California International Marathon - RunMarathon

My hopes for this race were to qualify for Boston, but I had been battling an injury for 2+ weeks and had run very little (none in the last week) since. Boston 2009 was a pretty big deal for me as it would be unbelievably special to get back to Vermont for my folks 50th anniversary, and run Boston on my mom's birthday. My sisters and I are planning an anniversary celebration for April IF I happen to qualify. If not, then August it is. Deep down, I'm really hoping for an April celebration! ;)

The pre-reace warmup didn't go real well and there was still pain in the hip flexor/groin area of my right leg. This is the hand I'm dealt, now I need to play it to the finish. I really have no idea if I can make it 2 miles or 26, but I do know I'm going to start the race.

It was pretty cold at start time, ~38 degrees. I looked for Erin with the 4:00 pace group, but there were so many folks that I didn't find her. I ended up near the front of the pack and tried to stay loose. The gun went off and within about 15 seconds I was crossing the timing mat... my second marathon, first in 19+ years (3:19:09 - Burlington, VT 1990), had started. Frickin' Cool!

I settled in to an easy pace the first mile, right on 8:00. The leg/hip was sore but not unbearable. There was hope! The second mile went by in 7:46, the third in 7:28, and the fourth in 7:40. Whoa, time to reel it in a bit. The next 4 miles averaged 7:50, a much better pace for me. Without the injury I had hopes of a 3:24ish marathon, with the injury 3:30 seemed doable but probably out of reach. Getting through 8 miles in a 7:50ish pace gave my some confidence, but it was far too early to get cocky.

I stopped at a porta-john in mile 9 and ended up with an 8:25 split... no worries. Four more miles at 7:50ish had me through the first half in 143:43. I was feeling strong and getting more confident by the mile, but that would change soon enough.

From miles 14 through 17 my pace dropped to 7:57, 7:58, 7:58, and 8:03. I was starting to feel the tightness in my right groin area and my left quad was not a happy quad. I'm sure it was from compensating for the injury, but I was starting to get a bit concerned. Then mile 18 passed in 8:05 and I knew the race was on. It was here that I seriously considered whether I should continue or not. My left quad was screaming. I had a bit of a talk with myself and decided that if my body wouldn't allow me to run 8:25's or better in, then I would call it a day. I really didn't want to stop, but I also didn't want to do damage that could ruin my 2009 season. Plus, Rachel and I are headed to Machu Picchu on Christmas day for a trek, and I need working legs for that!

Miles 19-23 sucked: They hurt. There are times when you learn what you're truly made of and this was one of those times. My pace was 8:08,8:00,8:10,8:18 over this stretch. Still hanging on, but both quads are now screaming for relief. Then an 8:08 in mile 24. It was here that my thought process changed, as did my outlook. I knew the finish was within reach, and that I would make it. A 7:57 and 7:53 left me with .2 to the finish and a BQ. The feeling of that last stretch was unbelievable! I had thought of Boston for quite some time and now I was achieving that goal. The clock read 3:29:44 and my watch said 3:29:29 (unofficially 3:29:27). It was over and I was ecstatic... and very, very sore.

I can't think of anything I'd do differently. Honestly, this was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. To have the adversity of the previous 3 weeks and not knowing what to expect made this race a very special one indeed. I learned much about what I need to do in the future, training-wise, but more importantly I learned how to continue despite the hardships.

Did some light stretching, ate, drank and found Rachel. The smile on her face was awesome! She's been such a wonderful partner, always supporting me along the way.

My legs were fried. Within 20 minutes it was difficult walking up or down stairs, but the draught porter sure was good! Rachel, my friend Pete,and I had lunch at a British pub in downtown Sac. Talked to Erin on the phone and her voice revealed a successful first marathon. You totally rocked it, Erin!!

Returned to SF with a major glow and some wonderful pain... and a BQ time to boot. Sweeeeeeeet!!


Injury. Still, no complaints. I went as fast as I needed to, and as fast as my body was able.


Well organized and enthusiastic volunteers. This is a very good event and I highly recommend it.