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Tri-Cities Marathon

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Location:

WA,

Member Since:

Feb 10, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

I was an 800/1500 runner in high school and college, with PRs of 1:55 and 4:08. I've run as fast as 16:15 for 5k and 1:20 for a half, but my bests in recent years are 17:07 5k (Dec. '11), 37:40 10k (Jan. '12), 1:23:49 half (Sept. '08), 2:53:12 marathon (September '10), and 4:45:06 50k (March '10).

Short-Term Running Goals:

Late 2015/2016 races: 

— Seattle Soltice 10k (Dec. 19)

— Nookachamps half marathon (Jan. 16)

— Toyko Marathon (Feb. 28) 

Personal:

I'm an editor at a newspaper in Bremerton, Washington and head coach of the Bremerton Jaguars youth track and field team.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: Tri-Cities Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:14:46, Place in age division: 3
Total Distance
27.50

A few thoughts before the official race report: 

— I really liked this race, it was about the best podunk race I could imagine. Maybe 150 entrants, no one really fast, nothing special about the "expo" (it took maybe 90 seconds to register), no chip times, and brief post-race festivities (the awards maybe took 15 minutes). But they ran it well, had plentiful aid, all the turns and miles marked clearly, and a really nice course.

— Beautiful weather, other than some headwind in a few spots (including the last 9 miles, but by then I didn't notice anymore). 60 or so by the end, clear skies, sun reflecting off the river we were on the whole time, fall leaves out; I'm making this sound like I had time to pay attention to the beauty. It's always nicer in retrospect, right?

— The race course starts, I'm not kidding, in the parking lot of the hotel everyone stays at. What a concept. No need for port-o-potties, I had a four-star pre-race and used my own private bathroom. I dropped my warm-ups off 8 minutes before the gun, on my bed. This is genius.

On to the report:

Dale and I started at the head of the pack, though it was tough to gauge the leaders because a lot of folks run this as 2- or 4-person relays. So those went out quickly. We stuck to our gameplan and ran really consistent miles (maybe 3 was quick, but there was a downhill), picking off many of the relays teams and other fast starts. We were in a great position headed out and consistently around 6:50-6:55, a sub-3 pace. I won't bore you with all the splits.

You cross the first bridge and turn north at 9 or so, that's when we hit a headwind. It slowed us a bit, but we turned around at 11 (and change) and made up some of the ground. We were 45 seconds or so off pace, if I'm remembering right, at the 1/2. 1:29 and change, with the tailwind at our back. Felt pretty strong at that point, it had warmed up but we were still both in gloves.

Between 16 and 17 you cross the last bridge and head back. This is where I hit a little bump. Dale pulled me across the bridge and I thought I could hang with him a few more miles, even though I was losing some steam. But when we left the bridge I mini-bonked. Not a true "game over" bonk, but I just lost my head of steam. He did his best to pull me along but by 17.5 I was slurring my steps. So I let him go and backed off, I think that mile was 7:22. At the aid station just past 18 I walked through, had two gatorades and a Gu. It was the fastest I've ever had a Gu, maybe took 15 seconds to finish. That's when I realized how much my body was craving energy; I was sapped. They had some M&Ms there that I wolfed, drank more Gatorade and water and started again. I hit another mid-7s mile, so I regained some energy and started to feel ok about finishing with a decent time (though sub-3 was gone). That plan worked for 2 more miles or so, but by 21 I was cramping badly. My hamstrings would ball up once a mile, at least, so I was stopping to quick-stretch too often. So those last five miles all had 1-2 minutes added to them, I was running pretty stiff-legged by 24 and just slugging it out. My goal kept dropping (I thought 3:05 was possible, then 3:10, then 3:15). I was just working to finish at a run at that point, and actually passed one guy who had moved past me at 25. I had a little kick, didn't quite get the two in front of me but seeing as I couldn't really bend at the knee, I won't cry about it. I was done, after replentishing (not a bad spread, even though it was mostly candy) my legs loosened up and I could walk/stretch it off. And under 3:15, that's not lousy.

To say I'm disappointed for not making that goal would be wrong. I helped Dale get under 3 (great race, my man -- if you don't know him go read his blog). I realized I'd only ran 3 marathons (and only finished two of them), so my body isn't quite used to finishing one off strong, no matter what my training has been. Obviously my diet prep left something to be desired, so there's another lesson learned. All in all, I had fun. It cleared my head, made all the running this summer worthwhile, and I'm happy to have done it.

supernova red -- 43


Comments
From Jon on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 00:02:01

Good job, Dave. Sometimes being able to say you had a fun race is better than most people can claim after a marathon. Plus it sounds like you found a nice little race- I like the sound of using the bathroom in your hotel pre-race! Nice run.

From paul on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 09:01:55

Nice work. That is a PR, is it not?

From jtshad on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 09:10:38

Great job! As Jon indicated, saying you had fun at a marathon is great. Sounds like the weather was great, certainly better than the last 2 years.

From cody on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 09:20:40

Nice Job! Sounds like a pretty good day. Not many people can finish a marathon strong so I wouldn't worry too much. I can't say I have ever eaten M&M's during a race. Not a bad idea though...

From Dale on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 09:29:08

A pretty huge PR for you which you're glossing over! You ran a really tough race where things got hard and still did very well. Plus, those headwinds were a bit nasty....I'm sure they'll be gale force in my mind by the end of the week :)

Thanks for helping me keep my head the first dozen miles or so....I *know* I would've gone out too fast and paid dearly in the end. Great job!

From Sean Sundwall on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 10:18:22

Nice job. I've heard this race is beautiful. One of these days I hope to make it over there. Enjoy the nice weather back in Western Washington...at least through Wednesday.

From Burt on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 11:40:52

Awesome job. And I like the Del Sol shirt you're sporting.

From josse on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 13:08:59

Great job and great attitude. Looks like me and you both will have to wait for that sub-3 but thats ok we will get it.

From Superfly on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 18:06:59

Good race! I like the report and wish most time I had the 4-star porta potty. That whole thing sounds great!

From Jon on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 20:33:38

By the way, big congrats on the promotion at work. We'll understand if running takes a back seat... but only for a little while :)

From dutch on Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 08:02:00

Nice work, dude. I'm impressed. And to score with amazing fall weather out there on top of it, that's just killer. Good luck with the new position, stud.

From walter on Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 09:51:28

Nice marathon! I used to hang out in the tri cities area when I was younger. My grandparents are from Grandview, Washington and we would stay with them for a month every summer. I have great memories there! That race sounds fun. Ill have to put it on the to do list!

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