Race Report: California International Marathon (CIM)

Got back in time tonight from Sacramento after completing marathon #5. I'd like to say first and foremost that I did not meet either my 'A' goal (3:30) nor did I meet my 'B' goal (3:40). Alas, in spite of nearly optimal conditions and a 'fast' course, it was just not my day.

Pre-Race:

I flew in on Saturday morning to Sacramento where I rendezvous'd with 3 other Runner's World buddies. From the airport, it was straight to the expo where I perused the relatively smallish room for probably 5 minutes before deciding there was nothing I needed other than some GU Roctane. We walked right next door to the Hyatt where I checked in to my room, then walked around the neighborhood briefly with my RW friend Lori in search of a convenience store that carried Gatorade. Gave us a chance to take in the sights a little. The temperatures were perfect. The air was crisp, the leaves were golden, and I became very envious of a couple of runners doing shakeout runs around the nearby State Capitol building.


Dinner was next where a larger group of Runner's World folks met for a carbo-load dinner. I opted for the Pad Thai with a side of mac 'n cheese (don't ask) and engaged in some friendly conversation with the dozen or so folks who would be toeing the line with me early tomorrow morning. After laying out my race gear and setting the alarm, I did some last minute reading (Ryan Hall's 2008 London Marathon experience) before going to bed at 10pm, probably falling asleep about half an hour later.

Race Morning:

My alarm went off at 4am and the first thing I did after shutting it off was make a beeline to brew some coffee. I snacked on a PowerBar while going through my morning routine of applying vaseline to my feet and going to the bathroom before heading out the door in my race gear (singlet, shorts, arm warmers, headband, gloves) and a trashbag, which I used to block some of the cold, but primarily so I can pee into my Gatorade bottle right before the gun goes off. A little trick I use on race day.

When I stepped outside to catch the bus, I was immediately blown away by how COLD it was. Probably low 40 degrees and not nearly enough coverage on me. Still, I man'd up and braved it along with other runners who smartly wore old sweats they could throw away before racing. I rode the bus with Glorybelle, who provided great company and shrewd race-day advice to this still relatively new marathoner. Upon exiting the bus, I immediately headed towards the start to find the 3:35 pace group. Did not see them but instead ran into some other RW peeps who kept me company as the clock wound down. It was still dark, cold and foggy but as we neared 7am, the crowd quickly grew and I walked over towards the front to find my pace group, which was still nowhere in sight. I saw everyone from 3:00 to 3:40 and beyond, but no 3:35. By the time the pacer finally showed and popped up the sign, I was elbow to elbow with other runners and he was about 25 feet away. Figured I'd meet him at the starting mat and go from there. After going to the bathroom for the last time into my bottle, I stripped off the trash bag and 7am sharp - we were off!

The Marathon:

The road that the marathon starts on is fairly narrow, thus creating a bottleneck type situation. The 3:35 pacer started out a bit late, so I stood my place for about half a minute as runners ran by so I could run near him before actually 'starting' the race. I followed him the best I could in spite of runners impeding my progress every which way. Then without warning, he started to weave around other runners at a pretty fast clip to keep the pace and I was left forced to ponder - do I use up unnecessary energy to keep pace with him, or let him go? I opted for the latter. Near the 3rd mile, my right ankle started to get sore. This was one of my major concerns coming into this race and it was here I decided to go out fairly conservative. I saw the 3:40 group coming up (they left before the 3:35 pace group) and decided to run with them until at least the half way point.

Mile 1 - 8:07
Mile 2 - 8:02
Mile 3 - 8:08

I tucked in towards the rear where I basically kept pace with the runners around me and 'fell asleep', meaning I more or less did my best to shut my brain off and just go as they went. This was probably the best decision of the day as it made the miles go by and I didn't have to stress about pace. For the next several miles, it was fairly smooth sailing. The pace felt easy and while the pain and throbbing in my ankle worsened with each mile, it was tolerable for the most part.

Mile 4 - 8:15
Mile 5 - 8:14
Mile 6 - 8:37

At the 10K mark, I took in my second GU and a SaltStick capsule with my pre-made Cytomax that I carried on my water belt. Aerobically, I felt great. I contemplated going faster but didn't want to disrupt the easy and efficient pacing. I was also concerned about my ankle and surviving the last 10K of the marathon. So on with the pace group I went.

Mile 7 - 8:17
Mile 8 - 8:39
Mile 9 - 8:06
Mile 10 - 8:14
Mile 11 - 8:10
Mile 12 - 8:19
Mile 13 - 8:20

I looked down at my Garmin at the half mark and we had crossed right at about 1:50. While the course was predominately void of spectators, the sections where they did show up, they definitely brought energy with them. In my attempt to keep my trance and not expend any more energy than necessary, I avoided getting caught up in the adrenaline of the crowds. But when I spotted fellow blogger Maritza holding up a sign that also had my name on it and cheering wildly, I got excited and had to shout out to her.

The rollers were definitely there in the first 15 miles or so (as were roadkill - I must've passed about 12 total) but the pacer did a great job keeping us on target and so I continued to run with them, enjoying the rhythm and even pacing while mostly keeping to myself.

Mile 14 - 8:28
Mile 15 - 8:19
Mile 16 - 8:20
Mile 17 - 8:09
Mile 18 - 8:32
Mile 19 - 8:28
Mile 20 - 8:25

At mile 20, I told myself that the 'first half' of the race was over with - and mentally prepared myself for the '2nd half' of the marathon, or the final 6.2 miles. Still feeling good aerobically, I decided to try surging a bit between miles 21-22. That lasted about half a mile but realized that my legs were heavier and more tired than I'd thought. I slowed down and settled back into the pace group, content to take the 3:38-3:39 chip time finish I was on pace for.

Mile 21 - 8:39
Mile 22 - 8:03

Then...disaster. A little after mile 23, I felt my first twinge of a cramp coming on in my right calf. In a panic, I ran over to the side of the road to stretch it out. When I started running again, I saw the 3:40 group ahead about a 50 yards down the road. I quickly tried to regain my pace and perhaps attempt to catch up with them when...another cramp hit, right hamstring this time.

Shit, shit, shit, I wondered. How could this happen with all the training I did and the relatively conservative pace I went out at??

By this point, I did everything right. Moderate and even pacing, kept myself hydrated (water bottle + drinks at water stations), took in 3 SaltStick capsules over the course of the race, a GU every 10K...and I still cramp?? Unfortunately, I had no choice but to hang on for dear life for the remaining 3-3.5 miles. It was a wicked and frustrating process of: 1) shuffle/waddle 2) cramp 3) stretch - repeat x 20. Right calf, right hamstring, left calf, left quad. Ugh.

Saw Maritza again who - god bless her - was still cheering her heart out...only I was reduced to a limping mess and couldn't offer back anything more than a pathetic smile and a thumbs down. The marathon is truly a war of attrition and it had once again taken over my body in the form of wicked and painful cramps in the latter miles. And let me tell you, those were some of the longest 3 miles of my life. To add insult to injury, my Garmin lost its signal under the cloud cover so the last 3 miles went unrecorded.

After seeing the 3:45 group pass me, I knew the best I could salvage out of this debacle was at least a meager PR. So I shuffled along the remaining mile or so the best I could, still cramping every so often. It was really hard to muster a smile during the home stretch but I did so in disbelief and exasperation. When I rounded the corner to the men's finishing corral, I just shrugged my shoulders in the direction of the crowd (at noone in particular) and stumbled to finish in a chip time of = 3:45:41.

It's about a 7-8 minute marathon PR for me but when you weigh that against 18 weeks of embarking on my first training program, the payoff ain't so great. I limped straight to the hotel with only two words running through my head: ice bath.

I grabbed a trash can and the ice bucket from my room, walked down the hall where I filled both up with ice and dumped it into the bath where I soaked for the next 15 minutes wondering why my legs keep failing me around mile 23 (my past two marathons). I also noticed two blistered had formed at the bottom of my right foot. Great.

I reluctantly showered and met up with my RW peeps yet again at a local alehouse, all of whom ran fantastic races with huge PR's. After allowing myself to be bitter for a few minutes, I changed my attitude and decided to bask in the successes of my friends who really flourished on this course and weather. Cheers to them.

As for my next step, I'm going to go back to square one, get my ankle checked out and reassess my training for the next go 'round. I can promise you however that I will do whatever it takes to figure out this marathon thing and in the process, try to continue to have some fun while doing so.

Thanks again for all your support gang - meant a lot to me.