Phoenix RnR ’12

Fourteen weeks after having my knee worked on I signed up for a marathon.  In looking back, surprisingly, I even mentioned it. (June 1) . Unusual on many accounts. I didn’t give it much thought until after moving, ok, I didn’t give it any thought until after moving.  Records show I must have started thinking about it around 14-16 weeks out yet I didn’t get in my first 20 miler until December 17, four weeks out. Two weeks after I clocked in a 22 miler. Neither included much speed, just plowed through. Solely based on that I shouldn’t be surprised (or disappointed) with my race result. Do enough of these and you pretty much figure out what works. This didn’t. 

Lead-up weeks included a solid 1/2, in fact, the quickest I’ve managed in 3-4 years. Based on that and the subsequent two-three weeks of top-off and taper I figured experience would count for something. It didn’t. I caught a ride with friends up to our top-notch accommodations in Scottsdale with another set of friends. In fact, eight of us were staying the condo and over half of us were participating in the full or 1/2 over the weekend. All the logistics gave warm reminders of SCRC road trips. . One new feature this time around was the need to take the lightrail to the start. I made a practice run Saturday afternoon traveling to the expo. Five stars to the rail system~~ a three day pass and schedule in-tow I headed downtown to the Expo. Given this was my third run at this event it didn’t offer much new so a short trip was made of it. Dinner for ten in the condo and off to a good nights sleep. 

Downtown via the rail with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately the wake-up temperature was about eight degrees above expected and by gear-check time none of the throw-aways were needed. In fact, it was warm enough that I crammed all extra layers into my bag and trotted over to the start with only a singlet and shorts. Drat; warm temps not my friend. 

I  ran into several members of our (other) group on the way to the chute and just as we started chatting the announcer broke in with information about the start-time: We would be delayed at least 10-15 minutes (but not exactly sure) due to a mix-up with the light-rail. Nothing to worry about; no accidents or related; simply a scheduling snafu. Out of the corral and back to find another one of the Brooks VIP bathrooms to get a drink, a couple more ibuprofen and get warm. Back to the corral and another announcement. We were told we’d have a start time in another fifteen minutes, pushing us back to just about thirty minutes late. Fortunately it was mostly cloudy so temperatures were not rapidly spiking with the sunrise. 

First couple of miles felt uneventful, a little quicker than plan yet I wanted to see how long I could push. Spectators, support and entertainment was top-notch these first few miles. Surely they felt as impatient as we did given the late start so a huge thanks to all of them for sitting tight during our delay. Given the late start it was nearing 40 minutes since a last drink making the first aid station particularly refreshing. A little surprised I’d already hit my top-end race-pace heart rate (167) by Mile 3 and it wouldn’t drop as I dropped back on the pace a bit. Secondly, my right lower calf previously injured in the Tucson 1/2 started tightening in the 4-5 mile range. Still felt it was performing well so unconcerned. Typical warm-up over the first few miles seemed to be going well. (approx 7:00 pace)

The Reset: 

I’d settled back into my second tier goal pace. This section was disappointingly short. Fortunately clouds remained and the already elevated temperature was not climbing as it would have minus the overhead cover. I lost count of the number of times I replayed a line of…..what happened and when will I start shutting it down. (approx 7:20 pace)

 The Bad:

Unfortunately by mile 11 I realized this would not be my day. Fortunately the constant, yet very gradual, incline stopped at the 1/2. Fortunately almost immediately my heart rate dropped 3-5 BPM. Unfortunately my legs didn’t respond to the very gentle, yet positive, grade change. I glanced down at my singlet several times to see multiple salt rings; by the 1/2 I was dehydrated and had no response even to the growing crowds as we made our way on the six mile Indian School Road out and back. It was during this stretch I was passed by two gals from my team. They sounded genuinely surprised when they chased me down; offering to give me a lift to the finish. I politely declined; explaining I’d shut it down around the 1/2 when it was more accurate to say it was shut down for me. (approx 7:45)

The Ugly: 
Perhaps more ugly miles than Chicago ’07. No response to or for anything. Some of our team not participating drove up that morning from Tucson to supply us with support, drinks, nutrition, clothes check, etc….. They timed it to meet us between Miles 21 – 24 to run with us a bit. I ran into SteveO first around 21. He was all chatty and ready to deliver pick-me-ups. About all I could muster was that I was done, he should save it for the several behind me who are still in it for the day. After a couple minutes of chatter he dropped off to run back and pick up the next one. Plodding continued until we hit the next incline just after 22~~ of course we’d have a freeway bridge to climb with fewer than four miles less. That proved to be the end of me and I pulled off to the side at 23.5. Both hamstrings and my right calf were shot; completely locked up. Two weeks earlier I clicked off a 14 miler @ 7:30 pace to end a 35 mile week~~could have continued another 14 felt so good. Two weeks later I’m standing curbside barely able to stand up with a couple miles to go.
I managed to walk it off after about 90 seconds to be able to put on a show for the rest of our team waiting just a few meters ahead. Speaking of such…ran into MarkyMark and Fultz with a couple miles remaining. I managed to maintain a respectable finish pace to chat with them as they ran me a bit; repeated they should save it for those behind me who were still on track. Heard a yell with right around the final turn and saw Ames~~ she’d just come within a minute of her 1/2 PR so was pretty jazzed. (approx 8:20 pace)