AIA Marathon

2:39:05, Victory!

2-19-2006; Fort Lauderdale, Florida (6:30AM)
SPLITS- 6:19, 12:23 (6:03), 18:03 (5:39), 23:45 (5:42), 29:34 (5:48), 35:43 (6:09), 41:37 (5:53), 47:42 (6:05), 54:05 (6:22), 1:00:37 (6:32), 1:06:20 (5:43), 1:12:30 (6:10), 1:18:30 (5:59), 1:30:08 (11:37), 1:35:50 (5:42), 1:41:35 (5:44), 1:47:42 (6:06), 1:54:50 (7:08), 2:01:07 (6:16), 2:07:44 (6:37), 2:13:51 (6:06), 2:19:51 (5:59), 2:25:50 (5:58), 2:31:53 (6:03), 2:37:50 (5:57), 1:14 ~ Course Record / Inaugural Champion

* Whoo-whee... the Marathon is a looooooong way.. Entered this race on Monday, as I wanted to substitute my weekly 24-mile fartlek with this race in preparation for Boston. In the deep recesses of my mind, I thought my training pace (about 2:45 for a marathon) perhaps may be enough to win this inaugural event, since no prize money was being offered and temperatures in the high-80's would probably scare away most serious runners.

So, I entered with this workout in mind: 2 mile warm-up, 21 miles at 5:40 pace, 3 mile cool-down. Most of my long runs have been in the following format: 5 miles at 6:30 pace, next 15 miles varying pace from 5:10-6:10, 4 miles working down to 5:40 pace. So, I figured I'd be good.. however, this would be all on concrete, whereas most of my long runs were on 65% grass. Ah, and the most important goal: to finsh the race and be able to continue training the next day without much issue (goal accomplished, I feel fine).

Anyway, I started off nice and easily. Talking the first couple of miles, and then after the mile, shifted into "work" gear. Was flowing nicely, and coming into who I thought would be the most serious of all marathoners, 2:30-marathoner, Aldo Virano of Brazil. He immediately went with me. This caused me to get rough and by 5-6 miles I stopped to stretch, telling a shocked Aldo "don't worry about me", as I was just on a standard training run. Got going again, closed the gap and then stopped to strectch again. Finally, by 8 miles, Aldo got rolling pretty well and had a big lead at the turnaround, but I took the lead at 16 miles, probably too excited, but as soon as I stepped into the lead... I stopped and stretched. :) I wanted to make sure I had no tightness and since there was so much crown on the road, my left hip would tighten, etc., so it was just precautionary.
Anyway, I worked back up to him at 18 miles and we were both running in sand. I knew I needed more liquids, as we were now into 88-degree heat and humidity and I didn't think I'd even be able to finish my workout at 7-min pace, let alone 5:40's for the middle 20 was out the window. Everytime I would pass Aldo, he would respond, and I was not going to "race" so I could never really drop the hammer. If I did I would just be disappointed in my ego getting the better of myself and ruining all the work I have done for Boston.

So, I decided to do something totally uncharacteristic: I got patient. I realized that I was running faster than Aldo. It was just that I was stopping to stretch every couple of miles. So, if I finally got into a good rhythm, I could catch him for certain. However, at 18 miles, I needed a bathroom stop and he built what I thought at the time was an insurmountable lead. I swear, if Perla was at Mile 20, I would have stopped and pulled over, because the training effect was just not there and I did not want to risk depletion.

But amazingly, I kept thinking, "I'm in 2:25 shape, Aldo can't be. Those 5:40 miles early on have to catch up with him. He has to crash." And finally, it happened. He began to slow. His 1-min lead became 45-seconds. Than by 21 miles it was 20-seconds. By 22 miles, it was 15-seconds and I felt I was jogging, yet my watch read sub-6 minute splits. By 22.5 miles, once inside a cute little park, I passed him and relaxed. I realized the last 4 times I had caught him I accelerated and shot my wad. Not this time. I would keep my pace and relax. I ran all the way to the finish at 5:50 pace, even kicked it in I felt so good.

All the while, my wife and daughter were screaming and cheering. I would win my first marathon title (I have won a 50K). Winning a marathon was always a goal of mine and I was over-joyed. It was such a mental roller-coaster, and I'm just glad I walked away without breaking a sweat and averaging 6:05 pace for 26.2 miles. Great workout, but I have a ton of work to do. A ton. Sub-2:25 is no joke, especially at Boston.

Immediately after crossing the finish line I was swarmed by reporters and TV cameras, asking all sorts of questions. I think they were surprised by my calm demeanor. My parents showed up and it was great, I just wish we would not have had such a bad night of fighting over Madelyn. Otherwise, I enjoyed the victory and took Madelyn into the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and waded in, waist-deep to let the ocean soothe my tired muscles, while a Herald photographer shot away..

Now, I feel fine, after working a baseball game at FIU post-marathon (workaholic?). It still has not sunk it that I won. It probably won't, because I want to win a big marathon while racing a PR. Not to take away from A1A and competition, but this was training and it is not the same. I want to win a major city marathon at the peak of my powers, to my utmost potential, all-out. That would be nice. That would be sweet. That would be cause for celebration. As for today, it was just all in a day's work. Tomorrow I run 8 miles in the AM and work a Golf Tournament that I am the Assistant Director of Championships for, and a Men's Basketball Game at night.

Till the next one.. press on...