Run for the Red - RunMarathon

Bob and I started in the middle of the pack when the gun went off. I ran with him for about a half mile or so before falling back. I hit the first mile marker at 7:57, which was a bit faster than I wanted to be. I ticked off the first few miles in the high sevens and low eights.

About mile 5 or so I started to feel the urge to pee, so kept on the lookout for a port a potty. I ran somewhat uncomfortably until I found one around mile 8. Relieved, I had a spring in my step and took what the steep downhills gave for the next 3 miles and averaged in the mid to high 7s. Then the urge to go hit again. I couldn't believe it. Highly annoyed, I stopped at another port a potty at 11. This stop was quicker than the first, but a stop just the same. I hit the midway 13.1 mile point with the course clock turning 1:47:00. My Garmin had me at 1:45:20, as it automatically pauses when detecting no movement. I cruised along until mile 14 or so and then - WTF! I had to go yet again! This time I just ducked behind a bush, cursing to myself, and vowing to never drink water again. (That vow was promptly forgotten at the next water stop). I have never experienced such bladder issues before, and really lamented on the time lost. Luckily, that was my last stop.

By mile 17 I was beginning to tire, and walked while taking in fluids during each of the remaining water stops. My pace proceeded to turn successively slower and by mile 22, I was quite ready for the race to be over. Moreover, the course was really rolling the last 6 miles, and had a number of ascents that got my undivided attention. During the 23rd mile, I was hurting and actually stopped to walk for 50 meters or so, before forcing myself to continue at a slow jog. I repeated this drill during the 24th mile, which resulted in paces of 10:22 and 10:30 for miles 23 and 24, respectively. Yes, I had hit the wall,and was just hanging on. Shortly thereafter, we reached Main Street in downtown E. Stroudsburg, where there was a decent crowd lining the street cheering on the runners. It was this crowd that prevented me from stopping and walking again. The course then concluded with a lap around the track in the Stroudsburg High School stadium. I was quite happy that race was over.



Not overhydrate myself. I lost close to 3 minutes on those potty breaks. Additionally, I would give myself longer training runs. During the training buildup, I did a 20 and two 18s, but I don't think that was sufficient, as I really started to suffer from about 21 on. The fact that I stopped to walk twice tells me that I wasn't as ready as I should have been. I will add a 22 mile training run for my next marathon, and maybe even a 24.

I caught up with Bob and Kristen up in the stands. They had missed my finish, and were still on the lookout for me to enter the stadium. I then hung out with them on the infield of the high school stadium looking like a salt king after the race. Afterwards we went to the Pocono's Brewing Company for a well earned beer (as well as some food).


Too many pee stops and not enough long distance training.


I had a goal breaking 3:50, and was pleased that I succeeded in doing that. But when I look at the 3 pee breaks, the two times I stopped to walk, and the walking through the water stops, I could have done better. My split for the first half was 1:47:00, and my split for the second was 2:02:06, so I really tailed off for the second half.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Bob and Kristen after the race. And, I can't thank Kristen enough for driving us all over the place and taking pictures.