Hartford 26.2

Official time 3:22:39 (BQ)

 

Went up the night before with Jeff for a boy’s gone wild night with a stack of dollar bills. After we pick up our swag we went out for a nice dinner then back to the hotel for a wild night at the Radisson. Sorry, no pictures but do you remember the movie Bachelor Party with Tom Hanks – that’s all I’ll say (hi Julie). Awoke with just a little hang-over, looked outside and the rain hasn’t started. We went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and Jeff trying to get me to eat some bacon and eggs. I settled for some oatmeal, fruit and some coffee instead. Back up to the room to get our gear bags and begin the ½ mile walk to the park for race start. The rain has now started at this point, although it was light and wasn’t a nuisance YET. We meet up with Tom, Shara, her mom & dad and Shara friend from NY (forgot the name). We all had the seeded cards which meant we were able to get up front. That was cool being up front, you could tell everyone in this coral were serious runners. At this point I was very nervous and I just wanted get going.

 

Off we go; about ½ mile in Jeff Vuone comes up behind me and wishes me good luck – he had to start from the back of the pack as he forgot to include qualifying time from a previous race when he registered. Just like I thought I got caught up with the fast pace – 7:06 for first mile. The funny thing was when we hit the first mile marker everyone’s space watch beep around the same time – I would say 60 or so – pretty cool. Settled back for the second mile at 7:15ish pace and I happen to look to my right, it was Shara. We both settled in at a 7:30ish pace at this time running side by side. We happen to see Tom and his entourage multiple times from mile 2 ½ until around mile 5 or 6 – thanks for the support. Just after mile 2 the half marathon participants turn right. At this time the conversation/noise got very quiet as all the runners around all knew what was ahead of us. Began talking with Shara at this time, goofing on other runners, the pace we were running, family........Tom, she did not share any deep dark secrets (I won’t tell Shara).

 

Side by side running a 7:30 pace when we come to mile 14 and Beth is there taking pictures and cheering us on – how cool this was – thanks for the support Beth. This is the part of the course that I was told was boring, and it was. Just after mile 15 the leaders started to pass us. This is where I started to move to the center of the road looking for Jeff. Shara points him out, here he comes. As we exchange hand slaps he asked how are you feeling response good. Guy behind Shara and I says he seems little happy. I responded with he’s not normal. Around mile 16 I stared to move over for some water. At the same time I go get my water the 3:20 pacer guy and his dozen or so runners begin to overtake our space. By the time I get my water and get back to the hunt, I find myself about eight feet behind Shara. We are surrounded by this group, I can’t move, so I hang on for as long as I can. Mile 17 is the cone/barrel turn around point. The contingent of runners slows almost to a walking pace to make the turn. This is not what I wanted to do at this point in the race. I see Shara look over to see where I was. She makes the turn with little effort and takes off like a 5K out and back race – seemed that way. I tried to make a move around the entourage but to no avail. This is where I started to run a 7:35 pace. Shara was pulling away looking strong and I was just trying to hang on. Mile 20 and another Beth sighting – thanks Beth (Little note – Beth is the person who said a marathon is a 20 mile warm up for a 10K race) - How true this is.

 

The one and only concern I had for running a marathon was hitting the wall and how I would conquer/defeat it - this happened around mile 21. I was amazed how all of a sudden I went for from going a 7:35 pace to 8:35 pace just light that. I tried to overcome the problem by changing my stride, drafting, singing a song, dropping my shoulders………….fighting and wrestling the rest of the way. With a ½ mile to go you find yourself on a bridge about to go down into the city for the finish when all of a sudden the 3:25 pace guy comes up next to me. I begin to panic as this is the one person it did not what to see (Boston qualifying time for my age group is 3:25). He mentions that I’m looking strong and that I’m on a 3:20 pace. He lost his entourage and was ahead of his pace. He gives me a fist bump and then slows to find them as I continue into the city all by myself. Yeah, funny thing, no one was around at this point. With the finish line in-site I wanted to finish strong so I tried to pick up the pace. What felt like 7 something until I looked at my watch – 8 pace, where are my legs, what happened, what the hell. Crossed the finish at 3:22:39

 

After I crossed the finish line I began to walk looking lost or maybe disoriented at this point as I forgot where I was going to meet Jeff, Tom and the entourage. Wondering around looking like a lost little kid I happen to see the gang. I gave Shara a hug and congratulated her on a great race and thank her for the company. She ran great from mile 17 on in, nice to be young. Tom and company congratulated me, shacks my hand.

At this point I look up and see Jeff. You should have seen his expression at this time. No words of encouragement just Mike I’m cold and I need to change, let’s go get our gear. Remember he finish ½ hour ago and was cold and wet. I know he was happy for my achievement. As we said a quick good-bye to Tom, Share and everyone Jeff and I walk/wobbled over to get our gear bags. At this point I was shivering, teeth chattering and just wanted to change. You need your bib to get into the food tent – my hands were so cold I had to ask a stranger who was changing with us to take the pins out. I couldn’t do it, it was that cold. We ate, walk over to the area to get Jeff’s age group award (Nice job Jeff) and wobbled back to the hotel for hot shower. I have more little stories to tell but will save them for trail runs this winter, because I love trail runs and winter.

 

Overall I wish it hadn’t rained but I am glad I finally ran a marathon. Now I know what it feels like to hit the wall. My A goal was to qualify for Boston, no B or C goal – it was all or nothing. When I came home my teenage kids who don’t care about me – I’m just a taxi driver to them – were pumped that I qualified for Boston – they do care, sometimes.

 

Thank you Beth, Tom, Shara mom, dad and friend for coming out in the cold wet elements to cheer us on

Thanks everyone that trained with me on many long runs in the summer – Chris, Shara, Tom (when healthy)

Special thanks goes to Jeff who not only ran with me this summer on many of my runs but also coach me along the way

 

In addition, thanks everyone else for providing advice and words of encouragement  

Ok – enough of the sucking-up – enjoy the pic’s below  

Mile 14 with Shara - pic by Beth

Mile 20 - pic by Beth (about to hit the wall)

road trip - pic by Julie

before the race - pic by Tom