Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - Run

First of all, I would like to thank the San Diego Track Club for the coaching, support, camaraderie, and friendly competition that goes with an amazing training program. Finally, I’d like to thank my wife Arlene, for being such a wonderful person, smiling every minute of her training for her first marathon. You all are the reason why I enjoyed the training just as much as running my 3rd marathon. My previous 2 marathons were also at the San Diego Rock n' Roll. 2004 (4:44:40) and 2005 (4:14:13)

After stressing out about the sunny and unseasonably warm weather the days leading up to the marathon, it was nice to see everyone at the pasta dinner for some last minute support and lots of laughs. We went home and took care of all the final details. I ended up waking up a half hour before my alarm clock was set to go off at 3:00. We were on the road at 4:00 but still managed to miss the track club warm-up.

I wanted to start with Arlene so we were back in corral 15 even though my goal was to go under 4 hours. Luckily I found that the sidewalk was very clear after mile 0.5 so I was able to run easy without a lot of weaving in and out. Even though it was cloudy, It was a little humid so I made sure to drink 2-3 cups of water or powerade at every water station. I ran nice and relaxed through downtown San Diego and around Petco Park. On the slightly uphill and often cambered highway 163, with the sun peeking in and out of the clouds, I still kept it easy but I felt like I was running slow- not tired, just slow. Once I got to mile 11, I “opened it up” a little and felt good all the way to Mission Bay. A big thanks go out to the residents out there with garden hoses spraying us down. Around Mission Bay I still felt good and I tucked in behind a couple of big guys and drafted them until mile 20. At mile 20 I knew that it was going to be very close for me to get under 4 hours so basically every time a fast runner passed me, I got in behind them until I could settle into a lactate threshold pace. My only concern up to this point was that the four gels I had had up to this point was really making me feel bloated, so I skipped a few of the last water stations. It was a huge gamble, seeing that it was still humid and I had seen a few runners going down with heat exhaustion. At mile 23.5, I went into “catch that runner” mode. I would pick out a runner 50 yards in front of me and reel them in. Once I caught one I’d pick out the next one and did this over and over until the finish.

Was it a hot day where I saw at least four people go down with heat exhaustion? Yes, but It still was definitely my best marathon experience. I pushed myself hard the last six miles knowing my goal was within reach. Mentally, I could not let up and I thought back to the track workouts. My official time 3:59:08, a 15-minute personal record, and a 2-minute negative split. But the best part was seeing my wife, Arlene coming in the gates of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at mile 25.5 of course smiling and looking like she had only run an easy 5 miler. Seeing her excitement as the crowds all cheered her on to the finish was the best ending to an awesome day for both of us!

The original musical marathon. Well supported by the community, great organization and LOTS of fellow runners to spend a few hours with. Great marathon for beginners and veterans.