Marathon #3

I ran my third marathon yesterday. Technically it was a 'Triple Crown' as part of the 2020 Virtual Fort4Fitness Fall Festival. It consisted of a 10k, Half Marathon, and 4 mile. However, I thought it kind of a waste to run that far and not go ahead and complete the extra 2.9 miles to make it a full marathon. So that's what I did. I guess that's the good thing about a virtual event.

I ran most of it on a 6-7 mile loop from our house and around Foster Park. Three times I went through Foster, but the final time I took the Rivergreenway out behind Walmart and Menards on the south side of town and back.

My running times for the Marathon were:

• 1:05:09 - 10k 
• 2:20:23 - Half
• 1:31:00 - final 6.9 miles
• TOTAL MARATHON RUNNING TIME = 4:56:32
• TOTAL TIME TO COMPLETE = 5:40:00

My running times for the Triple Crown were:

•  1:05:09 - 10k
• 2:20:23 - Half
• 42:53 - 4 Mile
• TOTAL RUNNING TIME = 4:08:25
• TOTAL TIME TO COMPLETE = 4:51:53

 FIRST 10K -

I started at 6:10 a.m. in the pitch dark. Fortunately I took my bike light with me because I would not have been able to see once I got to the park. I could finally start to see as I hit the Greenway on the back half of the 10k. As I expected, I ran a little faster than 11-minute miles to start, but it felt good.

The big glitch came as I finished in front of our house and went to shut my watch off. It just froze, and completely reset - erasing my first run! Fortunately I had looked at it clearly when I stopped. It has done this to me once before, but it was not a good way to start the morning. At least it worked fine the rest of the day.

I quick tried to plug the watch in and charge it while I changed clothes, ate half a banana, and refilled my water bottle. It was about 60f but it was a bit foggy and kind of damp.

HALF MARATHON / JANE'S 10K -

Jane and I set out later than I hoped. I thought by making up time in that first 10k it would help, but I spent too much time at home between. Oh well.

We took the same route, and when we arrived at the Foster Park baseball diamonds we came across a our cheering section! Carrie, Anna and Bennett were there, and the kids had drawn some encouragement in chalk on the pavement. We spent a few minutes there and headed on our way. It was the high point of the morning! 

 

Jane helped me keep a near-11-minute/mile pace going and we both felt pretty good at the end of her 10k and my first loop on the half (as you can see from the pic). Once again I took too long at home - changing clothes again, refilling my bottle, eating another banana - but I finally set out on the second loop of the half (and third loop altogether).

 

I was a little worried because it took longer to get back in a groove when I left the house, but I actually ended up running quite a bit faster on this stretch. I think I ran three sub-10-minute miles. Jane ended up joining me on her bike when I was on the back half of this loop, and she rode along with me the rest of the way.

THE 4 MILE (PLUS 2.9 TO MAKE A MARATHON) -

When I stopped at home after the Half I had a piece of cold pizza, took another ibuprofen, and refilled my bottle. I only had 50 minutes left to do the 4 Mile because I took so long at home the other two times, so I made this a quick trip. I was really hoping I could walk this section but I didn't want to cut it that close on time (the three events are supposed to be done in under 5 hours overall when it's in-person, and I wanted to stay true to that).

We once again set out, but I decided to go another route. I was tired of going down Lower Huntington Rd to Bluffton Rd to Foster, the Rivergreenway, and back to Lower Huntington. So we just went down LH to the Greenway and I went the opposite way of Foster Park. I just ran out 3.45 miles and turned around (to get the final 6.9).

I ended up running the 4 Mile at just over 10-minute miles, and then I walked the final 2.9. I'm sure I could have kept going, but I had made time, and I wanted to enjoy it a little. It was a nice walk back home. My legs and feet felt good, and it was a beautiful day.

I came home, threw my legs up the wall, briefly tried to stretch as well as I could, and we had our traditional post-race beer together - at home, alone. It was a good day.

FINAL THOUGHTS -

We often reminisce how we can still remember the elation we felt the first time we ran a WHOLE mile without stopping. It wasn't that long ago. Maybe 15 years or so. I never want to forget that! Sure, I ran track in high school; and originally went to college on a track scholarship - as a sprinter! I don't think I'd ever run a mile until in my forties.

Running is literally putting one foot in front of the other. While not difficult, it does take discipline though. I want to try to stay humble... which, honestly, isn't too hard since I'm not at all fast. However, I want to always remember how fortunate I am - to be able to get out of bed and physically do this; to have the time it takes to put in long miles; and to have the support of friends and family. If I worked a different job where I was on the road a lot, or put in long hours, or had more responsibility, I likely wouldn't be able to do this. I feel blessed.

As far as running a virtual event... it really made no difference to me. Granted, I love the exhilaration of being part of a group event. I mean, you can't go to a play and get to participate in the drama; you can't attend any other sporting event and not only get to watch, but join in! I love that about road races. On the other hand, it's also easy for me, personally, to get annoyed at some of the other runners. There are always 'those people.' So in that respect, it was kind of nice to go solo.

There's sort of a legendary hometown band where I'm from called Windjam. They don't play together anymore, but one of my favorite songs of theirs was written by the guitarist called "Sad Song." It was a simple three chords and loads of heavy blues riffs. It goes...

"This is just a'nother sad song/play it for yourself. Just a'nother sad song/ played for no one else."

I thought about those lyrics a lot over the past few weeks and while running yesterday. This marathon was for myself... and I tried to enjoy it, and smile as often as I could remind myself. :)

***

"I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."

 (1 Corinthians 9:27)