Race report: Wineglass Marathon
Well folks, you may now call me a Marathoner! Its hard to explain how one can be so utterly exhausted physically and mentally, yet feel so elated, so happy, so content.
Started out Saturday driving up to Corning, about a 3 hour drive. I woke up with a pain in my right middle back going up to my shoulder. Also had stomach issues all night Friday night into the morning. I also had some nausea saturday morning. I hoped I had just slept wrong, or it was from the plane seats from trips to Mexico I had taken last week. My worst fear was maybe gall bladder problems.. My wife asked me what I was gonna do - I looked at her astonished - dod you really think I came this far to give up over a few cramps and a backache!? :)
Sunday morning I got up early, still had the pain in my back, but my stomach felt ok. The forecast had said rain and 30's, but it turned out clear and in the 40's, warming up nicely into the 50's by mid day.
I decided to start with the 4:00 pacer. I wasn't sure I can run a 4, but my plan was to run a 2:00 half and see how I felt. Well I ROCKED that half. Stayed right with the pacer, felt strong, and came in right at 2, maybe a little less, which is a PR too, or close to it. Maybe the not the best strategy given how it went from there, but I felt great.
At 13 I needed to start finding a potty. They had some at 13.5 or so, but there was this long line, so I figured 'd just hold it to the next, which I figured would be at 15 or so.. Oops.. no potties until mile 21!!!! It was quite miserable. My pace dropped way back, from 9 min miles to 10+. I lost the 4:00 pacer. Then the 4:15 pacer caught me. By 21 I had to walk a bit, or else I was rising making a mess of things, figuratively and literally... Thanks goodness I found an open one just in time at 21, did my business and moved on. Of course stopping at 21 is not the best move. I was tight as heck.
Mile 23 had to be the worst mile I have ever run.I was in pain, of course tired and ran headfirst into the "wall". I started thinking, why not give up here and just walk. Well, there was a crow cheering just ahead, and as if by divine providence, on the MP3 player, the opening licks to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. It was as if Steve Perry was an archangel singing personally to me, as the crowd cheered me on. I ran 24 faster than any mile after 18 :) I kept envisioning my family waiting at the finish for me, and of course I had a conversation or two with Jesus! :)
By 25 the 4:30 pacer had caught me. He was a cool guy and encouraging. I tried to stay with him. The finish line is over a walking bridge, with a huge crowd on one side cheering us on. The 4:30 pacer was just ahead of me, and I saw my family on the side cheering, so I went into a sprint, blew by the pacer, and crossed with much emotion just under 4:30.
It was a great race, point to point and actually down hill. Nothing like the big hills I have been training, but a few rollers. The crowd of 2000 runners made it big, but it was still rather quaint. Loved running through some of the smaller towns, and the finish was awesome.
It will be a while to recover for sure, but having that glass medal around my neck is so awesome. Thanks all of you soooo much. I know this is just an internet board, but you know there is no way I could have done this without the advice and encouragement I found here. You all are the best!
To all you who are just starting.. I ran my first 5k in January at Dan's encouragement. That's 10 months to a Full. You CAN do this!
Morbid Obesity does NOT own me!
Started out Saturday driving up to Corning, about a 3 hour drive. I woke up with a pain in my right middle back going up to my shoulder. Also had stomach issues all night Friday night into the morning. I also had some nausea saturday morning. I hoped I had just slept wrong, or it was from the plane seats from trips to Mexico I had taken last week. My worst fear was maybe gall bladder problems.. My wife asked me what I was gonna do - I looked at her astonished - dod you really think I came this far to give up over a few cramps and a backache!? :)
Sunday morning I got up early, still had the pain in my back, but my stomach felt ok. The forecast had said rain and 30's, but it turned out clear and in the 40's, warming up nicely into the 50's by mid day.
I decided to start with the 4:00 pacer. I wasn't sure I can run a 4, but my plan was to run a 2:00 half and see how I felt. Well I ROCKED that half. Stayed right with the pacer, felt strong, and came in right at 2, maybe a little less, which is a PR too, or close to it. Maybe the not the best strategy given how it went from there, but I felt great.
At 13 I needed to start finding a potty. They had some at 13.5 or so, but there was this long line, so I figured 'd just hold it to the next, which I figured would be at 15 or so.. Oops.. no potties until mile 21!!!! It was quite miserable. My pace dropped way back, from 9 min miles to 10+. I lost the 4:00 pacer. Then the 4:15 pacer caught me. By 21 I had to walk a bit, or else I was rising making a mess of things, figuratively and literally... Thanks goodness I found an open one just in time at 21, did my business and moved on. Of course stopping at 21 is not the best move. I was tight as heck.
Mile 23 had to be the worst mile I have ever run.I was in pain, of course tired and ran headfirst into the "wall". I started thinking, why not give up here and just walk. Well, there was a crow cheering just ahead, and as if by divine providence, on the MP3 player, the opening licks to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. It was as if Steve Perry was an archangel singing personally to me, as the crowd cheered me on. I ran 24 faster than any mile after 18 :) I kept envisioning my family waiting at the finish for me, and of course I had a conversation or two with Jesus! :)
By 25 the 4:30 pacer had caught me. He was a cool guy and encouraging. I tried to stay with him. The finish line is over a walking bridge, with a huge crowd on one side cheering us on. The 4:30 pacer was just ahead of me, and I saw my family on the side cheering, so I went into a sprint, blew by the pacer, and crossed with much emotion just under 4:30.
It was a great race, point to point and actually down hill. Nothing like the big hills I have been training, but a few rollers. The crowd of 2000 runners made it big, but it was still rather quaint. Loved running through some of the smaller towns, and the finish was awesome.
It will be a while to recover for sure, but having that glass medal around my neck is so awesome. Thanks all of you soooo much. I know this is just an internet board, but you know there is no way I could have done this without the advice and encouragement I found here. You all are the best!
To all you who are just starting.. I ran my first 5k in January at Dan's encouragement. That's 10 months to a Full. You CAN do this!
Morbid Obesity does NOT own me!
Andrew, You did so great!!! I am so excited for you and your pics look great!!! You are right about this board, I love the encouragement here!!! I would not have had the courage to run anything, but everyone here is so great!! Take the much deserved rest days and take pride in all that you have conquered!!!!
Erin
Erin
Congratulations Andrew! I didn't realize that it was Wineglass that you were doing this weekend. That's one on my to do list. I want that Corning glass medal! That's an amazing finish time especially considering you're only 10 months from that first 5k in January.
Cassie
Cassie
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
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