The official results are in and my chip time was 3:40:00 at
the Austin Marathon on 02/17/2013. I DID Qualify! I hit my Boston Qualifier on the nose!
Running Boston has been at the back of my mind since running
my first marathon in 1998. And I just left it there. It was brought to the
forefront when I’d here friends talk about it, but I’d tell myself, “I don’t
NEED to do that.”
About four years ago I tried to qualify anyway. My good friend
John said he’d pace me and we’d get it done. I failed. 3:30:00 was the time to
beat back then and I ran a 3:46:something. It hurt too. physically and
mentally. Back then I told myself again, “I don’t need to do that.” But it was
still there, in the back of my mind.
Last fall it was brought back to the front by my friend
Lalo. He told me about the Hanson’s marathon training method. I got excited. “It
will get us to Boston!” he said. Again, those words came back. I half
heartedly agreed (didn’t tell him that) to train with Lalo for a Boston
qualifier. What the heck, disciplined
training will do me good. Soon we were texting each other after completing our
scheduled training runs. This did not stop. Almost daily I texted him details
of my accomplishment for the day. And I knew I had to complete most of the
training runs so that I can text him with pride. This kept me honest and
motivated.
Lalo became my coach. He is a great runner, motivator, and friend. During our training he was stern when he had to be, yet compassionate when he needed to be. Every thing was going good.
Then I broke my toe 10 weeks before the marathon. I lost
three weeks of training. I did get on the bike, walked, and lifted weights but
I could not run. Maybe this was good because I rested and it took only about 10
days after resuming my running again to be back to where I left off. I took a spill and
banged my knee a few weeks later but thank God it was not too serious.
Going into the Austin Marathon I was feeling better than at
the start of any other marathon I’d run. Still, I wasn’t sure how I’d do. For
the first time in a very long while I had butterflies in my stomach. Lalo was
so excited and trying to pump me up. I didn’t want to let him or myself down by
not giving it my best. I thought about just cruising it but then again, why not
give it a shot? I’m prepared. Maybe I was afraid to fail again.
At the start, Lalo’s wife Amanda and I shared stories of
past marathons we’ve run and we shared techniques on running economy. Just as
the race was to begin, she said, “Stefan says to run relaxed.”
I was to play those words in my mind several times this day.
The course was one I really enjoyed. We run down hill for
the first 3 or so miles crossing over the Colorado River. From mile 3 to 6
there is an incline of about 200 feet. Many people lined the course cheering on
the runners. I thought about carrying a water bottle but with water stations
almost every 2 miles it was not necessary. I took in water at every station. At
mile 9 the course got real hilly. By this time I was taking in Hammer gel from
a flask I carried. To my surprise, I was attacking the hills well. Twice though, I paused to take two or three
walking steps after cresting a hill. From mile 9 to mile 14 there were about 5
short but steep inclines. I planned to run with the 3:30 pace group but soon I
saw the 3:25 pace group ahead. I’m running too fast, I thought. But it felt so
good I kept it up and hoped I could hang on. At about mile 17 the course
flattens out and went through a real pretty residential area. Wood framed
modest homes with porches surrounded by mature trees. People were sitting on
lawn chairs sipping coffee and cheering us on. Our names were on our race bibs
so many called out our names. Nice touch. Neighbors gathered together in their
front yards and offered fruit and drink. Musicians lined the course too. Some
bands, String trios, and guitar soloist. But somehow the flat road gets to me. I hate
it. Must be a mental thing. Give me a hill!
As I reached the 22 mile maker the 3:30 pace group catches
me and drops me quickly. I am starting to fatigue. Good thing the course is now
downhill. I passed a man working in his street side garden who seemed oblivious
to what was happening around him. Then
up ahead a runner slows, heads for the curb and goes down softly on his knees.
I go to him and ask if he’s OK. He nods his head as he slowly rises and begins
to walk forward. “We’re almost there buddy, we’re almost there.” I say.
With a little over two miles to go I am tired. I was afraid
I’d pushed too hard and this was it. The thought of walking to the end crossed my mind. I walked through a
water station taking three cups of Gatorade and water. Then I thought, I have to keep moving. The 3:40 pace group is
still behind me. I got in a comfortable stride and thought about a term we use
to tease each other in our group. Especially Larry. “Dig Deep!”
I walked through one more water station before the finish.
With about a quarter mile to go the course turns left to reveal two hills in
succession! I guess it’s better to see them both at once than to think you’re
done then see another. But why put them here? I told myself, “You’ve got to
run.” At this point I see the 3:40 pacers right next to me! OH NO! I turned it
up a notch. Then I thought, “If I don’t make it I won’t be happy, but I’ll be
content with my effort. I ran my best this day”
The last 10th of a mile is down hill with a turn about 50 yards from the finish. At this last turn I caught sight of the clock. It’s
scary, but it was just as I played it in my mind several times in the week
leading up to the race. The clock read 3:40:50. I knew I had at least a minute
to spare because that’s the time (more or less) after the gun went off that I
crossed the starting mat. I ran as fast as I could. When I stopped my watch it
read 3:40:04. ”Maybe, Maybe I got it”, I thought.
I later met up with Lalo and Amanda. We congratulated each
other, then I told them I am pretty sure I missed my 3:40:00 Boston qualifying
time. Lalo scanned the barcode on my bib
and it read 3:41:02. What stood out was the :02. We moaned in unison. “OH NO!”
I missed it by two seconds. But I was OK with it. The next day final results were
published on the web and it showed me finishing at 3:40:00.
I Got in to Boston by the hairs on my chinny chin chin!
I Got in to Boston by the hairs on my chinny chin chin!
What a great experience.
