As with many of my races this year I had no plans on running a marathon. When Kelly posted the news of the addition of a marathon to the Chicago Lakefront 50/50 I didn't really give it any thought or consideration. She mentioned it at work the following day but still the light bulb didn't go on. If there was a hint or suggestion that I should run it, I wasn't getting it. Brian stopped by my desk a little later on and we chatted about the ultra. He stood there and I was kind of like "What?" His response was something like, "So are you going to run it?" to which I replied "Uh, no, I don't think I'm ready to run a marathon". I think we talked about it some more and I said I would give it some thought.
So on my train ride home I thought about all of the marathon training I had done in order to support Kelly in the Chicago Marathon. I also thought about the support she had given me, the training runs to get me past my mileage mental blocks, the ongoing encouragement and confidence in my abilities, and the longer distance races she ran with me. Since I had managed to build up my training distance comfortably to 20 miles I knew that I was only a 10K away from a marathon. Close enough, right?
At that point I couldn't think of a reason not to run the marathon. No point waiting until next year and why waste a perfectly good six month training period that could culminate in an accomplishment that I had never dreamed of doing or considered possible?
So when I got home I signed up for the marathon and all that was left was for the rest to become history.
For the next couple of weeks I didn't really talk about running the marathon much, although co-workers were asking me whether I was ready. That was kind of nice although I didn't have any true concept of what I was in for and my main concern was how my feet and knees would hold up to the concrete and asphalt. I tried to play it low key and the anticipation didn't really start to build until the week of the race. I wasn't nervous but I wasn't really excited either.
So that was the precursor to the race, now on to race day.
I arrived at the 63rd St. Beach House at about 7:30 a.m. and headed over to packet pick-up for my bib. It was cloudy a bit on the nippy side, but no rain. No warm-up pants for me as I was comfortable with just shorts. I wore a short-sleeved compression shirt (sorry Janeth, no singlet today – maybe if you had been there ;-)) to avoid chafing and a long sleeve running shirt as a second layer. After a time, I realized that the long sleeve running shirt would be too warm for me during the race so I went back to my car to drop it off. Before heading back I ran into Michael Messinger. He didn't remember me so I re-introduced myself...for the second time. ;-)
I was using my 45 oz. CamelBak FlashFlo hydration pack for the first time. I also have the 28 oz. Alterra. Unfortunately I found the zippered pockets on the FlashFlo were a pain to get to and zip and unzip, unlike the Alterra. It was also too easy to unzip the zipper for the reservoir, which is just above the large pocket zipper. As a result of this issue I grabbed two bags of my Shot Bloks from the large pocket and put one in each pocket of my running shorts prior to the race.
I headed back to the beach house as the 50K and marathon was about to start. As I approached the end of line of runners I spotted Kelly waving at me. She was with one of her Illinois Runs marathon training group partners, Sarah. We chatted for a bit and prepared for the start of the races. I was now just a little nervous and also excited about getting underway.
My plan for the marathon was to start off slow, somewhere between a ten and eleven minute pace, maintain that for at least half of the race, and then try to finish with negative splits. As the race started I was in no hurry to pass anyone and only passed those people who were significantly slower than my planned pace.
Concrete generally means death to my feet and legs and I knew it would be there waiting for me at the start and end of each loop. I just didn't know what the toll would be over time.
The first few miles were rather uneventful. Other than the sand that had washed up on to the running path early in the course the only other deterrent was an occasional gusty headwind as you traveled north. My pace was steady at a bit over ten minutes for the firstthree miles.
The small crowd of runners began to break up rather quickly. A young dark-haired woman, plugged into her MP3 player, was running about the same pace as I was so I sort of followed her. But her pace was somewhat erratic and I ended up running the next three miles under ten minutes. That wasn't the plan but I felt comfortable. The woman I was pacing picked up her pace a bit and I just let her go after mile four.
Nobody was running my pace at this point so I was basically running alone. It was at this point I began to notice more runners going in the opposite direction. Some were in a zone, some smiled and some simply acknowledged me as we headed in opposite directions. As time went on I didn't pay as much attention to those running in the opposite direction and just focused on my pace.
I did notice the guy carrying the flag pole with an American flag. That was quite a feat considering the extra weight he had to carry in addition to the wind gusts blowing the flag.
At some point before the turnaround of the first loop I ran past Brian heading in the opposite direction. I wouldn't have noticed him if he hadn't have shouted my name. Before I reached the 4.36 mile turnaround I saw Michael Messinger heading the other direction. I shouted his name and he said "Hi" in return...but it didn't look like he recognized me. (Too late to re-introduce myself again. ;-))
To save my feet and legs I ran to the side of asphalt path when possible. My pace was just under ten minutes and I still felt pretty good. After the turnaround point of the first loop I had the wind at my back but I didn't really notice. I just knew that it was no longer blowing in my face.
On my return to the beach house during the first loop there was a woman cheering on the runners. She had a cowbell so I shouted "More cowbell!" as I ran by. I had some runners pass me and assumed they were probably the "ultras". I was still essentially running alone at this point.
Not too far from the end of my first loop I heard Brian, heading back out for his second loop, shout my name. I looked over and Kelly was riding her bike along side him and she shouted my name as well. Once again, I probably would have missed them both if they hadn't seen me. I was alone...and in the zone.
As I approached the beach house I was wondering if I was going to see my parents, who had said that they would come to watch. Sure enough as I completed my first loop they were sitting on one of the benches along the sidewalk at the beach house. They both yelled "Go Paul!" and my mother snapped a picture of me. I yelled to them "I'm not even warmed up yet!" Not exactly true, but I just wanted to let them know I was OK after my first 8.72 miles. I completed it in around 1:28, which was faster than I had planned for the first half of the race.
As I headed back out for my second loop, the concrete was beginning to bother my feet a little bit and I was back into the headwind. I tried to enjoy the view of the lake a bit but was somewhat uncomfortable with my head turned.
My pace for the next seven miles would alternate between just being over and under a ten minute mile. About mile ten I had caught up with the young dark-haired woman that I had been pacing earlier. She was now running with another woman. I passed a woman just behind them and then they seemed to pick up the pace. I followed until the second aid station where they stopped, but I kept going. That would be the last I would see of them.
Once again running alone I reached the last aid station at the marathon turnaround point, grabbed a cup of Gatorade and headed back to complete the second half of my second loop.
It was shortly after this point, around mile 13 or 14, that my feet began to bother me more. My legs weren't doing much better but I decided to maintain my pace at about ten minutes. Mile 14 would be my last sub ten-minute mile.
During mile 15, 16 and 17 my pace was gradually creeping higher and higher past the ten-minute mark. Once again I was on the concrete as I headed back to complete my second loop. Mentally and emotionally I was having difficulty preparing for the final loop.
I wasn't sure whether my parents would still be there but I didn't expect them to wait another hour and a half to see me pass by again. As I completed the second loop I didn't see them. My second loop time was a little slower at about 1:30, but still faster than my planned pace.
As I headed back out for my third loop my energy level was really low and I was having difficulty overcoming the physical demands that I had endured for the first 17.7 miles of the race. Both my feet and knees were hurting to the point where I began to walk. I had no intention of quitting and decided that I would finish even if I had to walk or crawl the final 8.72 miles of the final loop.
I stopped running and started walking. For me this isn't a good thing mentally and emotionally because I never intend on walking in a race, other than during stops at aid stations or when I need energy food.
Just to take my mind off of things I pulled out my pocket pc and checked for text messages. Kelly had sent me one just before the start of the race wishing me good luck. I decided to reply to it and said that I needed that luck now. I guess that was sort of my 911 call.
I got an inspirational reply about a minute or so later and sent one back that said "I was trying". She sent me another text message to tell me to keep going and that I would get through the rough patch. I hadn't thought of it as a "rough patch" (I was thinking more like "death knell") but then it began to dawn on me that I've had this experience in races before and was able to overcome it.
I alternated between running and walking for a couple of miles or so and Kelly sent me another inspirational text message to try and help get me back on track mentally. Physically I was still a bit wobbly but I kept going. This went on for about three miles and my pace crept up into the 12 and 13 mpm range. I grabbed a couple of cups of Gatorade at the very first aid station and this appeared to be helping me. I also ate the second half of my bag of Strawberry ShotBloks, although I wasn't really interested in eating anything at this point.
I began to run more and as I approached the next to the last aid station I saw Brian waiting to greet me. Well he might as well have been a ghost because the only thing that was on my mind was inhaling some Gatorade at the aid station. He had his hand out and I think I acknowledged him as I ran past but I don't remember for sure because I was in a different zone at this point...the twilight zone.
As I left the aid station I noticed Kelly stopped on her bike. I ran towards her and pretended to be all wobbly (although it wasn't far from the truth) and said that I needed help. Well, I probably do but that's beside the point. I was just trying to make light of my condition so it didn't seem so bad. She said that I was "kicking butt" and I replied that I didn't think I could get my feet that far off of the ground. In any event she snapped a picture of me as I approached so I'll be interested to see how that one came out. ;-)
I continued on towards the turnaround point, feeling a little bit better knowing that I would soon be heading back to complete my final loop. As I reached the turnaround point I grabbed some Gatorade and told the guy taking down the bib numbers that I wasn't coming back. ;-)
As I headed back on the last half of the third loop I started to feel better, recovering a bit from my rough patch. My feet and knees were still hurting but those sensations were replaced by some discomfort in my chest. I thought that is was likely muscle related since I had no issues breathing and was actually feeling better overall. Still, being in somewhat un-chartered territory, I played it on the safe side and took walking breaks after running for a bit. I was actually picking up my running pace, averaging around 9 mpm, but of course the total time was offset by my walking respites.
Somewhere during mile 23 I spotted Kelly on her bike accompanying Sarah as they approached the turnaround point of the final loop, which I had just passed a minute or so earlier. I continued to run, picking up my pace. About five minutes later I heard a voice from behind me telling me that I was looking strong. It was Kelly.
She was telling me that she had to ride a ways to catch up with me so I must have been running pretty strong. I was just happy to hear her voice and have her talk to me during my final four miles. Her company was definitely an emotional boost that allowed me to take my mind off of the foot pain I was experiencing. I was also getting a lot of encouragement from her along the way.
She rode up in front of me and snapped some pictures which helped further distract me a bit and also provide me with even more of anemotional boost. I wasn't sure in what sort of shape I was in for pictures after 24 miles, but at least those moments were captured and I thought that was pretty cool.
At the last aid station I grabbed some Gatorade and pretty much said OK, enough of this I'm ready to go finish. As I made my last trek across the section of concrete along the lake Kelly snapped off a couple more pictures of me and then headed towards the finish line to take a picture of me finishing.
I sprinted about as hard as I could as this point (which wasn't very fast after 26 miles) and finished with an unofficial time of 4:46:31. I don't know if that is a good time for a first time marathoner but Kelly seemed to think so. I was probably setting my goals a little higher but then I usually do that, even if they're a bit unrealistic. Still, my primary goal was to finish and finish well and I believe that was accomplished. WOO HOO!...Ouch.
Speaking of which, physically I'm in better post race shape than I thought I would be after running 26.2 miles on concrete and asphalt. I have no blisters and didn't experience any chafing (thanks BodyGlide) and no pain in my feet (go figure). However, I'm definitely sore, mostly on the left side (hip, quad and calve muscles). Cramps in both of my hips were a bit of a problem for the first six hours post race. Knees are only slightly worse than before the race and that's very good. I may run on Tuesday (unless someone who knows better than I suggests that I take more of a break). In any event, my next run won't be on concrete or asphalt. ;-)
Congratulations to Brian on his finish of the 50-miler! I don't know why anyone would run this distance, I certainly wouldn't, but I have to tip my hat to those who have the physical ability and wherewithal to do so. With so little training this accomplishment is simply beyond impressive. Brian, you rocked!!!
Also, some very big kudos to Kelly for crewing for Brian, and providing me with support when I needed it. Ironically the last several miles of the race turned out to be the most enjoyable for me (despite being physically challenging) because of your presence. Riding on a bike for nine hours-plus while trying to maintain your balance at slow speeds, and avoiding the knuckleheads on bikes that go whizzing by with little or no warning, was a challenge in itself.
