The OBX Marathon - RunMarathon

I lined up in the 7-9 min. per mile corral. The race was only 2000 runners total by far the smallest big race in awhile. They started the elites and first corral then gave our corral a 2 min. warning. It was nice that the groups were spread out. Absolutely no crowding during this race.

The first mile I just tried to establish a pace and not go out too hard. I was a few seconds above goal pace but nothing to worry about. I was however focused on a bathroom trip and getting annoyed at myself for not getting that taken care of before that start of the race. Miles 2 and 3 were a good pace and I saw Mike about 50 ft. up ahead. I was running the same pace confortably and he was going fast enough to keep me on track. So I settled in to wait for "the kill". Around mile 4, I saw 3 porta-a-potties w/ no line so I ran over but had to wait for an open one. I got back on track but lost 45-50 sec. on th stop. I ran a pretty quick mile 5 to try and get some time back but settled back into my pace once I saw Mike again. By mile 7 he was slowing down, so I ended up running along side him. He didn't sound good. He had been battling the flu or some bug for the past 2 weeks so he was not at full strength. Anyways, I decided to pull ahead. Plus I was getting ill at all of the go Steelers cheers as he was wearing a Steelers race shirt.

Around mile 8/9 the course ran through the Wright Brothers Memorial parking lot. Mike ran up beside me and said that photographers were always at this spot. I knew at that point, he did not want to be shown in a picture behind me. And I was right as he admitted to me after the race that is why he caught back up and went a few feet ahead. Men - gotta love them.

Once the pics were snapped, he slowed down a bit so I passed him again. The course then headed to the park that was a mixture of sand, hard pack and mulch trail over constant rolling hills. It was at this point that I realized a BQ time was not going to happen. I was about 2 min. behind and I don't have the mileage or training for a negative split. I knew it was a long shot so I shifted my focus to breaking four hours.

The next 3 miles were tough but I tried to take advantage of the downhills to make up the seconds lost going up. At the end of the trail running, I hit the timing mat for the halfway point. My time was 1:55:45 - new 13.1 PR. That also meant about a 4 min. cushion for the second half if I could hold it together but those hills and the sand had taken a toll on my legs.

Leaving the park, the course went down the main coastal highway and jumped into several neighborhoods. I had been drinking at every water station (odd mile markers) and had gels at 5/11 mile marks but was starting to think that wasn't enough. I knew the race would hurt so I tried not to panic when it did start hurting. By mile 16/17 I was starting to work at keeping my pace in the low 9 min. per mile. However, my cardio and breathing were good so I was encouraged.

I kept chugging away, had another gel and added Gatorade at each station. By mile 19 I was drinking a cup of water and Gatorade at each stop and walking through them. The temp was rising the road was getting warm. At mile 21, the wheels officially came off. It started with some major cramping in the bottom my quads right above the knee - both legs. It forced me to start some walk/run to try and control the pain and keep my legs from seizing. There was a small group of us all battling some sort of fatigue as we continually passed each other walking/jogging/stretching/grimacing.

At mile 22, I started the climb over the bridge. It wasn't that bad but still not easy or fun especially in my current condition. I tried at one point to stretch my quads out and that was a big mistake b/c it caused my hamstrings to tighten so hard I was hopping around trying to work out the cramp so that I could walk again left alone run.

The rest of the race I spent running as far as I could stand it then walking til that hurt then back to running. I looked over my shoulder a few times to make sure Mike was not catching up. Right before mile 26, I saw the family and friends. They cheered and told me I was almost done. Tony ran along side for a few feet and asked how I was. I said I was hurting. I really wanted to see the finish line so I could stop running.

I rounded the last corner 9 min. past my second goal but very happy to see the finish. I figured that I lost a good 6-7 min. with the walking and few briefs stops. So if the legs had not given out on me I might have been able to muster the 3:59:59 I wanted. Still another good race with some positive parts. I have a new 1/2 mary PR and marathon PR shaving off 21 min. from my first marathon. I also learned a bunch for the next race.

Mike finished about 26 min. behind me. He tried to kill himself in the process. Right before mile 26 he started to have some heatstroke issues and almost got put into an ambulance by race officials. We had a good laugh at the finish and I got a few zingers in the rest of the day. I am looking forward to my Redskins bumper sticker/car magnet shopping. Our group talked about returning the next year and all doing the half marathon while leaving the kids with a sitter. I'll be happy to give him another chance.

In general - I've got to figure out what is causing the severe leg cramping. I've done 2 marathons and both times I had this problem. I thought from the first race it was b/c of nutrition and monster hills on the second half of the course. I tried to address both of those issues this race but had the same result. Definitely something I'm going to ask my new coach about.

For Boston - continue endurance training and add another 10-15 miles per week of training and more longer runs for my next plan. I increased my mileage for this race by more than a 100 miles over the 16 week training period and lots of speed work. It was a good step in the right direction.

Next try - I think will be Shamrock 2011. I know that course and conditions are generally ideal. Boston 2012 baby!!!!!!!!!

I was hurting. My right arch/inner ankle was really hurting. I sat in some cold water by the shore and soaked. Ate a little bit of food but not much since my tummy was upset.


Major leg cramps


Nice race - small number of runners compared to some area DC races. The post party was in a fun little town. The volunteers and event staff were friendly and helpful. There was a lot of help out on course w/ water every other mile and gatorade w/ most stations. I saw gels at least 4 times and there was a med table at every water stop.

It was also nice that they started each corral about 2 min. apart so there was never any crowding. Pretty scenic course but no ocean views. Just as well because the ocean can bring wind.