly eased back to a better pace time. @ ten
miles I hit 61 minutes = 7:06/mile - still too fast if I wanted to finish
still standing. The Bayshore marathon is out and back so at the turn around
I hit 1:33:30 - on pace fot 3:07 if I could hold the pace.
By mile 16 I began to get some tired legs. I had eased back to 7:20 miles
but still felt some deadness in my quads and calves. My breathing was fine.
I've got a great endurance base from years of running (25 to be exact) and
lots of racing this winter ( I cross country ski race all our of great snow
filled, northern Michigan season) so my breathing was fine. Not enough long
runs this season was, however, beginning to take its toll.
At mile 16 I decided to purposely slow down just to hold on to a decent
finish. 7:30, 7:20, 7:30, 7:40 went the miles until 20. At twenty a few
people started to come back to me. I thought I went out to hard but these
guys went out WAY to hard !! ouch. One guy was just sitting on the ground
next to the race course. I said "need a Gu" - he just said "no" and sat
there. Glad I wasnt feeling that bad !
About mile 21 I caught a guy going real slow. I made the decision to run
with him for a few miles just to preserve my legs. As long as I hit 7:50's
for the last 5 miles I was still sub 3:15 and qualified. We went 8:05 then
8:10 then 8:00 - ouch, slow. I new if I stuck with him I wouldnt make it...
so I picked it up a tad and went 7:45, 7:50.... ONE MILE TO GO. I quickly
calculated i needed a 7:20 + a pace of the same for the last 285 yards.
HEre we go.... no legs left, breathing hard... I pumped out a 7:20 and had a
finish time of 3:14:52 !!!!!!!! EIGHT SECONDS TO SPARE !!!
Boston here I come.
I walked slowly to my van, hopped in and drove home. The kids helped me out
of the van since walking was difficult and my wife had a pasta lunch waiting
then big fat steak for dinner followed by a nice Fosters oil can.
Motrin for breakfast this a.m.
JK