129 Days - Brian WINS his first (of many) marathon!
Brian's race report of the Run with the Devil Marathon:
Here is the link for the few photos that there were from the race – (BK bib # 592 and SW bib #593)
http://www.backprint.com/view_event.asp?PID=bp%18%7EA&EVENTID=38354
First of all congrats to SW for surpassing her goal of 7 hours and finishing and taking first in her age group; very well done! I could not have been out in that heat any longer then I necessary.
When we got word that WS 100 was canceled I had to find another solution as taking a weekend off is just not in my vocabulary. So I sent SW an email about this race somewhat hoping that her reply would be NO because I did not really want to be out in 110 degree heat, but I should have known what her response would have been and so we signed up. We drove up to Nevada Friday night for=2 0our 10 am start time on Saturday morning. Since I do not sleep in I was up around 6 am and went outside and thought to myself it is hot, but not that hot right now – then I realized I was in the shade. That is when I knew what I was in store for.
Right before the marathon started there were a few interesting comments made that were pretty amusing at the time
A 17 y/o was running his first marathon and before this had only completed 10 miles as his longest run. He said that he could run 10 miles at a 6 min pace and if he could get that up over the course of the marathon he would be in good shape. I remember those days and by mile 3 he was done, but to his credit he did make it to mile 15; which was his longest run to date.
The course in its second year was now certified as a Boston qualifier – I blew that one off and had a good laugh because that was not going to happen
If you think you will take it slow going out and negative split the course on the way in do not even think about it. On the way in it is even hotter and the hills are tougher. Blew that one off too, but to my surprise went out in 1:53 and came in 1:51 so I guess you can negative split the course
Anyway, the goals for this race were pretty simple
Survive
Break 5 hours – based on prior year times that would put me in the top 5 and what be a great result
Hit the turn around before Noon – 2 hour ½ marathon
Hydrate
Survive
As the race got started 3 guys took off, including the 17 y/o, and by the first mile I was in 4th place leading a group behind me and by the 3rd mile I was in 3rd place as I based the 17 y/o. Gave him a few encouraging words and offered his some water and off I went. As I was climbing to the aid station at 11.5, I saw another runner coming back in the opposite direction and he looked strong and assumed that he was the leader of the marathon. I figured I would not catch him but if I maintained the pace I was on a 3rd place finish was a sure thing. As I approached the half way point I saw another runner heading my way and he was looking like the devil got him and figured in time I would catch him on one of the hills (still thinking I was in 3rd place at this point). As I entered the 13.1 mile aid station there was another runner that was done for and at this point I had no idea what place I was in (3rd or 4th…). As I left and made the turn to head home the heat started to hit and the dry winds were blowing right towards us. Nothing like hot dry air being blown in your face! Fast forward to mile 17.5 is when I caught the guy from the turnaround and we approached the 18.1 mile aid station together. I asked the volunteers how the leader looked and they said he was running the 50 miler. So I kindly asked “Who is leading the marathon” and his reply “You” and I said ”Oh, I better get going”. I do not know if I will ever hear those words again but that was pretty cool to hear. The last 8 miles of the race was difficult as it was getting hotter and the hills seemed to be getting steeper and longer, but this time I was able to push through the mental block that I usually get around 20 or so miles and finish strong. By mile 23 my feet were on fire and I did everything I could to keep my core temp down; which included splashing myself with water and watered down electrolyte drinks from my bottles. Every time I wanted to slow down during those last 6 miles and walk an uphill I thought to myself if I slow down that means I will be out in this heat even longer and since I did not want that I kept moving and figured that I would deal with the pain in the comfort of my cool hotel room. When I crossed that finish line and heard I won it did not sink in and only until last night when the results were finally posted did I believe that I truly won the event.
It was a strange feeling being out there by myself and in the lead, usually on the trails at this point I am on my own, but with plenty of people in front of me to try and catch. So for one day I get to say that I won and that I have a course record; which will probably fall next year, but for now it is mine. For the runners in this email, so I guess everyone but my family, this is a great race and the RD, Joyce, has a few other races she puts on each year and not all of them take place in the heat. Check out her website http://calicoracing.squarespace.com for some of the other races as I imagine they would not disappoint.
Pretty boring story, but hey I work with numbers all day and I am not very creative; maybe sw can give a more imaginative recap of the race.
bk
Here is the link for the few photos that there were from the race – (BK bib # 592 and SW bib #593)
http://www.backprint.com/view_event.asp?PID=bp%18%7EA&EVENTID=38354
First of all congrats to SW for surpassing her goal of 7 hours and finishing and taking first in her age group; very well done! I could not have been out in that heat any longer then I necessary.
When we got word that WS 100 was canceled I had to find another solution as taking a weekend off is just not in my vocabulary. So I sent SW an email about this race somewhat hoping that her reply would be NO because I did not really want to be out in 110 degree heat, but I should have known what her response would have been and so we signed up. We drove up to Nevada Friday night for=2 0our 10 am start time on Saturday morning. Since I do not sleep in I was up around 6 am and went outside and thought to myself it is hot, but not that hot right now – then I realized I was in the shade. That is when I knew what I was in store for.
Right before the marathon started there were a few interesting comments made that were pretty amusing at the time
A 17 y/o was running his first marathon and before this had only completed 10 miles as his longest run. He said that he could run 10 miles at a 6 min pace and if he could get that up over the course of the marathon he would be in good shape. I remember those days and by mile 3 he was done, but to his credit he did make it to mile 15; which was his longest run to date.
The course in its second year was now certified as a Boston qualifier – I blew that one off and had a good laugh because that was not going to happen
If you think you will take it slow going out and negative split the course on the way in do not even think about it. On the way in it is even hotter and the hills are tougher. Blew that one off too, but to my surprise went out in 1:53 and came in 1:51 so I guess you can negative split the course
Anyway, the goals for this race were pretty simple
Survive
Break 5 hours – based on prior year times that would put me in the top 5 and what be a great result
Hit the turn around before Noon – 2 hour ½ marathon
Hydrate
Survive
As the race got started 3 guys took off, including the 17 y/o, and by the first mile I was in 4th place leading a group behind me and by the 3rd mile I was in 3rd place as I based the 17 y/o. Gave him a few encouraging words and offered his some water and off I went. As I was climbing to the aid station at 11.5, I saw another runner coming back in the opposite direction and he looked strong and assumed that he was the leader of the marathon. I figured I would not catch him but if I maintained the pace I was on a 3rd place finish was a sure thing. As I approached the half way point I saw another runner heading my way and he was looking like the devil got him and figured in time I would catch him on one of the hills (still thinking I was in 3rd place at this point). As I entered the 13.1 mile aid station there was another runner that was done for and at this point I had no idea what place I was in (3rd or 4th…). As I left and made the turn to head home the heat started to hit and the dry winds were blowing right towards us. Nothing like hot dry air being blown in your face! Fast forward to mile 17.5 is when I caught the guy from the turnaround and we approached the 18.1 mile aid station together. I asked the volunteers how the leader looked and they said he was running the 50 miler. So I kindly asked “Who is leading the marathon” and his reply “You” and I said ”Oh, I better get going”. I do not know if I will ever hear those words again but that was pretty cool to hear. The last 8 miles of the race was difficult as it was getting hotter and the hills seemed to be getting steeper and longer, but this time I was able to push through the mental block that I usually get around 20 or so miles and finish strong. By mile 23 my feet were on fire and I did everything I could to keep my core temp down; which included splashing myself with water and watered down electrolyte drinks from my bottles. Every time I wanted to slow down during those last 6 miles and walk an uphill I thought to myself if I slow down that means I will be out in this heat even longer and since I did not want that I kept moving and figured that I would deal with the pain in the comfort of my cool hotel room. When I crossed that finish line and heard I won it did not sink in and only until last night when the results were finally posted did I believe that I truly won the event.
It was a strange feeling being out there by myself and in the lead, usually on the trails at this point I am on my own, but with plenty of people in front of me to try and catch. So for one day I get to say that I won and that I have a course record; which will probably fall next year, but for now it is mine. For the runners in this email, so I guess everyone but my family, this is a great race and the RD, Joyce, has a few other races she puts on each year and not all of them take place in the heat. Check out her website http://calicoracing.squarespace.com for some of the other races as I imagine they would not disappoint.
Pretty boring story, but hey I work with numbers all day and I am not very creative; maybe sw can give a more imaginative recap of the race.
bk
posted by Summer Wesson at 6:58 AM
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