Nissan Buffalo Marathon - RunMarathon

Well, where to begin. Luke and I decided to stick together at the start, and just see what happened as the race unfolded. He was feeling better the morning of, but has been battling some wicked ITBS in his left knee. We agreed on keeping the pace slow early on, between 10-11m/mi. Hit a Gu 10min before the gun. Only thing I forgot to do was have a last swig of water so I could take an Endurolyte, but I just figured I would take it at the first water station.

Mile 1-3:
10:27
10:19
10:30

No surprises. Luke settled in nicely, and we had a good conversation going as we ran to Lasalle Park. Hit our goal splits dead on. Took a small swig of water at mile 3 along with an Enduro

Mile 4-6:
10:10
10:47
9:45

Jess G. did the half and ran by around mile 3.5, it was good to see her. Still doing well regarding our splits. Luke walked through the water station at mile 5.5 because of it being a bottle neck at a turnaround, and his left knee tightened right up. We slowed our pace a little from 5.5-6, and he worked it out.

Mile 7-9:
10:01
10:21
11:22

We passed the leader and eventual winner at mile 6-7. That was awesome. He was kicking serious ass, at that point he had a >3 minute lead on the pack. He ended with at 15 minute lead. Felt good through mi. 8 as we passed behind HSBC Arena. Started to drizzle which was great. But we began to run into trouble. Luke's knee started acting up, and I got nervous. I started pumping him up as best I could, but I still was unsure as to if/how we would get through the race. We were only at mile 8-9 and he was hurting. It didn't help we were running through the crappy part of town, so the scenery was a real downer. As for myself, I was really surprised how good I felt. The only thing I felt was mild discomfort in my right hip, a nagging glut medius trigger point that's been acting up over the past month. Nothing serious at this point.

Mile 10-12:
9:05
9:43
10:14

Luke got a serious burst and stated that he had less pain with that cadence. In hindsight I should have held him back, but I was feeling so good that I welcomed the bump in speed. We ran at that pace for 3 miles without incident. Hit another Gu, and stuck with an Enduro or two every hour for the rest of the race.

Mile 13-15:
10:27
11:36
9:52

Saw Frank N. and then Kenny S. within a half mile of each other. Things started to get ugly. Luke's knee was a mess, and his wind was a problem. I contemplated throwing out a 1/2 mary finish to him, but we've gone so far I didn't have the heart to say it. But man was I worried. I anticipated our pace continuing to drop but we were now going slower and slower. The good thing was the 1/2 mary finishers cleared the road and it was almost serene a feeling looking around. At this point, I talked with Luke about how the rest of the race should unfold. We agreed that we would stick together until mi. 16, but when we got to 14, Luke told me to go. I was ok with it because he said 'you gotta run your race, I'm doing this for me.' But man I was worried about him. I took off and tried not to kick the pace up too much.

Mile 16-18:
9:54
10:19
11:20

I felt really good still, but then a horrible feeling came over me right before mi. 17 marker when an ambulance went racing by. The first thing I thought of was Luke, and it messed with me for the rest of the run. I just tried to keep being logical, here was a kid who just went through hell overseas and is in better shape than me, and there are 4000 runners on the course, it could be anyone. But for some reason your mind convinces you of the worst. The sun also came out full force. Though it was only in the 60s, the temp jumped 4 degrees in that hour from the sun breaking through. My state of mind took a bad turn.

Mile 19-21:
12:25
10:47
12:11

The ulnar neuropathy issue from my 20 miler training run came back exactly at the same time, running through Delaware Park. I also did not do well with the hill. I was cramping in my hamstrings but the worst thing was my low back. I have never had a problem with it in the past, but it was excruciating. The only thing I can think is that on top of my lumbar hypermobility/hip flexor inflexibility, my Amphipod rode up my back a little and was acting like a fulcrum at L4-S1. Whatever it was, I had to decrease to a walk for the first time as I left the park. I just kept bending over and then trying to get back to running. At one point between mile 19-20 I had to stop and stretch on a tree. Hit a Gu at mile 19.

Mile 22-24:
12:02
12:43
13:23

Easily the worst I've ever felt in running. Nothing but walk/run for the next 4 miles, with a stop and stretch every once in awhile. I even threw some orange slices down which did help a little. I hooked up with a motley crew of people, with one girl that was a coach of another girl, and a guy who just latched on like me. They were fantastic and gave me a much needed boost. We agreed to do 1/2 mile run, .10 mile walk for the rest of the race.

Mile 25-Finish
14:08
12:51
2:07

It was down hill from here on out, and we were able to resume running for the last 1.2 miles. I felt like shit, but I started realizing I would finish sub 5. That made me feel good, especially after the debauchery of the previous 4 miles. I saw Jim Lamastra's dad at the corner of Delaware and Niagara Square, and he yelled out 'Ok! I go tell your wife!' in the best italian accent there is. I love that guy. Ran around the circle and onto Franklin, and I saw Jim going bezerk. That was a great feeling because I didn't even know he would be there, and he's one of the reasons I got back into running in the first place. Then I saw Ri, Kris and the kids, Andrea and Sal, and I lost it. And then I finished. Seeing Ri, K and J was indescribable, they were happier than I was. K wanted to run down the chute, but she settled with running up and down the sidewalk with her arms pumping. Future runner?

What a feeling, but definitely bittersweet. The crappy tail end of the race wasn't even in my mind, but my brother was. I was really nervous as to where he could be. After hugs from the fam, I walked back to Niagara Square and waited for him, then paced back and forth for the next 45 min with Kennedy. Then they closed the course, which is when I really started to worry. I told Ri I was going to get the car and go after him, but she said just wait a little longer. Sure enough, that crazy son of a bitch came running down Delaware. Words can not describe the relief and pride that I felt watching him run towards me. I felt so good about it that I ran the last .3 miles with him to the chute. His finish made the day complete. That kid put up with a lot and battled through. What a race.

After finding Luke, we had beer. My back was hurting the most so I just kept stretching. Came home and sat in an ice bath, showered and passed out for an hour.


I think the changes in pace, the sun, my mind worrying about Luke, and my back. Most of all though, I think my lack of a solid training program. I knew going in that it was a program to FINISH the Mary and that anything else was just icing. And I felt that I did that program as good as my body and time management would allow. But I was humbled and angered at the same time, because I know damn well that I can attain a 4 hour marathon. But I have to do a comprehensive training program if I want to reach that goal. My knee has always been a question, but that didn't hurt me at all. So it just might be possible.


I think that 1/2 mary distance is a great distance for me, as with my training runs and up to 13.1 of this race, I've felt fantastic. But I'm hooked. I want to do another marathon. There are too many things that I can do differently or better.

Regardless, I am grateful for what Luke and I have achieved, and that we were able to do it together. That definitely trumps everything. We looked at our finisher medals afterwards, and both agreed it was the best award we've ever received.