High Point, NC Marathon 2009 Wrap-up & Review
We'll start with the stats.
The weather at start time was 62 degrees F, 80% humidity, South wind mph.
There were 21 finishers in the Female 35-39 age group. I came in 7th in my age group and an overall gender finish of 44.
There were 363 finishers in the Marathon Division. My overall finish place was 188.
At the halfway mark, my time was 2 hours and 5 seconds, for a 9:10 pace. At mile 19 my time was 2:57 for a 9:19 pace. At the finish my time was 4:24:10 for an overall pace of 10:05/mile (do the math to figure out how much I slowed down in the last 7 miles. This will become important shortly.)
So much for the numbers. Now for the emotional rehash.
I have never, in my life, ever, come anywhere close to being in the sort of pain I was in today. Pain doesn't even begin to cover it. At mile 21 it was like someone grabbed the inside of my kneecaps with a vise and started twisting. Five times during the last 7 miles the pain got so bad I literally couldn't walk. I sat down on a curb for 10-15 seconds and gave my legs a rough massage then stood up and wobbled off.
I've been tired in marathons before but never felt like I couldn't walk it in. While I'm certainly disappointed in my time, I actually don't feel that bad about it because I was in serious doubt for the last 2 miles of the race if I'd actually be able to finish. My legs just stopped obeying my commands and wouldn't move and crumbled beneath me. I'd give a short shriek and kind of lurch to the ground, assuring the concerned runners passing me that "It's just a cramp. I'll be fine."
The course was hilly. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm assuming that's what did me in. I've run two twenty mile runs recently and been fine. When I finally crossed the finish line I grabbed a fence and knelt down and volunteers came over to tell me to keep walking to avoid cramps. I nodded and ignored them until a very nice (and very tall) police officer came over and gently lifted me and said, "Let's get you walking around a little, darling."
Friends were there to congratulate me but I was in a bit of a daze. I had Blair take me to a nearby bench where I sat and prayed for death. The bottoms of my feet were pounding, legs were still in a vise, lower back felt like I was giving birth. I finally hobbled into the medical tent and applied ice bags to my lower half. That did the trick. Within 10 minutes I felt if not good, at least human again.
This is my second worst marathon time ever and by far the worst I've ever felt during and after a race. So now I set my sights on Chicago for the elusive "3" in front of my marathon time.
I'm a little scared what I'm going to wake up feeling like tomorrow. Blair took a few race day pictures which I'll try to post tomorrow.
Any race you finish is a good race but... yech! I'll be glad to move this one to the history books.
Congrats to all fellow runners, a shout-out to the Blueliners who ran the Mile4/Mile 23 water tent, and to my running buddy Marshall... we'll get 'em next time. =)
Cheers (and ow ow ow),
Dena
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 7:17 PM | Dena Harris | 9 Comments | Email Article | Share via Digg | Print Article | in Running
Reader Comments (9)
You are a superwoman, Dena! To finsh in that kind of pain is amazing. Those hills and the humidity were terrible.You'll get that three-something time, no doubt.
Dena,Congratulations on the race, even if it wasn't quite what you were hoping for! I'm sorry to hear that you are/were in so much pain and I hope that it doesn't last too long. At least you finished the race! I have a feeling Chicago will be the lucky one and we can't wait to see you then! Congrats again and here's wishing you a pain-free tomorrow :)Nicole
Wow Dena. Congratulations on another finish. I think it is amazing that you have already run 4 marathons, that is a feat in itself. There are many people who NEVER run one and for those of you who do run marathons, many I know only run two maybe three. Way to go Dena!! Rest, rest, rest. Love you!
I'm in pain for you just reading this. I'll call tomorrow to see if Blair took you to the hospital during the night!! You're OUTSTANDING, but then you already know that, right?!!!
Dena:Kudos to you on your finish. I completely understand and felt everything except the cramps that you did. For those that said this course was flat - I'm not sure what course they looked at. Well - here's the good news - at least you've done some GREAT hill training so that when we're in Chicago - it should be a happier ending!! Take a couple days off - see you back out there for a 3-5 miler!
Great job. I'm sure the next one will be a breeze after this.
...there are tribes in Africa that use self torture as a rite of passage, so I guess I understand.seriously, congrats! these are the steps to greatness!
Dear, dear Dena. You amaze me. I've been trying to think of people I know who have more determination than you. Not coming up with a very long list. Congrats. And just in time for your much-needed vacation!
Who cares about marathon times? I am blessed with the best friends and family, ever.