Survived the marathon today!!!

It wasn't a great run for me but it ended up being an infamous day.  There were 3 deaths at the marathon.  A 36 year old and 65 year old went down between mile 11 and 12.  They were probably aiming for a half in about 1:45 or so.  A 26 year old collapsed at the finish line and didn't make it.
On the course I heard nothing about this, it wasn't until I got home and got on facebook of all things.

Anyways,
As I shared earlier I thought I might have a 4:30 marathon in my legs and that was my goal -- here are my splits: 

Dan Griffith #716

Clyde, MI

Age: 34 Gender: M

Distance	MAR
Clock Time	5:26:42
Chip Time	5:14:28
Overall Place	3317 / 13825
Gender Place	2234 / 6429
Division Place	320 / 866
Water	10:57
Split1	1:03:55
Half	2:18:50
Split2	2:07:49
Split3	4:15:08
Divtotal	335
Sextotal	2453
Pace	12:01

The temperature took it's tool on me.  It was 32* at the start and for about 9 miles (mile 9-18) you were in the shadows of the buildings/trees so the sun didn't help.  Because of the cool temperature I decided I probably didn't need my salt pills.  Not sure if it was the cold or the lack of salt but in the end it was a very unwise decision (one of many)
As you can see my first half went really, really well.  Around mile 14 I realized I was in trouble though.  Had lots of cramping and just felt completely drained of energy.  Mile 16/17 were some dark, dark times for me.  I seriously doubted that I could get to the finish line but knew I had too many students and you guys to answer to so quitting wasn't an option.  I felt like it was Steelhead all over again, I could run about 1/3 of a mile before the cramps just stopped me in my track.  

Mile 18 I decided I need to change things up and went up to the most miserable looking person I could find.  Asked him how things were going and he just grunted, "I've been better".  I said, "I hear you, let's do this together and get to the finish line."  I became his biggest cheerleader and from that point on I was cheering on as many people as I could and trying to get the crowd to start yelling for us.  We meet up with a third guy who we did a walk/shuffle with for about 1.5 miles before he told us to just go ahead.  I'm sure this guy was surprised by what I was doing but I knew I needed help and support and he was going to be the someone that we could walk/run together as needed.  Mile 24 was the darkest mile that I've had of any race.  I wasn't thinking straight, I pinched my finger tips and they stayed white for 10 seconds or more.  I just followed the guy through that mile.  We ran from mile 25 all the way to the end.  I looked at him before the finish line and thanked him for getting me to it -- he was dumbfounded (I knew he would be) and just thanked me for keeping him going.  Guess that's why I do these things, strength in numbers and you meet some interesting/great folks out there.
Not sure about you guys, but I think I'd feel really, really foolish yelling encouragement to myself while I run.  Everything I yell at/too people though is deep-down really for myself.
Worse part was my family missed me at the finish line and didn't know where to meet me.  It took us just shy of 2 hours to connect -- of course my phone was in their car :-(  Lesson learned for all of you doing these things, don't assume that you know where you're going to be meeting!!!
--Dan

Hey,
Congrats on your finish.  I too participated, the half-marathon walk event though.  My time was 3:33:28, my two sisters and my cousin were there too, supporting me and competing.  I am very proud of this accomplishment,  just having celebrated my three month surgiversary on Friday. 

I too hadn't heard anything about the collapse and death of the three runners until I got home and checked the Free Press website.

 WAY TO GO!!!!  I thought it was a great even and was surprised about the number of medical tent out on the course.  So I guess I'll see you doing this again next year?  I'm a bit sore to think about it, but I've got to be back to normal in under 2 weeks so I can do it all again, lol!

Hey Dan, congrats on a successful race.

That must have some race, that it took out 3 people.
I went and rode my next half marathon today just to see what the course was like.  It seems equally as hard, maybe harder than the last one.

Good luck on the recovery, I hope it is swift and painless for you.

Scott

 Congrats on a successful finish.  Way to push through the tough times.  You'll be an inspiration for me on my half marathon in November.

Duane

Dan,

You da man! Way to go on another mari bro! Finish time was great and your grit is even greater. Our time at the finish line doesn't matter nearly as much as the time it takes to get to the next race start! KEep on truckin brother!

 Disney goal for you all: 4:30!!  It WILL happen -- I'm even going to drag one of my cross country girls out on all of my long runs to pace me and keep me going at that pace!

You are a success Dan! When things didn't go as planned you found a way to grunt it out and finish the race. Hope I do as well.

pan head

Great story Dan. Congratulations on finding a way to will yourself to the finish.  Rest up so you can enjoy New York!

Cassie