The weather was interesting for this race. On Saturday, it got into the high 70s, but the weather forecast promised a cold front to come through around 3AM include a bit of rain. Sure enough, we woke to 45 degrees and rainy. I woke up feeling great and mentally decided that I was going to go for a PR.
I had a 3:09 pace band printed out that laid out even 7:12 pace since Houston is a notoriously flat course. Also, I had a secret weapon - My running buddy Steve.
Steve and I have been training together all fall, following Coach Chris' plan with the discipline of a Tibetan Monk. Every morning, we meet at 5AM for easy, tempo, track, trail, and marathon paced runs. The only thing missing from our regime is hill workouts because the Houston area is devoid of anything resembling a hill except parking garages.
Steve was so worried about Boston Qualifying that two weeks before Houston, he went out hard at the Kingwood marathon and ran a 3:14. For our 40+ year selves, that will get you signed up for Boston, but it will not likely make the time cutoff, so Steve showed up at Houston knowing he needed to run a very smart race.
On Monday, we recommitted to each other to pace together until at least mile 16. We would work hard at keeping right around 7:12 pace. We also agreed that if either of us felt good at 16, then they could start pushing the pace and it was every man for himself from there.
The other blessing of the day was Sheri and Blake running the 1/2. Sheri had not run a 1/2 M in 5 years and Blake was ready to run a huge PR after a fantastic fall XC season and some big quality over the holidays (read 70 mile weeks with 30+ at race pace).
So, we showed up at Houston and everyone was relaxed and excited about the cold wet weather. Nick was in town and I got to shakeout/Dennys with him and Blake on Saturday and ride together to the race. His goal time was closer to 3:00 and I knew we would not see each other once the cannon blew.
About 20 minutes before the 7AM start we walked out to the starting corals. I did not realize I was stressing out Steve because we were a little late to the party and and coral A was already full. Then our first miracle happened. A cop car came through the crowd and parted the sea of people leaving a gap for us to follow to within 50 yards of the start. We were right by the 3:10 pace group and I just knew it was gonna be a great day!
Ryan Hall got on the loud speaker and said something about great conditions and that we should run plan A - Duh!!! I was already starting to think about an even more agressive plan.
Then the cannon fired. Boom! We were off. 50 seconds across the start and in the clear. No weaving or delays and 6000 runners behind us!
The first 4-5 miles were a bit mentally challenging for 4 reasons:
- I take about 4 miles to find marathon pace because I never hardly train there. We are always running in the 6s or 8s.
- The first few miles are actually a little hilly with several overpasses.
- It was raining pretty hard.
- The wind was in our faces.
Around mile 5, the course heads south until mile 11. The wind was to our back this whole way and pacing was VERY easy. We were watching the Garmins like a hawk to make sure we did not overpace too much and things were just going great. Two of theses lies we're sub 7.
Around mile 7 I saw Blake and all the Strake boys hauling ass back to downtown and I could tell Blake was having the run of his life. This really motivated me and I could not wait to get back to hear his tale of glory!
Miles 11-13 were nice down around Rice and West U. I stopped for about 5 seconds right in the middle of the road to take a pee and then caught back up to Steve in about 30 seconds.
Then it got hard when we turned north around 14. The wind was right in our face and everything was starting to get hard. Then, right on schedule, I saw Coach Chris and got re-ignited for the bridge at Westpark. We were now close to the Tansco tower and mile 16.
At mile 16 as if he already planned it, Steve started pushing the pace and I wanted none of it. I held back at 7:20ish and Steve started pulling away. I was excited for him and knew I was still set up for a great day and PR and did not want to blow it by pushing the pace into the wind.
At one point, Steve was probably about 150 yards ahead, but I never fully lost sight of him and then we turned East at mile 20 and I got a sight of downtown. I am not sure if it was knowing that I had a straight six back, or if I really just felt better, but my paces picked up. A Lot. I was back in the low 7s and was feeling great.
I could also tell I was reeling in Steve. I LOVE that leg from Memorial to Downtown. I had run that in a 10K and the Houston 1/2 earlier and knew exactly what I was dealing with. My hands were getting a bit tingly and I knew I was running low on steam even though I had done 3 GUs and switched off water and Gatoraid. I continuously sucked on 2 more GUs from 19-23 and I know that helped me come back.
For the next three miles, I stayed fixated on Steve and just kept reeling him in. At 23 I caught him and was mixed in with a small band of 3:10 guys that pulled me right past him. As we passed, I yelled something like "Get on my ass, Mother F**ker!!!". The other guys all looked at me and I yelled - "I am not talking to you!" I think I freaked them out. Anyhow, that whole thing fired me up and I kept hammering.
Then, we were downtown. The wind was blasting between the buildings and switched from pushing me along to almost knocking me over. I was getting pretty dizzy, but not bonking. I could see the convention center at the end of Lamar and knew that I just had to hang on for a few more minutes. I could not do the mental math anymore, but I knew 3:10 was going to be close even though the 3:10 group had not passed me.
Then I made the little maneuver around the park to the finish stretch. It was fun trucking down the grandstands in front of Chris and Natmer and then I crossed the finish, turned around and there was Steve. Boom! He took my advice and was right there. I ran a 3:09:57 and he got a 3:09:59. That let's him register for Boston a week early and is a definite entry!
The rest was great. Sheri ran a wonderful comeback race and Blake ran a 1:20! Also, Houston Marathon has their act together. That is the best run race I have done. The before and after logistics are great and the food/recovery is top notch.
Probably the coolest new experience is how short the race felt. I swear it went by like a half marathon. We got through mile 10 like nothing and were at 16 before I realized it.
Here is what I learned:
- Tapering is overrated
- It is better to not worry about it going into race week. Lose yourself in work or something.
- I am a rainy cold racer
- Having a pace buddy like Steve is critical (I already knew this)
- I Love the Houston marathon
- Even though there will be hard miles in a marathon, have faith that you will come back later
- Peeing in the street is acceptable if you are in the front part of the race an no one is around
- Aggressively use GU or whatever to bring your energy back
- Trust your training
I can't wait to run this again next year!
