Rhett

Boston Marathon

Recent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesRhett's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageWeek ViewMonth ViewYear View
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

Lake Havasu City,AZ,

Member Since:

Sep 29, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

23 marathons

6 Bostons (2007-2011, 2017)

3 Half Ironmans

2 Ironmans

3 50 Milers

1 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim

Marathon PR:

     2:59:00 St. George 2008

     2:58:03 Boston 2010

 1/2 Marathon PR:

     1:25:41  Havasu Half 2009

     1:24:09 Painter's St.George 2010

 Half Ironman PR:

      5:25:02  HITS Havasu 2014

5K PR:

       18:23  LHC Turkey Trot 2014

        18:22  LHC Turkey Trot 2017

50 mile PR:

        7:56:14 Avalon50 2016

Short-Term Running Goals:

Break 3 hours again

Doing it a Boston would be sweet!

It was sweet!

UPCOMING RACES

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Have fun!

 

Personal:

Married

4 kids

Optometrist

 

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Salomon Sense Pro 4 Lifetime Miles: 320.00
Salomon Ultra Pro Lifetime Miles: 387.00
NB 1500 V6 Lifetime Miles: 219.00
Adizero Pro Lifetime Miles: 57.00
Hoka Clifton 8 Lifetime Miles: 346.00
Brooks Ghost 14 Lifetime Miles: 343.00
Brooks Ghost 14 #3 Lifetime Miles: 163.00
Inov8 G270 Lifetime Miles: 20.00
Race: Boston Marathon 03:08:40
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
0.0026.200.000.000.0026.20

My race report starts with the Wednesday before Boston. I ran that morning and felt great, but later that day was really hampered some severe pain that I think was plantar faciaitis. I've dealt with PF before and decided I would just not run anymore till Sat in Boston. I stuck with that and thought it was getting better until I tried to run Sat. afternoon. I did a nice easy run along the river and pulled up a little short of 5 miles do to some intense pain. I hobbled back to the hotel and never thought I was going to get there. That night I went to the Sox game with Smooth and Mr. Smooth, Canyon, MarcE and TomSlick. We had a blast, but with each step I wanted to stop. I tried not to let it affect me, but it did. Sunday I thought it felt a tiny bit better, but maybe that was wishfull thinking. I almost skipped the pre-race dinner because I couldn't stand the thought of walking over to it. I'm glad I went with the gang though. We had a lot of fun. I spent Sunday night laying in bed, not being able to sleep, and praying a lot. I thought Monday morning it felt better, but by the time we walked to the busses it was hurting again. I took all the pain pills I thought was safe, hung out with the gang at the village, and then went a met up with MattK. We headed over to the corrall together. It was way cool being so close to the start. We crossed the starting line within 20 secs of the start and were off and running without doing the whole jogging/walking thing I've done in the past from a few corrals farther back. MattK and I ran the first half together and we were right on pace where we wanted to be. I tried not to think about my foot, but with each step there was sharp pain. At mile 2 we passed a lady holding a sign that said, "With God, anything is possible." Each time I wanted to quit due to pain, I used that as my montra. At the half way mark I realized that I had not been pushing off with my right foot so my left calf was doing all the work. I told Matt to go on ahead and get his Sub 3. (And he did! You'll have to read his report.) I backed off the pace, knowing that if I didn't I may not finish. It took me a few miles to mentally accept the fact that I wasn't going to get my goal, but that I should be super stoked that God allowed me to have the stregth to endure and hopefully finish the race and if I even finished I should be super happy. I kept repeating my montra from above. After coming to grips with not going sub 3 I started having a blast out there. I noticed things I had never seen before. I enjoyed running the Newton Hills. I high five many children and and fun with the crowd. At one point around mile 25 the foot pain hit an all time high and I thought I may be walking in, but it went back to where it had been. I did the airplane running down Boylston a few times and raised my arms in victory as I finished, slower than I would have liked, but still with a new Boston PR. My foot is close to a 10 on the pain scale, but the good news is since I didn't go all out on the second half the only muscle discomfort I have is my left calf which had to do twice the work. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to figure out exactly what happened and what I need to do to get it better. Looks like I'll be rehabbing for a while. I had a blast at Boston this year! I am more than happy with my finishing time of 3:08:40 considering the circumstances. I think it is a small miracle that I was even able to run 26.2 miles.

HyperSpeed3 Miles: 26.20
Comments
From Kathie on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 15:29:35 from 207.155.176.10

Wow Rhett what a race!!! When I first saw your time without reading your report I thought you would be disappointed, I am glad you are not. I think that is why you are such a great runner/man you can put a silver lining on any cloud!

From Andy on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 15:32:52 from 199.190.170.28

The fact that you were able to finish with that much pain is amazing. Your time is still very impressive. Take care of that foot because I am going to need your help going sub 3 at Boston next year.

From Rhett on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 15:35:36 from 170.215.58.122

Thanks Kathie and Andy.

Andy, so you're doing Boston next year? Sweet! I'm planning on it too, and God willing, next year will be sub 3.

From Bonnie on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 15:39:15 from 128.196.228.134

more than a small miracle Rhett. Congratulations on a great race despite the obstacle. I am glad you enjoyed the race and got a Boston PR.

Good luck at the doctor.

From Teena on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 16:15:43 from 67.177.20.13

Man alive Rhett!! You are far too tough. How you ever pulled off that last half of the marathon is beyond me. Faith, determination, and pure gritty toughness I suppose. :)

I'm anxious to hear what the doc says.

And on a selfish note, I'm excited that you have a strong reason to run Boston next year as well!

(Although I still wish that you would not have been in pain.)

From Burt on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 16:20:30 from 68.76.197.194

My foot hurts just reading this. Hope you get well soon!

From montelepsy on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 16:24:20 from 155.85.58.253

Studly.

From JimF on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 16:52:42 from 68.58.92.142

Great job finishing with such pain and keeping a great attitude as well!

From huans32 on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:06:32 from 138.64.2.76

Wow Rhett!!! I was watching your times very closely. Mostly because you were the first one on my list of people. And just sat there in awe as you were doing that sub 3. And saw it slowly slip away from that yet was still very strong. All I could think of was those hills must be brutal. Totally forgetting about your sore foot you had mentioned. And then to see you come in with a 3:08 that is just awesome man. I now have a new mantra on my runs thanks to you.:) Great report btw.

From RivertonPaul on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:25:44 from 67.42.27.114

Thanks for the report. I'm sorry you didn't get the sub-3:00 this year, especially after all your dedicated training. I suspected you might have been injured, but you kept the severity of it pretty well-guarded.

Kudos for your great example. Get better!

From DonGardinero on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 18:05:22 from 75.162.183.28

Rhett!!! You must be super-human or something. I couldn't even fathom finishing the second half of ANY race with that much pain. Congratulations on the new Boston PR!!! Let us know what the doc says about your foot.

From Kelli on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 19:06:24 from 71.219.75.228

Take the small miracles! I can not believe you can still run so fast and do so well with so much pain!

Take care of yourself!!!

From Maurine/Tarzan on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 21:22:06 from 97.117.57.123

Great race, but so sorry to hear about your foot. I hope it recovers soon.

From MarcE on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 22:36:25 from 206.225.68.108

Rhett bro, you made the weekend a great time for all of us! I hope that you get over this PF (or whatever it is) so you can give that sub 3:00 another go next year. Get well soon, and congrats again for an amazing run, and awesome experience!

From rockness18 on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 23:19:07 from 65.96.197.9

Very courageous run...hope the foot heals soon.

From edrickt on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 23:43:30 from 64.2.220.135

Thanks for sharing your experience! At my best I'll probably never run a 3:08, so while it sucks to be you it's also pretty cool to be you. You've got a great attitude. The foot will get better.

From JeffC on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:30:20 from 24.253.105.252

What an awesome gutsy effort Rhett. Way to hang in there and finish the BIG SHOW with a very excellent time. I hope you are able to get that foot figured out and healed up soon. Congratulations!

From mattk on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 14:46:24 from 69.27.13.147

When I found out exactly what you were up against Monday morning, I didn't want to be negative and say anything, but I couldn't believe you were going to go out and push it like you did. You had an amazing run considering the situation! I would've dropped out half-way. . . probably really close to wellesely!! Thanks for meeting me and running together and for your encouragement, and I'm indebted to you for your start line potty solution!! priceless!

From DonGardinero on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 14:46:49 from 75.162.172.230

Hey Rhett, did you find out what the problem is with your foot? I hope it's nothing serious.

From DonGardinero on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 14:56:30 from 75.162.172.230

I have to ask, what is the start line potty solution?

From mattk on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 15:06:55 from 69.27.13.147

May be old news to others, but new to me. . . Plastic bag for "cold" and "windy" weather (non-transparent preferably), gatorade bottle. 'nuff said.

From Teena on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 15:09:36 from 67.177.20.13

FUNNY!!!

Not quite sure how that would work for us ladies though.

From huans32 on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 15:26:25 from 138.64.2.76

LOL never thought about that Matt. That would work for us guys I am sure. I remember hearing alot of complaints last year about buses being late to the start of something and people needing to use a gatorade bottle.:(

From Rhett on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 16:18:15 from 216.67.216.116

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging responses to my injury. I just returned for the doc. I partially ruptured my plantar facia tendon in my right foot. From my history, he thinks it started on Wed and then when I went out for my run Sat. it really went. I think he thought I was a bit nuts for even attempting to run the marathon monday. Anyways, the good news is I should never have to worry about plantar faciaitis in that foot. It is basically a poor mans version of the surgery done to treat PF. Now I just have to wear a boot, sleep in my night splint, and ice it and in 3 to 4 weeks it should be better. I can't run or do anything that causes it pain during that time. I'm supposed to use pain as my guide he said. I laughed and said I had high pain tolerance. He said obviously if you ran the marathon. Anyways, no major problems and I should be good as new in a few weeks.

From huans32 on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 16:22:54 from 138.64.2.76

Well if anything you have a great attitude about the whole thing Rhett. I hope you have a speedy recovery and just be careful on you recovery.

From Burt on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 16:26:56 from 68.76.197.194

At least get ready for that big party we're going to have at your house next year at the Havasu Half! RSVP now. LOL.

From Kelli on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 18:45:04 from 71.219.75.228

I can not believe you ran on that foot!!! Usually us women really outrank men on that (birth, for example), but you are tough!

No gatorade bottle here! I am the resident queen of porta potties.

From Mark on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 01:38:53 from 24.178.1.215

Very impressive time with such pain! You'll crush this course when you come back next time.

From DonGardinero on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 02:45:58 from 152.216.7.5

Rhett...I'm going to take a break from running and the blog for a while to get my family in order.

From Michelle N. on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 10:25:04 from 75.162.252.159

Way to go! It was such an awesome experience.

From Rhett on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 11:30:54 from 216.67.216.116

Dale, we will all miss you, but I respect you even more for your decision to put family first. I'll look forward to having you back soon. Stay happy, healthy, and safe. Don't fall back into old habits that you worked so hard to recovery from.

From DonGardinero on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 11:48:36 from 75.162.188.4

Thanks, Rhett. I won't fall back into old habits. I've come way too far. But thanks for the advice and well wishes. I'll keep in touch occasionally. Get that foot all healed up.

From Teena on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 15:35:04 from 67.177.20.13

You walking around any better today Rhett?

From Rhett on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 16:57:57 from 170.215.58.122

I have to wear this stupid boot, but it sure does bring the pain level down by wearing it. So yes, with the boot I walk as normal as you can with the boot. I walked to the kitchen this morning after getting out of bed and by the time I got there I wished I hadn't. It is totally different the PF in that the first few steps when it is rested don't hurt. It just gets worse as you go though. Opposite my experience with PF.

From jtshad on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 17:02:00 from 204.134.132.225

Gutsy run. Great job and time considering the injury and sorry it got so bad. Glad you had a good Boston experience beside this and perserved to achieve your goal and a new Boston PR.

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

From Smooth on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 22:00:18 from 71.36.71.239

I'm a bit late in reading your report and about your PF.

Rhett, you are an amazing person. We (me and my family) just absolutely admire you for the kind of person you are: POSITIVE, HUMBLE, SPIRITUAL, KIND, SMART, STRONG, TOUGH, DEDICATED to your family and all things good.

I wish you the BEST in rehabing that foot and the calf muscles. Keep up the good work. You're an example to us!

Add Your Comment.
  • Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
  • Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
  • If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.
Only registered users with public blogs are allowed to post comments. Log in with your username and password or create an account and set up a blog.
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):
Recent Comments: