| Author |
Topic: Yakima River Canyon Marathon RR |
Dove61
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-02-2007 01:08 PM
   
I still can’t wipe the grin off my face. The whole weekend was fantastic, one big party with a marathon in the middle. The thing about Yakima, though, is it is a marathoner’s marathon. Small, remote and NO SPECTATORS. None. They are not allowed on the course. Aid station volunteers and race officials are the only people besides other marathoners that you see and they are few and far between. Aid stations were located every 2 – 3.5 miles providing water and Propel, you were on your own for gels or other sources of energy. The course is also on the tough side. It is a net downhill course with major climbs at mile 14 and 22. It also offers a screaming downhill from mile 24 to the finish… perfect for a last long run before Boston. I knew all of this when I signed up so I didn’t expect it to be my best marathon ever.The weekend started out with a Marathon Maniac Reunion which attracted over 80 Maniacs. The 50 Staters and 100 Marathon Club were also having small reunions, so serious marathoners were everywhere. The pre-race pasta feed featured John Bingham as the guest speaker. He did a great job tailoring his talk for the crowd… no need to talk about tips for completing a marathon, or what a great accomplishment it is, or any of those things that are covered during most carb-load dinners. We all knew marathoning and certainly didn’t need anyone to motivate us. Race morning was chilly with temps well below freezing. Rain clouds were hovering overhead, but the forecast called for only a 10% chance that we would actually see raindrops. Mr. Dove and I joined the others to march the 1/3 mile from the parking lot to the actual start line, bundled up in gloves and throw-away sweaters. Mr. Dove was about to tackle his first marathon, so on the way to the start we went over our strategy: 10:30-11:00 minute pace with a ¼ mile walk at every aid station. I was going to be the pacer until Mr. Dove got sick of me, then he would send me on my way. Our goal was to finish, our secondary goal was to finish under 5 hours. The race started nicely. Our first split was exactly 10:30 and remained there as we hit the first aid station. As planned, we walk ¼ mile then resumed our run. The ¼ mile walk only added 1½ minutes to our mile pace, but did wonders for our legs. I felt great. The running was easy and the scenery breathtaking. Our pace continued at a consistent 10:30 during running miles, and 12:00 during miles that we added a walk-break. We hit our first hill at mile 4 and I didn’t even notice. A bigger hill came at mile 14. We happened to reach the climb during our scheduled walk break and I noticed we were actually passing people who were running up the hill. Because we were walking so fast we decided to walk the entire ½ mile hill, picking up the run just before we crested the top and started down the other side. At mile 20 we were just where we wanted to be… on pace for a sub-5 hour finish. We continued on at 10:30 pace until we hit THE BIG ONE, a 1.6 mile climb at mile 22. Mr. Dove’s back cramped and he was having a hard time keeping his legs moving forward. We stopped to stretch, walk backwards, stretch again but nothing was helping. Mr. Dove gritted his teeth and managed to keep going, but in obvious pain. We reached the summit, stretch one last time then picked up our run, hoping Mr. Dove’s back would behave for the final 2 ½ miles. The back cramped again, but somehow he managed to ignore his pain and we ran across the finish line hand-in-hand in 5:12:13, a new record for me: slowest (but happiest) by over 45 minutes. The prez of the Marathon Maniacs was waiting for us with his camera, a big pat on the back for Mr. Dove and inquires about his next marathon. Hippo was there, too, ready to welcome Mr. Dove into the ranks of Marathoner. I was ecstatic: I had just run my best marathon ever, on the most scenic course imaginable, with my favorite person by my side and my friends cheering us on. Mr. Dove woke the next morning with a spring in his step and all sorts of talk about upcoming marathons and his next attempt to break 5 hours. I think I have a marathoner on my hands. -Dove
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Edited to reflect Spareribs suggestion. [This message has been edited by Dove61 (edited Apr-03-2007).]
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littlerockgm
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:15 PM
And another maniac, although unofficial, is born. Great RR, nice race tactics, good control of the variables and a PR. Way to go Dove. Nicely done!!!Jim
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:21 PM
This past weekend has brought lots of great reports and races and yours fits right in, Dove. It's neat that you got MrDove involved and through his first marathon. You sure got to be with a bunch of serious marathoners. Congratulations to you and MrDove.TomS ------------------
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:28 PM
What a wonderful race report! You ran with him the whole way and kept him to a perfect pace plan and he never got sick of you even with back cramps! That is so sweet.
Congratulations on a spectacular long run before Boston and many kudos to Mr.Dove61 the marathoner. 
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arf 1
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:28 PM
Dove, what a wonderful race report...It's easy to imagine you grinning from ear to ear....your love and support for Mr. Dove is beautiful. Congrats on your best marathon ever, on such a gorgeous scenic course, with your favorite person by your side. arf
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:28 PM
congrats to the Dove's. A very smart run! Enjoyed the report.ksrunr
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:29 PM
LOVELOVELOVE this report! One of alltime favorites by far! Congratulations to Mr. Dove on his first of what will likely be many marathons. He pushed himself and he perservered. well done Mr.Dove!! And Dove, what an inspiration you are. You had your PW marathon based on time, but certainly not a PW as far as your overall love of the day and the race. ------------------
Tamalina
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fjordrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:30 PM
dove, i loved reading your RR - what a wonderful event for you and mr. dove. congratulations to both of you!------------------
susan
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jdmom3
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:37 PM
Dove, what a wonderful race report. I can feel your love and support for Mr. Dove coming through loud and clear. Congratulations to him on a well run first marathon and on feeling sproinky enough the next day to talk about another one. You must be just thrilled!! Meg
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 01:43 PM
What a beautiful RR!
cj
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 02:10 PM
This was so joyous that maybe you need to go back and edit out that PW remark. I think it was definitely your best. Great report. Spareribs
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Steve K
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 02:18 PM
Good RR. CONGRATULATIONS to you both on your finish!!!! And welcome Mr. Dove to the wonderful world of marathoning. Becareful, utlras could be next. Steve K ------------------
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Karl Rysted
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 03:13 PM
You know you have a way of inspiring people, and who better than your favorite person!------------------
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Labduck
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 05:14 PM
Congrats Dove on your "best" marathon! What a great report.Congrats to Mr. Dove too!
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:46 PM
Dove, you are an amazing Maniac. What a feeling it must be for you and Mr. Dove to have done this together! Congratulations to you both.Thanks for the description of the marathon too. This sounds like the type of marathon that I would really enjoy. Look forward to seeing you again soon. Rest up now and don't forget to start eating! (Hope your appetite has returned.)
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divechief
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 09:47 PM
CONGRATS! I hope to fit this race into my schedule one day, You make it sound fantastic.It's such a wonderful feeling finishing a race with a special someone. Congrats again. Dave
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piejones
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:09 PM
I couldn't wipe the grin off my face just reading this report. What a wonderful thing to experience something you love with the person closest to you and watch them get so much from it also. Pretty special stuff and you should keep that grin for a good while. Congrats on the PR for both of you.
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:19 PM
Yayyyy! Happy congratulations for the two of you. Joe Henderson really loves this marathon, too. Sounds great -- I hope to be there one of these years.
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:59 PM
Dove - I’ve seen eagles and sheep along the Yakima River Canyon and now I feel like I’ve been there with two beautiful doves too. That final ascent is a daunting enough challenge for veterans like yourself (even though you’re the only one-year marathon veteran I know, that’s for sure) but an experience for a lifetime for an initiate, . . . and , it seems , for the accompanying companion too. Congratulations on your PB too.
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bobscamman
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 06:35 AM
Dove, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your RR. To experience a marathon with your DH must have been just awesome, and for you to stay by his side and (I have to agree with Ribs) experience your BEST marathon is truely inspiring.Congratulations to the Doves! ------------------
My User Profile "Keep on Running"
Bob
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 06:43 AM
Fun funThat was a great report to read. Thanks for sharing it. That is neat that Mr. Dove got his first one in too. Congratulations to you both. ------------------
vista129
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pmcneb
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 08:30 AM
What a great report. I really like hearing that it is "ok" to schedule walks in the marathon. Sometimes here on the B&B board, it seems that everyone is running sub 4 hour marathons, making it seem an unobtainable goal for us slower folks. ------------------
Patty
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 10:11 AM
Dear Dove,Sounds like you've created a monster to me! Or at least another Maniac This report was a pure joy to read. Thanks for sharing your wonderful weekend with us. Sincere congrats to MrDove! cheryl
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lyndenrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 10:24 AM
Congratulations to Mr.Dove on his first marathon and congrats to you Dove on your best marathon.You'll do great in Boston!! ------------------
Gordon
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Aamos
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 10:33 AM
Yup, sounds as if you have a bona fide marathoner on your hands--especially in light of his attitude not even 24 hours after the fact, and after a fair bit of pain. Thanks for setting this out for us to enjoy. Hope you get his medal framed with a photo of you 2 holding hands at the finish--that sounds like a keeper!
grins,
A
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