Hey gang. Sorry for the much-delayed race report. I just back from Orlando
last night.
Short Version: I ran my first marathon in 4:21:07 for an average of
10:15/mile. I had a blast and honestly can't wait to do it again!
Long Version: We got in to Orlando mid-day on Friday, wandered around the
Magic Kingdom, and I got to bed early. Saturday I picked up my race packet,
checked out the expo, carb-loaded on pasta/bananas and drank tons of water.
I went to the APD, but got there late and didn't get to meet most of you. I
did, however, have a wonderful time talking with Kevin and his wife Kristen.
You guys are great! It was also great to meet Bart and Jakson.
My alarm went off at 2:45 a.m. Sunday morning. I showered, drank some
water, ate a bagel w/peanut butter and headed out to catch the bus to the
staging area. I was in the last corral, but the energy and excitement was
great. I crossed the one-mile mark 10:39. It was so much slower than I had
hoped to run. My long slow training runs averaged a 9:00-9:30 pace.
However, some nagging tendonitis problems and a likely groin strain after my
last 20 miler had me a little frightened to run too fast. I missed the next
two mile markers and at mile 4 realized I was running about a 10:00/mile
pace. I decided to stick with this pace until at least mile 13. The first
part of the race was pretty easy. I had a power gel one hour into the race.
I felt good.
I had decided to pick things up a bit after the half-way point, but as hard
as I tried I couldn't shake a 10 minute pace. Somewhere along the way I
decided if I finished in four and a half hours I would be happy. I entered
the Animal Kingdom theme park at mile 16 and a light mist began to fall. At
mile 20-22 during the very boring out and back loop the torrential downpour
struck and I was drenched from head-to-toe! The physical part of the race
was over. It then became a mental challenge. I smiled a lot. I laughed
outloud when it starting raining harder and I felt water squishing between
my toes. I remember thinking to myself, "Damn Chris this was too easy…it
needed to be more of a challenge!" I was determined to stay at the same
pace regardless of the rain. I had another power gel three hours into the
race. Along with the power gels, bananas, oranges, powerade, water, wet
sponges, and sweet tarts I stayed well-hydrated and well-nourished
throughout the race. I will always remember eating the best sweet-tarts in
my entire life during this race!
I don't think I ever hit "the wall." I remember that mile 23 was super
hard! It had stopped raining and my feet were wet and I could swear to you
I thought one of my little toes had fallen off. (It's still there - just one
big blister!). The only time I walked was through the water stops, and I
found it harder and harder to start back running, so eventually I stopped
walking and just ran through the water stops splashing powerade all over me.
Miles 24-26 were pure exhilaration. There was great crowd support along the
boardwalk and when I crossed the 25 mile marker I picked things up a bit. I
was determined to make mile 26 the fastest. I did the last mile in just
over 9 minutes! The wave of thoughts that flooded my mind during the last
mile was fantastic. I don't want to get to sappy, but I thought a lot about
always being the fat kid, always getting picked last in sports, always
wishing I was thin and fit. I thought about the journey to get to this
point and the encouragement I've received along the way. It was great! I
did a lot of reflecting on what I can do without those extra 40 lbs.,
negative thoughts, and unproductive goals floating around in my head.
After crossing the finish line I got the space blanket and my finisher's
medal. My wife Rebecca got so excited as I neared the finish line that she
forgot to push play on the camcorder so I'll have to run another one so she
can film my finish. I headed back to the hotel and showered and rested a
bit. I was so hungry. I couldn't get enough to eat. I had a cheeseburger
and fries after the race. Then, that afternoon we went to Epcot. You know
they have the World Showcase that highlights various countries around the
world. Well, I guess you could say I proceeded to eat my way around the
world. Fish and chips in England, crepes in France, sushi in Japan, funnel
cake in America. It was fantastic.
I was very sore Monday and Tuesday. I was sore in the most unusual places
like my lower back, obliques, and my right bicep - go figure?!? Overall, it
was a remarkable, life-changing experience. It showed me that with
will-power and determination anything is possible. Next up I have the Mardi
Gras 1/2 in February and another 26.2 London on April 14. I can't wait!
Happy running,
Chris
