Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
 posted Dec-05-2007 04:42 PM
   
California International Marathon, Sacramento
2 Dec. 2007
An epic tale with injury, enough mistakes to keep up the suspense, and ultimate triumphFor a view from the front of the pack, see Jim's excellent RR. Just the facts:
3:43:41, PR (by 3 min, 45 s), BQ
1593/4743 OA
54/208 55-59 AG When last we saw our Hero, he had just completed a marathon in mid-October in a little over 3:50. This finishing time qualified him for Boston in 2009, by which time he will have turned 60. Stubborn as he is, he wanted to try once more to qualify for Boston '08, which would require a 3:45:59 or better. After examining possible races, he settled on CIM, advertised as the "fastest course in the West." There is a 340' drop in elevation from the start in Folsom to the finish next to the Capitol. Moderate "rollers" along the way seemed much nicer than the huge hill he had climbed in October. Also, relatives in Sacramento could provide support. In addition to picking a relatively flat course, I did several things that I thought would improve my chances of BQing. I couldn't do a 4-month training plan, of course, but I got in long runs of 16 and 20 miles, then a 3-week taper. I ate a protein-rich diet 4-6 days out and carbo loaded 1-3 days prior to race day. Little mileage during the last week, when "all you can do is hurt yourself." Checked out GU2O, the course hydration drink. Traveled on Thursday of the previous week, feasted at Bistro Jeanty (Yountville, in the Napa Valley) on Friday. In the race, GU at miles 0, 5, 10, 15, 18, and 22. ~8 oz. of liquid at 16 of the 18 aid stations (I estimate that I lost 11 lb. throught sweat and gained 8 through drinking). I met Jim (soooo fast, and only 2 years older than I--how humbling) at the Expo and we enjoyed Dick Beardsley's talk (my brother took pictures but I haven't seen them yet). I met the 3:45 pacer and resolved to stick with him until mile 22, when I would surge ahead if I felt energetic. I spent time with my brother's family that day, eating and visiting the Train Museum in Old Sacramento (I walked the 10 blocks there, which could count as a mistake). On race day, I awoke at 3 a.m., had coffee, a breakfast cookie, and oatmeal with brown sugar, then got a ride downtown to the line of buses (~5:30 a.m. departure). I was happy to see 45F on the car's thermometer; the clouds had moved in and it never got down to the predicted 38F. After a 40-minute ride to the start, I got in a short portajohn line, then got on one of the buses to stay warm. I had a nice chat with someone in my AG who was also trying to qualify (he did). With 25 minutes to go, I got in a long portajohn line, and got out just minutes before the gun. Sweats into the bag and tossed onto the truck, but no time to worm my way up to my pace group (almost 3,000 relay runners in additin to almost 5,000 marathoners). When the gun went off, I was well behind the 6:00 group. In the first couple of miles, I worked my way up to the 3:45 group, thereby going out faster than planned (~8:00 m/M on my Garmin) and taking almost 2 m longer to hit the start mat than they did. This could have been a mistake, but McMillan keeps telling me I can run a faster marathon than 3:45, so I wasn't too worried. After catching up with the group, I never left them for long (I walked through aid stations, so I fell a little behind at each one). At mile 20, I missed a second cup of water and, a few seconds later, took a cup (from a HH Harrier?) that looked like a water cup even after being told it was beer (I figured that any diuretic effect wouldn't hurt me during the race). At mile 22, my HR was right around 160, about 92% of max, and I did not feel like surging. I knew I had it in the bag if I could just keep the pacer in sight. In my previous three marathons, I have felt tired, sore, and slow (sound familiar?) in the last 4 miles, and this one was no exception. In those, my HR has been closer to 145-150. This day, I was able to keep it close to 160 for the remainder of the race and I came in not too far behind the pacer. Was it the lack of big hills, a bump from the previous marathon, all that GU, the constant hydration, the good crowd support over the last few miles? Who knows? I remember thinking, if I get this done, I'll never have to do a marathon this fast again. Confident in my BQ (gun time was 3:46:31, I think), I tried to reassure my relatives that I had in fact achieved my goal. I grabbed a water bottle, tried unsuccessfully to unscrew the cap, then got help. Some time later, I had pain and swelling in my wrist, which must have happened when I tried to unscrew the cap. At least this mistake didn't cost me any time! I enjoyed a cup of hot lentil soup and half a banana (not the most lavish spread, but adequate). The last bit of drama was when I changed back into my sweats and needed help getting my shoes on--my calf muscles almost cramped up. The human body can be so fragile and yet is capable of so much. Thanks for all the help and support along the way, CR Boomers. On to Boston  ETA: Helen Klein, 85, set a new world record in her AG by finishing in 5:48:59
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Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile [This message has been edited by Fortunate One (edited Dec-05-2007).]
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Great job, perfect pacing, and you will get even faster too. Congratulations! Take care of that wrist; no more screw top bottles for a while.
