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February 14, 2005
Freescale Austin Marathon
Thank God it’s over! I was glad and thankful to finish the marathon. At the same time, it was so anticlimactic. I felt disappointed and ashamed of myself and in terrible pain that simply finishing seemed to be no victory. Austin was my tenth (ultra)marathon, easily beating out Philadelphia 2003 as my all time worst marathon experience. One of my enemies in the two most recent ones has been my impatience, ultimately resulting in awesome fades.
So, let’s talk race day and my two nemeses. I woke up at 5:30 on Sunday having gotten more sleep than I do back home. I was excited but relaxed, prepared to conquer 26.2 in a not so speedy manner but at least a strong one. At 5:50, I heard thunder crash, saw lightning flash through the window, and it started raining cats and dogs. I chuckled to myself, “No sweat, this should cool things off at least.” By the time R. escorted me to the start line, the rain had subsided to a light drizzle. I felt like a new kid being dropped off for the first day of school. I looked for a friendly familiar face (Meghan) in the 3:30 pace group, but to no avail - it was a sea of anonymous people in the dark. When the National Anthem was sung, an immense sense of pride and patriotism rushed over me as Austinites all around were singing at the top of their lungs, hands over their hearts. The start was sounded promptly and off we were. My breathing seemed a bit labored early on, which I attributed to the humidity because I didn’t feel like I was working that hard. I as well as other people commented on how annoying it was that the mile markers were difficult to spot. I didn’t see one until mile 3. I was clocking between 8:15-8:30 splits and having fun, feeling strong but warm for the first 11 or 12 miles. The first six or seven miles traversed numerous strip malls and office parks (booooring); a couple times we were running directly into sunlight so bright that it was hard to see far in front of me. It was getting hot and humid fast! I don’t recall exactly when or where I started feeling bad, but it was absolutely demoralizing to pass the half marathon finish knowing that I had 13.1 more miles to go since I wasn’t feeling stellar. My left quad started tightening up, but it was my right hip (nemesis #2, circa summer 2004) that was in most pain. Each impact felt like a crushing sensation on the lateral area with residual tightness in the flexor. I ended up walking a lot of miles 17 through 26 feeling like the biggest loser as the 3:40, 3:45, 3:50, and right before the end - a one-two sucker punch - the 4:00 pace groups passed me by. My energy level was there but my hip/quad couldn’t push any harder than they were already working without hurting myself more. Add that to the fact that I was ready to burst into flames, if spontaneous human combustion were possible. It took me a good six hours for my body temperature to return to normal.
A tiny part of me wants to throw in the marathon towel, but a bigger voice in me says, “Are you going to let that dang marathon get the best of you?!!” I agree with Jen, that I’d rather chase that PR and grab it by the gonads (hopefully sooner rather than later).
Even though it was a rough day, R. and I had a great time in Austin. We got to meet Meghan, Richard (another running blogger with a cool British accent), his wife, Jen, Andy, and their family and friends. The pasta party was fun and delicious. Thanks for hosting, Jen! I wish we had more time to hang out because everyone seemed so cool in the brief period we saw each other. Alas, it’s time to return to the rat race. I’m really looking forward to my massage after work, so I can stop walking down the stairs backwards.
Posted by Leilani at February 14, 2005 01:29 PM
Comments
Congratulations on sticking it out. Consensus on the local boards is that this was the hardest Austin marathon for at least seven years, maybe longer. I wish we could have given you better conditions, and it was a pleasure to meet you. Most people I know were 20-30 minutes off their goal time, and that includes folks from 3:00 to 5:00 goals. And getting on a plane that afternoon? Ouch! I don't know how you do it.
Posted by: Richard at February 14, 2005 01:48 PM
Definitely sounds like a tough one...for everyone involved! But I really admire you for sticking it out! Don't throw in the towel just yet...you've got to end on a high note! :) Hope the recovery goes well and congrats again for keeping on...
Posted by: Beth at February 14, 2005 04:09 PM
Babe, just want you to know that you are my hero for pushing through to the finish yesterday despite the heat and humidity. Very courageous!I even broke a good sweat spectating...till I moved in the shade that is. :-)
Posted by: Lei's R. at February 14, 2005 05:42 PM
THAT SUCKED. Just put it behind you and move on. Don't think twice about throwing in that marathon towel because of that race.
Yes it was definitely good to meet you guys. Wish you could have stayed longer!
Posted by: jenandmats at February 14, 2005 07:37 PM
valiant effort!! i hope you liked austin!!! please relax for a couple of days :)
-ap-
Posted by: Audrey at February 14, 2005 07:52 PM
It sounds like yesterday was beyond tough by all accounts. Rest, recover, and re-evaluate. Don't forget that you have been fighting illness and weather for all of your training. I think you did just great by finishing!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at February 14, 2005 08:30 PM
That was me in the yellow hat! That was you in the pink shirt, in the out-and-back? I thought so, but I didn't say anything for fear of harassing a total stranger.
Congrats for gutting it out. You are a tough, tough cookie.
I wish I had more time to get to know you and your hubby, but next time, right? Because there will be a next time for all of us.
Take care and I hope your body is feeling good again soon!
Meghan
Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at February 14, 2005 08:57 PM
congrats on a great job-- you grinded it out - that is the toughest thing in the world of running-(i think)- your overall lifetime running resume is stronger for completing this race-- really good job. now take a well deserved rest!
Posted by: liz at February 14, 2005 11:41 PM
That sounds like it was a very tough race Leilani. Great job sticking it out. Give yourself a week off before you swear off marathons! I hope you had a great massage and that your recovery goes well!
Posted by: Barb at February 15, 2005 11:15 AM
If you've now done 10 marathons, you just gotta know that PRs are usually about everything going right whereas the "norm" is for something to not go right. After all, SO MANY things can go wrong over 26.2 miles right? too hot, too cold, too windy, poor hydration, poor fueling, lack of sleep, just a bad day etc etc etc.
We do what we can. I'm a firm believer that it is what we do with the crap that makes us better runners (and people) for that matter.
So, pat yourself on the back! You did well!
Great job!
Posted by: mark at February 15, 2005 04:27 PM
Did I read that right that Richard has an english accent?
Posted by: mark at February 15, 2005 04:28 PM