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First some background:
Two and a half years ago, just before my 44th birthday, I saw my doctor for
an annual physical. I definitely felt like I was approaching middle age. I
didn't have much energy, my cholesterol was a little high, and the doctor
said I should lose some weight. I distinctly remember walking away from the
doctor's office feeling really down. Then, I decided I had reached a fork in
the path of my life - I could continue on the road to becoming a chubby old
man, or I could do something about it. That same day I decided two things -
I would exercise every day, and I won't eat junk.
I had been a pretty good runner when I was in my 20s. I had almost broken 3
hours in the marathon twice - I ran a 3:00:43 marathon in 1980 in Lyme
Connecticut at the age of 22, and a 3:00:39 a year later (Nittany Valley
Marathon, 1981), and also a few others under 3:10, but never under 3 hours.
Later I had gradually given it up as pressures of career took too much of my
energy. My weight gradually increased, especially as I passed 40 years old.
It had always been a regret of mine that I had never run a sub-3 hour, since
I probably could have done it when I was younger. But I figured that chance
had long since passed by.
Well, after two years of exercising again, I went from a 44 year old that
was barely able to run mile, up to the point where I could think of running
a 3 hour marathon again. After a year of training I ran a 3:02:30 at Austin
(in 2003), so I figured I had a shot at a sub 3 hours in 2004.
Now for the race report - Austin marathon, Feb 15, 2004:
The weather was just about perfect, 37 degrees F at the start, and almost no
wind.
I started the morning at 4:30 am - two cups of black coffee, no food. Not
too much water yet, so I don't have to pee every ten minutes. Head for the
start at about 5:45 am, with my wife and sister (my sister is doing the
half-marathon). Mostly sit in the car for an hour to keep warm, only
venturing out for a short jog to get my legs moving. At 6:50 am I head to
the start line, carrying two 20 ounce bottles of water, which I drink about
5 minutes before the start. I see lots of familiar faces, from the Distance
Challenge race series, and the 30K five weeks ago.
The Austin course is pretty fast, its point-to-point with about a 300 foot
elevation drop. Unfortunately, all of the elevation drop is in the first 14
miles. The last 12 miles are rolling, not flat, but no monster hills, just
little ones.
I got across the start line in 7 seconds, and went through the first mile in
6:35, a bit fast but not too unreasonable. 40:10 at the 10K split, which is
a bit fast for me, but its downhill. I see my wife Lisa with a sign saying
"Go Dave Go" at 7 miles (I didn't know she made me a sign!).
1:25:13 at the half marathon mark, which is way too fast for me, but it
didn't feel too fast. No real fatigue yet.
I see my wife again at 14 miles, and she hands me a 24 ounce water bottle,
which I completely drink over the next half mile. There is a long gradual
uphill heading for the turn around at the 17 mile mark, where I get my first
hint of tired legs. This is the only part of the course where I can see the
really fast runners heading back from the turn around, which is amusing.
They sure are fast! After turning around at mile 17, I start heading back
myself, and see the crowd of runners behind me (hi Noah!). There is a big
pack a few minutes behind me, which must be the 3 hour pace group. I hope I
don't see them again until the finish!
My legs are feeling a bit tired at 18, but this is normal, right? I haven't
slowed down, still running around 6:40 per mile. But the splits are getting
a bit harder to figure, my brain is getting a bit slow. I do a PR for 30K.
And 2:12:02 at 20 miles, also a PR for me. My wife has another sign for me
at 20 - "Run Baby Run". It seems silly, but it really does perk me
up!
Mile 21 is 7:00 minutes - but I figure I can run 7's the rest of the way and
still hit 2:56.
Mile 22 has a little hill, which really slows me down. A 7:20 for this one.
Mile 23 is a 7:40, uh-oh!
Somewhere in 24 there is a little hill (or maybe slight upward slope) and it
nearly stops me. My legs are absolutely burning now, but the most
frustrating thing is they won't do what my brain tells them to! An 8 minute
mile. I am doing OK on the flat and downhill, but an uphill slope on mile 25
nearly kills me, my legs just won't move. A little hill at the bridge over
the interstate slows me down again, and makes me dizzy. Over 8 minutes for
mile 25.
My mile 25 split is 2:50:10 - all I need is to do 8 minute pace for a little
over a mile, and I will break 3 hours. Unfortunately, I can barely move my
legs, and any slight irregularity in the road surface threatens to send me
sprawling. But I am still running (though not very fast). I think I can do
an 8 minute mile!
I see Palmer auditorium, the finish line, and my watch says 2:57 and some
seconds. I am running as fast as I can, but it is pathetic. Then I can see
the digital clock at the finish line, it says 2:59 and something. But I'm
not there yet. The finish line announcer asks the crowd to cheer for those
trying to get under 3 hours - but the next time I look at the finish line
clock I see 3:00:10. I'm across the line at 3:00:41.
But I'm not really disappointed. I know I would have been disappointed if I
hadn't given it my best effort. But I fought every step of the way, and
never gave up. That was all I had in me.
Now, a few days later, I am pretty much recovered, and I am just amazed at
how much better it feels to be 46 years old, compared to when I was 44. I'll
be back again next year!
PS - I wonder if I am the only person in the world who has run 3 sub 3:01
marathons without ever breaking 3 hours. That sure is weird!
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