JW Run Blog 7: Any More?

Any More?

Mohawk Hudson Marathon 2012

Could I run a faster marathon? I decided to take another ride on the Lowell Ladd pain train to find out. He had coached me to my best time yet, so back to him I went. My training plan was similar to what I had experienced the first time around--higher weekly mileage, longer speed workouts, one day off per week. Looking back at my training log from 9 years ago, I wonder how my body held up to the pounding: 235 miles in July, 240 in August, and 243 in September. My last speed workout before the marathon was the same cruise interval workout of 3 x 2.5 miles with 400 meter recovery between. But this time I found myself on the road for business--in Jonesboro, AR, home of Arkansas State University. Sitting in the hotel the day prior to the workout, I found Jonesboro High School on Google Maps. I headed there bright and early the next morning. The workout went well, although I remember having to navigate a group of walkers. I don’t think they were used to having company on their morning walk, and I had to make the point (without saying anything) that I was going to need that inside lane. 

By the end of the marathon training, my body was showing signs of wear. The weekend before the marathon, Lowell prescribed a 12-mile run. I was only able to do 10 miles because of soreness in my right foot. The workouts scheduled during taper week were either cut short or skipped. On race day I was steeling myself to the possibility of having to run a big segment of the race in pain. That’s something I didn’t know how I’d handle. 

Sharon drove with me to Albany for the race. I appreciated her coming because of all the help and encouragement she provided. I realize that spectating at a marathon is not the most exciting of things. You end up seeing the person you’re cheering for maybe a couple of times over several hours. I took a mental picture of her waving good-bye to me in the pre-dawn hours as I got on the bus to go to the starting line in Schenectady. That picture upheld me during the race. 

Once again, I put together a list of things to help motivate me. The list ended up being a rather long one:

Motivation

• You may not have another shot at this. All in.
• Nothing short of the goal.
• Dig deep.
• Cross the finish line with arms up. Picture it.
• WIN
• Fernando
• Your boys
• Sharon
• All those runs. All those mornings.
• You trained way less in 2010 and got 3:29. You trained less in 2009 and got 3:24. You put in tons of miles, tons of speed.
• Pain is temporary. The story of the race will last. 

As I mentioned previously, the Mohawk Hudson course is a very friendly one--point-to-point with a slight decrease in elevation. Large parts of the race are on a paved, shaded trail. The start of the race went as planned. But I got to mile 11 and my right foot started hurting. I thought, “Here we go.” And then . . . it went away. And didn’t come back. This was indeed a gift. I ran with gratitude in my heart. At mile 21, my pace was 7:46--right on track. Every mile after that, I’d just focus on the next mile. “Just one more mile at this pace.” I was able to sustain it. The training worked. I got to mile 25 and knew I was going to be able to PR. I remember actually easing up a little bit in the last mile, leaving a little room for a later PR. I crossed the line at 3:32:10, arms up. Sharon was there to greet me. 

I had done what I set out to do. As it turns out, that race would be my fastest. Age and circumstance would see to it that 3:23:10 would be my best.