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An almost monthly feature focusing on matters related to fitness and health. Ideas, comments, questions, suggestions, corrections, etc. are welcomed and encouraged. Send your input to the Fitness Corner Editor.
Ravings from the Road: The Newport Marathon
On June 3rd, 2000, I ran my third marathon in Newport, Oregon. Part of "Dave's Brigade"--a group of three us who had trained together and were running partly in celebration of Dave's 50th birthday on the day following the race--Rob, Dave and I arrived in Newport on Friday afternoon, families in tow, hoping to break the 4 hour barrier. To do this, we needed to run consistent 9 minute miles over a 26.2 mile course that turned out to be very flat with the exception of a couple of minor inclines. The route traces the Yaquina Bay, following the pleasant two-lane road that leads to Toledo.
The weather on Saturday morning was very cool as Newport was completely enshrouded in fog. The blanket was thick enough to provide ample protection from the sun until about 9:30 a.m.--a good two and a half hours into the race. The race began promptly at 7:00 a.m. in Yaquina Bay State Park, by the lighthouse, and we headed off on our 4 hour adventure.
Joining "Dave's Brigade" was Rob's spouse Jani who had just recovered from an injury and her plan was to run with us until she started feeling pain in her leg. The four of us took turns pacing the group and, with the addition of 8 minute tempo runs at 7 and 14 miles, got to the 20 mile mark around 2:57:00--three minutes ahead of 9 minute pace. By the way, none of us opted to down the complimentary raw oyster shooters at mile 15! The big surprise, at that point, was that Jani was still feeling fine and thought finishing the race was a real possibility.
My own troubles started at mile 21 when the group attempted another tempo run. My legs started feeling very heavy and the "fast" mile turned out to be slower than race pace. From there on in, things didn't get any better. By mile 24, I started to inject some walking into the, by then, slow running. Each aid station beckoned like an oasis in the desert. I wanted to linger and bath in Gatorade. Still, the end was not far away at that point and continuing to alternate walking and running, I finished up at 4:00:53. Jani and Rob also finished about that time while Dave had been able to maintain the 9 minute pace and finished in 3:55:00.
Although I felt a real sense of accomplishment--22 minutes had been chopped off of my 1999 Portland Marathon time--I also felt disappointed. The malaise of the last six miles had struck again, and I had found it very difficult to maintain a positive mental/emotional outlook during the final part of the race. It's hard to articulate, but I experience a feeling of lonely despair. I'm all alone, no matter how many people are actually running around me, and there's nothing anyone can do to help me. This mental hole, more than the physical struggle, seems to be my big challenge in the closing miles of the marathon. I will need to face and conqueror it in order to be able to finally break that elusive 4 hour mark.
Onward and upward to the Portland Marathon 2000 in October.
Starting in August and continuing through September, Fitness Corner will take its annual summer siesta, hiatus, break, lacuna--well, you get the idea. If you're doing something fun and interesting this summer that involves fitness, please consider sending in a report. Until October, stay fit and have fun!
Can't wait until the next installment of Fitness Corner? Well, indulge your craving by checking out the backfile of everything that's fit to print. Until next month ... probably :-)