Triangle Running Group

5 responses so far ↓

• 1 dr seuss // Mar 22, 2009 at 11:33 pm

  All I can say is, Wow!

• 2 fgump // Mar 24, 2009 at 3:15 pm

  Well, here goes. It’s a long one.

  I followed the Pfitzinger-Douglas 18/55 plan (18 weeks, 55 mile high-mile week; I actually made it 19 and added one week on the front end, because I was getting antsy to start). It seemed to have the most promise for me. Five runs per week, of varying distance and intensity. The plan had 3 20-mile runs total, in weeks 11, 12, and 15. I didn’t really realize it until today, but the difference in this plan and the one I did for Umstead was one additional day of running per week. Duh. Umstead’s plan had basically the same amount of mileage per week, but spread out over only 4 runs. Total mileage run for Umstead: 653 miles. For City of Oaks, 625. For Shamrock: 795.

  I booked our hotel (Best Western Oceanfront) several months ago. Had no idea what it was like, what it was near, etc. We drove up Saturday, went to the expo first for packet pickup (very streamlined and efficient, and a nice expo, but I didn’t buy a thing), then drove on towards the hotel. We were treated to a fighter jet doing aerobatics over I-264, and I about wrecked us 10 times watching him! Pulled up at the hotel, and thought, hey, this looks okay. Did I mention the room rate was $58? I walk in to check in, and the clerk says “Welcome Mr. Bass, just wanted to let you know we’ve upgraded you to oceanfront, no additional charge.” Great, thanks, I said. So we parked the car, unloaded everything, went up to the room, and found out we had the most beautiful view of the ocean, beach, and boardwalk. Boardwalk, hmmm. I walk out on the balcony, and not 200 feet to the left is the finish line for the marathon. Talk about dumb luck. I literally had 200 feet to walk after the race finished for a nice, hot shower and clean clothes. It was awesome.

  Saturday afternoon I got in a short run, from the hotel to the south end of the boardwalk and back, total of a 3.9 mile run. Everything felt good, and I ran an easy pace (turned out to be a 7:14). It was a little breezy Saturday afternoon, but not bad. The portion I ran on would be the same portion I would cover at about mile 11-12ish. Finished the run, then we headed over to Doughboy’s for pizza/pasta (the kids and Lainey had pizza, and I had some good spaghetti). I think I settled in about 9 for bed.

  Up at 4:45 for an Ensure vanilla shake, peanut-butter-banana-honey sandwich, and some GU2O. Back to sleep until about 6. We were treated to hearing the national anthem singer warming up a few doors down in our hotel. Panus Angelicus was one of her warmup songs, and it was very inspiring.

  Out the door at 7:30, light jog on the boardwalk up to where the route would re-enter the boardwalk just prior to the 26-mile point, then I ran down to King Neptune at 31st Park, towards the finish line. Did NOT cross the finish line-that’s bad juju. Took at Gu at 7:45, and got in position for the start, right with the 3:10 pace group. Temperature was 29F at race start, and I had on shorts, t-shirt, arm warmers, gloves, and a visor. If you’re comfortable at the start, you’re overdressed, right? Weather called for 42 by race end, with winds 2 mph from the NNW. Yes, 2.

  Here are mile splits (I missed a couple of markers), and some narration:
  1 7:07 2 7:11 3&4 14:04 for 2, including climbing Rudee Bridge (missed the marker) 5 7:28 (had to stop for a potty break) 6 7:21 (the first turnaround) 7 7:01 8&9 14:05 for 2 (missed the marker) 10 7:17 (up over Rudee Bridge) 11 7:09 12 7:08 13 7:15 14 7:14 15 7:14 16 7:09 17 7:07 18 7:11 19 7:30 (headwind picked up a little) 20 7:31 21 7:23 22 7:53 (trying to get some guy that decided he wanted to run beside me and match pace to get away; I wanted to run solo here) 23 7:52 24 8:12 25 8:22 26 8:16 .2 1:45

  Nutrition: 5 Gus during the race, 3 bottles of GU2O. Hit every water station except one.

  About mile 14 I hooked up with some guys from a local tri-club, and they were working well together, so it helped me to be with them for a while (through about 18).

  I had a terrible side stitch from about mile 22 on, and my calf muscles were on the verge of cramping, so rather than be forced to stop and walk it out, I backed the pace down considerably, rationing the time cushion I had built through the first half. About mile 22 I started doubting things a little bit, then the mind won the battle and said “You WILL finish this, this time.” That was about the same time the body won during City of Oaks, so I was very grateful for the extra miles and experience this time.

  Some other stats:
  Clock Time 3:13:52
  Chip Time 3:13:43
  Overall Place 121 / 2555
  Gender Place 113 / 1573
  Division Place 22 / 277
  7 Mile 50:05

  A fantastic experience, a very well-run marathon, great spectators and volunteers. I will do this one again, someday. I actually took the time and had the energy to engage 4 or 5 different people in conversations for about 10-12 miles of the race, up until about mile 20, which is where I decided I wanted to battle with myself.

  Thank you all for your support over all these months of running over hill and dale in Umstead. It’s funny how running on a flat road makes you miss the hills…

  Happy trails,
  Forrest

• 3 Belkymd // Mar 25, 2009 at 6:23 am

  Great job gump! I knew you were ready conquer Shamrock! That is a great picture of you and the boys on the beach. I hope you guys had a great time. Take care!

• 4 litl' bit // Mar 26, 2009 at 8:36 am

  NICE! what more needs to be said…

• 5 terp // Mar 26, 2009 at 2:46 pm

  Congrats. Very impressive time. Terrific race description.