| Author |
Topic: Mercer Island Hit-the-Wall-in-a-Half-Mary Whimp Report |
Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
 posted Mar-30-2007 09:39 AM
   
  getting passed by a 13min/miler Mercer Island Half Marathon (3/25/07)
Intrepid Summary (thank you ilene) - 2:48:13
rain/42.5 degrees/no wind
AG - 27/27 (1st last) / Sex - 763/768 (5th last) / OA - 1404/1423 (19th last) I can’t imagine it happening to anyone else in history of running let alone me in a million years (as lab says) but I got a big surprise in this year’s Mercer Island Half Marathon - half mary has a wall and I hit it. The ensuing wallop was as powerfully debilitating as the two I’ve experienced, and assiduously avoided thereafter, in over 90 otherwise uneventful marathons. Since the longer and harder the better for us fitness runners who mostly just run in convenient weekend races to get as much exercise as possible, I haven’t run many half marathons over the years. However, being just six miles from downtown Seattle, the MIHM provides a good chance for an annual brick over to and around the island before the 9am start. Because of this year’s early DST, it was my first cycling experience starting in the dark (scary even on bike paths with inconveniently-placed fire hydrants, telephone poles, guy wires, and knee high removable posts to keep out cars). However, except for two other cyclists cowering under a bus shelter on their cell phones, the rain gave me the road around the island pretty much to myself this time but I needed to find a quiet corner in the Mercer Island parking garage after the drenching cycling circuit to change into a dry dry-wick event shirt and cover up under a stylish Bon Marche/Macy’s plastic clothes bag. I can’t remember when, if ever, wearing even one but, in a further feeble attempt to stay warm in the damp chill, I pulled on not one but two cotton mugs under my black poly-running shorts. note: don’t. Except for a short one mile warm-up (for a possible rare 40/40 week if this Saturday’s Yakima River Canyon Marathon works out as planned), I did everything the same this year as last year. However, I started out chatting with a former president of our local triathlon club who was training for her upcoming multiple ultra-marathon-focus year and, by the time my supposedly waterproof Ironman watch (which had survived several 2.4 miles swims over the years) got unfogged enough to see the digits at three miles, I was, whoops, two minutes per mile faster than the planned 11's. Though I immediately slowed down to 12-13 minute miles for the next several miles, it was too-little/too-late as mile seven came up and slugged me in the gut just the same as mile 24 in those two walking wallathons from the distant past as runners of all sizes and shapes were passing me like I usually like to pass them. Thereafter, not even a three minute walk, the improving weather or the beauty of cherry blossoms, pink and white magnolias, yellow skunk cabbage and even a screeching bald eagle could incite me better than 15-16 minutes a mile (okay, and one was 17). Oddly enough, something that kept me going was thinking about what tough times Holly was probably experiencing in her first marathon distance too. - big wrong As it turns out, it wasn’t a greta run for some others either as I overtook a long-time nemesis friend at the top of the last, steep 1/4 mile hill at mile 12.5 for the first time since passing him at mile 26.0 in a marathon some years ago two days after he broke two ribs in a ladder fall. Then the next day, another MIH runner said this year’s edition was tougher and more tiring than the hilly Sedona Marathon she had just done in February and an Ironman friend looked at the weather at the start and switched to the 10K. I am so sorry for ever thinking half marathons aren’t hard enough. [This message has been edited by Tetsujin30 (edited Mar-30-2007).]
IP: Logged |
Lil Engine
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 09:52 AM
(((((((Tet))))))))You rock, my friend. I'm tentatively planning my first half marathon in Chicago in August, and I hope I do as well as you did. My super secret goal is to beat 2 1/2 hours, but my realistic goal is to finish. And personally, I think halfs are more than hard enough for me! To think of biking there first, in the rain, and then running the half - unimaginable. You will always be my most admired polar-friend. ------------------
My Profile
"I think I can, I think I can"
IP: Logged |
Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 10:13 AM
Oh my poor dear Tetsujin30!! {{{Tetsujin}}} You did pretty well anyway and you got to see beautiful flowers and a bald eagle too!
It is good to hear you say that wearing 2 mugs is not recommended and I hope all of the male boomers pay heed also.
Congratulations on completing your brick, now rest and stretch well and you will be so ready for your next event. 
IP: Logged |
hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 10:18 AM
Oh Tet! You poor thing - and after all that, how did you manage to bike the return trip? I especially hate to be cold and damp, not to mention starting a race that way after you have already been drenched! {{{{Tet}}}} (Maybe you can save up some extra healing vibes for a rainy day, I mean a different rainy day)As for the 2 mugs, you know you need to have the really sheer slinky ones if you want to double up. Those yellow thongs will bunch up a bit. ------------------
Holly
IP: Logged |
rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 10:30 AM
Hey Tetsujin!This was a great report on many levels. Thank you for sharing it. Any report with skunk cabbage and dark corners of parking garages is tops in my book. Here's why I love this report:
bike
rain
the very honesty with which it was written. Thank you. Ohio. (Isn't that Japanese for something?) Your friend,
~rose/shrek p.s. Shrek is still lame from when the wind blew us over a few months ago. All I got was a little whiplash, he'll need a wheel transplant. I just need to find a donor.
IP: Logged |
Labduck
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 11:24 AM
Rain + 2 mugs = Owwww!Wow Jon, I'm just surprised a HM proved difficult for you. I never would have thought that in a million years. Thanks for the achingly beautiful report.
IP: Logged |
Coastwalker
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 11:42 AM
Hi Tetsujin,After 90 marathons, who could blame you for thinking that a half would be relatively easy. But too-fast a start will come back to bite you in almost any race. At least you got to enjoy some beautiful scenery, and even pass another soul or two who was also having a tough time that day. Not every race can be your best, and at least now you've established a benchmark at the other end of the spectrum that you'll most likely never approach again. So chalk it up to whatever and get psyched for a much better day at the YRCM on Saturday! Jay
IP: Logged |
Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 01:40 PM
Oh, dear ((((Lothie)))) ... it is so hard to believe after over 90 (amazing!) uneventful marathons, this could happen in a half. Still, you manage to find the beauty -- this time, cherry and magnolia blossoms ... oh, and skunk cabbage too -- wherever you plant your bare footsies. I hope you have sufficiently recovered from this and that you'll be mindful of your pace when you're yacking in Yakima.
IP: Logged |
Soundrunner1012
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 04:12 PM
((Tet)) I was guessing you were probably getting sick and sure enough just saw your other post about just that . . .I'm sorry it was such a tough run for you. I imagine that the ride in the rain to the start line didn't help, either. Ahhh, spring in Seattle (and fall, and winter . . .  ) But those blossoms -- and now tulips popping through -- sure are pretty . . . MI is not an easy course, so take that to heart as well. Rest now, and feel well soon.
IP: Logged |
huskydon
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 05:53 PM
Tet,Count me as another who would be surprised and a bit perplexed at your difficulty in the HM. I guess we take your day in day out solid steady performances for granted. No doubt you will rebound quickly though. I look forward to meeting you at Green River. Huskydon
IP: Logged |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 06:30 PM
Tet, I'm sorry to hear you had such a rough time. In spite of the difficulties, you kept on until you finished, kept a fantastic attitude, and wrote a great report. The next one will be better.TomS ------------------
My Profile
IP: Logged |
TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 06:57 PM
awww sweet Tetsujin. I'm sorry this was not your day nor your race. You still seemed to be able to soak in the beauty of the scenery around you and you got in some exercise for the day - so all is okay. I hope you have by now found a nice warm cup of tea to warm you up after a cold bike and run. And thankyou for saying that half marathons are not easy. So many seem to pull those off and barely bat an eye and as I did my 8 miles today, the thought of another 5 does seem very challenging . . . for me at least. So it's good to hear of a long time marathoner also finding a mere 13.1 miles tough at times.rest up my friend. . . . ------------------
Tamalina
IP: Logged |
John2635
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 08:04 PM
Jon,
Sorry to hear about the rough time last weekend, hope you're on the road to recovery. All those goddesses in Eugene will be expecting nothing less than your best, don't dissapoint 'em.  As usual, I enjoyed the report. Hope to see you soon, oh yeah, thanks for the tip on not doubling up the MUG's, another reason to go commando. John
IP: Logged |
jura
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 10:00 PM
Oh Tet,
put this one behind you like one of "those"days. Apperently you weren't on top of your form and the weather was not cooperating either. You were still the man for braving those dark paths early in the morning, just thinking about it makes me shiver, creepy...
You will rest up and come back as the friedly, funny ultra running barefoot Boomer God we all learned to love. {{{{{Jon}}}}}
j
IP: Logged |
srlopez
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 10:18 PM
Jon.Some days just suck. And that race is one of the harder halves I know of in the Seattle area. Of course the half can have a wall... especially if it accompanies a bike ride Maybe I'll see you tomorrow morning at Yakima. Good luck!
IP: Logged |
MustangSally
Member |
posted Mar-30-2007 10:47 PM
Tetsujin-san:That sounds like a dreadful experience, and the last thing that I'd ever expect to hear from you. I hope you are able to bounce back quickly with a nice week of Tet-tapering and will be ready to give 'er another go soon enough.
IP: Logged |
Iapetus999
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-30-2007 11:38 PM
I did the MI 10K so I know what the weather was doing to you  . I wore a stylish trash bag up 'til the last minute. It wasn't as bad as the Seattle Half Rainathon tho...during the 2nd half of that race I was so waterlogged I could barely get up the hills.The 10K course isn't too bad, there are some steep parts but they are mercifully short. See my RR down below somewhere.
------------------
-Andy
Competing in 5Ks
IP: Logged |
smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 05:58 AM
Tetsujin30, Thanks for the race report. It's an honest eye opener. A race is as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Simple doesn't mean easy.
------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
IP: Logged |
cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 06:36 AM
Jon, I would never use *whimp* and *Tetsujin* in the same sentence. Perhaps the bug you currently are nursing was slugging you in the gut during this race?
Do you typically plan 11's for your marathons? If so, can I hang with you sometime? cj
IP: Logged |
fjordrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 06:46 AM
ooh my, jon - what a report - so sorry to hear what a rough time of it you had and yet, if i can reach the time you had there when i get to göteborg, i'll be happy...kram och krya på dig,
------------------
susan
IP: Logged |
tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 07:05 AM
.........sorry to hear it tet//............maybe it was a Weird Alignment of the Moon and Stars......................don't sweat it, you probably needed the break,,,,,,,you've been pushing a little.............
IP: Logged |
AA717driver
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 07:46 AM
Everyone has a clunker now and then. Maybe it was a sign that you need to not take anything for granted.Or you could fall back on this from the Newbie section: "At least you're out there. That's more than 99% of the population can say." Tim C.
IP: Logged |
seemomgo
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 09:03 AM
Bad day...sorry it had to happen. You still amaze me though. You are one tough guy!
IP: Logged |
Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 11:21 AM
ow ow ow! I feel bad for you! You need R&R in the hot tub. Lots of tea, miso soup, and pasta with clam sauce. ((((Tetsujin))))
IP: Logged |
rhoon phast
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 11:41 AM
(...tiptoes into boomer forum...) Wow, tet, I can't imagine not hitting the wall after a combined workout like that...but then I can't stand biking so I probably will never find out...(...tiptoes out of boomer forum...).------------------
Troy Running resume My running log
IP: Logged |
