The Boston Marathon is a special event. It is the event that most recreational runners aspire to. Myself, like so many before and after, thought the paces required to qualify for the event were out of reach. Eventually the gap between my ability and the race standards was small enough that I started to believe that I could do it. In 209 I qualified for the first time. My first Boston Marathon experience was 2011. This year marks my third and my best experience to date.
At nearly 70 years of age my father decided he wanted to run his first 5k. He trained through the winter and worked through knee pain. When race day arrived my sister and I were there to run with him for every single step.
It was never a question if I’d run the Flower City Half Marathon. It didn’t matter that I would be racing (against myself) at the Boston Marathon six days prior. Nor did it matter to Amber that she’d be racing at the Flying Pig Marathon one week later. I’ve run this event for each of the five years it has been existence and virtually nothing will prevent me from participating each year.
7 years ago I ran my first marathon. Shortly after that marathon I ran a local 15k. For each year since then I’ve run this 15k. This year I managed my best time on this course!
The 2014 Lifetime Miami Half Marathon was my 24th half marathon, my fifth time running the Miami Half, and my sixth year participating in the event (I ran the marathon one year). It was also my 9th slowest half and one of my most disappointing races.
#TrailsRoc WTF
Never was a race more aptly named than this: WTF. Sure, it’s the Winter Trail Festival. Sure it is. On race morning it was 9.8 degrees and snowing. Those that know Amber and I know that, not only do we not “brave” the cold and the snow but we also do not generally run trails. So why then was I putting screws into retired running shoes? Why was I putting on thick socks, wind briefs, tights, shorts (the shorts are for modesty), 5 shirts, one thick winter wind breaker jacket, gloves, a hat, and hand warmers? With great trepidation we packed into the car and headed for the trails.
I knew we’d see many people we’ve come to know as friends at this race. We tried to get to the event early enough to see all of the races start but matters outside of our control prevented that. It is always nice to see friendly and familiar faces but I wonder if that would have even mattered much in this crowd? A woman I’ve never met before gladly offered a nip of Jamseson from her flask. I was able to enjoy that along with a small amount of vodka that Amber mixed into her pre-race hydration. Yes, clearly, hard liquor just before a difficult physical event is a good idea. Clearly it’s an even better choice when the air is so cold that even water gives up and ceases to move. Or, perhaps it is a good choice since the freezing point is so much lower. Regardless, we started the race happy. It wasn’t the alcohol but the company.
Nearing the finish
This was my fifth trail run in my life. It was my third trail race. I’d love to pretend that I didn’t push and that this was an easy race but I would be lying.
The terrain was hard for me as a road runner. The downhills tested my sense of adventure and willingness to get injured. The uphills made my lungs scream! I reached a crest and had the thought that never in my life had my heart rate been so high after “just” walking.
I was happy to finish and I heard that I was “nothing but smiles.” I think I made a mistake and indulged in soup when it wasn’t intended for the participants of the five mile race. If I was wrong in having the soup I apologize.
Most of all I took away from this race the love of running. I thought a lot about the time that was spent on this race. No one made money on this (except perhaps ultrasignup.com or whatever it was that took almost a 100% cut of the race fee). This race existed because there are people that love to run. There are people that love to run and love to share that experience and will work through the night to make that happen for other runners.
I am proud to associate with people like that.
Most photos courtesy of Alex Tong.
The participants just before “the gun”
The Rowe Marathon was born from my desire to respect the marathon distance and the determination of my love, Amber, to make it special for me. When I last ran the Boston Marathon in 2013 I had a difficult race. I told Amber afterwards that I thought it would be smart if I ran two marathons, instead of one, annually. One would be a goal race. The other race would be to humble myself; to remember how difficult the marathon distance is. I thought more about this, as well as our complicated family budget, and kept coming back to the idea of running a “race” on my own at home. What I had in mind was to run the distance, alone, at home. Amber had a slightly different idea.
This race report is different from the others. This race was very important to me but I didn’t run it. I worried about all of the details that a runner would. I worked to find solutions and to mitigate risks. The race was the Marine Corps Marathon but I didn’t run it, my Lady did.
Three weeks prior to this race I ran my twenty-second half marathon. This race, the BAA Half Marathon, is a dramatic contrast to the previous. At the previous race I was focused. I tapered (and nearly went insane in the process). I worried about nutrition and sleep. This time the race wasn’t really on my mind very much.
A really poor picture of the award
Seven years ago I laced up for my first half marathon, the Rochester Half Marathon. 21 half marathons later I found myself back once again. I’ve participated in either the full marathon or the half marathon each year. A lot has changed since I ran in 2006.
One Man's Obsession 