rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
 posted Mar-28-2007 11:13 AM
   
Ocean Drive Marathon, Cape May, NJ 3/25/07Many of you have read my last two race reports on the Lower Potomac River Marathon (3/11/07) and the Shamrock Marathon (3/18/07). This race was the third and final leg of my marathon experiment. (3 in 15 days) RunrWife (Sue) and I left early Saturday morning for the drive and ferry ride to Cape May, NJ after a very stressful week of moving. We had packers at the house Wednesday and Thursday and the truck on Friday to pack and load up all of our possessions for their cross country trek. We were both ready for a nice weekend. We had 11:15 am ferry reservations but we actually arrived in Lewes, DE just after 9am and were promptly loaded onto the 9:15am ferry. No wait, life was good. Arriving in Cape May about 75 minutes later we headed for the Expo and packet pickup which was located in the Wildwood Convention Center (about the 9 mile point on the course). Expo was very small and quickly picked up our numbers and t-shirts. No chip timing at this race. The race offers a 1 mile fun run, a 5K, a 10 miler and the full marathon. Sue was running the 10 miler and I was doing the marathon. Cape May is a nice ocean front town with many larger Victorian style houses. It also is the home of a Coast Guard training center/boot camp. During WWII there was a large presence of Coast Guard, Navy and Army. Not only to guard the approaches to the Delaware but also to train navy pilots.
We booked ourselves into a lovely bed and breakfast and when we arrived a wedding party was in full swing. Our room was on the second floor and we never heard a word or any music. The best part it was located only a block from the start line. After a nice dinner of spaghetti and a few carb loading specials in the B&B front lounge it was off to bed and dreams of the race tomorrow. Sunday morning we awoke fairly early but lounged around as the race didn’t start until 9am. After a blue berry muffin and some OJ for breakfast, Sue and I were ready to hit the roads. I did an easy 1 mile warm up and headed back to the room to remove a couple of layers. The weatherman had reported colder temps then it felt. So I ended up wearing my black lyca shorts, racing singlet, red wind breaker, black knit gloves, white “Boston” cap, NB 767, and short Nike socks. It proved to be a wise choice. The race itself is a point to point course, following the ocean front roads and boardwalks through the towns of Cape May, Wildwood, Angelsea, Stone Harbor, Avalon and Sea Isle City. Heading mostly straight north but with lots of turns. The temperature was very good, about 42 to start and 48 to finish, with partly sunny sky’s but the wind was hideous. At the start it was only 5-10 mph from the north but by mile five it was 15-20 with gust to 30 mph. The race started promptly at 9:00:10 am, we had a couple of runners false start. First time I had seen that in a race of this distance. Anyway off we went. The first mile is through Cape May with the ocean on the right and the large houses on the left. But you could not see the ocean due to the sand dunes. I started drafting right away and quickly got into a nice pace. Mile 2 and 3 brings you northwest and over two bridges (both about 25 feet high). Miles 4 and 5 you run along a salt marsh (nothing to block the wind) and over another bridge running northeast into Wildwood. Miles 7 through 11 we run along the boardwalk with great views of the ocean (white caps), hotels on the left and hard winds in your face. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be running my pace and/or were slowing down. I had expected to have some 10 milers to keep pace with. But I drafted were I could knowing I had a long ways to go. Seemed there were numerous marathoners that dropped at the 10 mile point. The short junts northwest and back northeast give us a little relief from the winds as we traversed miles 11-15 through residential streets and over another draw bridge.
Miles 1-13: 7:52,7:55,8:08,7:44,7:38,8:17,8:25,8:12,8:06,8:09,8:15,8:09,7:54
½ marathon: 1:45:36 The second half was more of the first, lots of residential streets, another draw bridge, and the last couple of miles along the boardwalk. Did I mention the wind. I tried to keep my effort fairly even, so the splits do vary some. I was able to pass over 20 runners and only two passed me. As usual the last couple of miles were tough.
Miles 14-26: 8:26,8:34,8:17,8:17,8:21,7:49,8:11,8:01,8:28,8:21,8:55,9:01,8:56,1:49
½ marathon: 1:50:34 My five mile splits showed a much more evenly paced run than the mile splits. But I was slowing as the race progressed and the winds picked up. I did have gels at miles, 8, 14, and 21 and water at all the aid stations.
5m (39:17), 5m(41:09), 5m(41:18), 5m(41:55), 5m(42:46) 1.2m(10:45) They had a bus from the 10 mile finish to the marathon finish that Sue took and met me there with a big kiss and hug. After a nice cooldown, picked up my drop bag and quickly put some warmer/dryer clothes on. Our own CR “JTV” (Jeff) came over and introduced himself. I would have loved to stay and chat but the bus back to the start (Cape May) was leaving so it was a quick hi and nice to meet you. Food fare: water, coffee, gaterade, broth, banana’s, oranges and probably more I didn’t see. They did offer massages too. All of which were in several large tents, which was great as we were out of the wind. Not much in the way of crowd support, except at the two finishes. As usual the volunteers were fantastic and I thanked them all along the way. Smiling as I made my way north. I had no issues with any soreness or even twinges during the race or after, just fatigue…. The experiment was a success and I learned a lot about my body and just how much a positive mindset effects your perceived effort. Now to plan another experiment. Maybe the Eugene, OR Marathon might be in the near future with some of the CR favorites. Time: 3:36:10
Age group: 21 of 111
Overall: 55 of 433
Ave HR 155
Max HR 172
Sue had a good race too and I’m proud of her finish. Its her first race at 10 miles so it’s a PR (1:44:30). A fantastic effort in some very strong head winds.
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Good running!!!
Mike's Profile
IP: Logged |
A fabulous time, and the winds may have bothered you but you cut right through them. Congratulations! You know I think you qualify to be marathon maniac now and you certainly seem to thrive on the distance.
