Joined
·
721 Posts
<span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Bare Facts:</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Pensacola Marathon, 2/17/08</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">2008 marathons: 2, total marathons: 21, different states: 17</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Temps 66-71 degrees, 88% humidity, cloudy, south winds 15-20mph, severe storm warning and tornado watch.</span></span><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Chip: 3:45:33 (1:47:40, 1:57:53) Gun: 3:45:41</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Overall: 43 of 263</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Male: 36 of 189</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">AG (50-54): 2 of 16</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Novel:</span></span><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">I flew out of Seattle on Friday (2/08/0<img alt="cool.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif"> arriving in Pensacola early that evening. Saturday found my son and I driving to Birmingham, AL where I ran the Mercedes Marathon on 2/10/08 (see separate race report). We drove back that afternoon. I kept that race fairly conservative and didn’t have any soreness, just the general leg fatigue from the mileage. I was able to run an easy 4 miles on Monday and felt ok. Tuesday’s 7 miler was better and by Wednesday I threw in a couple of miles at MP. Then started a mini-taper. Seeing I was on vacation, I was able to just lounge around. Although, I learned how to play Tiger Wood’s golf on the WII station pretty good. Something like 4 rounds a day. LOL..</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I was pretty worried about the weather reports as the week progressed and unfortunately the weathermen got it right. I woke up to conditions I really didn’t want to run in and changed my goals.</span></span>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Have FUN and smile</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Thank all the volunteers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Sub 4:00</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Sub 3:50</span></span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">BQ: 3:35:59 (best hope)</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">The race offered both the marathon and half marathon distances. The Expo was really small, one running store and number pick-up. I was in and out in minutes. The shirt is a white short sleeve tech with the marathon logo centered on the front and a small sponsor logo centered back-top.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Race morning. My son, his wife and I left their apartment for the short drive to the start area in old-town Pensacola arriving just after 5:30 am for the 6:30 am start. I did an easy 10 minute warm-up gave my jacket and sweats to my son and lined up about 10 minutes before the gun. There was no water or pre-race snacks at the start but, they had a bag check. I wore a pair black spandex shorts, a yellow “Marathon Maniac” singlet, a white cap with “Still smiling after 26.2 miles”, NB 768 tires and my trusty 305 garmin. After a taped National Anthem, the gun sounded right on time and we were off.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The race starts about the corner of 9th Ave and Bayfront right off the water and continues northwest along the water and onto Scenic Highway till just after mile 7. The half marathoners cut off about the 4 mile point and head inland. We would meet up with them later. This stretch has the nicest scenery of the whole course with the bay off to the right side and some nice homes to the left. This is also the hillest section with what I would call short rolling hills. Water stops were every 2 miles and also offered Powerade. I took a gel, two Succeed caps with 2 caps of water just after mile 6 – walking through the stop.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 1-7 (8:03, 8:04, 8:05, 8:07, 8:03, 7:57, 8:43) Ave HR 162</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">It was about here I knew it was going to be a slower day then I had hoped but to run the same effort through the half and see how I was feeling. I knew I was already starting to dehydrate and heat up. I started wishing the storms would hit, but without the hail and winds. Was that to much to hope for, just the cooling rains. Just after mile 7 we turned inland (north), up a short steep hill and also lost the wind off the water. On we ran. There were only a few spectators here and there, but the stop had enough volunteers who cheered you on. Turning left (west) onto Spanish Trail where I meet my son and his wife for the first time, who took some “running” pictures of me. Well mile 8 came and went and no water stop. Oh no I thought, first glitch of the day. Pretty much running by myself until we met up with the halfer’s again near our mile 11 and their mile 5.5. They were all walkers and at one point there were 6 abreast and I had to run outside the cones to get around them. Of course I thanked them for the courtesy as I ran past. Normally, as I past I was encouraging. This was also the point we turned onto Summit Blvd and felt the wind again. Most of the streets we very none descript, most were main roads where we had a lane coned off for us. I was starting to struggle with my pace as I hit the half way point. Second gel, 2 Succeed caps at mile 13. I was taking 2 cups of water at every stop.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 8-13 (8:16, 8:02, 8:30, 8:03, 7:58, 8:44) Ave HR 163</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I decide to do the walk a minute then run to the next mile marker starting at mile 14. Hoping this would help me cool down some and help my stomach absorb the fluid. We also turn south about mile 15 and into a nice stiff wind. I had no complaints about it, I needed it. My son was taking pictures as he hopped around the course. Several of us started playing leapfrog and that would continue through mile 23. Mile 17 brings you near the finish line before turning west for the last loop and we left the halfer’s again. I also enjoyed running this stretch with the increase of cheering spectators. Mile 19 has a bridge to run up and over and inlet, I walked the up section. Third gel and 2 Succeed caps at mile 18.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 14-20 (8:23, 9:20, 8:38, 8:35, 8:45, 9:16, 8:45) Ave HR 159</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 21 through 23 were difficult for me, I was having to walk a little more. On the up side my HR was getting better. I walked the uphill portion of the last bridge which comes about mile 24. Feeling much better now, spirits picked up. I could smell the finish line. I was able to hit close to MP for the last two miles (I didn’t look at my HR monitor). I actually passed 7 people but couldn’t quite catch one guy wearing a red shirt. I would find out later he was in my age group. He ended up beating me by 10 seconds for the age group win. Fourth gel at mile 22.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 21-26.2 (8:43, 9:16, 11:18, 10:07, 8:05, 7:53, 1:42) Ave HR 167, Max HR 177</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Finish area: It appeared they were calling out everyone’s names and home town/state a nice personal touch. The chute was efficient, water, off with the chip, on with the medal in 20 seconds. Subway was one of the sponsors, so they handed out turkey sandwiches and cookies, plus oranges and bananas. Nothing special though. Overall it was a good course, lots of friendly volunteers, police at every intersection, navy/marines on the side streets and the army manning the chute. Mile markers were the most accurate I have seen. GPS had them within a hundredth each mile and the total for the race was 26.27. Well, four out of five goals was pretty good for a warm and humid day. The storms didn’t hit till later on in the afternoon and a tornado did touch down about 40 miles north of Pensacola but, I didn’t here of any damage. The good part is I did run well within my abilities and have no soreness at all. OK, now where is a good marathon in the PNW for next Sunday.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">One thing that hit me as pretty funny, after the race a younger guy (maybe later twenty’s) remarked that every time he saw me I was smiling. I chuckled to myself, and told him, you have to have fun. If it wasn’t fun I wouldn’t be here. He said you were having fun out there? We had a nice chat as we cooled down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Thank for reading my novel.</span></span><br>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Have FUN and smile</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Thank all the volunteers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Sub 4:00</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Sub 3:50</span></span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">BQ: 3:35:59 (best hope)</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">The race offered both the marathon and half marathon distances. The Expo was really small, one running store and number pick-up. I was in and out in minutes. The shirt is a white short sleeve tech with the marathon logo centered on the front and a small sponsor logo centered back-top.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Race morning. My son, his wife and I left their apartment for the short drive to the start area in old-town Pensacola arriving just after 5:30 am for the 6:30 am start. I did an easy 10 minute warm-up gave my jacket and sweats to my son and lined up about 10 minutes before the gun. There was no water or pre-race snacks at the start but, they had a bag check. I wore a pair black spandex shorts, a yellow “Marathon Maniac” singlet, a white cap with “Still smiling after 26.2 miles”, NB 768 tires and my trusty 305 garmin. After a taped National Anthem, the gun sounded right on time and we were off.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The race starts about the corner of 9th Ave and Bayfront right off the water and continues northwest along the water and onto Scenic Highway till just after mile 7. The half marathoners cut off about the 4 mile point and head inland. We would meet up with them later. This stretch has the nicest scenery of the whole course with the bay off to the right side and some nice homes to the left. This is also the hillest section with what I would call short rolling hills. Water stops were every 2 miles and also offered Powerade. I took a gel, two Succeed caps with 2 caps of water just after mile 6 – walking through the stop.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 1-7 (8:03, 8:04, 8:05, 8:07, 8:03, 7:57, 8:43) Ave HR 162</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">It was about here I knew it was going to be a slower day then I had hoped but to run the same effort through the half and see how I was feeling. I knew I was already starting to dehydrate and heat up. I started wishing the storms would hit, but without the hail and winds. Was that to much to hope for, just the cooling rains. Just after mile 7 we turned inland (north), up a short steep hill and also lost the wind off the water. On we ran. There were only a few spectators here and there, but the stop had enough volunteers who cheered you on. Turning left (west) onto Spanish Trail where I meet my son and his wife for the first time, who took some “running” pictures of me. Well mile 8 came and went and no water stop. Oh no I thought, first glitch of the day. Pretty much running by myself until we met up with the halfer’s again near our mile 11 and their mile 5.5. They were all walkers and at one point there were 6 abreast and I had to run outside the cones to get around them. Of course I thanked them for the courtesy as I ran past. Normally, as I past I was encouraging. This was also the point we turned onto Summit Blvd and felt the wind again. Most of the streets we very none descript, most were main roads where we had a lane coned off for us. I was starting to struggle with my pace as I hit the half way point. Second gel, 2 Succeed caps at mile 13. I was taking 2 cups of water at every stop.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 8-13 (8:16, 8:02, 8:30, 8:03, 7:58, 8:44) Ave HR 163</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I decide to do the walk a minute then run to the next mile marker starting at mile 14. Hoping this would help me cool down some and help my stomach absorb the fluid. We also turn south about mile 15 and into a nice stiff wind. I had no complaints about it, I needed it. My son was taking pictures as he hopped around the course. Several of us started playing leapfrog and that would continue through mile 23. Mile 17 brings you near the finish line before turning west for the last loop and we left the halfer’s again. I also enjoyed running this stretch with the increase of cheering spectators. Mile 19 has a bridge to run up and over and inlet, I walked the up section. Third gel and 2 Succeed caps at mile 18.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 14-20 (8:23, 9:20, 8:38, 8:35, 8:45, 9:16, 8:45) Ave HR 159</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 21 through 23 were difficult for me, I was having to walk a little more. On the up side my HR was getting better. I walked the uphill portion of the last bridge which comes about mile 24. Feeling much better now, spirits picked up. I could smell the finish line. I was able to hit close to MP for the last two miles (I didn’t look at my HR monitor). I actually passed 7 people but couldn’t quite catch one guy wearing a red shirt. I would find out later he was in my age group. He ended up beating me by 10 seconds for the age group win. Fourth gel at mile 22.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 21-26.2 (8:43, 9:16, 11:18, 10:07, 8:05, 7:53, 1:42) Ave HR 167, Max HR 177</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Finish area: It appeared they were calling out everyone’s names and home town/state a nice personal touch. The chute was efficient, water, off with the chip, on with the medal in 20 seconds. Subway was one of the sponsors, so they handed out turkey sandwiches and cookies, plus oranges and bananas. Nothing special though. Overall it was a good course, lots of friendly volunteers, police at every intersection, navy/marines on the side streets and the army manning the chute. Mile markers were the most accurate I have seen. GPS had them within a hundredth each mile and the total for the race was 26.27. Well, four out of five goals was pretty good for a warm and humid day. The storms didn’t hit till later on in the afternoon and a tornado did touch down about 40 miles north of Pensacola but, I didn’t here of any damage. The good part is I did run well within my abilities and have no soreness at all. OK, now where is a good marathon in the PNW for next Sunday.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">One thing that hit me as pretty funny, after the race a younger guy (maybe later twenty’s) remarked that every time he saw me I was smiling. I chuckled to myself, and told him, you have to have fun. If it wasn’t fun I wouldn’t be here. He said you were having fun out there? We had a nice chat as we cooled down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Thank for reading my novel.</span></span><br>
