Less than 1 week into base phase of 2014, my training was interrupted by a horizontal tree. I stopped, thought about 2013 car accident, then walked around the obstacle. The leg brushed a mounting bolt.
In addition to an impressive hospital bill, the accident terminated the 6-week Cowtown preparation.
I skipped the remaining key training session during Liza's visitor on 2/13. I felt unfit and planned accordingly. Per Lucho (Tim Waggoner), I had sufficient cardio capacity to run 50k, just not fast.
_pre-race activities
Lunch with an old friend. We hadn’t sat down alone in decades. She chewed me out on lack of progress in relationship. We finally talked about her son’s death. I came to realize I held it against the parents to feel blameless. It wasn’t fun to face one’s own ugly sides.
She ordered enough food for 5 and gave me instruction for reheating 避風塘炒辣蟹 before eating started.
I pick up race packet from Casey’s, who had an optimistic agenda for his 50k in spite of illness. I admired that.
Plenty of leftover for dinner. Oil rice from spicy crab wasn’t the ideal pre-race food. I felt blessed having caring friends.
_pre race
Good parking was half the battle. I parked close to McDonalds and took pleasure in central heating and flushable toilets while Casey enjoyed solitude of a unlit porta potty.
I sipped coffee ‘til national anthem. “This is gonna cost me a potty stop.”
I strolled to the start in time to watch fast racers taking off. I was in no rush. I triggered the timing device 9 minutes after the gun. Plan: low heart rate. No race effort before 42k.
_Maffetone heart rate (131 ~ 140)
The HR reading stuck at 2-digit due to lack of sweat. The legs fatigued after 3 miles. “28 miles to go. This is gonna be a long day.”
5k pace = 8:55 /mile
2nd 5k pace = 10:00 /mile was depressing considering I ran 7:54 pace at the same HR 6 months ago.
I dosed out heartbeats like currency. By mile 15, cardiac drift made me poor and Maffetone unrealistic. I moved the threshold to 150. After the 3rd beer at mile 20, I slowed to walking.
_group exercise
Corral 4 was an interesting experience. A few color coordinated giddy runners led the wave. I followed and quickly penetrated corral 3. The momentum lasted around 10 minutes. I flew pass people every downhill but was the slowest climber in sight.
I was happy to see Donnie’s Bont jersey at Main Street. He looked steady and uncomfortable. He raced up the big bridge at mile 9. I walked--shackled by HR monitor. I met a Mar-like girl. We encouraged each other up the bridge.
random stock photo via google
Running through Stock Yards was fun. I saw no cow on brick road.
_thinning
Runners thinned out. The participants became quiet after half-full split. The struggle grew louder.
4:20 pace group caught me at mile 15, led by a social guy (PR = 3:38). Like Mike Tillman, he was ready to make best friends. We started talking heart rate, ex-wives, and relationships. A lawyerly runner posed the question: “Do you know why divorces are so expensive?” “Because it’s worth it.” Everyone joined the discussion. Good times.
By mile 19, the 4:20 group dwindled to 4 runners. I was the only one accepting beers.
_alcohol
Beer shots started after half marathon. Not the best pairing with blueberry Gu Roctane.
After the 3rd beer, the HR was over 150 even when walking. “Fat-adapted runner I am not.” I started to use buzz to gauge speed.
Buzz wore off couple miles later. I made no conscious effort to control power. I settled in the low 9’s on flats. HR hovered around 160.
_8k extension
The ultra-only stretch was lonely. The crowd vanished. The course was sparsely marked by photographers and volunteers. The hairpin turns did not inspire speed. My mood went south; I felt dejected from the weekend before and wondered where I should go from there.
I got tired of holding back. I stopped walking the climbs. I had been in motion for 4 hours. I wondered why. I decided the priority was to bring smile to the next volunteer during our brief encounter.
“你不必訝異無須歡喜,在轉瞬間消滅了蹤影” I sang the ancient song and crossed the marathon mark at 4:17:28.
"We have gels, Gatorade, beers, hamburger, everything!" The ultra course turnaround had cow on fire. I would've stopped if my car weren't so far away.
I didn’t expect to see Casey after turnaround. I thought he was done.
_strong finish
Fatigue level remained constant after 5k. I felt fuel surplus. GPS said 28.2x at mile 28 mark. I didn’t’ know the exact remaining distance but knew I was within minutes of a 5-hour finish. I thought about the minutes I literally pissed away.
Ultra and marathon courses shared the final mile. Einstein was right about speed being relative. Sub-9:00 felt like flying when everyone in sight was jogging Oprah Winfrey. I ignored my electronics. “Live in the present.” I imagine being pre-injured Ryan Hall leading bunch East Africans.
“2 more turns!” A volunteer shouted. I floored it. Body responded. It was glorious.
#'s
Finish time: 5:00:25
5k pace: 8:55
10k pace: 9:28
Half pace: 9:55
30k: 9:57
Full pace: 9:50
50k pace: 9:33
Gel: 6.
Beers: 3
Potty stops: 2.
Avg/max heart rate: 144/191 bpm
Avg/top pace: 9:33/4:42 /mile
Top quarter mile pace: 6:37
_ walk art district
Doris and his men
After hanging out with Lucas, I walked the art district.
Amon Carter had Hopper and Rockwell on its walls.
I didn’t expect so many would recognized the finisher’s shirt. Locals stopped me on the street to express goodwill. That never happened to me at Dallas Marathon.
_long dinner
A winter Olympic ago, Chad led the pursuit, Apolo saved a relay medal, Shani was all smiles, and I expected to become the first inliner to skate 600k in 24 hours. I thought about the 4 years while getting through exoskeleton of the crab.
“What does a fish have to do to avoid becoming dinner?”
“What do I need to do to avoid regrets?”
The end was nearer.
Watching Olympic closing ceremony made me want to attend a ballet concert. I went for a more efficient solution. I emailed Tom Baker about Bolero at Meyerson.
