2004 Lewis & Clark Marathon Journal

Lewis & Clark Marathon Journal
September 19th, 2004
The Vision
This past year has been a running adventure, and with an early season half marathon, my partner and I had kept our momentum over the spring and summer. We had no goal other than to work out enough to eat whatever we wanted. I think my partner always had her sights set on this half marathon… it is actually a very nice way to bookend the warm seasons. I was non-committal. But, as the month of September drew nearer we ran more and I became available for longer training runs. Following a trip to Las Vegas, two weeks prior to the event and just before a trip to Mexico we ran 12 miles and walked four on a Saturday. It was not a problem. We decided that day to register for the half marathon, as the fine people at Fleet Feet said we could do another lap if we chose to. And there it was, hedged to the maximum, registered to run a half and hoping to complete a full. But, usually one to complain about such evasions to commitment, I thought the whole scheme to be smart. The fact was that we were not prepared for a full 26.2 miles. Why not let our bodies decide on the day of the event?
Training
From a training standpoint, my partner and I do everything. She does more indoor and treadmill work than me. I do more weights and biking than her. Our mileage is probably similar. I like hills, she does not. She likes heat, I do not. There are other fun contrasts. Anyway, she follows the Fleet Feet half marathon schedule pretty well. I am more into the long runs once I have a good base. Since speed and times are not a concern for me, the long run is my key in training.
The Night Before
I made fettuccini Alfredo and we indulged. Crème brulee for dessert and we indulged some more. It was all homemade and wonderful. We planned on meeting at the Arena at 615am.
Race Morning
I set off after eating some lady fingers and Nutella and drinking my usual six shots of expresso. I threw in a protein drink and a glass of water for good measure. Everything seemed fine. I loaded my supplies in the car and drove in the dark onto 364 east. Just as I was grabbing the right lane for the Arena Parkway exit I heard a thump. I thought I must have hit a bird or rabbit and I drove on. There was little traffic at that point. After parking I organized everything and started to put on Body Glide as I watched the cars fill in around me. As I reached for my shoes my heart stopped. The thump I heard was the 70mph force of the wind ripping the shoes off the roof of my car… I had left them there when loading the car earlier!!! I quickly started the car and drove against the incoming flow of cars to the Arena. I was home in less than 10 minutes and grabbed more shoes and socks. Returning to 364 I knew exactly where to look for my Saucony’s. And there they were, safely positioned on in the “V” space between the merging lane from Heritage Landing and the main traffic lanes. I pulled off and grabbed them. I found my trusty Wright socks as well. Everything was good… if I could make the start time. The traffic had become horrendous. In a cell phone call with my partner, I had set up a meeting spot under the 10 minute pace marker. I made it with five minutes to spare. There was no need to warm up… my heart had been racing for 30 minutes! We were off!
The Start – Mile 2
DAG timing is cool. No worries about getting your true time. We just trotted up to the start line, and it took a couple of minutes. There was no real nervous energy, but anticipation of a good day by most. My partner handles things a little different than me. I usually end up the talker and cheerleader in stressful moments. She is usually irritated by my upbeat approach initially, and thankful for the diversion later! I am a militantly positive person, and everyone around me realizes that if they stick around long enough. The runners did not spread out very much for the first few miles. We ran in a crowd on the concrete of Arena Parkway. At the 2-mile mark on Main Street I was commenting on how Flat Five runners struggled mightily up the shallow grade in front of the Ameristar. I commented that I do not consider that particular geographical obstruction a hill at all, and that, according to me, there were NO hills on this course. Hey, I told you I was an optimist!
Miles 3-6
As we made Riverside Drive we traced our normal training route for about 1.5 miles. It was nice to be on your “home field” for your first marathon, I thought. Runners were comfortably spread out as we made the turn onto Second Street. As we made it through DuSable and Bales parks, I had no idea there was so much space up that way. Winding our way through the area would be the only new ground we would tread that day. Getting onto the Katy was gratifying for the joints, but I was careful of the pebbles. Getting one in your shoes is a frustrating experience, and would require a stop to remove it.
Miles 7-11
This is Katy Trail country. Flat, easy, shaded. The first two traits are welcome in a marathon, but torturously boring in training. Shade is always welcome! The only diversion is the section through Frontier Park. The Missouri River is a source of energy for me. It is ancient and mysterious and powerful. It hums to me. I liked being close to it for a moment. I know it sounds weird… but I can’t tell you how many times in the winter I have stood atop a bluff and watched the river flow. It is so persistent in its progress. It is exactly what we need to be to run a marathon, I thought.
Miles 12-13.1
Going up to the new parking lot at Page was another grade, but since riding it the first time I have thought the hill to be remarkably well done. I just zoom right up it on a bike. Running was no different. Two women were just hammering up the top section, which is the steepest part. I had heard them discuss getting up and getting over it quickly. I liked that approach. At the top I heard a man say “go Reed” at the food station. I looked back and was blinded by the southeastern sun, and just gave appreciative thumbs up to the unknown man. At the turn into the Arena parking lot at mile 12 we saw Sue, Jon and Jennifer from the “wine circle.” They had said they might come down and cheer us on at the halfway mark. It was VERY cool to have your own fans! Just after them there was a group offering Dixie cups of beer. I resisted the temptation. I had discussed not kicking the finish with my partner. Yeah… right! She never disagreed or agreed, but with her competitive nature she just could not hold back. After circumnavigating the parking lot we took the left turn into the Arena and finished in a flurry of activity and people. We walked around disoriented and grabbed some water. We finally made our way outside and to the car. Sue, Jon and Jennifer took a few quick pictures and we were off and walking.
The second half… mile 13.1 – 15
This was a discussion period for my partner and I. We committed to our walk run pattern and finishing, and I committed to staying with her. She seemed to deflect this commitment or not fully understand why I would do that. Marathons are a thing better experienced with others, but that is my opinion. I just get more out of doing things as a team… I accomplished enough by myself. I suppose not everyone feels the same, and that is cool, too. My partner had a blister on the knuckle of her big toe; I was going to be there for her if she were to tough it out to the finish. Our pattern was to be 2 walk, 1.5 run, 2 walk 1.5 run, 2 walk, 1 run, 2 walk, finish running. We reached the 15-mile marker and I was happy for the fact I had stopped sweating and regained my breath completely. I felt particularly strong. We started running again.
Miles 16 – 20
Truthfully, these miles just flew by. We made jokes with running club member Sheila at the Boonslick intersection about how we needed foot transplants and where we could go to get them. We ran along Riverside and onto Second, again knowing every inch and crack in the surface. We walked into and through the turnaround and began running again on the Katy Trail. I had to convince my partner to run, as her foot was really hurting. She gutted it out and found a favorable groove. As we progressed I made the comment that every step or stride we took for the remainder of the event was a new PR for both of us. We made the 20-mile mark at the South end of Frontier Park and started walking again.
Miles 21-23
At this point we could really smell the finish. It became easier in a way. But, my pinky toes were hypersensitive and my partner’s blister was raw and painful. Mentally, though… it was easier. At this point we both knew we would be able to finish. The whole race we had drank at every stop and did gels every 30 to 45 minutes. I had brought electrolyte drink for my fuel belt, which I had reloaded at my car, and had consumed 84 ounces of it… my kidneys ached slightly, and I realized why! We saw people finishing at the end of this stretch, which was very emotional for me. I saw two boys join their father to run the last mile and almost lost it.
Miles 24 – Finish
We were on our last interval… we had made it! There was no question at this point for me. The day, the weather, the energy, the plan… everything had fallen into place. Even with the catastrophic beginning, it had all worked out. We walked up to the 364 parking lot and I finally found out who my fan was. Ken, ultra-runner freak extraordinaire, was the man I could not see before. Ironwoman Vicki was there, too. At the Arena Parkway re-entry, running club member Terry was out there in her cast, recovering from a stress fracture. Damn, we were lucky! We had all of these people we knew see us and cheer us on. We had Terry there and she reminded us that we were healthy enough to do the event. We saw others as well. Ironcouple Terry and Kay were on the course as volunteers. It was awesome. We reached the 25-mile mark and started to run again. Another lap of the parking lot… but this time I grabbed a beer when offered and chugged it! As Severine and I hit the 26-mile mark I started thinking out loud.
“320 meters to go,” I said.
“And to think that my [ex] wife moved out a year ago yesterday,” I said. My partner began to cry a little. We have both had tough roads this past year. But we have created a nice legacy so far, becoming better people than we were before. We surged into the chute into the Arena, seesawing with each other in a full sprint. I kept yelling at her to push it. We were marathoners!!!
Post Race – Aftermath
I took off my shoes and walked on the freezing Arena floor. I placed my shoes on the finish line for a few moments. They had carried me through some miles, and would never bear my weight again. I don’t intend to run another marathon either. But I never say never! My more likely future is a graduation to Triathlons and Duathlons. My partner caught the bug, and will likely do another one. I hit the massage table and my smaller toes cramped into a bird’s claw position. A young lady marveled as she massaged the cramps away. I felt so good. They didn’t even hurt. It was great to walk out to the car in bare feet. I saw running club members Glen and Kelly resting on the grass. We had a few words, just like we had done in the starting mass. It had all come full circle. But now, after, burning about 4,000 calories and consuming only 1,000, it was time to EAT!
Equipment Details
Almost 100% of training and racing done in Saucony Grid Omni 3 CRM-M [Moderate Stability] 9.5 regular width. These shoes have a wide toe box and prevent my main foot problem… toe overlap/rub. Alternate shoes were New Balance 870OR [off-road] 9.5D. Also used Wright Running Lite double layer socks and BodyGlide lubricant to eliminate almost all blisters, rubs and chaffing. Used Clif Shot Mocha Gels in Amphipod Micropack LandSport & Airflow Rapid Access pouches. Used Ultima Replenisher sugar free electrolyte replacement drink in a 2005 Terminator 6 bottle Fuel Belt. I use running-specific shorts and wicking poly shirts of several brands... my favorites are InSport and Asics. Finally, I use waterproof athletic tape over my nipples to prevent wearing the ‘red number eleven’ at the end of long runs!!!