A Failed Victory

2016 2 Cities Marathon Fresno California

What better place to start than mile 0.0, the starting line. I arrived at the starting line within a few minutes of the start of my first ever marathon, the dreaded 26.2 miles. Weather was perfect low 50s Fahrenheit with medium fog.  

Mile 0-3

At this point my confidence was high enough to feel comfortable starting with the 09:01-10:20 min/pace group. Within the first 5K I was keeping my heart rate relative low Z2 (135bpm) which yielded a 9:00 min/mile.

Mile 3-9

Thereafter I felt pretty much in the groove of things, it was time to find and stay at my marathon pace. For the next 3 miles I ran in Z3 (145bpm) giving a 8:30 min/mile which I felt comfortable enough to keep up after those 3 miles.

Mile 9-13

Holding a strong average pace of 8:50 min/miles I made it all the way to the half marathon mark with a time of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It was here where I knew the race would start. My legs started to feel tight, I readjusted my hydration pack and kept strolling enjoying the race. Mile 16-17 I still felt great, a bit of wear and tear but nothing major, still holding a steady 8:50 min/mile.

Mile 13-18

Everything went to crap! Good old "bad" knee decided to show up with no notice whatsoever. The terrain was at a decline with a slight bank to the left. I managed to get about 18.5 before the pain was considerable higher, where I had to start walking. From there on I did a series of walk-jog intervals, having the walking being the majority of my distance coverage.

Mile 19

Downgraded to power walking with a limp. At this point I am going downhill with the banked street being more severe. At this time the 3:58 pacer passed me; my goals crushed into a fire pit of the reality I was in, I was injured and wasn't going to finished as I hoped.  7 miles to go!

Mile 20

Been walking for most of the past mile, finished all my GU packs hoping for some miracle at this point. At the distance I can see the final turn around point, still downhill and banked.  Yep there goes the 4:08 pacer! Dreams are gone, survival is next, I will not be a NF marathoner!

Mile 21

The turnaround, 5 miles to go! I will not give up, I eyed an aid station and saw an older lady being looked at, some sort of foot problem. That will not be me I thought! Upped my pace from a whopping 17 min/mile to 15. Time to face the 2 mile uphill!!

Mile 22

Pain is getting almost intolerable; I feel tears building up. Thoughts bombard me of all my runs I had with no issues, of all the hard work I put in, to be stopped by a mechanical issue. Around this time a volunteered asked how I was holding up (I must have looked rough) and suggested the next aid station. I held my head high increased my pace (or so I thought) and responded to the nice lady "I am good; I am going to finish this mother f-er"

Mile 23

I am DEAD! I was in the verge on having an emotional breakdown. Well not really but I am already calculating my estimated time. 3 miles to go, at a 15-17 min/mile I can do this! Then I see my boss man who went out there to cheer me on (who happens to be an ultra runner). I tell him my issue and he knows exactly what the problem is; my right iliotibial band.

Mile 24-25

Almost there! We talked for a while, he recommends some dynamic stretches while walking, which they work great! Pain is downgraded from a 10 to a 6 or so. Also he helps me cope with my "failure". It was exactly what I needed towards the end of my first marathon to finish it.

Mile 26

To the finish line! Continued some stretching and power walking. I see the 26th mile marker less than a quarter mile to go.

Mile 26.2

THE FINISH LINE. I see it, I hear it, I as I push as faster pace, I hear the announcer "Here comes a marathoner, looks like he is struggling, number 63, looks like his knee, you are almost there"

4 hours 58 minutes 15 seconds

Post 26.2.

Pain kicks in, all I can do is lay on the floor at my fiancée’s feet. I think I am delirious. I see her silhouette against a scattered cloud blue sky, all will be better!