Chevron Houston Marathon, Sunday, January 15, 2006.
Start Time, 7:00 AM
Start Temp. 48, cloudy slight breeze.
My finish Temp. About 60, still cloudy.
Goal – BQ at 3:35 or better, trained at 8:00 pace for a 3:30.

Short version…I ran…I finished. I had a good time.

Long Version, not for the faint at heart. Don’t read this unless you are prepared to go asleep, hehe

13 months ago, at the Dallas Whiterock Marathon, I finally broke the 3:45 barrier in the Marathon with an incredible PR finish time of 3:36:05……Whoa…..5 seconds short of a BQ (including the 59 second buffer).

I couldn’t believe the PR much less the finish time and the right hamstring that stopped me just short of qualifying. I couldn’t complain, but those 5 seconds have haunted me ever since. I really didn’t know if I wanted to train that hard again.

I decided to take a shot at Austin in February, 2006. Two weeks out and my right hamstring seriously tightened; I thought I might cause an injury if I continued training at this magnitude, so I decided to forget Austin. I changed my plan and decided to try the OKC Memorial Marathon in April, 2006. OKC went well until mile 20, where I began cramping and that right hamstring showed its ugly head again: I lost about 12 minutes in the last 6 miles. So, it was back to the drawing board.

I began a weight training program, and received massage therapy with the hopes of resolving my right hamstring problem.

I needed to improve my half marathon time to a sub 1:40 in order to be prepared for a 3:35 Boston Qualifying time. I planned my “A” ½ marathon race for October but missed my time goal by a few minutes, not a good sign. Even so I entered the Chevron Houston Marathon. The worse case scenario was I could scope out the race and try again in 2007.

I tried again in November, “The Half” in Dallas. My finish time was a slight improvement over the last half marathon but not what I needed.

A very successful Dallas Whiterock ½ marathon in early December gave me the confidence I needed, 1:39:14. With time, my training continued to improve including more consistent and longer Tempo and Marathon Pace (MP) runs. Even the right hamstring didn’t seem to tighten up as much. I through in some progressive long runs. I peaked with a 23 mile LR and better than 60 miles in a week. I felt good about my training but I still worried about my right hamstring.

My last speed session (about 10 days out) was incredible; I was really getting pumped up.

During my final 12 mile Long Run (LR), my legs were dead and my right hamstring began to start tightening again and so was the case during my last few runs. I had my last massage 5 days before the race, followed by a short MP run the next day. The hamstring was still tight and it was even sore when I wasn’t running.

Needless to say, I was very concerned, and even wondered if I would finish, much less run a BQ race.

I carbo loaded all week and drank 64-80 fluid ounces of water each day for a week before the race. Coffee was eliminated.

We left for Houston on Friday February 13 via Continental Airlines out of DFW. Upon picking up my race packet and buying a couple of new pairs Asics 2010’s running shoes we headed to the Four Seasons Hotel to check in.

I carbo loaded again with Italian take home.

Then it was bed time at about 11:00 PM, with 20 minutes of easy running planned for the next day.

Saturday morning I was out, running and feeling good. The hamstring felt great. I was feeling better, but with a few minutes to go, it got tight again. I didn’t know what to think.

All day the hamstring remained sore.

After a carb breakfast at 9:00 AM at the local IHOP, we proceeded to drive the course. Wow, a big mistake. The traffic seems to never let up, almost 4 hours later and numerous wrong turns we got back to the Hotel. Well, at least I had an idea of what the course looked like. Who ever said this was a flat course? Well, it is generally flat except for a few hills in the first 6 miles, a biggie at mile 15 and then a few during the remaining 4-5 miles. The middle is seriously flat.

The Pasta party started at 7:00 PM, it was a great feed. At 8 PM we went back to the Hotel.

I stretched and massaged the hamstring and hit the sack at 10:30 PM with a planned wake up call at 4:45 AM.

The morning cam quick and I felt rested. I prepared my gear the night before, so it was shower and potty time. I drank 24 ounces of water and consumed 4 Accel gels. I never eat solid food before a race. I wore my red Boomers (www.coolrunning.com) shirt. We were out of the hotel room by 5:50; I wanted to attend the 6:00 AM Catholic service: I needed some prayers.

As we were exiting the elevator my wife wanted to go back and retrieve something from the room, I tried to stop her but she insisted. We never hooked up again until moments before the start.

After Mass, time was getting tight, the porta potties were backed up for miles and I needed to pee, etc., big time. There I was with a bag of stuff and no time to check it in.

The time is 6:40, so I took a shot at a restroom at the Hilton. Luckily I used their restroom facilities and was approaching the Corals by 6:52 AM.

There are two corals based on registration finish times. I am supposed to go to the front corral. In the confusion of the moment and taking minutes to get through the crowd I determine that I am in the back Corral, way back in the back Corral. Other runners have made the same mistake and attempt to leave the back corral to find the front.

I don’t know what to do. The time is 6:48 and I am really concerned. I need to be in the front corral. So, I decide to work toward the front of the back corral. It would be better than staying here. Runners are crammed in, there are no spaces but I manage to get to the front. Low and behold, there is the front corral right in front of me and it is barely half full.

What a relief, I move to the front corral and suddenly I see my wife. She has my Excedrin; I take a couple as the National Anthem starts, time 6:57….Whew, now all I have to worry about is my right hamstring.

My wife and family signed up for the automatic update system so it should help my wife since she intends to take the bus to the half way point. I never saw her at the half way point since the buses never arrived.

My strategy was to run about 45 seconds slower in mile 1 and 2. I had rehearsed this in my mind for weeks, too fast and I blow the whole race. My right hamstring might stop me, but not a lack of discipline.

The gun sounded and off we go

It took about 1 minute for me to cross the starting line.

I did not want to weave around the runners so I let the runners in front of me set the pace, but it felt slow. I held back. There were 3 girls running in front of me, side by side, I couldn’t get by, finally after a few minutes I passed them. I remembered NYC where the running crowd was so huge that after a few miles I had to forget my pace, slow down and just have fun. The roads are narrow and I was concerned that I might be running too slowly.

Mile 1 – 8:35, slightly fast, but OK
Mile 2 – 8:21, Whoa, too fast. I changed my plan and decided to run one more mile at a slower pace.
Mile 3 – 8:21, OK, I give….time to find the 8:00 pace.
Mile 4 – 7:43, Come on, slow it down, concentrate.
Mile 5 – 8:12, for crying out load, find the 8:00 pace.
Mile 6 – 7:41, NO, this doesn’t cut it, come on concentrate, you know what 8:00 feels like, relax, bring it up a bit, but not too far.
Mile 7 – 7:57, YES, Okay, I‘ll take it, hold this for a while, 8:00 will come.
The running crowd is still very thick, they are close enough to touch, but there are open places where you can run unencumbered. The first six miles are narrow, not flat, but easy running.
Hum, all of a sudden I realize that my right hamstring is not bothering me at all…..this is a good sign, but the true test is the last 4-6 miles. I tell myself, keep the splits consistent, concentrate, be disciplined, it’s the key to success.
The crowds have been absolutely awesome; I am starting to feel good and having fun. Many spectators see my name on my bib and shout it out, this is really neat, and I wonder if they realize how much it helps to hear my name in the crowd.
I have been checking my pace band, I am under a 3:35 BQ finish, but I have been there, done that.
Mile 8 – 7:56, OK, I am consistent now, 8:00 will come.
Mile 9 – 7:56, that’s 3 miles of a constant pace, I am pleased. The ½ marathoners turn around, I wish them luck but I am glad the running population is going to thin out. I need some space.
Mile 10 – 8:00, Wow finally, there is that 8:00 pace. I begin to think about seeing my wife at the half way point. I hope I feel well so I can give her a good report.
Mile 11 – 8:01, OK this is awesome, this pace never felt better.
Mile 12 – 8:04, I feel I am in my groove now, the rhythm feels so natural. I am in the Rice University area, the crowds have thinned out since the half marathon runners left us at mile 9, but now things are picking up again. I have heard my name several times; we are exchanging hi-fives.
Mile 13 – 8:00, I begin looking for my wife, no where is sight.
Mile 14 – 7:55, I think I picked up my pace; I lost concentration looking for my wife and wanting to look strong for her. The crowds are heavy.
Mile 15 – 8:03, back on pace, I give up looking for my wife, beside the big hill is coming.
Mile 16 – 8:09, the hill is right after mile 15 or very close to the end. Anyways my split time was affected by the hill. Even so, I felt no pain taking this hill. I am feeling good, but I know the test is coming.
Mile 17 – 8:09, I finally took a pee break, which explains the few seconds that I lost, I was desperate. Actually the slight rest recharged me.
Mile 18 – 8:04, I am back on target, a little tired, still strong. I am focusing on the race mile at a time. I wonder what is in store for me in mile 20. OK, get to mile 19, worry about mile 20 when you get there.
Mile 19 – 8:04, this is good, I am still holding pace and a review of my pace band confirms a BQ. No time to celebrate. Get to mile 20.
Mile 20 – 7:57, My body tells my brain, you can stop now, its ok, really it’s ok to stop, no one will be upset, just find the side of the road and take a well deserved rest. I am getting a little tired. My legs are showing very slight signs of fatigue.
Mile 21 – 8:10, whoa, I slowed down without realizing it. My legs are getting heavy and tight, not severe. I know what is coming; I just hope it not cramps. Please, I don’t need this, not again. Who in their right mind runs a marathon?
Mile 22 – 8:23, the next few miles have some short but difficult hills, especially challenging at this point in the race. As I proceed down the first hill, my quads rebel. I make a conscious effort NOT to take the hills. In other words, I will slow my pace in an effort to delay the evitable. I must slow down the “slowing down” process (the wall). The only problem is I did not drive this portion of the course so I have no idea what I am getting in to.
Surprisingly, going up the hill is easy; who would have figured considering my right hamstring problems. On the flats I still feel good enough to hi-five. I am cautiously optimistic about a BQ. I am consistently passing other runners, some are in misery, and some are dropping out. I am passing some members of the 3:30 pace team.
Mile 23 – 8:22, another hill, I check my pace band, I still have a buffer, so a BQ is in sight. My body wants to stop, my legs are really fatigued. I tell myself to stay focused, you are almost there, yeah, 3.2 miles to go, sorry that is not almost there. The flats still feel good but it is mind over matter. I am still passing runners, I hi-five the volunteers.
Mile 24 – 8:37, pace is slipping but remember, I slowed down for the hills, but this is slower that I wanted. I look at my pace band, I still have some room, but it would be so easy to blow it at this stage of the race. My legs want out; my brain is almost in agreement. Toward the end of mile 24 and with mile 25 in sight, I am mentally feeling good. I just might qualify. I am still passing runners. I hear my name shouted by some of the volunteers.
Mile 25 – 8:43, I have given up more time than I intended, but there is only 1.2 miles to go, and I really mean ONLY 1.2 miles. I still have a buffer.

I usually run alone at home, so I daydream a lot while running, especially during those long runs. A running friend of mine asked me once, what do you think about during those long runs? Well, I think about all sorts of things, but sometimes when I am really feeling good during those last few miles I would envision what it would feel like crossing that line with a BQ, to win the race…What would I do, would I raise my hands up as I break my own private ribbon? How would I feel, what would the emotions be like?
The vast majority of runners will never win a race, so why try? It is the personal accomplishment, the challenge, testing ones limits, lots of reasons, they may be different for every one of us but all the reasons are good.
Today, for me, it is about only one thing. BQ.

Mile 25 1/2 – I turn the corner for the final stretch. I can see the finish line, I can’t believe my eyes, I look at my watch, and I am on target with time to spare. I GOT IT…YES….
I concentrate as I have never concentrated before; all I see is the finish line, a minute or two goes by, why does it feel like the finish line is further away. For every step I take, the finish seems to get further and further away. I look at my watch, yikes, what is going on, I was on target; it’s slipping away, NO……

I pick up the pace, gotta go faster, gotta go faster, no way, I'm not loosing this now, no way.

Finally the finish line starts to get closer, I check my splits, I am focusing on the finish line, tears are in my eyes, with a few hundred feet to go I raise my right hand in the air, I hear my wife screaming. I cross the line…3:33:25, chip time….YES. YES, YES and with time to spare….I jog around a bit, head in to the convention area. I can’t believe it. I thank the lady that removes my chip; I tell her I BQ’d. I gotta tell someone.

After a few minutes I realize that I missed the finishing picture area, but the guards won’t let me back in the finish area, so no picture….oh well, nothing is spoiling this for me. For the next 10 minutes or so and before I line up for refreshments, I walk around with tears in my eyes, 6 years and 11marathons later I do something that I never dreamed of, not in a million years. If you had told me 10 years ago that I would run a marathon, much less qualify for the Boston Marathon, I would have laughed. I ran cross country for one semester during my freshman year in High School. It didn’t end well for me, so I always wondered, what if? Today answered all those questions.

This is absolutely incredible which no words can explain.

I know this was awfully long, if you hung in there, you just finished a “reading” marathon.

Below are my final results.
I hydrated at every stop, Accel gel at 6, 14, and 19 miles followed by water. I stopped at just a couple of fluid stops.
Bib 2174
Age – 53
Weight – 147
Height – 5’11”
Training pace – 8:00
BQ time – 3:35, required BQ pace 8:12.
PR – 2 minutes 39 seconds, December, 2005.
663 out of 4763 finishers, 12% of finishers were ahead of me.
569 out of 2852 male finishers, 17% of male finishers were ahead of me.
44 out of 361 finishers in my age group, 11% of age group finishers were ahead of me.
Final finish pace 8:08.
Marathon Web site. http://www.hphoustonmarathon.com/

These are my marathon splits:
Mile 1 – 8:35
Mile 2 – 8:21
Mile 3 – 8:21
Mile 4 – 7:43
Mile 5 – 8:12
Mile 6 – 7:41
Mile 7 – 7:57
Mile 8 – 7:56
Mile 9 – 7:56
Mile 10 – 8:00
Mile 11 – 8:01
Mile 12 – 8:04
Mile 13 – 8:00
Mile 14 – 7:55
Mile 15 – 8:03
Mile 16 – 8:09
Mile 17 – 8:09
Mile 18 – 8:04
Mile 19 – 8:04
Mile 20 – 7:57
Mile 21 – 8:10
Mile 22 – 8:23
Mile 23 – 8:22
Mile 24 – 8:37
Mile 25 – 8:42
Mile 26 – 8:16
Mile 26.2 – 1:35
Finish, Chip 3:33:25
Finish, Gun  3:34:27