Marathon #5: Done!
This was an interesting one. My milage was down a bit for the month of February, as I only logged 90 training miles post-Miami and leading up to Hyannis. Foul weather played a role, and I missed a few runs due to my calf, and before I realized it was time to taper again and let my body get ready for another 26.2.
The family packed into the Volvo and we hauled down to the Cape on Saturday morning (2 hours exactly - try doing that in July!) and checked into the Holiday Inn Hyannis, about a five minute drive to the start. The kids were delighted at the fact that they had a heated indoor pool.
The expo was held at the Hyannis Resort & Conference Center, which also served as the start and finish. Picked up my bib #102, met up with an old buddy who has also gotten into the racing/triathlon game and got a quick on-site massage for my calves which was well worth it.
The weather was a big question mark for me, and consequently I wasn't sure how to dress. The Cape forecast said a light accumulation of snow overnight into the morning, then warming to a high of 41 which is actually comfortable running weather. Considering the fact that this was a 10:00am start, I decided not to wear my cold weather North Face Apex jacket and just opted for two light layers - one Berghaus technical zip-up and a Patagonia capilene zip-up over that - because when that North Face gets wet, it gets heavy.
Jack Fultz, winner of the '76 Boston Marathon shouted GO! and we were off. Light snow at the start, and I made a point to keep my miles around 8:30, which I did successfully the first 8-9 miles or so before slipping in the high 8's. The course is essentially two loops throughout Hyannis, but I was also aware that this is more of a 1/2 marathon (2000+ runners) with a full 26.2 tacked on (400 runners) by running the loop twice. I kept my pace steady, and resisted the urge to press, with the intention of having enough in the tank for the later miles. In fact, I 'drafted' like a racecar off of a pair of runners who after mile 2 were also running 8:30 miles, so that kept me in check and prevented me from sporadic surges which I'm apt to do early on.
The snow changed over to sleet perhaps an hour into the race, then back to snow, and finally settled on a steady sleet for a good portion of the race. The temps never seemed to warm, however, even when the sleet morphed into a cold, pelting rain. (Temps never broke 35, in fact.) My fleece gloves were soaked, and when I saw the family at Mile 12 I handed them my gloves - big mistake - because my hands were numb the rest of the way. I don't have a true 100% waterproof running jacket, and may need to invest in one because I was soaked to my bones. Not a great feeling.
Kept to the GU every 4 mile strategy, which kept me properly fueled. Had 3 pineapple flavor GU's in one pocket, and three Honey Stingers (different brand) in the other - just honey with ginsing, and loved them both. In fact the Honey Stingers seemed to deliver an instant energy jolt, and always opened up with an easy tear. Sometimes I struggle with ripping the GU's open, the degree of difficulty compounded by my wet, frozen hands.
I was also on the constant lookout for puddles - not fun to plop into an unseen pothole of water. This course was a puddle minefield, and wet socks are the human growth hormone for blisters - but my feet once again made out fine as I haven't had one since the 12 hour ultra back in July (knock on some serious wood!)
Around mile 11 I overheard one of the two runners that I was drafting behind say "Are you sure you want to do another one of these loops?" And instead of continuing on at the 13.1 split, they veered to the 1/2 marathon finish. I can easily see why an early exit was appealing for some.
There wasn't a timing mat or clock so I don't know precisely what my split time was, but in the ballpark of 1:55. Shortly after the halfway mark I struck up a conversation with a runner and we talked for about a mile. I usually don't chit-chat during a marathon but he'd run Sugarloaf, Maine Marathon, Smuttynose, Eastern States 20, Vermont City, so it was nice to get his take on some of the other courses I'll be running later this year. He was looking to maintain our pace, but I put the earbuds back in and started to hammer away and make up some time on the 2nd loop.
I never really found a groove the second half. Running conservatively didn't really help me; at least in Miami and other races I had those early fast miles in the bank. I was putting together miles in the upper 8's and low 9's consistently until mile 20. It was more of a gradual fatigue, coupled with cold hands, that made the last 6 miles a slow grind.
I met up with the family once again around the Mile 23 mark, and with 5k to go I was putting down about 10:15 minute miles. Felt OK, but my legs were sluggish and put my gloves back on which felt great because they were stinging numb. When I realized my time was pushing 4:00 I kept reminding myself it's the journey, and remembered a great quote from Born to Run author Chris McDougall: "You don't have to be fast. But you'd better be fearless." If 12 marathons in 12 months doesn't intimidate me, not much else does, I told myself. That got me through.
Finished the Hyannis Marathon in 4:02:30, not my best time but I'm pleased to say I finished with a smile on my face and holding the hands of my children. They met me at the turn maybe 100 yards where the chute began, and we galloped in together. They were even given finisher's medals, which I though was a nice touch.
A little disappointed in the dirth of post-race offerings - couldn't find a banana, protein drink, nothing to eat whatsoever as the half-marathoners wiped them clean - but whatever. But another 26.2 down, and though I was initially a bit frustrated with a 4 hr finish, after some retrospect I have to say I truly enjoyed it, sleet and all. I just love running marathons.
The line of the weekend had to have been my 6.5 yr old son, who asked me how I liked the Pineapple GU. When I responded favorably, he said: "That's good hear, Dad. Because when I do my first marathon, that will be the flavor I use."
I think I'm doing something right.