Marathon #2-Grandma's

Saturday June 17th, 2006
Grandma's Marathon
Duluth Minnesota

This weekend I traveled to Duluth Minnesota and ran in what was billed as a cool weather summer marathon. What a load of crap! At the 7:30 start, the conditions were 67 degrees with 90% humidity. By race end, the temperature was up to 80 degrees. The following day’s newspaper by-line read “Humidity takes toll, 13 hospitalized, medical tent treats 410.”

The heat and humidity affected everyone. One of my running club comrades, who had previously done a 3:20 marathon, finished Saturday’s race in 4:10. As for me, I historically have failed to go past 15 miles in similar conditions. Therefore, I was amazed that I not only finished the marathon, but improved my previous time by seven minutes and finished in 3:52.

My original goal, expecting cool weather, was to run a 3:45. But given the weather conditions, I literally thought my watch was broken when it showed me running at a 3:42 marathon pace at the half way point. The water stations were a significant help. Instead of being the normal 5-6 tables, these stations had tables concatenated 50 yards long and manned by at least a 100 volunteers. It allowed me to consume 3-4 cups of liquid each two miles, instead of my standard of one.

At mile 15 it began getting tough, but I was able to hold my pace by relaxing my upper body and focusing on breath control. At mile 20, I had to stop taking water altogether. Too much water consumption causes over-hydration. Over-hydrations is when you consume so much liquid, you sweat all the salt out of your body which your muscles need to contract.

At mile 22 I hit the “killer” hill I had heard about. Eighty vertical feet of pain. The hill climb combined with over-hydration finally caused me to hit the wall at mile 23. I struggled to maintain a 10 minute per mile pace the last three miles.

Overall, I was thrilled with my results. Not only a personal best, but I believe that I may be able to think about doing sub 3:30 in Houston come January.

On anecdote was my return trip. After a marathon, your legs are cramped and sore; most runners dread a long trip home. For me, it started with a cramped 3 hour mini-van ride with 8 other runners as we returned from Duluth to St. Paul airport. A three hour economy class flight from St. Paul to Houston followed. After a two hour layover, I boarded the Houston flight home at 7:00. Eight o’clock passed, then Nine, then Ten. Finally after sitting on the plane with my knees jammed high for three and a quarter hours, the weather hold was canceled and we took off.

After an 11:15 arrival home, no luggage. I then stood in line waiting to make my claim. Fifteen minutes passed, a half-hour, and finally a full hour standing in line before I reached the counter. How many people were originally ahead of me? Four! Needless to say, I will have to go to confession this week for all the four letter words that left my month.

A blistering 26.2 mile run in Baton death-march conditions, followed by 10 hours of economy class traveling accommodations, and then one hour of standing. I need to have my head check because I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.