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This was supposed to be a stress free marathon as I was not really going for a specific time, my training was not great, and I was looking forward to a scenic course in Falmouth. My training suffered in the last 6 weeks as I suffered with runners knee. I ended up keeping most of my long runs on weekends but drastically cut my schedule during the week to 1 run. It worked as I was 100% healthy for the race. As we got closer to the date the weather began to look really poor. The forecast was predicting 35 degrees, slush and heavy rain, and 40+ MPH winds. The drive down there from my brother’s house 45 miles away was in a driving snowstorm. But by the time I got to Falmouth there was no snow and the rain had stopped. I picked up my number and sat in the parking lot for a couple of hours staying warm. It looked like it was going to be in the 30s with wind in the 30+ MPH (but no rain) so wore two l layers of technical shirts, wind jacket, dri-fit hat, and running tights. That ended up being about the right amount of clothes given the weather and wind. I never felt overheated or particularly cold. I was able to walk over to the starting line a few minutes before the start of the race.
The race itself was about 1,000 marathon runners and a bunch of relay runners. I appreciated the fact the relay runners actually had to carry a baton. The race started through the town center and the first three miles were essentially the last three miles of the summer Falmouth Road Race. That brought back great memories, a big hill, and some great scenery. I had heard that the course was a tough one with some hills, but I was not concerned as I had most of my long runs on courses with hills (I ended up be very wrong about this). The first 10 miles or so were not difficult. I was running between 7:55s and 8:05s. I thought it was a bit fast given conditions and training but figured I would just go at whatever pace I felt comfortable. After the first 5 miles or so the course was mainly inland and away from the water, so the wind was not that bad. It was cold but the weather was really not an issue. About mile 10 the course started to get hilly. These were rolling hills where you would have gradual, sometimes steep uphills, then quick downhills. I find I rest better on flats than downhills so I think I was having a hard time getting into a groove. I ran the first half marathon around 1:48 but was starting to worry it was a bit quick and I would pay for that in the second half. I started to realize around mile 16 as the rolling hills piled up that I made a pretty big tactical error by going out too fast. The course started to beat me up and I was surprised at how relentless the hills seemed. There were more people walking up the hills than I have ever remembered in a marathon. I have a thing about never walking in a race. I would run slow, but avoid walking at all costs. So I was going up these hills pretty slow! By mile 18 or so we start to leave inland and are now more in town, running by nice golf courses and starting to see the water again. The scenery was great, but I was just getting pissed about ANOTHER hill! I realized at about mile 18 that this was not going to be a fast day for me. I actually started to hit the wall. It had been a bunch of races since I really hit a wall but I do recall the feeling. I knew I could do it, but it was not going to be fun. So I girded myself to grind it out for the next 8 miles. At this point I was running in the low to mid 9s, so it was going to be awhile in this painful state. I remember someone saying early in the race that the last hill was at the lighthouse at mile 22, but that was not true at all. There was a couple more pretty long ones. The last couple of miles were thankfully flat and on the water. The finish line was in the town center, and they actually announced my name as I crossed the finish line, which was only the second time that has every happened to me. My final time was 3:47, so I essentially ran the second half marathon in almost 2 hours! A horrible split, but given my training and conditions, it was certainly the appropriate time. You can’t fake a marathon with lack of training like you can a half-marathon. My parents surprised me by being at the finish line as well. But I couldn’t do more than say a quick hello and recap of the race as I was already tightening up and getting really cold. So I hobbled over to my car, drove about an hour to my brother’s house, showered, and drove 4 hours home back to Port Washington.
Overall it was a really interesting race. Much different than a big city marathon. There were less water stops, the mile markers reminded me of the old ones on the west side highway path, and very few, if spirited, spectators. The course was definitely the toughest I have run. And I have learned that probably not wise to just treat a marathon like another long run!
Off to the cape cod marathon in a driving snowstorm. This will be an interesting run!
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