Vermont City Marathon Recap

Short Version: We survived the heat, rain and humidity and I crossed the line (still carrying my sign!) at 4:14:37 Chip Time. Great success.


Long Version: It was a grim race morning. From a soaking shower at the start to serious humidity and pollen, few would claim that last Sunday was the day they were hoping for. I tolerate heat well after years of running in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and North Carolina. Still, I was anxious about my group members, many of whom were doing their first marathon.

Howard and I stood in the middle of Park Street, signs lifted skyward as we gathered our sheep. We had lots of first timers, but a few veterans as well. Once the gun went off, it took us almost two minutes to cross the line. The first mile was very slow and we had to do a lot of weaving. In fact, we were part of a huge group for most of the race (just ask the aid stations we repeatedly overwhelmed). Much to everyone's surprise, I behaved and didn't pull us through any miles too fast.

1: 9:47

2: 9:25

3: 9:37

4: 9:27

5: 9:34

6: 9:40

7: 9:36

8: 9:40

9: 9:38

10: 9:23

As we headed South, I started to check in with people, making sure that they were still feeling comfortable, that they were paying attention to their hydration and fueling needs. This was the first time that the face of the group shifted considerably. We were still a big group, but we'd dropped quite a few and picked up an equal number through the South Cove neighborhood. As we worked North towards Battery, it was time for tough love. I reminded them that it was one hill, that we had plenty of time left after the hill and that if all else failed, we were only 10 miles from beer (which, sadly, would be shut down when we got there. More on that later.)

11: 9:50

12: 9:10 **Pee break for me, had to catch up.

13: 9:35

14: 9:36

15: 9:40

Once we topped Battery, the sun decided to come out from behind the clouds and we all started to suffer. I started to slow down through aid stations to make sure that people were drinking and assessed my own hydration level. I felt good, but not great. Howard, however, was sheet white and I was starting to get anxious about him and a few others in our group. Working north, we encouraged everyone to take advantage of any and every sprinkler stop. The neighborhoods in these miles provided incredible support in the form of water, food, and sprinklers. Around Leddy, Howard let me know that he was going to stop because of the heat. This was an excellent message for some of the runners in the group, who were pushing too hard and needed to know that it was a day to listen to your body, not your goals. We rolled on through Leddy, across some muddy boards and up towards the final turn towards home. A friend of mine was running and joined up with us for a few miles as an unofficial pacer (Thanks Hillary!). She's run VCM a number of times and is a Girls on the Run coach, so her energy was hugely welcome.

16: 9:44

17: 9:35

18: 9:36

19: 9:36

20: 9:34

Watching other people hit the wall was intensely emotional. I didn't know whether it was more helpful to be silent and let them work through it, to address it honestly or to try to distract. I chose a combination of the three. I pointed out milestones. I told them everyone was feeling the same way and that they were doing an amazing job. I talked about my own experience with the wall in Vegas, when I was convinced I was going to wither in the Las Vegas desert. We all breathed a sigh of relief, however, when we turned onto the bike path. It was cooler and shaded, a welcome break from the sun beating down on us. We also picked Howard back up around 22, an enormous mental boost for me. My feet had started to scream and I was struggling to stay upbeat. Together, we rolled home. The most devastating moment was at 25, when we found out that the beer table (which I had been promising for 25 miles, thankssomuch Officer Buzzkill) had been ticketed and shut down. As we recovered from that blow and passed by the skate park, I sent my group ahead to finish their marathons.

21: 9:31

22: 9:36

23: 9:39

24: 9:47

25: 9:44

26: 9:47

.2 (or .42): 4:01

Over the last 6 miles, we passed 196 people. 5 people passed us. I carried a sign for 26 miles. I only dropped it once. All in all, it was an amazing experience. I don't know if I'll pace next year as I have thoughts of making VCM my next big goal race. However, for anyone looking for an entirely different kind of challenge that doesn't require you to run 100 miles or jump over obstacles, pacing comes highly recommended from me.

Run On.

S

Wordless Wednesday: The 2011 Pace Team

Running in Style

If you really want to read about style, then Wore Out is the blog to read. But for those curious about who to look for on Sunday morning, here are some pictures of the men's and women's pace uniforms.

See you at the Expo.
~S

No pressure, but...

I am typically anxious about races, although I've been getting better at handling my nerves during the past year. My anxiety about Vermont City, however, is of a totally different type. Normally, if I blow a race, no one cares but me. Next Sunday, however, a group of runners will put their faith in me to get them across the finish line in 4 hours and 15 minutes.

On one hand, I am confident I can handle the pace, which is not always true when I toe the line of a race. I know I can finish; I did Boston 6 weeks ago, a 20 miler that took longer on my feet than the race will and an 18 at Sunday's 9:35 pace. While I may be nervous about pacing, I won't have the nerves and adrenaline coursing through my veins causing me to turn in a sub 6:30 first mile (true story, did it in Vegas.)

On the other hand, 9:35 is a comfortable, but slow pace for me. I'm worried that I'll be antsy and go too fast. I'm worried that over four hours on my feet will wreak havoc on my normal nutrition approach or that I'll get a blister or chafe. I'm worried that on Church Street, I'll get drawn along with the crowds. I'm worried that I'll miscalculate and bring us in at 4:16. Or 4:13. I'm worried about the weather; 73 and drizzly is gruesome running weather. In short, I'm experiencing anxiety about this race much like most of my group probably is.

I'm hopeful that the weather will be okay and that if it's going to be 73, it does drizzle to keep us comfortable. I'm hopeful that after a few miles of high nerves, I'll settle comfortably into 9:35s. I'm hopeful that between Howard and I, we can cover each other during the inevitable tough miles. I'm hopeful my shoulder doesn't kill me while carrying the sign.

Seems like patience and intelligent running is my theme this year. I hope that my practice with pacing during Boston and during the 6 weeks after pays dividends next weekend. And that I get ONE race photo where I look happy. Just one. Cannot be too much to ask...

Run On
~S
 

Pace Yourself

I’ve been pretty quiet since Boston. Between trying to regain some footing after a crazy couple of weeks, the end of the semester and post-marathon blues, I haven’t had much to say about running that is appropriate for a blog. Despite the rainy day and a forecast for nine more days of rain, recovery is wrapping up. I’m heading into a very busy race season, with a focus on short, faster races. Before that transition, however, I’m excited to serve as a 4:15 Pacer for the Vermont City Marathon.

Not only do I get to run a beautiful course, I get to engage in the activity I like almost as much as running: talking! I am looking forward to getting to know some new people, to being part of many people’s first marathon and to celebrating a great weekend in Vermont.

Howard, my fellow 4:15-er, and I have been talking a lot about our approach. A 4:15 pace comes out to a 9:45 average pace. However, since Howard and I are slightly imperfect, it is unlikely that we will run a perfectly even race and perfect tangents. Thus, we are planning a 9:35 pace, which allows us a little time for crowds, hills and water stops. We will aim to run almost even splits; banking time is rarely a good idea in a marathon. While you might have a slightly positive split, it’s best to pick a pace you can hold for the entire race and stay there. The hardest places to do this are the beginning, when tapered legs feel amazing and your chosen pace feels like a jog. Resist the urge to go too fast. It will come back to bite you in the last few miles.

Interested in joining a pace group at Vermont City? There’s a whole bunch of us from 3:30 to 5:30. More information available here and at the Expo. We will also be leading two preview runs the day before the marathon, where you have the opportunity to run either the start (great opportunity to practice your patient approach to pacing) or the finish (great mental activity).

Run On.

S

Patience and Grit (aka the Plan)

I debated about sharing my running notebook where all of these plans are sketched down, starred, circled and highlighted. As my calendar post perhaps belied, I am someone who requires a plan to function. However, since this week is anything but normal and I still don't know my travel plans to Boston, I'm going to keep my journal to myself. I will, however, share my plan.

After reviewing my training log (4 times), the Boston course (at least 10 times) and using some of the various calculators available, I think I'm going to aim for a 3:08, plus or minus a couple of minutes. Although this is a 7:10 pace, this certainly isn't an even pace course. Go out too hard, and you'll understand first hand what a meat grinder feels like. Go out too easy, well, I'm not sure that's really a possibility.

My personal plan, in a nutshell, is to go out easy through 16, then grind it in. I'm a strong hill runner and my first marathon was very similar in profile to Boston (http://cityofoaksmarathon.com/course_info/), although without the constant hammering downhill of the first 6 of Boston. I remember this race much more fondly than the pancake flat Las Vegas, where I honestly thought another step at mile 21 was an impossibility.

I assume that my first mile will be slow due to a crowded start. Should this not happen, I am still prepared and planning to run no faster than a 7:20 mile for Miles 1 and 2. Through 6, I am going to be chanting patience in my head (and possibly writing it on my arm). This excludes mile 3, where a steep downhill may naturally pull me a little under. Then the plan is to cruise through to 16, somewhere around 7:05, plus or minus a second. 16 is where I swap mantras for grit. Climbing hills takes more time per mile, and I'm not expecting a negative split on this course, so I think a 7:19 is reasonable through the Hills. From mile 21 in, I want to focus on running strong, with the best form I can manage. If the going gets tough, I'm doing like Kara Goucher and counting to 100 over and over again.

16 miles is a manageable bite for me at this point. It's probably one of my favorite long run distances; long enough to feel like a workout, not long enough to hurt. If I can get through 16 with patience and legs that feel good, then I'm ready to fight like hell for the next 10.

Splits? (Again, pretty flexible, at least on the slower side. I am going to work very hard not to turn in anything under 7 minutes)
Through the half no faster than 1:34:30
16 around 1:54
20 around 2:30.

I'm Here, I'm Here

Lest you think I didn't pen "write blog entries" into my calendar and thus totally forgot, I didn't. It's just that between then and now, I had a funeral and 24 inches of snow to contend with. The upside is that my back and wrists are stronger than they've ever been in a marathon cycle, thanks to some excellent shoveling on Monday. I also got in some BAMF runs, running back and forth on the same stretch of road on Monday and Tuesday. I really hope this is our last storm.

My blog entry for today actually links to another blog I'm writing for, RunVermont's The RunDown. As a pacer for the 4:15 group, today is my big, official introduction for the Vermont City Marathon in May. Click on over there to read more about Howard (my pacing buddy) and me. While you're there, check out a story on my friend E, running her first marathon (I just tweeted at her that we were famous today!), stories from other area runners and great advice from area coaches and physical therapists. In short, you should bookmark The RunDown right next to the bookmark for this blog.

Run (and shovel) on.
~S

(A sad aside, thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Sally Meyerhoff, a former Duke runner who was incredibly talented and a likely Olympic contender. She was killed on her bike yesterday, a scary reminder to all of us of our vulnerability as pedestrians. Please, be careful with high snowbanks and unplowed sidewalks. Run, bike and walk defensively.)