| Author |
Topic: Olathe Marathon RR |
TomD
Cool Runner |
 posted Mar-31-2007 01:18 PM
   
Well, after getting off at 10:00pm last night I finally finished my 16 hour shift. Luckily, I am only 10 miles from the Olathe Marathon, so I got nearly 5 hours of sleep.It was around 55 degrees at the start and in the 60's at the finish with a sunny day and 30 mph winds. My goal today is to break 4:45 and finish strong. Much of the first 17 miles is against the wind, then the final 10k is against the wind about half the time. At the start I feel okay and I start in the back, which is very unusual for me. I plan to run 10 miles and see what happens. I run with several people off and on the first half. My first mile was 9:58. I did not see another mile marker until mile 6 and I am at a 9:24 pace. At mile 8 I am at a 9:34 pace, so I have slowed down. Here I have to stop to adjust my chip. It is on an ankle band and the chip has gotten off my sock and is digging into my skin. It is bleeding, so I put on my other sock. I hope it stays this time. At the half I am at 2:09:31, a 9:53 pace. I find a lot of runners want to ask me questions of all sorts during the first half. I do not mind. I am just trying to finish today, but I would like to break 4:45. Now I am slowing down the wind is really bothering me and slowing down many other runners too. I am looking forward to mile 17 when we get out of the wind even if it is the toughest 3 miles of the course. I am running 11 minute miles now. Finally, we are at mile 17 at 2:57. I am running pretty good with wind at my back even if it is hillier now. At mile 19 I need to slow down. I feel a blister delevoping on my right big toe. By the time I reach mile 20 and go back into the wind again I am able to get the pain out of my mind. At mile 21 I start to feel pretty good. This is my favorite part of a marathon. My Time. I am going up a hill into the wind until mile 21.5, but then I start passing one runner after another. The hills in this area are not bad, but the wind is a real pain. I can see now that under 5 hours is going to happen and a sub 4:45 is a real possibility. I see a guy along the side of road with a Red Sox cap on and I say, "The Royals are going to beat the Red Sox on Monday." He said something, but I was long gone. I am really going now. After going around a small lake I am now in mile 25 and I am smiling and feeling great. With just under a mile to go I can see the finish line. I am now running all I am worth. The last quarter of a mile is up hill to the finish. I do not let this stop me. They annouce my name and the crowd is cheering for me. I feel like I am on cloud 9. My finishing time is around 3:42:45 and 3:43:01 clock time. I see many friends at the finish. When I get home, the realization of pain hits me. I take off my shoes to see a blister on the end of my left big toe, a blister on the end of my right big toe with another one on the side of the right big toe. There is also a cut on top of the right big toe. I do not have much of any toe nails on my two big toes. They have been like that for 20+ years probably. Next is Hogeye tomorrow morning. I will have to wear sandals and take it easy. I hope to break the 5:30 time limit. This is my 31st double and it may be the first time I do not break 5:00 on the second marathon. Right now I am in some pain, but I am very happy to be running again. Marathon running is my world. A coworker asked me yesterday what was my favorite part of marathon running. He named off some examples, but none of them were correct. Running those last 5 miles is my favorite part with inspiring other runners close behind. Well, I better pack up and get going.
TomD
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 02:35 PM
Great effort Tom. 16 hour shift followed by a double M makes for a full weekend. Can't wait to see the second act.Congrats part 1,
JJJ
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Barefoot Rick
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 03:21 PM
Good to see you out there today, Tom. Good effort with just a little sleep on your part. Go get 'em tomorrow. You won't even feel those blisters tomorrow morning. Good luck, buddy! Rick ------------------
"Do something remarkable, every day. In time, your life will become remarkable!" - Barefoot Rick @ www.barefootrunner.org
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rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 03:28 PM
Tom, Congrats on a well run strong effort marathon into a headwind. Not to mention your long work hours and lack of training. But isn't that a 45 minute last 9.2 miles?? (I know you meant 4:42 vice 3:42). Now, rest up today, eat and drink then run a strong effort tomorrow. Can't wait to read about it. I'm also thinking of running back to back , marathon in the near future. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Good luck tomorrow, hope the wind is better.------------------
Good running!!!
Mike's Profile
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Karl Rysted
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 03:54 PM
Tom,
Great race and report! I was especially glad you gave so many details of the course and the wind. I'm getting ready to post my RR. Wish I could have met you.------------------
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wa5yom
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 04:19 PM
Tom...wow....wind and blisters...ouch.......I have had the same problems with blisters....they seem to hurt for a while then they seem to get numb until the race is over.. Good luck tomorrow.... Tim,
Ardmore, OK. ------------------
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 04:30 PM
Tom, you know what I like about your RR's? It's your different perspective on the last 5 miles -- the TomD Zone. 
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rtravers
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 04:39 PM
Oooh, yeah, I'm going to try to get into the TomD zone for my next marathon...it sounds like a great place to be!Back to back marathons? I'm in awe... Good luck! --Robin
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seemomgo
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 04:47 PM
I'm gonna get into the TomD zone tomorrow at my half marathon! Great run - wind sucks. How are you able to do this and another one on so little sleep? You are another one of those amazing runners that inspire me!
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 04:57 PM
Another fine job, Tom. You put in awful hours for the last few weeks, get very little sleep, get minimal training, fight the wind, and still run a nice time. Congratulations. For anyone else, I'd say rest up. For you, my friend, it's "good luck tomorrow".TomS ------------------
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 05:07 PM
TomD -- I love that *My Time*. I hope one of these days, I feel that way about the end of a marathon. Until then, I will live vicariously through you, k? You are an awesome guy. Good luck tomorrow at Hogeye. May the entire run be *My Time*. cj
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 06:24 PM
Tom, I love your reports, they are so inspiring to me. Cherishing those last 5 miles is so wonderful and it is amazing how you can mask the pain of blisters and cuts on your feet! So you run Sunday's maraton in sandals? Can't wait for that report
perch
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 06:55 PM
Once again, Tom, you did a great job and amazed a lot of people Best of luck tomorrow.------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-31-2007 10:35 PM
You Like the last 5 miles? Wow, I knew you were.....different, but you are amazing. Good luck with those feet in your marathon tomorrow. You inspire me.
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bobscamman
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:04 AM
quote:
Originally posted by TomD:
"The Royals are going to beat the Red Sox on Monday." I feel like I am on cloud 9. My finishing time is around 3:42:45 and 3:43:01 clock time.
Hey Tom great race report, you really did give it a go out there didn't you. I also like that the last five miles is "your time" a neat way to look at it.
Congratulations and keep up the great work, now on to another matter: Being a true Boston fan I couldn't help but notice that you must have been in a real daze at that point in your race when you met up with and passed the guy with the Boston hat, because you were obviously dreaming, being on cloud 9 and all...that explains the error in your time...you were still dreaming. Well wake up before your dream becomes your nightmare...Boston wins Monday!! ------------------
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Bob
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 02:26 PM
Marathons two days in a row - the second one in sandals - you are amazing, Tom! I really enjoyed your report. Great race!------------------
Holly
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charleygross
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 02:39 PM
TomD, I cannot even imagine running 2 marathons in 2 days! Great first one and I hope you endure for the second! I am in awe. Congratulations! Chris
Go Sox!
------------------
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 04:21 PM
Tom, a 16 hour shift before back to back marathons sounds terrible, especially since an hour working in a restaurant is like 2 hours almost anywhere else! You're a tough guy. Nice job on the sub 4:45.Mark
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timlooney
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 05:13 PM
Congrats Tom. As always you are an inspiration.------------------
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” -
T.S. Eliot as quoted in the participants guide for the Western States Endurance Run. timlooney my WS100 blog
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TMWIP
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 08:52 PM
Great run and you made it under 4:45! Then I read the rest of your report . . . you're running a second one the day after?!?!? In sandals? And you've done this 31 times? Inconceivable! Hope it was not windy today and if so, at your back!
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 09:13 PM
Tom - except for seeming to have reached your blister limit at four-and-a-half hours, you’ll do just fine tomorrow because, even if it turns out to be your first 5hr+ marathon (not) in hundreds of 26.2 mile'ers, it doesn’t matter if the clock says 3:45, 4:45 or more, your love of running marathons is what makes your running and rr's so special.
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nowor
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 09:24 PM
Tom,What a thoughtful RR. You are an awesome runner, but your RR are beautiful also. Nice to see you're back on track. Sue
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Peter NC
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 10:21 PM
Tom, congratulations on finishing under your goal time. What's more astounding is your running 31 double marathons...try to get a little rest in between all the running and working 16 hour shifts ------------------
Me - Saucony Hurricane 8/Asics GT-2100/New Balance766 - FR305
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mcsolar99
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 11:54 PM
tom -- as always it's inspiring to read your report! great job especially with your finish. but about that baseball game prediction... 
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TomD
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 05:58 AM
I am sorry about the misprint. I ran a 4:42 not a 3:42. I also figured, that I would get some comments on my Royals victory.The Royals are much improved over last year and may even win a many as 80 games. It is difficult being a Royals fan. When a team has its best year in five years in 2006, 62-100, it says a lot of management not just the players. A lot of money was spent this off season, so Royal fans are very hopeful of this season. The Red Sox are our first victim of the year.
TomD
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