Background:Thinking back, I've never really ran because I wanted to. In high school, I ran because my friends did. In college, I ran because I got a
Preparation:
It is late December or early January and Melissa had been talking about doing the Buffalo Marathon for months. The problem was that it was only talk. Neither of us had done much running since the Turkey Trot and I knew from some research I had done that we would need a minimum of 16-20 weeks to train. We had to decide if we were going to run the Buffalo Marathon, or delay and pick a different one in the fall. We both got off our butts and started to do some light running. Now we just needed a plan.
I had already read Jack Daniels Running Formula and included were a couple different Marathon training plans. I also did some internetting and the hot marathon book of the moment seemed to be Hansons Marathon Method I picked up a copy of that and read that as well. Neither book offered a plan that I felt fit us well. In the end I decided to go with the Hansons, but I customized it fit our needs. So with our 18 week training plans in hand we began our journey.
Melissa was prepared to sign up for the marathon right away. I was a bit more reluctant and said lets wait till we get some longer runs under our belt and see how we feel. We had already missed the early bird signup so there was no point in signing up until just before the next price hike in late April. Also, I still had my doubts about doing a full marathon and was considering doing the half instead.
The first few weeks of training went by and I was feeling pretty good about it. One think I knew for sure is that I did not want to do a full marathon in my Brooks T7. I headed over to Fleet Feet and settled on Brooks ST5 Racer. I did a couple training runs in them and they felt pretty good
We signed up for and 8k, the old first ward Shamrock Run the first weekend in March. It would be a good test to see where our fitness was. In the days leading up to the Shamrock Run, I started feeling some pain in the ball of my foot that would not go away. I picked up some Dr. Scholl's gel inserts to wear at work and that seemed to alleviate the pain slightly. I also looked on the interwebs again and self diagnosed my self with a neuroma. Armed with this knowledge, I began to splay my toes out several times a day to help relieve the pain. By race day, the pain had subsided to where I thought it would not hinder my performance. I ended up running a 29:24, slower than the 8k I had run in November. Not exactly the motivator I was looking for, but at least I knew my fitness had not slid too much. More importantly, I knew the paces I set for my training were right on.
Training was going well for the most part. I had to quit one speed session because I just could not hit the target paces. My first 16 mile run, I suffered cramps in my calves and mile 10 and had to walk/jog home. Then April came, it was a disaster. The second week in April I helped move a couch. The next day I felt some pain in my left glute, but decided it wasn't significant and did a 16 mile run anyway. Mistake, I definitely aggravated injury pain to where it was difficult for me to walk the next few days with out pain. Just as that injury was healing, and I was feeling ready to run, I had a flare up of Achilles tendonitis. All and all, I was out of commission for about 2 weeks, not something you want when you are in the meat and potatos of training.
The end of April marked the time to make my decision, would I run the half or the full. I had my doubts because of the recent injuries and subsequent time off but in the end I said "Screw it, I'm doing the full or die trying!" And so it was decided.
We wanted one more pre-marathon race, so we chose the Grand Island Half Marathon. Going in to this race I didn't have high expectations. In fact, I felt pretty much burnt out and depressed about the idea of even running. I ended up running a 1:23:00 a personal best by almost a full minute!
With my confidence renewed, I finished up the last 3 weeks of training and prepared for the big day to come.
Pre-Race:
Friday before the race, I started getting nervous. I texted my friend Dave, who would be going for a pr in the half marathon, to see how he was doing. It calmed me down for a bit.
Saturday, we made plans to get our last run in (an easy 3 miles) and then drop off the girls at my parents house for the night. We wanted a good night sleep and with two children under the age of four, a night of uninterrupted sleep is not common. After we dropped off the kids, we head over to the convention center picked up our race packets, and then went over to the free pasta dinner provided by the race.
My nerves started getting to me again, so I suggested we go see a movie to take my mind off the race. We ended up going to see Iron Man 3 in 3D. I thought we had made a mistake. The movie made Melissa nauseous, and gave her a migraine.
Race morning, we got up at 4:45. Luckily, a good night's sleep had both of us feeling good and ready to go. I went downstairs had a small bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, took a couple of nervous pre-race dumps, then showered.
We left the house and headed downtown for the race. We stopped at my work, and utilize their bathrooms for safe measure. We went back to the car. I put on some sun screen, ate my Sport Beans and had my last bit of water before the race. I stuffed 2 Lemon Lime Gu's in my small zippered pocket in my shorts, and took one more in my hand. I tied my car key to my shoe and we jogged to the start.
Well, almost to the start. We decided to hit the port-a-potty line. It got to be 5 minutes the start and we didn't even get to used them. We walked to where Melissa's pacer (3:30) was, wished each other luck, and parted ways. I moved up to the front of the pack because I knew Dave would be up there and wished him luck. Then I went back and found a spot back just behind the 3:00 pacer...
Race:
...the race gun went off. No matter how many races I do, I'm always surprised by all the slow runners who line up at the front. I dodge my way up to my pacer and settle in for a bit. A half mile goes by, and I glance at my garmin and notice that we are running at 7:45 pace. I decide to go off on my own and my first mile ends up at 6:55. Not too bad, right in line with what I had planned.
Over the next couple miles I check my watch. I'm shooting for 6:30-6:40 pace, however I start too see myself drift down into the 6:20s. I pull back slightly, and settle into a comfortable 6:32 pace.
At mile 3, my mind drifts as I pass the port-a-potty I used a year ago when I ran the half. I lost a good 2 minutes in there and I would have broken 1:30 had I not stopped. But today, I do not stop, I keep going.
I take my first Gu at the 4.75 mark. It slides down easy because I've been holding this whole time. I grab some Gatorade at the water station. This is the most crowded section of the race. Runners are still bunched up, and the spectators fill the area. I know from the year before that it is difficult to not speed up. I keep myself in check and stick to my pace.
The miles start going by. I look for Melissa at the first turn around and I don't see her. I wonder if she had to stop to use the bathroom. I take more Gatorade at each water station. At the 8 mile mark I see Dave on his way to the finish, he only has a couple more miles left. I give him a cheer, and I clap for the other race leaders.
On my way back from the second turn around. I finially see Melissa. She looks strong. I giver her a wave and shout even though I'm pretty sure she can't hear me because of her headphones. She waves, and I continue on.
At mile 10 I hear someone shout my name. I can't see who it is, but I can tell by the voice it is my friend Adam. I pump my fist at him and I hear him laugh as I run by. I get to mile 11 and take my second Gu. At this time I'm heading back toward the start of the race, but I'm also passing by the bulk of half marathoners. I see my friends Charlie and Marty run by and we cheer for each other. Several other runners call out to me "Keep it up", "Good Job", or "Looking good". I nod my head to them, or wave and keep going. I cross the half way point at 1:26:13.
At mile 14 they are handing out Gu's. I grab a Chocolate one, and consume it a short time later. I hadn't had that flavor before, it wasn't bad but I would have much preferred to stick with what I brought.
The mile are just falling off at this point. I feel great, as if I could run this pace forever. Mile 16 I start hearing someone behind me, he passes. He turns to me and says good job, and I say the same back. He counters, "I'm in the relay, I've only done 3 miles. You've done 16!" I smile and nod, and keep going.
I'm now into the unknown. I have never in my life ran more than 16 miles at once. If it had not been for training I would not have even run that far. Time to see how long I can hold this pace. I head in to Delaware Park for the first time and a group of young kids run out and run with me for a moment cheering me on. At first I was annoyed, but that quickly changed to a huge grin on my face.
At mile 18 another runner catches up to me. We exchange pleasantries, he is from Vermont and running his first marathon too. We run together for a half mile or so and he pulls ahead. I let him go focusing on my own race.
Near mile 20 I see Dave. He has finished his race and is on his bike with Matt. As I run by he asks how I feel and I say tired, the first time I've admitted it. Dave tells me I look good, and I'm that I'm doing great.
At mile 21 I take my last Gu. I approach the water station and I hear "That's Sean, that's Melissa's husband!" I see Melissa's coworkers Jill and Cheryl, they are so excited, I thought Cheryl was going to knock Jill down. I take water from Cheryl. The race begins to turn.
I notice my pace slowing, 6:45. 6:50, 7:05. I've stopped taking any fluids, I just can't drink anymore. I try and pick up the pace, but I only succeed a little. I hear someone say "He looks like he is hurting". I'm not sure if they are talking about me or someone else, but in my head I agree with them.
I pass the 26 mile mark. I muster all the energy I have left for a kick. I see my fiend Marty who has hung around to see the finish. As he is shouting at me i feel energized. I round the final corner and I can see clock...
Results:
... 2:54:03! I had done it! I qualified for Boston and then some. I am elated, i do a quick fist pump and I get my medal and a mylar blanket. I pose for a picture or two and then go and grab a drink and an orange slice. My stomach lurches, and I quickly find a garbage can. I hold there for a moment just in case, but I do not throw up.
At this point my legs are beginning to tighten up and it is hard for me to walk. I head off to find a spot to watch Melissa finish. I pick one spot and sit for a bit, then decide I want to see her at the finish line. I shuffle my way back to the finish and sit down again. It only seemed like moments went by, and I hear the announcer say her name and I bolt up and scurry to the crowd. I see her cross the line 3:16:xx! She had done it! If this had been the end of it I would still be happy.
I try and find Melissa through the crowd, but I can't. I see her once, but security won't let me back in to the finish area. I call to her, but she doesn't hear me. I decide the best place to go would be into the convention center and wait near the results, we always check them. While I'm waiting inside I grab some food an sit down. Finally, I see her at the results board. We check the board, I won my age group and she had gotten second!
Thoughts:
I think I will look back on this day and think about how great it was. Everything just fell in to place. The training paid off, the weather was perfect (sunny, cool, no wind) and I could not be happier with results. Would I do it again? Well at least once more for Boston.. After having a few days to take it all in, and now that I'm mostly recovered, I have a strong urge to go farther...maybe an ultra, who knows.
Thanks:
Melissa: I would have never tried if you didn't want to, and for being with me these past 13 years!
Mike: For helping start running again 3 years ago. I would not be where I am if you hadn't gotten me out there.
Parents: For watching the kids while went running all those times.
Friends: For all your support!
Dr. Stube: For the medical advice and my Strassburg Sock
