MikE
10-20-2003, 01:08 PM
In addition to the excitement of Jaden's arrival to the Walsdorf household I had one more adventure this weekend before I could relax. The Columbus Marathon! No, I didn't run the full marathon distance, instead I opted [again] for the two man relay with the fastest member of our running club.
The morning greeted us with brisk [48 degrees] but beautiful conditions, with not a trace of wind for the downtown start. They were estimating the field at 6,000 runners but I think a few got "cold feet" and chickened out. I'm sure some were injured and couldn't commit themselves, the training itself tends to weed out the weak or overzealous. My partner [Frank] and I decided that I'd do the first leg and he [the faster one] would handle the anchor leg; 13.1 miles apiece. I felt pretty good at the start, and the foot I had tweaked [injured] in the last month didn't bother me. I actually managed to click off a few consecutive miles quicker than I averaged in a five mile race recently so I was thrilled about that, if a bit concerned about pushing too hard.
My speed was alright but my lack of consistent training eventually got to me as my pace "slipped" to pre-race projections. So I was ahead of pace but slowing. I was more than happy to see the transition point and glady handed off my timing chip to my buddie. I think I was too exhausted to even wish him well as he blasted off at 6 minute pace [I later was told over beers].
I finished two minutes ahead of my what I'd hoped to run and after collecting my finisher's medal I walked along side the rest of the competitors as they battled the urge to ease off the gas. About 15 minutes later I arrived at the finishline, just in time to see the two lead runners come in. A Keynan won [imagine that] and the 3rd place runner was someone running the two man relay [our race] so any thoughts of "winning our division" were quickly dashed. I continued on the course [in reverse] and at about the 25th mile stopped to check on the family [we live right on the course] and put Juilian in the baby jogger and waited for Frank to finish. By now it was a gorgeous day [68, sunny] and as we cheered the runners I saw many old friends, training partners finish up. Fourty five minutes later here he comes [on schedule]. Julian was fast asleep by now.
We put him to bed and grabbed a beer at one of the local restuarants to reminisce. We were both pleased with our efforts but had no idea if he had improved on his impressive [team] finish last year. I was able to get results this morning. Our combined finish time was 3:23:29, a slightly faster time than 2002. There were almost double the number of teams competing this year; 490 teams. The "Alcoholics 4 Knowledge" team finished 43rd overall. With Jaden's arrival, and the Chargers finally winning it was a perfect weekend!
MikE
The morning greeted us with brisk [48 degrees] but beautiful conditions, with not a trace of wind for the downtown start. They were estimating the field at 6,000 runners but I think a few got "cold feet" and chickened out. I'm sure some were injured and couldn't commit themselves, the training itself tends to weed out the weak or overzealous. My partner [Frank] and I decided that I'd do the first leg and he [the faster one] would handle the anchor leg; 13.1 miles apiece. I felt pretty good at the start, and the foot I had tweaked [injured] in the last month didn't bother me. I actually managed to click off a few consecutive miles quicker than I averaged in a five mile race recently so I was thrilled about that, if a bit concerned about pushing too hard.
My speed was alright but my lack of consistent training eventually got to me as my pace "slipped" to pre-race projections. So I was ahead of pace but slowing. I was more than happy to see the transition point and glady handed off my timing chip to my buddie. I think I was too exhausted to even wish him well as he blasted off at 6 minute pace [I later was told over beers].
I finished two minutes ahead of my what I'd hoped to run and after collecting my finisher's medal I walked along side the rest of the competitors as they battled the urge to ease off the gas. About 15 minutes later I arrived at the finishline, just in time to see the two lead runners come in. A Keynan won [imagine that] and the 3rd place runner was someone running the two man relay [our race] so any thoughts of "winning our division" were quickly dashed. I continued on the course [in reverse] and at about the 25th mile stopped to check on the family [we live right on the course] and put Juilian in the baby jogger and waited for Frank to finish. By now it was a gorgeous day [68, sunny] and as we cheered the runners I saw many old friends, training partners finish up. Fourty five minutes later here he comes [on schedule]. Julian was fast asleep by now.
We put him to bed and grabbed a beer at one of the local restuarants to reminisce. We were both pleased with our efforts but had no idea if he had improved on his impressive [team] finish last year. I was able to get results this morning. Our combined finish time was 3:23:29, a slightly faster time than 2002. There were almost double the number of teams competing this year; 490 teams. The "Alcoholics 4 Knowledge" team finished 43rd overall. With Jaden's arrival, and the Chargers finally winning it was a perfect weekend!
MikE