Here are some course maps and extra garbage....
It's both stupid and smart to schedule a LONG race in the beginning of the season. I mean, you have a reason to be out there when all you want to do is stay in a nice and warm bed. I was outside. Sometimes in the dark both a.m and p.m.
So here goes...
So far this season is going well. I did the Caumsett 50K in garbage weather and then in a very anticlimatic manner the NYC Half-Marathon. Next weekend is the Alley Pond 5 Mile Challenge. Obviously my longest run so far this season is the 50K (31 miles). Throught out all this, no injuries. Until now. But more in a minute.
Jim and Pepe were right with me training. Jim is planning on the Marathon and Pepe is eyeing the full while confident about the half. Caumsett they both did the 25K (15.69 M) and all went well. Jim had a lot of buisiness trips so he missed some workouts. Pepe after the 25K started having hamstring issues. I have been the constant in all this. I'll run with anyone, really...
One day, Pepe had to cut it short(er). He wasn't gonna log all my miles for a workout but he was having pain. I left him and continued. I was going for 16. He stopped at 10. I continued after doing the water, into upper AP for the 5 mile loop plus a little more. In upper AP, I was about 12 miles in and running well (for me). Suddenly I see Anthony (my neighbor) who is a great and fast runner. This kid is fast and he was running with a buddy. I usually don't see him even in the neighborhood but don't you know it, I ran into him the very next day while walking the dog. He thought I was running 20 and wondered if I was training for Boston!?! Huge compliment yet unfortunatly not even close. He then told me that I looked good and his friend even commented that I was cruising. Every dog has his day as I always say tho in this case it's more like every dog has his minutes.
Just a little funny story there. Anyway, Thursday, April 7th (4 days ago), I woke up with a pain. Pain running down leg in the front and back and in the middle and what the hell???? Friday it was worse. I slept "wrong" both days and I am pretty sure that I pulled the groin muscle. So many jokes here, I know...Anyway, Saturday I woke up early. I was hoping for a quick ride outside. It was cold and I was hurting and I said screw it and went back to bed. During the day, I kept assessing the situation and decided that a) I think I can run even tho walking is painful and that b) I need to run Sunday 18 miles, non-negotiable.
It's kinda funny, that walking hurts like crazy yet I think I can run. That walking up the stairs is painful yet running them is fine. Gotta run.
Sunday, woke up and felt great. Until I got out of the bed and felt the pain. Walking in the house was painful too. Walking the dog wasn't all that great. I think the pain is diminishing but ... Jim picked me up at 6am and we went to AP to meet Pepe. Getting out of the car was not pleasant but had to happen. Then I started running. And there was no pain. No issues. I was just running.
Took a different route this time. Started the water but made a left on Northern to the Cross Island Parkway. Did a loop at Crotchern (sp?) park too. Pepe headed back (he only wanted 10) and Jim and I continued to the hills in Fort Totten. Ran over there and then retraced our steps back to AP, going through upper AP, back to the Green line back to the car. Got my 18 and felt FREAKIN AWESOME!
My leg/groin thing is still painful. I'm walking a little funny and favoring one side which worries me but as long as I shorten my stride I can run pain free. Things are getting better. It doesn't hurt as much as it did. Let's keep thinking positive.
Yesterday, I was pain free, tho every so often it twinged just to remind me that it happened. Today, nothing...
Anyway, the plan for this weekend is as usual N-U-T-S! Can't be any other way, right?
Friday: I'm planning on taking NJ transit to Monmouth Park (EXPO) to pickup our stuff. Jim is doing the full with me - Pepe isn't coming with us. It's about an hour and a half drive so let's hope the train ride is faster.
Saturday: Lee's parents are driving to Florida. Would have been nice if they flew so at least we can have their car but no. Lee has a class she is taking on Saturday so: a) We need to drop her off and pick her up and b) I have the kids at the YMCA by myself. The second is no problem. I usually stay and she usually comes and go - I don't mind staying and watching. The drop off and pickup on the other hand sucks. It's in Jamaica and close by so not a really big deal but combined with LC and everything else, sucks.
Sunday, Jim and I go. I still don't have a clue as to where race start is so that has to get resolved too.
On the other hand, this will by my 3rd state, YAY!!!! So buck up.
Plans have changed. Friday the expo opened at 1pm and it didn't make sense for me to take the train there, get my stuff and then leave and get here and then leave. Saturday, piled into the car, dropped Lee off and the kids and I were off to NJ. We left at 7:55 and I thought the car ride was about 2 hours which would have put us at the expo at the opening at 10am. GPS said ETA of 9:30, cool. The best part was that I was wrong. The expo hours on Saturday started at 9am. Got in and out no problem.
Let me tell you that the car ride there and back were BORING. Jeremy started a book, finished it, downloaded another book into the kindle and read 40% of it. Later that evening he finished it. Jessie, managed to read 3 and a half books. My car ride was listening to the GPS woman and the radio. No complaints...There could be worse things...
Anyway, we get to the expo (Monmouth Race Track) and it's windy and chilly. We all dressed for later in short sleeves. Had to walk/run from parking lot to the expo. Ended up buying a long sleeve tech shirt on sale for Lee and putting it on Jessie.
Expo went by easily. It was a medium size. Picked up my stuff and Jim's. Let the kids run around together getting free stuff. They enjoy that kind of thing and that's all that counts.
Got back in time for lunch and the YMCA. Things are all right.
Marathon Sunday: Jim wants to leave at 5:15 and I want to leave earlier. He agrees to come to my house at 5am. With the 5 boro bike tour that same day and the Verazanno Bridge closing, who the hell knows what we are going to face. Jim got to me at 5:05 and we are on our way. Excited, scared, unsure - the usual adjectives here.
We fly. There is no traffic tho the lower roadway on the Verazanno is closed.
We get to the Monmouth Race Track (De Ja Vue?) and they are well organized. We are parked in a NY minute. From there we make a beeline to the porta-potties before we get to the shuttles. We chose the further away ones and were rewarded with fresh ones.
Much to my chagrin, I forgot to bring sunscreen but thank God Jim remembered. He had just had 3 pre-cancerous thingies removed off his face the week before. Glad in the buddy system. It was chilly and we were both wearing shorts, singlets, long sleeve shirts and I wore light gloves. We figured we might get rid of the long sleeve shirt and I knew I would take off my gloves. Only mistake made tho was that we only put lotion on the back of our neck. I think Jim also put on his face. We will pay for this mistake later on.
Got on the shuttle to the start. This is real now boys and girls.
Started talking to this guy who knew about last year. His wife runs Marathons. He has run a few overseas in Asia and has run only 1 in the states. The NJ last year in the 90+ temps. He told us that 30 people last year were hospitalized. I'm not suprised. We had it rough in the Long Island Marathon but they started an hour later (stupid) and had even less shade then we did.
Anyway, we get to the runners village feet away from the concrete boardwalk. Way more than LIM and way less than NYC. Still, I think for Jim it must be weird or scary.
They announce that some runner is getting the honorary number of 300 because it is his 300th marathon. Jeez!
We get in the Marathon corral. Just like LIM, there are no corrals there and Jim doesn't want to push in. I'm cool with that. I'm not sure how today will play out. I mean, last week was a garbage run and I don't feel great about the run today.
The real funny thing here is is that we are behind the 6:00 hour pacer. Hm...We are way back. That's ok - that's the plan. The plan is for Jim to run with me until somewhere between 18-20 miles and then if he feels good, then to take off.
So far, so good. We start and things are going well. It's just another Sunday long run at Alley Pond. We run and joke and just tick off the miles, 1 by 1. I took off the gloves before the start. The long sleeve gets tied around our waist only a few miles in. We talk and joke with other runners.
The neighborhoods we see by the way are over the top. We start in Long Branch, go into Oceanport and Deal and Asbury Park and some of these neighborhoods are richier than rich. All the houses I have seen in NY on the bike or through the run don't stack up to some of the houses we will see today.
There is a lot more detail that I have but there is no guarantee that they will be in chronological order.
At one point during the course, we make a left turn and there is a cop there to ensure that no cars go through that intersection. The road is CLOSED! Well, Jim makes the left and I follow. Meanwhile, a car with a NJ marathon official sign in it tries to come up from the direction that we are turning into. I purposely come close to him, trying to make him realize his error. Well, the cop noticed it too and he starts screaming at that car to "back up" and that "there is no way that he is going through that intersection". I turn back and yell my thanks to the cop.
We are running and the 3:50 pace group suddenly is on our heels. Strange place to be in. We didn't mean to be there but we are. Quick math as to how this is possible: A 3:50 full is a 1:55 half. Been there, done that. OK, fine. Still, it's weird. Anyway, as we turn and twist and run, we catch sight of these guys.
The pace leader is a guy named Aaron Ross I find out later. He is a religious jew wearing full regalie (tzitzit). I am not sure what someone asked him, but he did jokingly answer that he is wearing a part yarmulke and part sweatcap. So, I take a look and maybe because of the heat and the run and whatever, the guy looks just like the lead singer of ZZ Top. I gotta get his picture...Then I really hear him talk and the dude's got a southern drawl too. Maybe either the ZZ Top singer converted or he was secretly a religious Jew?
Anyway, this bunch is quite boisterous and are constantly joking and singing. They especially sing a Marine type song. The words follow. Every line is sung by the leader(s) first and then repeated/screamed by the group as loud as you can. This song was sung either by unintended request (Which pace group are you guys?) or pretty much any time we hit a major spectator area or any fluid station or whenever the hell they wanted, which was often.
Every where we go Every where we go People wanna know People wanna know Who we are Who we are So we tell them So we tell them We're the 350 We're the 350 Mighty 350 Mighty 350
Near him is another runner (pacer maybe), female, white and like other fast runners, very scantily clad. It's kinda funny to see the 2 of them together. Like a Black and White cookie if you know what I mean. Opposites.
At one point he mentions that it's a beautiful day with no clouds. She mentions that she would have been happy with at least a cloud or two. He said well, he's dressed a little more than her. That whole exchange was priceless.
We are running and the course is beautiful so far. We have 2 lakes we run around and 1 river/lake that we cross by bridge. I dread the boardwalk - it's coming and I know it.
I think around mile 14 things started getting hard(er). I had to let the 3:50 go. Tried to keep them in sight but it just wasn't meant to be. Would have been really cool to stick with them as long as I can but it's not my pace. I could have been with a faster pace group if this was a half-mary, but it wasn't.
Around this time, I get passed by a runner running barefoot. He wasn't wearing Vibrams or any minimalist type shoe. He was barefoot. And doing the Marathon! As it so happened, I also saw another guy running barefoot on the opposite side but he was "just" training so he doesn't matter - yeah, right! As it happens, I came across the blog of the guy who ran barefoot. The link is here if you're interested but I added his blog entry without permission here as well.
On Sunday, May 1st I ran my second marathon, but first barefoot marathon. I had a goal of running a sub 4 marathon. My training was on the low side, I was averaging about 30 miles per week, and maxed out once at 36 miles, so that was a concern. I did run two 20 milers as well. My official time was 3:51:30! Going into this marathon I heard from a few people on various barefoot forums, that the roads in New Jersey are tough. Well whoever gave me this news you were right! The start of the marathon it was about 55 degrees, right near the ocean, the atmosphere was beautiful. I was just hanging out checking out the waves, and a race director came up to me and said so I assume you are the barefoot runner I heard about. She told me that i was the first barefoot runner to ever run this race, I didn't know if that was good or bad, to me that meant the conditions were going to be tough. I emailed the race director asking if there was any steel bridges, so maybe word got around that there was going to be barefoot runner. I line up with sub 4 pace group, and we are off. Basically there was about 2 miles of smooth concrete, the rest of the marathon was a combination of chip-n-seal, small rocks with tar poured over them, and a various other textures I never ran on where I live. But right from the beginning I knew this was going to be more of a challenge with the terrain, than running the marathon. I was feeling real good though, decided to pick up the pace, and came to the 3:50 pacers, this was about a 8:30 pace, so decided to hang here, 8:30 was the pace I was looking to do anyways. At mile 15 we came to this road that literally had large separations in the concrete, and rocky. I actually closed my eyes for a bit to help me relax through this, it was beating on the feet. The course then took us to the pier walk, which was about 4 miles running on a wooden pier, the first part of the pier was old, chipped, and a nice welcoming for some splinters, but that didn't even bother me. I was relieved to get off the roads for a bit. Mile 20 still feeling strong, but was falling back on the 3:50 pacers. Physically I felt great, but the terrain was actually getting the best of me. Now I know how meat feels as it gets tenderized with one of those meat cleavers. My soles were taking a good beating. Good time right here to say "well if you had footwear you wouldn't have this problem". To that I say I run barefoot, and this is something I needed on my resume to experience. Mile 24 on the home stretch heading back to the start which was the finish as well. It's a cool place, restaurants, bars, on the boardwalk, the vibe was great with spectators. Then I see my family at mile 26. The marathon I ran last year, my son came out from the crowd and we ran in together, which was only about 20 feet, I know he wanted to do that this year as well. But they were about a half mile from the finish, I waved off my wife to not let him come, but here he comes anyways, he is 4 years old, I turn to him to say go back to mommy. He had no problem going back, he seemed overwhelmed with all the people. But as I turned around to him I plowed into this old couple that was coming in from walking the half marathon. I literally almost knocked them both down to the ground. My son went back, I said sorry to the couple and continued on. I felt terrible my son couldn't run with me, but he was fine about it. The next half mile I doubled my pace, spectators just screaming, it was so emotional, and the energy was incredible, that is what the marathon is all about. Given the fact that the conditions were tough, the experience was awesome, and I am thrilled about my time. After 20 months of barefoot running, and this being my first barefoot marathon, I would say on a scale from 1-10 on terrain difficulty, I would give it a 8. If you want to test your will and your bare soles, then run this marathon. I am sure for more experienced barefoot runners, they would have a different perspective on this course. But barefoot running is all about learning, and testing your limits. I was happy to be exposed to this experience.
About 250 yards from mile 16, I pass an ambulance. About 25 yards further, I get to this kid (I guess he was 18ish but he looked young so bare with me or maybe I am just old). He stops running and he leans toward his shoes and he looks like he is gonna topple right over but he manages not to. I yell to him, asking him if he's all right. He looks at me and sort of mumbles something but he doesn't look good. I yell to him to go back to the ambulance but he's like a zombie. I continue to mile 16 and there is a race official there, smiling and cheering the runners on. These guys were really prepared and they truly did a good job. I yell to him that there is a "dead man walking coming and he needs help". As I lose sight of him, I realize that he understood me. His expression changed and he started moving. Good!
So, to account for 26.2, there are a few sections that are kinda silly. Make a right, straight to the first block, make a left, another left and then a right to get back to where you where originally. There was also a go right for a few blocks, make a 180 degree turn and go back out of this little burp. I get it...I do. Tho it's a little annoying, it gives me a chance to monitor Jim. When I dropped, he looked good. Real good. I see him during one of these little burps and he tells me that he will slow down for me and I wave him off. Maybe he should have waited for me, but not on my conscious especially that at this point he still looked good. We had a plan but plans like a marathon need to be dynamic and subject to change.
The way I see it is this: As long as he is in front of me and running, everything is good. If I pass him, then things are well...not so good.
Going back to a quick weather status here. It's not that hot. It feels nice and there is a wind blowing constantly cooling us down. I usually run with a towel to wipe my face but luckily there was no need for it. Luckily because I didn't bring one!
Usually when I do my long runs (with Jim/Pepe/Gail or by myself), I never bring water. I usually don't drink either. Sometimes if there is a need, I will drink from faucets in the park or from hoses that are near people's houses. I usually know where the good spots are tho one time the water was ... I don't know what it was. I either drank rust or perhaps they had a lawn juice thingie connected to the hose because it tasted like chemicals. Anyway, in the winter, since I don't bring liquids and due to the fact that all the hoses/sprinklers are turned off, I end up not drinking at all. Jim is always amazed/shocked by this and I am probably stupid for it. Go run 18 miles and not drink anything and then you'll understand what I mean. In any case, during the Marathon, even tho it was only 70 degrees, and we had a strong wind/breeze and it was really beautiful, I needed to drink. I felt it. I knew I was in trouble. I drank. Tried to alternate between Gatorade and water. They had half bananas in some aid stations but I skipped those. Never try anything new during a race. Besides the fluids, I did take in a gel at 1 point and also supplemented with pita chips I brought with me. These are toasted pita chips with sea salt. I usually bring pretzels but this time I brought them instead.
This seemed to work for me and things were ok.
I have to mention at this point that some runners are S-T-U-P-I-D! I just don't get them. I didn't have a banana but I almost slipped on a few. At fluids stations, things can get a little crazy with cups or ice forming due to liquids spilled and freezing temps. I get it. But runners...C'mon. Throw the banana peel AWAY from the course, not on it. And it's not even an altruistic thing for your fellow runner. I mean certain sections are out and back which means, that you yourself might fall on a banana peel coming back. I mean think of self-preservation here, you know? It's called common sense!
During the race, this guy (I think named Mark - I'm terrible with names even if I don't run a marathon) and I sometimes leap frog each other and some times we run together and talk. He has an URBAN EPIC shirt on him (cool logo) and is friendly enough. He's an ultra runner who is treating this run as just another training run since he is running his first 50 miler in approx. 4 weeks (Memorial Day Wknd). Also, he just ran a Marathon approx. 3 weeks ago.
Anyway, he has a great story to share which I have to repeat. Some time ago, his wife and kids went to visit his in-laws. The wife and kids went with the in-laws to church and he was going to run 18 miles (3 loops of 6 miles). He woke up at 4:30 and got all ready to go. About 10 minutes before he left, the sky opened up. Now, at this point, I would have run to a treadmill because I am a wuus. Well, maybe not a wuss. I have run in the rain. I ran the 50K in the rain. I just hate starting out in the rain. I mean if it rains while you are out there, that's one thing but starting in the rain? YUCK! Anyway, like a good little soldier who wasn't going to melt in the rain, he went out. He did his 3 loops and got back home. Family still wasn't back so he went to get cleaned up. Apparently his father in law has some medical issues but he has a chair in the shower which isn't the worst idea sometime.
Anyway, he got in and started the water and started screaming. Let's rewind a little here. He ran in the rain. His clothes stretched and moved and he got chafed. Badly. Apparently, his nipples started bleeding severely which leaked all the way into his shoes which combined with the rain gave him some terrific blisters. His camelback also relocated due to the rain and chafed his entire back. He also pushed the pace and his knees were hurting and fast forward to him sitting in the chair with his knees all locked up. So, let's see. He can't get up because of his knees. The hot water was killing him in the front and the back and there is no one home. He was stuck there, screaming and cursing until he managed to get out. Hurts me to even think about it. Little do I know what's gonna happen to me when I get home.
We are on the boardwalk and I hate it. I mean the crowd support is awesome but still I hate it. Wood boardwalk's usually have 2 types of wood configuration. Sometimes the wood is in a diagonal configuration and sometimes it's in a straight line that you are walking in. I, personally, find that it's easier to run on the straight boards so whenever that was available, I took it. That means that sometimes I ran where I wasn't supposed to but that's ok with me.
I should also mention (again) that part of this course goes in Asbury Park where they have their own Marathon relay race. I was actually considering doing it as a team of 1 but it's 8 loops and each loop has a significant portion on the boardwalk. I actually considered it even tho... And during the race, I completly ditched the idea. What a stupid idea. Now, I'm back on the fence so we will see. I actually knew that was gonna happen. My guess is that I will 1 day due Asbury Park.
The Asbury Park race from what I can remember is partly on the boardwalk and partly off. The relay change point and start/stop is actually in a building on the boardwalk. Look in the images I saved and you will see a runner running through the building. It's pretty cool actually tho I wonder if the novelty wears off before you finish loop number 8.
I think around mile 18 or 19, while still leap froging or running together with Mark, I see Jim. He's walking. I asked him what's up and whether he needs anything. I have pita chips, tylenol or gum to offer. He tells me he doesn't need anything and to keep going. I wish him well and continue. I'm worried about him but I know he's got the miles and the will and he will be fine. I assume he will catch up to me any minute.
I am very aware of myself during the race. Constantly evaluating myself and my needs and I don't just mean nutrition. During the race, I make sure to try to relieve tension in my neck/shoulders by bunching them up, in my arms by shaking them loose and in my face by smiling or grinning. My left arm tingles every so often which is strange and my left pec feels a little strange. I have foreboding thoughts of Shingles again but I push those negatives away.
We reach 19 and the final turn around. Everything now is aimed at going back to the finish. Previously before going on the boardwalk, I paid attention and realized that mile 21 is off the boardwalk and that's important. It's not to far to get of this hell.
Mile 20.5 and we are off the boardwalk. What a great feeling. I won't miss it.
Not sure when I dropped Mark for the final time but I did. I start talking to this guy who just signed up for his first Half-Ironman and I give him some advice about wetsuits and such. We run together a little.
More and more I look at my 2 watches. At mile 20, I was at 3 hours which means a 4 hour Marathon is theoretically possible if I do 10 minute miles. Problem is, that at this point, I walk for a few steps during every fluid station to drink calmly. I could have run it but decided not to. No regrets!
One watch was in tune with the mile splits and I was manually keeping splits. The other watch, the Garmin, was doing his own calculations and he was constantly a little ahead of each mile. This was annoying.
I run and talk to people and everything is good. This is getting old tho and I would like to finish. I guess I forgot to mention something kinda important. At around mile 8, I got a blister. Same place as the one I got the previous week. My left foot, on the toe that's closest to the big toe is on fire. It hurts and I am still running on it. All in all, I will end up running around 14 or more miles on it. I don't know what's going on there but I know that I am not stopping for it.
A little after mile 24.5, we sort of head left with a quick right and then back onto the concrete boardwalk. I don't mind the concrete boardwalk. It's just another road, right? And the best part is I am almost done, tho I still can't see the finish line and that irritates me. Anyway, I make that left and I see the quick right. Unfortunatly, people are crossing right in front of me. I find that at 1 point in a long race, thinking becomes a little harder. I know I have to cross this path and that I am not going to stop and I kinda wonder how many people I will crash into. I'm not even thinking about what to do. I'm not trying to be a bad guy here - I just don't have the faculties to think about this complex problem. Luckily, a race official is there to think for me. He quickly stops people and I run through. I know I am a fart away from mile 25 and am close to a 4 hour race and I am pushing. I am putting on the speed and luckily he made a path for me. As is, that quick right was ugly and I end up running the grass by accident. Once that quick right is done, I hug the left for the next tangent. I'm not even thinking about it. It's just the right thing to do. Shortest path is a straight line. Anyway, I am hugging the wall of this building on another left. As I clear the building, I almost crash into an older lady. I think she is an official and she went short instead of going wide. Luckily, she manages a step back and I manage a step away and we just miss. She is shorter than me and skinnier and she would have flown. Again, not on purpose.
So far so good. On schedule and I am pushing. My perceived effort is through the roof but Pavlov is ringing the bell and I am his dog.
On the concrete boardwalk and still pushing. I have joined the half-marathoners and some of them are walking. I wish they would be a little more thoughtful. I have no problems with walkers. I have no problem with them walking next to each other but at least move to the side. Still, all good.
As I come up to 2 women half-marathon walkers, I see a space between them and I take it. I run up between them. One of them, is on the phone, "hello? hello? Yeah, it's me...I am on my way...Yeah...etc....". I know it's rude of me, 2 wrongs don't make a right but I yell out "hello? hello? Can you hear me now?". As I run, I hear the woman next to the one on the phone tell her friend "I think we are in the runners way". Someone has some brains.
Still can't see the finish line but I go for broke. I take my cap off and my sunglasses off and I am running hard. I can't see because of the light and the effort and I hope no one is in my way since my eyes are closed and I run harder. I miss the 26 mile marker which sucks. I open my eyes and see the finish line. I run even harder. I pass about 30 people going right through them and finish. I get my medal and goto the side.
I lean over. I find it easier to lower my heart rate that way. My heart rate is out of control and I am having trouble sucking in air. I am wheezing or some such trying to breathe.
Jim and I decided that we meet next to the big (inflatable) gorilla who is playing with his weiner (he is holding a hotdog) but I know Jim is about to cross the finish line any minute so I wait. I wait 10 minutes and then decide to get water for him. Surely he would like some. I get water for both of us and I go back to the finish line. Talking to one of the volunteers, I see gloves with "NJM 26.2" on them. From the guy on the bus, I know they were giving them out to those people who were running the 5K, the day before. I ask the volunteer if I can have one and she tells me she doesn't know any reason why I can't have one. I tell her then to give me one and then let's both not worry about it. She smiles and handes a pair over and I disappear.
Jim is still not there and now I begin to worry. Is he ok? Did I miss him? I wait another 10 minutes or so and then decide to go to the meeting place. I get food on the way and a can of Pepsi (YAY....!) and on the way to the Gorilla, I see him jumping the fence. I meet up with him and redirect him to get food. Gotta get food. We run into dude from Bus and then head to the shuttles.
Jim told me that around mile 20 or 21 both of his hamstrings locked up in a cramp and he couldn't run. Walking painful. Eventually managed to run.
Jim heard that last year, there was an hour wait. I hope not. There is a line and I want to cut but Jim says no. We eat on the fast moving line and once again the management of the race shone through. They put a fluid station near the shuttles. GENIUS! We get on the bus and straight to the parking lot. Redirect to try to pee. An hour and a half drive and who knows how long it could really be and you just gotta try to pee. Success for both of us. We change into comfortable shoes, eat some more, phone calls and we head out. Long line to get out of the parking lot. Turns out some idiot is trying to collect money for something. Idiot!
When I took my shoes off, I examine my toe. I have a blister. The biggest I have ever seen. I should have taken a picture. It's sticking up and it's a little more than a half inch in height. It's beautiful. Boom and it's done.
Had some real slow spots of traffic. Verazanno is reopened but still some areas have delays. We actually see some bikers on the bridge getting into Staten Island for their finish.
Home, shower and pizza!
And now for the sunscreen. Yeah. We both got burned. Badly. Jim, after dropping me off, put his long sleeve shirt back on so wifey won't see.
Self assessment: Bad sunburn on shoulders, shoulder blades and arms. Color on face. Chafed in front just under shorts line. Chafe in same area on back too. No injuries but my hamstrings and quads are letting me know they are there. My father always said that you are not supposed to feel the presence of a muscle. If you do, then you injured it. I didn't injure it but it's letting me know it's there. Overall ok.
No hot shower. Sucks. Monday I took off. Tuesday, I put my bag on my shoulder and almost sank with bag it hurt that bad. Thursday morning was my first hot shower. Wednesday was first workout post Marathon (3000 yards swim).
Thinking back (over and over with over analyzing):
Jim - I don't know that he did anything wrong. Personally, I felt like there was a mob chasing after us (the 3:50 group) and I felt like I had no choice to run until I couldn't run away from them and was captured. He survived longer but then again he is a better runner. A faster runner too. There are 2 things that I would suggest to him tho. Before a long(er) race, I down a salt thingie. Really can't hurt. Usually a salty meal (evening and/or breakfast) is enough for most people but I take one anyway. Also, bring pretzels or crackers or something(!) for the final miles. I find that it helps. Also, the weather was very misleading. Unlike last year when it was in the 90+ and it was obvious that you had to drink, here the wind was masking that. I don't know how much he needs to drink and how much he drank but that could have been an issue. I don't think he was dehydrated. He was able to pee. Maybe hypertremie (sp?) was a factor and it could have been solved by that salt packet... Who knows?
I think overall he did well tho he might not agree. The Marathon is a humbling experience. Every time there is something to learn. Unlike a 5K where it's short enough to out-muscle, here any little thing can break you.
I did something new this year - I adapted and learned. I usually have my bib on a race belt giving me the option to take off layers or to add layers. This year, they had the chip on the bib and so I put the bib on my shorts. You see if the chip gets bent then no time is recorded. Already happened to me in 2 marathons and it's not worth it. Lesson learned.
Elik - I'm not sure what happened to me except all I can say is "Every dog has his day. And I had mine". I did not feel great coming into this but I pulled one out. I have a possible theory but I truly don't know.
Here's my theory: We all have been told that the "correct" way to run a race is to do either constant splits or even better to do negative splits. Makes sense... Too bad I don't follow it. Like most people, I go out to fast and slowly die. Well a long time there was an article in Runner's World and it said that in small races, sometimes it might be a good idea to start out to fast. Go out and build too big a lead for anyone to catch up. Especially on a twisty course, where you are out of sight, this could help. Now, is it possible that by running with the 3:50, I gave myself a big enough cushion to fall back on or maybe even splits would have been better?!? I am never going to find out.
Final thoughts (maybe...): This was an extremly well run race and we got lucky with the weather. They give less schwag than LIM but that race gives way too much out and is the exception. The traffic back could be a factor especially since the 5 boro bike tour is that same day. You really need to think about that aspect. Perhaps stay and hang out at the beach is the right way to go.