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Date/Location: |
December 5, 2021 - Sacramento, Ca |
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Distance: |
13.4 mi (Leg #1 of the 26.2 mi Marathon Relay. CIM relay races started in 1995) |
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Time: |
3:22:14 (2-person relay) Time: 1:38:55 Pace: 7:18/mi |
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Place: |
4th out of 62 Co-Ed Masters |
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Relay Teammates: |
Robin Soares (Leg #2: 13.4 miles) |
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Other Teammates: |
Relay *FCA Endurance: Robin Soares & Myself *Placer Speedsters: Leah Booth & Anna Soares Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Elias Alvarez, Jason & Libby Shykowski, Melissa Penwell, Wyatt Hamilton |
Robin and I have a long tradition of doing the CIM Relay (22 yrs for her and 12 for me). We have so many good memories and blessings from participating.
A relay is not really about how fast you can run a standard benchmark, like the 1/2 marathon, because the distances aren’t exact, each section of the course has different profiles, and part of the team’s time is the exchange process. The relay is more about running well for the benefit of your teammate.
I haven’t trained specifically for today’s 13.4mi effort. I’ve also had foot discomfort for a couple months. So normally a lot wouldn’t be expected this morning. However, I am so grateful for the Lord’s blessings in these race events. He always does something wonderful when we truly give the effort to Him. For me that means continually look to His guidance for how to race and act and serve others. Although at times I may have thoughts of “this isn’t fun”, “what’s the point”, or “do the minimal”, over the years I’ve learned that is wrong and that Jesus can take a simple run and use it for His glory if I give Him my all. That is my goal and desire.
I go to the start with Anna’s teammate, Leah. Her mom, Debbie, dropped us off. COVID restrictions eliminated bag checks and closer drop-off points but a new “secret” drop spot is working great. No bag check so I’m wearing an old sweater and have an extra disposable jacket and trash bag in case I or someone around me gets cold at the start. I use my phone to light our path. Soon we see the familiar stretch of porta-potties that seem to stretch for miles and then we line up at the 3:30 (8min pace) area.
Our teammates, Robin and Anna, will be waiting for us at 13.4 miles. It’s not that cold. Everyone sheds their disposables and we throw them in giant Goodwill containers. Hopefully they will end up keeping someone less fortunate warm this winter. It’s Leah’s first time running the 1st half of CIM and I’m happy to be here with her to give some advice, make it fun, and calm nerves. We look for Placer Cross-Country runners, Wyatt & Elias. Wyatt is going for sub-7 pace and should be lined up across from us in the “fast lane” but we don’t see him. We sing the national anthem. I pray that I can run for God’s glory and that we all have a meaningful, grateful experience. Go!
It takes a few minutes before our wave crosses the line. Leah and I stick together well. Crowded but slowly spreads out. Runners as far as we can see. Wyat should be way ahead and Elias, doing his first one, should be closer to us.
Mile 1: 7:44. faster than expected but was downhill. Getting into the groove.
Mile 2: 7:35. Even faster, and flat. I figure Leah should run about 8min pace so I go over her strategy with her. Her run stride is looking smooth and she says she feels good. She also seems calm and comfortable. There’s plenty of running room now, too, so I tell her I’m going to pull ahead while she maintains a steady pace. She smiles and with a fist bump we separate.
Mile 3: 6:59. This “1st Half” of the marathon has quite a few drops. Some ups, too. The number of spectators increase as we go along. Off to a great start and I look to God in thankfulness and for direction.
Mile 4: 7:01. Going a little fast in order to bring pace back to about 7:20 average.
Mile 5: 7:01. Nearing the old Exchange 1 area. They no longer do the 4-person relay so there isn’t a crowd of runners waiting here. I suddenly see the first familiar faces, Toby and Rob Hamilton, Wyatt’s parents! After we wave to each other I wonder why they were looking backwards when Wyatt should be 5 minutes ahead of me? After a few minutes more I hear, “Hey Troy”, and Wyatt comes up from behind! This is such a cool surprise (if not strange) to be running with him. Wyatt is a local legend and a great young man to know. He loves running and he loves helping others run. Sure enough, he tells me he’s helping Elias who’s doing his first marathon, get through the first 3rd. Elias now, after getting some aid, shows up on my other side. “Elias, how are you doing?!” Elias is another great young man, respectful and always ready to help. “I feel good, the miles are going by quickly”.
Mile 6: 7:17. I’m concerned Elias is going too fast, and Wyatt is going to slow (to meet his goal of sub-3). A 3:30 is a good first-marathon goal (mine was 3:36) but Elias is on 3:10 pace. I tell him he should conserve now because it gets harder later but he says he wants to stick with Wyatt as long as he can. Oh, no, sticking with Wyatt is definitely not good because Wyatt broke 3 hrs in his first marathon and is easily capable of 6:30 pace.
Mile 7: 7:15. We see Elias’ parents in multiple places. They’re really supportive and have extra nutrition for him. Elias is doing well eating and drinking and I start giving him all the tips I know, like easing up on the uphills and pushing the downhills. Wyatt now tells me his plan. He forgot his Garmin watch so has been doing calculations in his head or on his phone. He’s going to push the next 8 miles really hard and then settle into a sustainable pace the final 8 miles in order to still break 3. Wow, that sounds really hard but if anyone can do it, it’s Wyatt
Mile 8: 7:25. Wyatt says goodbye and takes off and I start easing back for Elias’ sake. Thanks, Lord, it’s all working out so great. I have a great running partner (Elias) and the “influence” of Wyatt-speed is gone ahead 
Mile 9: 7:40. I tell Elias what to expect after 20 miles – also known as the “2nd half of the marathon”. It will feel like sprinting, even though the same pace as now. Take it easy on the ups. Try Coke in the last miles. Keep this pace.
Mile 10: 7:23. At each mile Elias is surprised how fast they come. That’s a great sign. I think to myself how that seldom happens to me but glad it appears that way to him. I encourage him on his momentous feet and pull ahead to focus on my final 3 miles
Mile 11: 7:18. I never see this mile marker. I’m lost in thought in all the Lord does for me, to make even little things like run races such a blessing. I also keep thinking how nice it would be to have the miles come faster than expected..
Mile 12: 7:31. Mile 12? I thought it was going to be 11. I ran 2 miles and it felt like 1. Wow, they are coming fast! Now I have to sprint for my last mile before seeing Robin..
Mile 13: 7:09. Through the 1/2 way arch, and now only .3 to go to the exchange site. I see Anna and Ariel cheering, telling me Mom is waiting. Such a joyous site to see Robin’s smile. What a great teammate, for running and for life! I thank God, let her get my band, and watch her happily take off to finish the marathon for us. Thank you, Lord, for a great day, a great opportunity to run with these talented, nice young people and for the after-race time we get to spend together. Giving you my best effort has always been rewarding.
