Greg's Tri Blog: January 2008

Here is the much anticipated report:
I got into Mobile Friday night and checked into the hotel, then went for an 20 minute job. Our group grabbed dinner and went to bed early. In the morning, two other runners and I foraged for food in downtown Mobile, and settled upon a great little southern diner. I enjoyed grits with my french toast. We walked around town a bit, then set out to drive the race course. 26.2 miles is a long time. It took a full hour to drive. The course was very flat, with one mile-long section of small rolling hills and a monster hill at mile 17. Of course, neither looked too intimidating in the van. We went to the pre-race meal at a nearby museum, and I carbo-loaded before helping with the dinner. (Sidenote: one of my friend's dad was the race director, and many people in our group were there as volunteers). After dinner, I got all my stuff ready for the morning and got to bed.
I slept pretty well, from 10 PM to about 5:30 AM, giving me 2 hours before the 7:30 start time. I ate some toast and applesauce and showered, relaxed for a while before getting dressed for the race. I wore a new running top and my old Wahlert CC shorts. It was a bit over 40 degrees at the start. You wouldn't believe how much clothes some of the southerners were wearing! Many runners wore plastic trash bags to start, and almost everyone wore at sleeves, gloves, and usually a hat. I was probably one of the least dressed, and it wasn't even cold. Anyway, before I knew it, it was time to start. I walked down to the start with about 1000 other runners, and soon the gun went off.
The weather was perfect to start, and my hands were just a bit chilly for the first few miles. My plan was to just run comfortably, and I thought I would do about 8:15 miles. I went through the first mile just under 8, the second mile at 8, and the third. I started talking to another runner, Dave, an Air Force pilot from Florida, at about mile three, and ran with him for the next ten miles. I ate my first Gu at mile 5 and alternated water and sports drink at the water stops.
I went through the first half right at 8 minute mile pace, 1:45. Dave dropped off at this point, but I caught up with him at the finish and he ended up with a PR. I had caught up to Justin (3:39:39), Bess (3:36, and a first-time Boston Qualification!), and Charlie (who didn't have his best race) and ran with them for a while. At about mile 15 things started to hurt. My quads were starting to hurt after feeling great the first 13.1. At mile 17, the hill struck, and I lost Justin, Bess and Charlie. I was really hurting after the hill, and walked at the next water stop to suck down two cups of sports drink and a cup of water. I got back to a pretty decent pace after that hill, but was really struggling. I was getting hungry, especially after my last Gu at mile 20 or so. I walked every water stop and had as much sports drink as possible, as well as the random orange slice or any food available. One person even had whole peeled Clementines for the runners. I slogged through miles 20-24 going on fumes. A little after mile 24 I hit the wall. It didn't hurt so much as I was just out of energy. I did my best to keep shuffling my feet, but I could tell I was pretty much zapped. The race wasn't chip timed so I don't know those splits, but they were 9:30 minute miles at best. I started to get a bit dizzy and a little lightheaded in those last couple miles at well, but I kept going. Suddenly I recognized where I was, I saw a shop we had stopped at the day before, and I knew I only had about 6 blocks left. I started to pick my feet up for my final effort. Then my calves started to cramp. I pointed my toes to the sky and ran as best I could. I honestly don't really remember the last 200 yards or so, except someone gave my a unshelled peanut (which I held between my teeth and one of my friends got a picture of), and there were some dancing girls in vibrant mardi gras gowns dancing near the finish line. I thought I was hallucinating. I got my arms up because someone told me there was a finish-line photographer. Final time: 3:40:49, 8:26 pace. My goal time was 3:50, and I didn't do a long training run faster than 9 minute pace. I took an early exit from the chute into the arms of my friend Kara who ushered my into a nearby chair, where I instantly ate 3-4 bagels and drank as much sports drink as I could hold. I sat for about a half hour, then shuffled to the post race meal and got a post-race beer (sorry Mom and Dad, but I hear its a good recovery drink, and I think I earned it). I headed back to the hotel and sat in bed for almost the rest of the day.
Post race: I was extremely sore for the next 4-5 days. My left knee was swollen and sore for about a week. My legs were pretty much shot. I discovered that walked down stairs backwards is much less painful than the convention, front facing method.
All in all, it was a great race for me. I look forward to doing another someday, though I think my next goal will be a half-ironman finish.