I have run 6 marathons. Two Chicago. One Olympic Trials. One Rotterdam. One Twin Cities. One Tokyo. Each has been unique, including preparation or the actual event itself.I ran Chicago in 2003. Felt as if I would simply put in some long runs, do a few longer workouts, go race a marathon. Disaster. Worst agony, tortuously slow and enduring discomfort I thought possible while still moving in a relative direction that only few would recognize as “forward”. I stumbled. I was thinking of my life in gray panting soliloquies. The final hill at Chicago, the bridge leading to the final turn, the only incline in the entire race, almost finished me completely, my legs wobbling violently. Somehow I made it; I finished.
The next Chicago, around mile 20, had me thinking of my family, my wife, my life in general – it had me wondering why I could only see in a haze, and it had me believing that this time, unlike the first Chicago, I would actually pass out right in the middle of the street, be carried away, wake up in a hospital bed. It took every shred of focus and energy to get to the finish line. I made it.
The Olympic Trials was yet another dreadful experience. I went through 17 miles in 2:13 pace, but quickly became disillusioned, losing fuel rapidly. The cold, the hills; I just got eaten up, again; I ran with Mike Morgan, Nick Arciniaga; they responded well, while I deteriorated, slowly.
Was the marathon for me?
I approached Rotterdam differently. Fuel was the problem. Not strength or ability. I was convinced. I trained just as hard, logging similar levels of miles, similar workouts: 26 mile long runs in sub 6 minute pace. 12, 14, 15 mile tempo’s in low 5 minutes average. I practiced consuming fuel in large quantities early in training; I carried a small 8 ounce bottle on every run, learning to take it in, digesting it. Power Gels were no longer entirely disgusting. They just were fuel. I would do anything to not experience loss of fuel again. I ate two dinners the night before. A full plate of rice, a bagel, some coffee, a banana 3 hours before. I consumed a power gel at the start. Two power gels at 5k, with a 10 ounce bottle of Endurox, another power gel at 10k, washing it down with another 10 ounce bottle of Endurox. I filled my stomach to the gills. By mile 20 I felt better, stronger, more focused that I was at mile 3. I solved the puzzle. 2:13:53.
Twin Cities was cold. I run like shit in the cold. That’s a fact that can’t be denied. I hope the next trials is not in cold weather – which I’ve always wondered why USATF puts a trials in an environment directly opposite to the environment you have at championships/olympics? Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense – unless you realize money talks…
Tokyo went well. No fuel problems. By well, however, I mean: I didn’t do anything wrong in preparation or tactics. The wind, and running into it for 26 miles, destroyed me. Went through halfway, easy, in 66:00. But the constant battle against the headwind slowly sapped my energies and strength. All in all, I was pleased with running 2:18 in those kinds of conditions; I was not pleased that I missed a chance to run 2:12 or 2:11 when I knew I was ready to do so.
Now I have Berlin approaching. It’s unlikely to be cold. It’s a flat course. Training has been going well. Very well. The last few weeks have been challenging: 20 mile run in the morning, followed by a 4 mile tempo in the evening. 12 mile tempo in 5:04 per mile, in some serious heat. 35×400 averaging 68’s, off 1 minute rest. Good quality. High volume. With the knowledge that I have earned, the fire I have walked through in the first 3 marathons, perhaps this could be a breakthrough – or perhaps it will be too windy or too tactical…Who really knows? It’s the marathon…
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