A Day Late and a Dollar Short--The Carlsbad Marathon

Well I entered the Carlsbad Marathon a couple of months after my foot surgery because I thought it would provide a good carrot for me to chase in my training. I knew that if I had a marathon to get through that I would have to be disciplined enough to put in the quality miles necessary. I also knew that timing the race so soon after surgery would necessitate a flawless preparation in order to achieve the level that I had run last year (2nd place in 2:23:45).
Needless to say, my preparation wasn't perfect. I was hampered by the usual colds, tight hamstrings, and dark cold days that are common in the winter. Going into the race I adjusted my goal to a top 3 finish and a sub 2:30 marathon.
Normally I wouldn't run in a marathon that I didn't feel ready for but in this instance the race had paid for my travel expenses so I felt obligated to give it a good try.
My roommate at the race hotel was Andrew Musuva, a 2:12 marathon runner from Kenya. I knew that he hadn't run anything too fast recently though, so I wasn't too concerned. It seems that every marathon with some prize money has some Kenyans that have broken 2:15 or so. It doesn't mean that they are in that good of shape all the time.
As the race began at an early start time of 6 AM it was still dark out. Quickly a lead pack of 4 formed. It was myself, Musuva, another Kenyan who had finished third last year in 2:27, and Josh Spiker who was a former all-American at the University of Wisconsin. The three of us quickly settled into a pace of 5:40-5:45 per mile. Pretty pedestrian compared to last year's splits, but right at 2:30 pace. I think the other runners in the group were looking to me to set the pace because I was the top returning runner from last year. Anyway, as we hit the five mile mark in 28:33 the others realized that I had no plans of running any faster so they all took off and started racing each other for the places. I just kept running in the hopes that one of them might falter later on, and that I could maintain a sub 2:30.
I passed through the half way point in 1:15:20 and thought I still had a chance based on how I was feeling. I didn't feel tired at all and knew I wouldn't slow down, I just couldn't seem to run any faster though.
As late as the 20 mile mark I hit in 1:54:55 and knew that if I could run the last 10K in 35 min. then I would reach my goal. Normally this would not be too big of a deal. Unfortunately the last 10K was a slight up hill and a slight headwind. I could only manage 5:50 pace instead of the 5:40 pace I needed. I ran my last 10K in a very disappointing 36:45 to finish the race in 2:31:40. No prize money for breaking 2:30. No prize money for finishing in the top 3.
Josh Spiker won in 2:24:56, Musuva was 2nd, and the other Kenyan was 3rd again in 2:27.
Oh well, at least I felt good the whole way and didn't really suffer too badly. In fact the next day I felt fine and ran my typical 5-mile recovery run 3 minutes faster than what I normally do the day after a marathon. At least now I know where I stand and what needs to be done to mover forward. I'm looking forward to writing some blogs about my new training emphasis this year, and seeing what results it will bring!

Back in the Saddle

It's great to be back running and racing again. Today marked my return to the streets of Bend after what can only be described as a disasterous showing at the 2008 Turkey Trot. I knew going into the race that I might be the favorite since Bend's real heavy hitters, particularly, Jeff Caba who vanquished me at the previously mentioned event, would be out of town and unable to compete.
As the freezing runners waited for the start, I noticed that Michael Dennis, a friend of Cabas and fellow PA was nudging closer and closer to me. Michael is normally a friendly fellow so I thought nothing of it at the time. As the race began, I quickly realized that news of my physical tactics must have gotten out around town, and today would be payback. You see, in the Turkey Trot, I had employed some less-than-fair sportmanship directed towards Mr. Caba. Unknowingly, I also clotheslined an innocent Sean Meissner in the midst of dishing out these shananigans. In a small town like Bend, word travels fast. Micael Dennis was clearly on a mission to try to exact some revenge. As I spurted off the line he quickly chased me down and grabbed on, trying to wrestle me to the ground. I was able to fight him off once, but he grabbed me again. finally, the second time I broke free, I bolted quickly to a 10 meter lead in order to run clear of his interference.
At that point, with the race decided, I was able to coast in to the finish of the 3 miler in 15:38. A disappointed Dennis settled for second slightly over a minute back. I heard him mumble as he crossed the line, "I'll get you next time Martin!" Anyway, next time should be interesting indeed as Dennis will be joined perhaps by Mr. Caba in a 2 on 1 tag team event. Oh, and there is another fast guy in town that might show up as well. He ran 10 miles farther than I did this morning at a pace that was 20 seconds per mile faster, ouch!