Heading into the Big Day
For those that have been following my blog, you know that my goal race in the coming months is the Graveyard 100 in March, 2015. Everything I'm doing now is building to that opportunity. So, this year's Rocket City Marathon (RCM) was couched in a 70 mile training week. There would be no taper for this year's marathon. In my past 11 marathons, I never cracked the magical four hour mark, and given the amount of training I've been doing, I didn't expect that would change on this day.
Pre-Race Skull Session
Prior to the race, I ran into Martin Schneekloth, Jerry Abbot, David Holliday, and Cary Long. We just talked about the day ahead. Cary and Benj Lance were pacing the 4:40 group and I figured as I looked at their sign, I would probably be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes ahead of them. Just before the race started, I ran into Carter Wells as we were settling into the starting corral. We were talking about what we thought we could do, and I relayed my training regimen and the fact that I didn't think it would lead to a personal record (PR) today.
Silence, the National Anthem and the Gun
We paused for a moment of silence for the passing of Malcolm Gillis, a former Race Director for the RCM. From everything that was shared, it sounds like Malcolm lived a full life and was quite a character. We then sang along with the National Anthem; the gun went off and then we were on our way.
Mile 1 to 6
As usual in a marathon, I started off slow in a pretty heavy pack of runners. However, within a half mile, things started to spread out. I fell into an easy pace of just under 9:00 minutes a mile. As I made the turn onto Franklin Street headed towards Constitution Village,which at this time of year is decked out as Santa's Village, I heard some familiar voices coming from behind me. It was Blake Thompson, leading the 3:55 pace group. David Holliday and Ryan Chaffin were in the group and I would later learn that Ryan's wife, Aleisha was our other 3:55 pace lead. I decided to fall in with this group, thinking that I would hang with them as long as I could manage.
We continued to weave through downtown Huntsville and started to make our way into the 5 Points neighborhood. Somewhere between miles 4 and 6, we came through an intersection that gave us all a laugh. A lady in a bathrobe, gown, and curlers in her hair had stepped out of her car to give the police officers managing the intersection a piece of her mind. Apparently, she had not paid attention to the reminders that were sent that a marathon would be cutting through her neighborhood, and I figured we were between her and her Hardee's steak and egg biscuit. I don't know how that situation turned out, but I hope the lady's day got better.
I was feeling pretty good through this whole section. Ashley Casiano was snapping pictures of our group because her husband Matt was running with us. When I saw the picture below, I wondered what in the world was I doing with my hands. I later realized I was telling Blake Thompson about this guy I saw finish the New York City Marathon a few weeks earlier. He was in the top 15 or 20 as I recall. But he came across the finish line with blood on his shirt -- in that telltale way that made it clear he was not wearing nipple tape. I was totally confounded by a guy that had trained for a marathon, at the elite level, that didn't know about nipple tape! So anyway, Ashley snapped this picture just as I was saying he had bloody nipples....
Pre-Race Skull Session
Prior to the race, I ran into Martin Schneekloth, Jerry Abbot, David Holliday, and Cary Long. We just talked about the day ahead. Cary and Benj Lance were pacing the 4:40 group and I figured as I looked at their sign, I would probably be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes ahead of them. Just before the race started, I ran into Carter Wells as we were settling into the starting corral. We were talking about what we thought we could do, and I relayed my training regimen and the fact that I didn't think it would lead to a personal record (PR) today.
Silence, the National Anthem and the Gun
We paused for a moment of silence for the passing of Malcolm Gillis, a former Race Director for the RCM. From everything that was shared, it sounds like Malcolm lived a full life and was quite a character. We then sang along with the National Anthem; the gun went off and then we were on our way.
Mile 1 to 6
As usual in a marathon, I started off slow in a pretty heavy pack of runners. However, within a half mile, things started to spread out. I fell into an easy pace of just under 9:00 minutes a mile. As I made the turn onto Franklin Street headed towards Constitution Village,which at this time of year is decked out as Santa's Village, I heard some familiar voices coming from behind me. It was Blake Thompson, leading the 3:55 pace group. David Holliday and Ryan Chaffin were in the group and I would later learn that Ryan's wife, Aleisha was our other 3:55 pace lead. I decided to fall in with this group, thinking that I would hang with them as long as I could manage.
We continued to weave through downtown Huntsville and started to make our way into the 5 Points neighborhood. Somewhere between miles 4 and 6, we came through an intersection that gave us all a laugh. A lady in a bathrobe, gown, and curlers in her hair had stepped out of her car to give the police officers managing the intersection a piece of her mind. Apparently, she had not paid attention to the reminders that were sent that a marathon would be cutting through her neighborhood, and I figured we were between her and her Hardee's steak and egg biscuit. I don't know how that situation turned out, but I hope the lady's day got better.
I was feeling pretty good through this whole section. Ashley Casiano was snapping pictures of our group because her husband Matt was running with us. When I saw the picture below, I wondered what in the world was I doing with my hands. I later realized I was telling Blake Thompson about this guy I saw finish the New York City Marathon a few weeks earlier. He was in the top 15 or 20 as I recall. But he came across the finish line with blood on his shirt -- in that telltale way that made it clear he was not wearing nipple tape. I was totally confounded by a guy that had trained for a marathon, at the elite level, that didn't know about nipple tape! So anyway, Ashley snapped this picture just as I was saying he had bloody nipples....
(From LtoR: Ryan Chaffin, Aleisha Chaffin, me, Blake Thompson, Matt Casiano waving to his wife, a young lady picking her nose (hey, we all do it), and David Holliday in the gray shorts, black jacket and hat.)
Miles 6 to 13
The course brought us past Lee High School and back towards downtown Huntsville. Along the way, we passed Chapman Elementary and Middle School, and the Veterans Memorial. The scene at the Memorial was outstanding. The Army Materiel Command's Rock/Jazz band, Sonic Fusion, was playing and Gold Star Family members were holding probably 15 to 20 large American flags. Gold Star Family members have lost a loved one in service to our nation. I admit that choked me up a bit. One of the flag bearers leaned out and gave me a high five as I passed. That was like a shot of pure adrenaline. I later learned the band won the RCM spirit award and donated their prize money to the Gold Star Family organization.
At mile 13, we were running past the Von Braun Center, where we had started the race, and were now headed on a path to Lowe Mill.
At mile 13, we were running past the Von Braun Center, where we had started the race, and were now headed on a path to Lowe Mill.
Miles 13 to 19
As I approached the mile 14 marker, I heard the Timer call out my name. I looked up and it was Erin Koshut on a ladder calling out the times. It was good to see Erin out there and it's a reminder of the great running community we have in Huntsville. I think we all try to volunteer once or twice a year at races that we would probably rather be running, but it takes volunteers to make these things happen.
I was running just ahead of the 3:55 pace group and at one point I slowed down a bit to let them catch up. Blake Thompson said, "Don't wait on us." I laughed and said, "I was getting lonely up there." Blake said, "It's always lonely at the top." That put a smile on my face.
In the past, I always started to fade around miles 15 or 16 and I could always count on my pace to wane. But this year was different. My pace was holding steady, and I really felt I could hold this pace through the finish. As we ran through rocket park at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Carter Wells and I crossed paths again, he gave me a boost by telling me I was going to break 4 hours this year. I was really feeling it might just happen.
Miles 19 to 26.2
This is probably a good point to talk about Youngren Running, Rob and Kathy Youngren's coaching business. For those that don't know Rob and Kathy, they are two of the most accomplished runners around. Their running resume is too volumous to list, but needless to say they have made their mark from the track to ultramarathons. They both have competed at Badwater and Spartathlon and when Skechers decided to get into the performance shoe market, they turned to Rob to help them design their Go Run Ultra shoe.
Anyway, after just coming under the wire at the Thunder Rock 100, I knew I needed a little help in preparing for the Graveyard 100. So, I turned to Rob and Kathy and asked them to put together a comprehensive training plan for me. While they can put plans together for any running goal one might have, the plan they made for me focuses on developing the ability to run a long race at a steady pace. I was 14 weeks into the plan when the RCM rolled around. To state the obvious, there is no way I would have been able to come in under 4 hours without this plan. Moreover, I ran the race at a steady and even pace. To drive this home, my half marathon split (13.1 miles) was 1:56:50.
As I passed the 20 mile mark and had the final 10K in front of me, I actually felt like I could have run a lot faster, but Rob and Kathy had encouraged me not to "race" the events leading up to my goal run, and I knew I had another long training run on Sunday, so I just maintained my pace to the finish line.
I knew I was going to be able to break four hours and I couldn't help but reflect on my past RCM efforts. Here's how I've done in recent years: 4:33:33 in 2013, 4:59:05 in 2012, and my previous marathon best, 4:20:48 in 2010.
This year, I finished in 3:53:35 (chip time), and 3:54:02 (gun time). I have to say it was a great feeling.
As I approached the mile 14 marker, I heard the Timer call out my name. I looked up and it was Erin Koshut on a ladder calling out the times. It was good to see Erin out there and it's a reminder of the great running community we have in Huntsville. I think we all try to volunteer once or twice a year at races that we would probably rather be running, but it takes volunteers to make these things happen.
I was running just ahead of the 3:55 pace group and at one point I slowed down a bit to let them catch up. Blake Thompson said, "Don't wait on us." I laughed and said, "I was getting lonely up there." Blake said, "It's always lonely at the top." That put a smile on my face.
In the past, I always started to fade around miles 15 or 16 and I could always count on my pace to wane. But this year was different. My pace was holding steady, and I really felt I could hold this pace through the finish. As we ran through rocket park at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Carter Wells and I crossed paths again, he gave me a boost by telling me I was going to break 4 hours this year. I was really feeling it might just happen.
Miles 19 to 26.2
This is probably a good point to talk about Youngren Running, Rob and Kathy Youngren's coaching business. For those that don't know Rob and Kathy, they are two of the most accomplished runners around. Their running resume is too volumous to list, but needless to say they have made their mark from the track to ultramarathons. They both have competed at Badwater and Spartathlon and when Skechers decided to get into the performance shoe market, they turned to Rob to help them design their Go Run Ultra shoe.
Anyway, after just coming under the wire at the Thunder Rock 100, I knew I needed a little help in preparing for the Graveyard 100. So, I turned to Rob and Kathy and asked them to put together a comprehensive training plan for me. While they can put plans together for any running goal one might have, the plan they made for me focuses on developing the ability to run a long race at a steady pace. I was 14 weeks into the plan when the RCM rolled around. To state the obvious, there is no way I would have been able to come in under 4 hours without this plan. Moreover, I ran the race at a steady and even pace. To drive this home, my half marathon split (13.1 miles) was 1:56:50.
As I passed the 20 mile mark and had the final 10K in front of me, I actually felt like I could have run a lot faster, but Rob and Kathy had encouraged me not to "race" the events leading up to my goal run, and I knew I had another long training run on Sunday, so I just maintained my pace to the finish line.
I knew I was going to be able to break four hours and I couldn't help but reflect on my past RCM efforts. Here's how I've done in recent years: 4:33:33 in 2013, 4:59:05 in 2012, and my previous marathon best, 4:20:48 in 2010.
This year, I finished in 3:53:35 (chip time), and 3:54:02 (gun time). I have to say it was a great feeling.
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