Quarter Marathon Report

This morning was the Hartford, CT 1/4 marathon.  It was 6.554 miles of "rolling" hills.  In all fairness, I had run the course before so I knew what I was getting into.  There was one really big hill and lots of other ups and downs.   The course was two loops around a reservoir and was a real pretty run. My goal was to run 59.59.  I figured that with a 10K PR of 56 and change, that would be good.  That would also be about a 9:10 pace for the course.   The first mile was way too quick.  I went through the mile mark at 8:17 and actually said, "Oh ****", out loud.  Even with a shorter race, starting out that quickly could spell trouble.  The second mile was where the big hill was.  I ran up it and passed a few people on the hill.  The good news was that by the 1.5 mile mark, the course was either pretty much flat or down hill.  I went through the two mile mark in 17:21 which must have been a 9:04 mile.  That was better as far as pace goes but still, with the hill was probably too fast.  I cruised down the hill on the otherside and passed the 5K mark at 27 minutes.   That was about where I wanted to be but I felt like ****  I have a head cold and some gastric issues.  Perhaps even running today was asking a little much.  I passed the finish line without getting lapped which was another goal.  I stopped for some water that my girlfriend was holding because the water they had on the course doesn't work with me.  Mile 4 I felt like I got back on pace a little .  I ran that in just over 9 minutes so the pace was again fine.  Mile 5 had the big hill again.  My plan all along was to walk that hill.  I did but didn't lose much because my fast walk was almost as quick as their slow hill run.  After I got to the top, I ran for a bit and did something I have not done before in a race. I quit.  My stomach was churning and my head hurt.  My pace was slowing and it was getting hot.  I said, "screw it, I'll walk it in".  The good news was that after a few minutes, I felt a little better and decided I could jog it in.  I picked up the pace as the big down hill approached.  When I saw that I had 13 minutes to run the last 1.55 miles, I figured that I could still do it.  What's 13 minutes of misery?  Well, to make a long story short, I did it.  I hammered the last 1.55 miles and finished the race in 59:41 for a 9:07 pace.  I then promptly went behind a structure and tried to puke.  I could only muster some foam the the puking sensation went away. I was 215 out of 311 (sometimes you show up and finish in the top 1/4 and sometimes the good runners show up and you finish in the botton 1/3. I was 10 out of 19 in the clydesdale divison.  That pissed me off because there was no one there heavier than I was.  No one that I saw anyway.  I think they used the 190 weight class.  Also, there were no scales so who knows. The post race food was very good.  Lots of sweets though.  Overall, It was a good race.  If I wasn't suck a wussy, it would have been better but I can't blame the race for that.  I'd do it again.

Great report Scott!  They can't all be good days man and I feel your pain about gastric issues.   Both of my last 2 races (triathlon last weekend and a 10K the week before) I spent a copious amount of time in the port-o-lets on the course.  

I guess that I should get used to it.  It seems to happen in most of my longer races. Thanks man.

Thanks for the report!  I like hearing them also. I, too feel your pain.  I had 7 potty stops during my marathon and pretty bad cramps for a lot of the race.  I generally do OK with a 10K or less, but not always. Great time/pace!  I'm not that fast yet, but hoping to be soon. Linn

Scott, Good for you for pushing through - I am just amazed (and jealous) about the times you are able to make. Mary

Scott. Making the decision to quit and actually quitting are two very different things. You didn't quit and shouldn't think that you did. Congrats for pushing on.

Good run Scott.  You definitely were NOT a wussy, you ran not feeling your best,  finished and to top it off made your goal.