Sunday, March 16, 2014

Bariani Road Race (Troy)

Date/Location:
March 16th, 2014 – Zamora, CA
Distances:
3 x 14loops
Place:

Cat 4, Master 45+; 53rd

Teammate:

Robin McKinney, Ron Fallon

I'm still troubled by the crash I caused yesterday at Land Park crit.  I catch a ride with Shayne Marshall to Zamora.  It's Sunday, the Lord's day, so we listen to an online sermon on the way.  Once there, Shayne introduces me to some friends that are talking about yesterday's Land Park race.  They're talking about the Cat 4 crash. I say I think I caused it.  But they explain it wasn't a Victory Velo rider that caused it, but 2 BP riders that took the inside too fast that caused it.  What a relief to learn that!  Thanks, God, for taking a weight off my shoulders.

Shayne & I go for a warm-up. It's perfect weather, no wind, and rural countryside to cruise through.  I adjust my seat a little and then feel perfectly dialed in.  I make sure to stretch a lot because I know my tight hamstrings can slow me down otherwise.

Shayne takes off in the 35+ and then I go in the 45+.  My teammates are Ron Fallon and Robin McKinney.  There's 54 of us.  We start off pretty fast but then settle into a manageable pace.  We'll do this 14mi loop 3 times.  One of my main goals is to take the corners well and predict how other riders are going to take the corners.  Even if I didn't cause the crash yesterday, I should have predicted the possibility of riders bombing the inside.

140416_barianirr_troy_packIt's my first time on the course.  We're limited to one narrow lane and right now I'm way back.  If a break goes off the front, I'm stuck back here.  I remain patient, take the corners really well, and slowly move up.  The 2 rollers through the pastures are not as hilly as I hoped so no opportunity to shake up the group.  We finish loop 1 and see the finish is on a slight incline into the wind.

On the 2nd loop I try to move up as the road narrows by hugging the double-yellow line and squeezing along the edge of the pack.  I'm almost to the front when the motorcycle official penalized me for getting too close to crossing the yellow line.  He has me go all the way to the back before proceeding again to move up.  This time I take the inside path and soon enough I'm up near the front again.  This loop I work more at the front to keep the pace up.  A couple times we get a paceline going but always short-lived.  Ron goes off the front once with another guy so I am able to take it easier while he is away.  But it doesn't last.

I'm very attentive this race and feel like everything is going great.  Almost no close-calls and all the corners are perfect.  I haven't done too much work.  But finishing the 2nd loop I'm feeling some stiffness and soreness.  This is my first 45+ race and it appears that these guys are a little more careful and there's not as many attacks.

Last lap.  I get up by Ron.  He knows where to be for the sprint and will do well.  I'm going to do whatever he does.  He says on the inside edge of the road about 10 back.  He tells me 2 other guys that will be strong in the sprint so I keep an eye on them, too.  About 2km to go and the intensity picks up.  I have to work to regain my position near Ron.  Thankfully the other 2 guys are also working to stay near him so they carve a path for me to use.  1km to go.  We're on the frontage road and I'm now on the outside, getting pushed up against the double-yellow… then I see guys on my left and remember we can use the whole road.

Everyone is ramping up.  I'm on the far left and have to get to Ron on the far right.  I find an opening and slowly get into position with both Ron and Robin 2 bikes ahead of me. 500m to go, accelerating above 26mph, and suddenly I see riders bumping each other ahead.  Instantly I see Ron and Robin tangled up.  Someone bumped Robin, who now tangles with Ron just behind him.  Robin shoots into the gravel shoulder where his bike immediately washes out, sending him tumbling along the road, down a slight embankment and into a fence.  Meanwhile Ron barely manages to save himself and with a grunt tries to regain his sprint position.

After 44mi, I'm right where I want to be and ready for my best sprint effort.  It's a redeeming change from yesterday's race where the sprint setup was ruined by my failed turn and lack of energy when I needed it.  But seeing Robin balled up and motionless in the fence, I knew this is one of those times where I need to stop.  Even if I don't know how to help, just being there helps.  I wouldn't want to find myself battered, broken, all alone by a road.  Another racer stops who is an EMT.  I shade Robin from the sun and talk to him.  I'm amazed to see no bleeding! Ron comes back.  Robin gets up.  He waves off the ambulance.  Amazingly he gets back on his bike and the 4 of us finish the last 500 yds very slowly.  Robin had broken ribs, a fractured scapula and a bruised lung.  But he'll be ok.  I think the gravel and weeds cushioned the blow a bit.

I had a great race.  It felt "by-the-book" for once.  And it didn't bother me that I missed the big sprint.  I'm glad I was there to help.  And I thank God for all the protection He's given me in these races.

Bariani Road Race–Robin

Date/Location:
March 16th, 2014 – Zamora, CA
Distances:
2 x 14loops
Place:

Cat 4, 27th

Teammate:

Charity Marshall

First road race of 2014!  I’m carpooling with Charity Marshall, her daughter and mine.  This is her first cycling race and she’s ready go!  Husband Shayne has been racing for a year or so now and has been her coach.  We are all really excited to see what she can do! 

We get settled and find our hubbies and go out for a warm-up ride with Shayne.  I’m feeling a bit tired but that’s pretty normal.  After we get back from this out-and-back, we realize time is really short!  I don’t have my gels on me, they're in a bag that Troy has and he’s a mile beyond the starting line waiting to cheer for us.  At the start, tons of girls are already lined up and I sheepishly go by and ride ahead down the street.  Anna is on her way back to me with the gels.  I grab them and give her a big hug.  Gotta go! 

I come back and realize that they’ve moved my group up and we are next!  I find a spot in the back and look for Charity.  She’s way on the other side.  I say a prayer and ask for the Lord’s protection from crashes for all of us.  This is by far going to be the largest field of women I’ve raced with.  Shouldn’t be too hard to find a wheel!

Ready, set, roll!  It’s hard to feel comfortable in this huge pack.  I don’t feel like I can trust anyone but yet I must to stay in it.  Thankfully the first few miles we can take the whole road and we do.  It’s bit squirrely as girls seem to be braking for no reason.  Charity puts herself in a good position in the top 15.  I should be there but I’m fearing crashing.

We hit an overpass and we now have to stay right.  The tempo picks up and I stick with it.  It seems like I’m in a good place in the middle of the pack.  We make a sharp right turn on a small road.  I cannot see what’s going on in the front but it appears that things are splintering.  As I make my way through the gals getting dropped I realize that the front pack has taken off fast and I am left behind!  I scramble and try to find a wheel…there is none, just girls blowing up everywhere! 

A mentor (experienced racer that gives us tips) goes by and I get on her wheel.  I’m wondering if this is allowed.  When I get the chance I ask and she says “not really but I won’t say anything" but I tell her I’ll stop.  I push on hard and she now gets on my wheel.  As I look ahead, there is a big lead pack and a smaller chase pack trailing behind.  I sure hope Charity is in the first pack and I would love to catch that smaller pack for now. 

It seems like I’m making progress but the small pack pulls away.  Like Troy always says, you never know what might happen.  I think of this as a triathlon and just try to hammer alone and hope for some breakthrough.  I keep passing girls every few miles and wonder if I’ll find someone to work with. 

Robin1The mentor is still close and I hear her encouraging a girl to go with me.  I start to slow down for that girl but the mentor tells me to just keep going and go after another girl up the road.  I catch that girl and she seems to be able to match my speed.  “Want to work together?” and she says sure and jumps on my wheel.  The mentor pulls off so it’s just the 2 of us.

Lap 1 comes to a close and I can see Troy waiting for me ahead.  As I get closer, I give him a smile and shrug my shoulders.  It’s not as expected but I’m making the most of it. 

I’m getting tired now.  Lord, please let us catch that small pack!  I motion for the girl to pull now.  She says she’s never raced before and is unsure what to do.  I tell her that we just keep taking turns and keep trying to catch them.  I find out her name is Aja. 

We are right back on that same road where things blew up.  It appears that the small pack is coming back!  As we round a corner, there is a girl standing there with a course official and she looks like she just got up from a crash.  She’s looks fine and has the official with her so I keep pushing on.

Aja and I are working well and making great progress.  Finally, we catch them…yeah!  Thank you Lord!  I grab a wheel and rest.  There are about 7 girls in the pack.  There is no way I’m helping pull this group for a while!  I’ve got to recover some or I’ll be toast.  I can tell a few girls are getting annoyed but I try not to let it bug me. 

We are in our last five miles now and I know the end is near.  The girl that crashed comes by right behind a group of junior boys.  Pretty impressive she caught us but is that legal?

We make the last turn to head home.  I take a weak pull in the front to appease the group…I am purposely saving my energy and plotting my move.  Here comes the 1K mark.  When to go?  I see a guy up ahead.  Hmm, why not ride up to his wheel, pull in front of him, and use him to block for the rest of the girls?

I catch up and there is still 500 meters to go which is still a long way.  Well better just go for it.  I pull ahead of the guy and take off.  Boy, there isn’t much in these legs!  Go, go, go!  I have no idea what’s going on behind me but hope I can hold some of them off.  400m, 300m, 200m…here come the wheels.  Two girls go by but I keep digging.  100m!  Another goes by…almost there!  And, done!  Wow, happy I could hold off about half of them.  Thank you Lord!  Glad that’s done!

 

Go Charity!  She finished an impressive 23rd in her first cycling race ever!

Girl1

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Land Park Criterium (Troy)

Date/Location:
March 15th, 2014 – Sacramento, CA
Distances:
40 min
Place:

Cat 4, Master 35+; 33rd

Teammate:

Aron Yevuta, Garin Moore, Matt Marks

I'm not as prepared as I should be.  It's my first Cat 4 race.  There's been many crashes lately amongst our team (Victory Velo).  Robin prayed for me beforehand.  I feel it will be alright.  My goal is to stay in the main pack until the sprint.

Aron, Matt and Garin teammates are also racing.  It's a full field and nerve-racking as always being surrounded by bikes going 25mph.  The far corner is a sharp left-hander (following by 2 hard rights).  I try going into it first a couple times and it's not a problem.  But within the pack it really slows, which makes for a lot of work coming out of it to catch up.

There are many primes but I'm not strong enough to get in good position for any of them.  It keeps the pace up.  A couple of times Aron goes off the front and we block for a bit but there's no way I could bridge up.

140305_landparkcrit_troyAfter 14 miles, I see the "2 to go" sign and it takes me by surprise.  This is it.. I have to work to get near the front and then stay there for the last lap.  It goes well and I'm in good position with 1 to go with the field now surrounding me.

I've got to get to the outside.  Moving up has gone well today, I thank the Lord for providing an opening and a rider to follow many times back to the front.  I need every "lift" I can get as even short pulls really tire me.  Again, an opening presents itself and I'm able to get to the outside.  I'm really tired and want to just maintain but I know if there's an opportunity to shoot through the tight corner first, it will be a huge different in final placing.

I push to the front.  This is the fastest lap yet but the intensity drops just enough to let me get in front… perfect!  I know I can't win because I don't have a strong enough sprint.  But I can take the corners with the lead guys and that will help the most for my finish.  40 guys behind me and I've got the corner to myself.  27mph. Far outside.

I lean and sight my line from outside-to-inside.  Suddenly I'm surprised to see 2 riders coming even faster on the inside.  Not wanting to crowd into them, I drift a little farther out.  But then realize I had no margin to change the plan like that.  I grab the brakes.  Exactly what we are told NOT to do, or else cause a crash.  When you follow someone fast through a tight corner, you're at the mercy of his ability.  It's important to me to be the guy you can trust in a corner.  But now I'm slowing, anticipating hitting the curb.  My speed goes from 27 to 16 as I enter the far gutter. 

I don't hit the curb, I'm ok!  But riders swarm by the inside… I immediately think of the riders going the same speed behind me having to hit their brakes.. which always leads to one thing… crash.  I hear the awful sounds behind me.  Hard, cracking metal sounds.  I can't believe it.  I botched up that corner and caused others pain and expensive repairs.  I continue on as hard as I can but I fall far behind the large pack.  All energy is gone before I hit the sprint.  None of that matters as I wonder who crashed and hopefully it's not a teammate.

I ride to the scene where 2 riders are holding bloody arms and another is walking with a broken bike.  I help him get to the finish.  Victory Velo is ok.  But I'm upset.  I've been praying for no crashes and then I'm the cause of one.  I should have just stared into the corner and trusted instead of ever doubting.  Or stay back in the pack.  I'm not afraid of taking a corner fast, but when I'm not the only to suffer the risk, then it seems a selfish thing to do.

So today's race didn't go well.  I did it wrong.  I know God's saying I need to make the effort to learn from the mistake.  But it's hard to want to race again.  I better figure something out soon as the next race is tomorrow.  The Lord did protect me and helped me through the race.  But my prayer next time will also be to protect the racers from me.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Napa Marathon (Troy)

Date/Location:
March 2nd, 2014 – Napa, Ca
Distance:
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Time:
3:17:34
Place:
12th

Other Teammates:

Angela James, Bernadette Frager, Cerissa Patterson, Daniel Patterson, Julie Jones, Karen Nickel, Kim Young, Lora Spangler, Marilyn Watson-Terrazas, Michelle Ladcani, Michelle Ridder, Rich Alesci, Robin Soares, Ruben Moreno, Scott Eckardt, Stephanie Holloway, Suzi Mattish, Troy Outman, Robin Soares

There is plenty of motivation and energy for this race.  Robin spent a year planning for and preparing other runners for this marathon.  19 friends (including us) are here in Napa psyched up and ready to take on the challenge together!  And she'll get 21 more by the end of the year to reach her birthday goal of having 40 friends doing a marathon the year she turns 40. "40 @ 40".

Being a part of this is very exciting.  I have my own goal today of 3:15 (7:27 pace).  My running partner, Troy, is also shooting for that so the 2 of us will work together.  This was my goal at my 2011 marathon.  I missed it by about 3 minutes.  I've done the training correctly so it should be possible today.  The weather is good, 50-55 and overcast.  Robin & I & friends get on the bus for the start.

We're a little behind arriving because our bus made 2 wrong turns.  First thing to do.. stand in the porta-potty lines.  Then assemble at the start for pictures.  Wow!  Everyone's here and appears ready.  Richie Alesci finds us.  We're excited to see if he can break 3hrs.  Karen, Stephanie, Troy and Laura are here from the track.  And many others.  My main concern these last few weeks has been my left hamstring.  I stretch it some more but it's feeling the best it has all month.  After a group shot, a prayer, and dropping off our sweats, we line up and face towards Napa.

An older age-group course-record holder performs a great National Anthem.  It's followed by someone saying a type of "prayer". It's always important to us, especially at a race, to take time to pray, as our Savior, Jesus Christ, demonstrated in the Bible.  We bowed our heads to honor Christ, but was the speaker honoring Christ?  The prayer was about our efforts being good in our eyes and the eyes of those around us.  Wasn't any mention of God or Jesus.  At the end I hear Robin quietly say "..in Jesus' name."  That was a good reminder that if we don't know who the speaker is praying to, we can still acknowledge who we are praying to.  So, after that bit of awkwardness, and knowing God is with us, we count down and hit the road! Go!

140302_napa_marathon_troy_troyRichie disappears ahead.  Troy & I move ahead of Robin & Karen, dodging a lot of slower runners.  After a mile we've settled into a 7:25 pace.  The plan is to start at 7:22 and slow to 7:27 by the 1/2 way point.  We did our 20mi training runs around 8:50 pace so this does feel quite a bit faster.  We're talking & joking & reflecting.  Troy had a chronic injury up to 10 wks before this but thank the Lord it's been ok ever since.  Still, it's a question mark.  My hamstring is feeling fine!  Thanks, Lord.  Troy jokes that he thinks out of the 2 of us, Troy will win.  But I say that Troy is stronger, although Troy does have more experience.  It's a good laugh.

We slow on the ups and speed up on the downs. Trying to maintain heart rate and stay relaxed.  My body usually falls apart (hurts a lot) those last 6 mi so it's important to run as efficiently and smart as possible early on.  The steep camber of the winding road is difficult on the legs.  We don't want to run longer than necessary, we want to run the tangents.  But that's the steepest, most uncomfortable part of the road.

5mi: (7:18 average) My Garmin isn't tracking with the mile markers.  It's getting further ahead.  About .01mi for each marker.  It does have trouble sometimes.  This means my pace may not be right so I switch to using the course markers to determine pace.  That's why we've now gone down to 7:18 pace (according to the Garmin).

7mi: I'm drinking at each aid station, alternating water & sports drink (gatorade).  I start to feel a little nauseous.  Immediate I recall the dreaded final miles of the 2011 marathon where my stomach was sick.  It might be the Gatorade so no more of that. Just water.  At 7.5mi it's time for a nature break - I run ahead, hide in some bushes, and then catch back up to Troy.  This goes well and the faster pace isn't too hard to do.  Troy keeps a very steady pace. 

8mi: (7:20 average) Pace is scary fast compared to our 8:50 long runs.  But the mile markers indicate 7:25 which is more on schedule.

10mi:  At this point it should feel easy.  I admit to Troy that it's not feeling as easy as I hoped.  He feels the same.  I'm very motivated and energized and don't feel like this will be a problem, but I am concerned that if I push the legs too hard, they will break down.  Hamstring is still good.  Feeling a little leg strain due to my feet moving in my shoes.  I'm using different socks, some Sport Slick on my toes, and the laces might be a little lose.  All this is making for less stability.  I pray that Robin is feeling ok with her sensitive hamstrings.

11mi: 7:33 (7:22 average) Troy  is feeling a pain in his knee.

12mi: 7:37 (7:23 average) We're slowing a bit too much.  I tell Troy let's put in one more fast 7:20 mile before the 13.1 mark and then slow it down a little.

13mi: 7:33 (7:24 average). At the 1/2 way, according to the markers we're at a 3:16:30 (7:30) pace.  Need to bring it down somehow..

14mi: 7:40 (7:25 average)  I have to go again.  I run ahead to the porta-potty at the aid station, and then run fast to catch up to Troy.  Up ahead I see a woman with a very long-stride that's been running near us for a while.  I ask Troy if he thinks we can catch up to her but he doesn't think so.  I realize now that our paces are going to be different.  It always helps me a lot running with Troy but it's best if we run our own race at this point.

14.8mi: (7:26 ave) I pray for Troy's race.  He prays for others in our group with pains.  Then we part ways. He adjusts to a 3:30 pace and I still feel confident with the  3:15.  I ramp up to 7:20 pace and push ahead.  I talk to the "long-stride" woman briefly.  She's amazingly relaxed for maintaining those big leaps.  Up ahead I see Steve & Ann cheering!  It's a great boost.

16mi: 7:23.  Going good but after this little hill I need to pick it up more if I'm going to hit mile 20 in time (2:39) to finish at 3:15.  Suddenly my right quad starts to cramp.  A small adductor muscle on the inside of my quad is strained and threatening to go completely.  This is not good.  If it gets worse and goes completely, I'll be walking.  Not only will my goal of 3 yrs be lost, but sub 3:30, or even sub 4:00.

16.7mi: I stop to quickly 140302_napa_marathon_troy2stretch the quad. The long-stride woman goes by.  It's drizzling pretty good now as I work to catch back up while not straining the quad at the same time.  The stretch didn't help.  It hurts every step.  I realize there is only one hope.. that if it's God's will, He'll keep it together and allow me to finish strong.  I start praying continuously and trying to have faith.  I try to recite Psalm 23 (Troy had brought it up earlier).  Oh how I look forward to "laying down in green pastures" and resting after this is over.

19mi: Amazingly God is keeping it together and somehow giving me good 7:12 miles! I eat my 2nd Hammer Gel.  I'm actually glad to be on the mile 20 hill.  The leg hurts but if I can get over this, it's all downhill!

20mi: 7:12 (7:24 ave) Wow, so far so good!  Just a little more to the top (which is at 20.3mi officially, or 20.5 according to my Garmin).  Top of the hill!  I stretch and try to massage the strained quad in hopes of flying down and making up time.  But as I descend every step hurts worse then ever.  On my own I can't imagine getting to the end with this pain.  But God is faithful and I keep praying.  I imagine it's a dream where my legs are moving and I can continue this movement forever.  I try to distance myself from the pain.

22mi: The last 2 were 7:33 pace.  I've changed my goal to 3:17:30 (to beat my 2011 marathon).  I eat a banana thinking Potassium will help.

140302_napa_marathon_troy23mi: 8:00.  Uh oh. This may be the best I can manage to the end.  My legs are hurting or cramping all over.  It's hard to smile.  I see Steve and Ann cheering for me and it makes me smile.  They're the only spectators around.  After a high-5 and turning the corner, I suddenly start feeling a little better and push the little hill after the bridge.  Thanks, God, maybe there is hope of going faster.  I eat another banana piece. 

24mi:  7:52. I'm thanking the Lord for making the quad hang in there.  Now I think of many easy 2mi runs I've done so that this last stretch doesn't feel so bad.  But the main strategy that works is to think of nothing else but the goal for the next mile.

25mi: 7:47. Yes!  Just a final mile "at the track" and it's over.  I'm hurting so much and want to stop.  I'm hoping the course is marked wrong and will finish earlier according to my Garmin.  I have complete faith now that God has helped my quad continue and that I should push harder.. it won't fail.  There are more spectators and they're great.  I'm pushing harder. My Garmin says .5mi left.  The markers say .8 left.

140302_napa_marathon_troy_finish26mi: 7:36 (7:28 average).  Can't believe it, almost done.  The pain is still there but the realization that God answered my prayers and hearing the crowds cheering helps me rise above it.  I run as fast as I can.  Every second is going to count…  with a 6:50 pace for the last 1/2 mile (26.5 on my Garmin), I finish!  3:17:34.

Thank you, Lord!  For a while I thought all the goals were done.  But I beat my 2011 marathon time and was pretty close to my goal.  6 miles ago, with the quad pain, I couldn't picture running the rest of the way, but God helped me do it.  I just need to remember that, not just for marathons, but for any tough struggle in life - even if it looks impossible, God can bring me through with a surprisingly great ending.

Name Age Group Place Time Goal Met Exceeded or Close Boston Qualifier
Rich Alesci M30-34 14th 2:59:21 Met YES!
Troy Soares M45-49 12th 3:17:34 Close YES!
Karen Nickel F30-34 11th 3:32:39 Close YES!
Robin Soares F40-44 10th (17th Master) 3:32:50   YES!
Troy Outman M40-44 39th 3:35:26    
Michelle Ladcani F45-49 5th! 3:44:11 Exceeded YES!
Scott Eckardt M35-39 44th 3:51:04 Exceeded  
Stephanie Holloway F35-39 40th 4:02:17 Exceeded  
Kim Young F45-49 30th 4:06:19    
Michelle Ridder F45-49 32nd 4:09:20 Exceeded  
Marilyn Watson-Terrazas F50-54 29th 4:13:43    
Suzi Mattish F40-44 53rd (160th Master) 4:25:52    
Lora Spangler F35-39 102nd 4:32:13 Close  
Julie Jones F35-39 122nd 4:47:33    
Ruben Moreno M45-49 98th 5:00:04    
Cerissa Patterson F25-29 138th 5:27:41    
Daniel Patterson M25-29 68th 5:27:40    
Angela James F50-54 88th 5:31:06    
Bernadette Frager F55-59 35th 5:31:06    

Napa Marathon–Robin

Date/Location:
March 2nd, 2014 – Napa, Ca
Distance:
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Time:
3:32:50
Place:
10th

Other Teammates:

Angela James, Bernadette Frager, Cerissa Patterson, Daniel Patterson, Julie Jones, Karen Nickel, Kim Young, Lora Spangler, Marilyn Watson-Terrazas, Michelle Ladcani, Michelle Ridder, Rich Alesci, Ruben Moreno, Scott Eckardt, Stephanie Holloway, Suzi Mattish, Troy Outman, Troy Soares

What a fun and exciting day!  I get to run a marathon with Troy and 17 of my friends.  Unfortunately 5 friends are missing because of injury.  Thanks to the Napa Marathon organizers, all of them are able to move their races to next year!  This all started when I put out a challenge months ago called 40 @ 40.  The goal was to inspire 40 people, including Troy and myself, to run a marathon.  Today marks the first step and there will be 21 more folks completing a marathon this year while I’m 40.   After everyone finishes, I have special 40 @ 40 “finisher” hats along with cake pops made by my buddy Karen who is one of the 17 today. 

I’m also excited to see all the supporters on course.  There will be spouses, kids and parents.  My cousin Ann and her husband Steve will also be there.  They flew up to cheer us on and we’ve had so much fun hanging out. They are part of the 40 @ 40 crew and will be doing the LA Marathon next week with their daughter.  This is a good opportunity for them to see how a marathon looks and works.

Most of the group meets up at the start for a picture and prayer.  Some folks are stuck in the bathroom line but we pray for them.  I can tell there is excitement and great anticipation in our group! 

I line up with Karen and Troy2 (my Troy and Troy Outman).  Another 40 @ 40 friend, Rich Alesci, comes up to say hi.  He's here on little sleep because his wife, my college roomie, had a baby 3 weeks ago.  But he’s still hoping for a sub 3hour and I’m certain he can do it.

I’m planning on doing a 7:42 pace, which if maintained will get me under 3:24.  I know I have the ability to do that, but are my hamstrings ready for it?  After the National Anthem is sung by the 75-79 & 80-84 age group marathon record holder, it’s time! 

Ready, set, go!  We are off!  Troy2 takes off but I know I’ll be seeing them for a few miles.  As usual it feels good and even easy but I know that will change later.  Karen starts out with me but decides to pull back and run her goal pace…smart to stick with the plan!  The weather is perfect, cool and overcast.  

At 5K, I’m averaging 7:45. It’s not 7:42 but I think that was a bit unrealistic anyway.  It seems like many are moving past me but I don’t panic because it’s just the beginning.  My hamstrings feel tight and are hurting some.  Will they hang in there?

At 10K, I’m still averaging 7:45 despite a good climb on the last mile.  Troy2 is long gone and I’m praying that they are feeling good. I see Season Eckart’s dad and wave. He’s waiting for his son-in-law Scott, who’s part of the 40@40.  I am looking for more familiar faces at roads that make a T with the course.  I know there are many waiting down the road!

I see a girl in black ahead of me and she’s definitely keeping the same pace.  I catch up and try to stay with her.  Another chatty girl comes up and asks us if we are going for 3:30.  I say “yeah” because I don’t want to presume that 3:25 is going to happen.  But maybe I’m misleading her?  I wish I had said 3:25 now but better just keep focusing on what’s ahead.

140302_napa_marathon_robinAt the Half Marathon, I’m averaging 7:46 which is still good.  My hamstrings are starting to get really sore.  This is going to get harder!  I take my first gel.

I see Ann and Steve and give them a big smile and high five.  I also see Season and her kiddos and wave to them as well.

At 16 miles my average is 7:48 and I’m in trouble.  My hamstrings hurt so bad along with my right calf that I’m unable to push the pace and just try to go the best I can.  Unlike the Davis Stampede 1/2 where I was getting frustrated and focused on myself, I am looking to God and trusting in Him.  It’s out of my control and I just need to keep a good attitude. 

I see Stephanie Holloway’s family and Karen’s family and give them smiles and high fives.  I also see some photographers and I give big smiles to them too.  I know God is proud of me and I’m giving my best.

Pretty soon Karen is back with me and looking strong.  I tell her about my hamstrings but not to wait for me.  I want her to meet her goal and who knows, maybe we’ll finish together.  She says she’s praying for me and continues on. 

At 18 miles my average is at 7:51. I take another Hammer gel.  The pain continues and I’m getting passed by groups of runners.  I try to latch on to some folks but cannot make it stick…I’m at the mercy of my legs!  I start praying hard and calling out to Jesus in a whisper…as a song I love says, “just say Jesus, there is power in the Name”…I repeat Jesus, Jesus.  I also tell him to let the other runners get their goals over my own.  I can see Karen up ahead and am praying she’s feeling good.

Every so often my legs feel like they can handle a push and I’m able to pick it up.  Mile 19 and 20 are like that but then the pain ratchets up.  I know that we turn off the Silverado Trail soon and I’m thinking it’s at mile 20 but it comes and goes. 

Finally, after mile 22, I can see we are turning.  I’m glad that I have less than 4 to go!  I’m ready to be done!  Ann and Steve are waiting for me!  It’s a great boost.  I smile big and wave.

As I turn, I feel like I can push again.  It’s painful but I can push.  Thank You Jesus! Karen seems to be getting closer…it would be cool to catch her! 

At mile 24, I’m over 8 min pace.  I don’t mind because I can still push!  I turn another corner and see Troy Outman walking.  Just before I catch him he starts running and I tell him good job.  We 140302_napa_marathon_robin_finishrun together for a few strides and I encourage him to hang in there. 

Mile 25, Karen is getting closer.  I make another turn and she’s right there but I doubt I can close the gap in the last mile.  I shout “go Karen go”.  I hope she can hear me!

The finish is so close and my legs are so done but the Lord is giving me a boost so I can keep pushing.  I get to the finish chute and a girl comes up behind but I dig down and sprint ahead.  I cross the line and smile…thank You, Jesus!  We did it!

Name Age Group Place Time Goal Met Exceeded or Close Boston Qualifier
Rich Alesci M30-34 14th 2:59:21 Met YES!
Troy Soares M45-49 12th 3:17:34 Close YES!
Karen Nickel F30-34 11th 3:32:39 Close YES!
Robin Soares F40-44 10th (17th Master) 3:32:50   YES!
Troy Outman M40-44 39th 3:35:26    
Michelle Ladcani F45-49 5th! 3:44:11 Exceeded YES!
Scott Eckardt M35-39 44th 3:51:04 Exceeded  
Stephanie Holloway F35-39 40th 4:02:17 Exceeded  
Kim Young F45-49 30th 4:06:19    
Michelle Ridder F45-49 32nd 4:09:20 Exceeded  
Marilyn Watson-Terrazas F50-54 29th 4:13:43    
Suzi Mattish F40-44 53rd (160th Master) 4:25:52    
Lora Spangler F35-39 102nd 4:32:13 Close  
Julie Jones F35-39 122nd 4:47:33    
Ruben Moreno M45-49 98th 5:00:04    
Cerissa Patterson F25-29 138th 5:27:41    
Daniel Patterson M25-29 68th 5:27:40    
Angela James F50-54 88th 5:31:06    
Bernadette Frager F55-59 35th 5:31:06