This one is for Ash, as he seems to be the only one reading this or even caring that I write it.
Let's start at the beginning, and by that I mean, waking up at 4:30 am to be at Allison's by 5:15 and be parked on 43rd Street at 5:30.
I awoke and immediately started hydrating. I don't believe I hydrated enough the night before, seeing as how I drank 48 oz of water right before bed.
I checked the temperature and wind measurements. Very calm, less than 5 mph, a drastic change from the morning before. The temperature was a chilly 40 degrees. But this shouldn't be a problem as there will be lots of runners surrounding everyone. The day's attire will be an Under Armour mock turtleneck thermal, a Virginia Tech Nike technical shirt and Nike technical shorts.
After choosing the clothes, I began to load up my running tech. My iPhone, which has GPS tracking software (TrailGuru) and is also my music player, my armband for said iPhone, and my Nike+ Sportband, which keeps track of your pace and steps. Luckily, no of these is too heavy to weigh me down. But i do look like a tool with all this equipment on.
As we get to the location of starting corral, I'm suddenly very calm. I had been filled with a nervous energy. My running group doesn't have this same feeling. Everyone in it is a seasoned runner, with at least one FULL marathon under their belt.
We get in one last use of the facilities and one last sip of water. My brother, Justin, his friend, Phil, my Mom and Meghan's mom have come down to cheer us on. Meghan, Allison and I walk into the starting corral. We are starting about a block away from the actual start line. We don't even hear the gun go off.
At 7 am, the heard of people, 7000 total, starts to slowly creep forward. As we cross the start line we start our individual measuring devices and realize we are already 5 minutes behind.
The first mile of the race was unlike the opening scene of City Slickers, when there is a see of people running with the bulls in Spain. Oddly enough, there are people running as though bulls were chasing them. Me, I decided I wouldn't mind being the tortoise today. I found a spot in the crowd where I could run comfortable at my training pace of 10 mins/mile. I'm passing people, and still being passed. Ok. Except for the fact that 3 songs have played on my iPhone, I don't realize we've passed the first mile marker. 9:55. Ok. I'm okay with that. My breathing isn't labored, my legs are yelling at me. I'm good and comfortable.
The second mile brings a bit of twist. Here I come across a pack of slower runners, and they are taking up the entire width of the street. And guess what, they are dressed for the occasion. They all look like the bowling pin shaped leprechauns. This gives me a laugh but also infuriates me, I have to sprint to get around them before we get to a water station. I bypass the first water station. I've notice my legs are still feeling good and that I'm not breathing very hard yet. Also, it is starting to get a little warmer. Second mile complete, 19:55. Still on pace.
After this, I'm not sure of my exact mile times as they only had clocks every two miles and I didn't want to look down at my Sportband to see where I was at. I feared it I wasn't as far as I believed I would become discouraged and want to walk.
Mile three was really sort of a blur. I remember running by the Hash House Harriers's table. They were serving beer. Note to self, this may be a good place to stop on the way in. Legs aren't tired and my breathing is still within normal range. Also, I have not lost sight of Meghan and Allison, they are 100 yard ahead of me and running at the same pace.
There is supposed to be a water station at mile 4, but the city didn't turn the water on, so no water. The run from mile 4 to mile 6 was pretty good. Lots of people darting into the woods along Shore Drive. I'm guessing with no facilities around the woods work pretty well. Just don't use the ivy... :) At mile 5 I pulled out my Power Gel. I did this here believe there was a Carb-boom station at mile 10.
I get gatorade at mile 6. Man that is sweet. We are now running on Fort Story. The site of first landing of Capt John Smith and his crew in 1607. Here is also where the original and the new Cape Henry lighthouses reside. After passing the six mile mark, my legs begin to feel heavy and my breathing has gone from rhythmical to slightly erratic.
As we approach mile 7 there is a radio dj with a clock in his truck telling us were are more than half way home. This is good new and bad news. At mile seven, my time is 1:10:45 seconds. I'm still right on time with my desired pace and finishing time. The bad news is I'm starting to fade.
The sun is now full up, it is about 8:15am. I know most of my friends in birmingham are still not even awake yet. Damn you guys. I'm really feeling the fatigue now. Mile 8 is approaching, I look up and notice that Meghan and Allison are now about 1/4 mile ahead of me. But I can still see them. As I get to the eight mile mark, the Notre Dame Alumni Association of Virginia has sponsored this water stand. They have a goal post set up for you to throw you cup over. This gets me a little excited and I kick up my pace a little. I'm at around a 9:45 min/mile pace, I'm feeling a little better and know that I'm almost 2/3 the way home.
As we approach pass mile nine, the photographers are waiting there to take our pictures. Wow, they couldn't do this earlier, when we feel better. Oh well. After passing the camera jockey I feel very winded. I'm really having to concentrate on my stride and my breathing. My brain wants to quit and my body wants to collapse. I tell myself, just make it to mile 10 and we'll get some energy and we'll be back in business. We can hold out for another mile.
As I cross mile 10, the clock reads 1:47:15, my actual time is 1:42:15. I'm slightly slower than 10 min/mile, but I'm still doing good. Wait, where's the energy gel stop. That place only had water. Dammit!!!! Well, my body demands we back off a little. After crossing 10 miles, at 77th street, I begin a pattern of walking a block running 9 blocks and I do this from 77th street to 45th street.
Forty-fifth street is just north of where our regular running group meets, its also the 12 mile mark. I am determined to cross the finish line running and to run the last 1.1 miles. I get a splash and go of water at mile 12 and begin my run in.
I get back to my 10 min/mile pace. No need to kill yourself here, just finish the race. There are 8 blocks until we get on the boardwalk, then 9 more blocks one the board walk. This is the hardest mile I've ever run. As I get on the boardwalk, my family is there cheering and I know I can't quit until I get across the line.
The last tenth of a mile, from 13 to the finish line wow, that seemed to take forever. I'm finished.... WOW!!!!!! I did it, I really ran one of these things.
A victory for big guys everywhere. I wonder where I would have finished up in the clydesdale division.
After the race, time for a water, a banana and some pretzels. Head over to the park and see the family, take some pictures and have a beer. Yes, beer. I love when races are sponsored by beer companies :)
Now, my next challenge, do I run a full marathon or just be glad I'm still alive.
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