- Short Version – read here Not Recommended
- Race Report – scroll to “The Big Day”
- Complete Story – just keep reading
I realize that thousands of people blog about their marathon experiences. I am not trying to tell an inspiring story. I am not trying to receive compliments or accolades. I am not trying to evoke feelings of sympathy. It may be boring to many people, but I hope at least a few people enjoy an inside look to the person I am in my private life. I am trying to share my marathon experience and to thank the numerous people who gave me vital support.
The Challenge:
In the summer of 2008 I was casually talking to Luke Hobbs and Dink Taylor about running when the subject of the marathon came up. Dink told Luke and me that he had set the 16 year old state record at his first marathon (Rocket City Marathon in 1981). Dink then challenged Luke and me to break his record. Young and foolish and unable to turn down a challenge, I declared that in 2009 I would run the Rocket City Marathon as my first marathon and try my beat this 29 year old record.
Over the next year, I thought nothing of this challenge. In the summer of 2009, I began to think about the task at hand. I had never run more than a half marathon before and that race was on trails and I was exhausted after 11 miles. I knew I was in over my head. Regardless I could not back down. I went ahead and officially signed up for the 2009 Rocket City Marathon.
As I only do triathlons during the summer, I did little training for the marathon specifically. But, every race and every training workout the marathon was on the back burner in my mind. As summer ended and school began, the time had come for me to begin my marathon training.
Tragedy:
It hit me the moment I began dedicated training for the marathon. I had no idea, no clue as how to train for a race of this distance.
My Saving Grace:
My saving grace came in the form of an unofficial running coach. I only had to ask how to train for a marathon and he gave me a complete and detailed 17 week training plan beginning the week I asked for help. He answered any questions I had on a moments notice. To this man, I owe more credit than I can explain in words. I would like to thank my unofficial coach and guardian angel, Eric Charette.
Training:
Thus began the hardest, most strenuous weeks of my life to date. In the very early weeks of my training I laid out my plan for the marathon. I wanted to average 6:29 miles and run under 2:50:00. In the first week of my training I ran a 5k race for cross country and averaged 6:32 miles. Once again, I knew I was in trouble.
My first “long” run was a twelve mile run with the middle four miles at marathon pace. I did well until the 11th mile. I was barley able to run the last two easier miles.
Despite these early set backs, I was determined. As I followed the training plan exactly I slowly became more confident. I have decided not to go into all the details of my training because if I had no sane person would finish reading this post.
I will quickly hit on the highlight of training.
- Monte Sano 15k – 56:53
- Heel and Crank Duathlon – 50:34.20
- Halloween 18 Mile Training Run – all the weird things that happened mid run
- AHSAA Sectionals 5k – 17:10.28
- 16 Mile Taper Run – two weeks before the marathon
In total, I spent over 2 days and 17 hours running almost 650 miles in specific training for the marathon.
The Final Week:
With one week before the marathon tragedy struck. I injured my Achilles tendon. It hurt to run. I canceled my last four training runs to rest. Eric Charette once again was there for me. He gave me reassurance and offered some advice on how to treat it. Over the next week I took Advil three times daily, massaged my Achilles with ice, and rested it.
24 Hours to Go:
When the bell rang at 8:00 am on Friday for school to begin I began to freak out for the first time. It hit me that I would be running a marathon the next day at that time. When the bell rang at 11:02 am for third period to end I realized that this is the first time I would able to rest. I once again began to worry. I felt in over my head.
A Side Note:
If you have read this far I would like to congratulate you for taking the time to read this. I would also like to take this time to thank Eric Doehrman, Suzanne Taylor, James Hurley, Alan Teed, Luke Hobbs, Erin Brahm, Ben Puritan, Derek Albritton, Benjamin Morgan, Nick Smith, and every other person who wished me good luck on my race. Here comes what you have been waiting for.
The Big Day:
I awoke early and ate my usual pre-race breakfast. I suited up and headed to the race start. After a light jog, some dynamic stretching (Thank you Bob Seebohar and Olympic medalist Susan Williams), and four stops at the restroom I lined up behind the line. After a few words from the race directors and the national anthem it was time to race.The weather was perfect. I started the race in my Fleet Feet singlet, two pairs of gloves, Nike shorts, my running toboggan, and arm warmers. My feet were comforted by my Puma Complete Velosis running shoes. I was set up for a great race.
The gun fired, I started my watch and followed Eric Charette. We both planned on running ~6:30 miles for as long as possible. This first mile was hard because I was ready to go and runners kept passing me, but thanks to Eric the first mile 6:26.41. Perfect. Mark Fisher and two other runners (who also planned on ~ 2:50) joined Eric and me shortly. This five man pack worked a near professional pace line for the next several miles.
The first four miles were highlighted by perfect splits. I was feeling strong and running a great pace.
Unfortunately, during the fifth mile I began to feel a pain in my Achilles tendon. The pain was not bad and I pressed on running with the group. There is really not much to tell about during these miles as I was focused on running and the splits were good. Eight miles in, I took off one of my pairs of gloves. My Mom, Dad, and little brother (James Brahm) were my personal aid station at which I drank some Heed. (This aid was invaluable to my race as in training I was fueled by Heed and because of its superiority as an electrolyte drink)
9.7 miles in, the race gets on Bailey Cove Road. Here the pace line, consisting of Eric Charette, Mark Fisher, Dean Roberts, Jack Westrick, and Terry Meyer, was at its best with all men taking turns breaking the wind for the pack. I was feeling great except for a slight pain in my toes. The pace line continued the group effort for the rest of the south bound stretch.
Half Marathon – 1:24:02. Perfect running. I was feeling awesome.
As the race turned northward, I was running second in my five man group. I stuck to the leader's back for the first half of mile 15. Here, I realized this pace was too fast and I would have to drop back. To my surprise, nobody passed me as I let this runner go. At the next turn I looked back and my former pace liners were gone. Another surprise came when I split that mile in 6:26.20. I was exactly were I needed to be.
17.8 miles into the race, I came upon the Grissom High School Cross Country Team’s cheering section. Runners and friends lined both sides of the road. They went crazy as I ran between them. This was a huge pick-me-up and I was feeling great. Maybe the best part of this was the facial of expression of Coach Yates (who I did not tell that I was running the marathon).
I was hitting splits perfectly and feeling great. This race and record were mine to lose.
During mile 20, I had my first sign that I was suffering. My legs were numb. I could not feel anything below my waist. But I was still running well. My Achilles pain had faded long ago and could no longer feel the pain in my toes. I had another personal aid station for refueling (Thanks Mom, Dad, and James).
Mile 21, the split was 7:08.86. I knew I was fading, but I had also run an awesome first 20 miles.
Each step I took became a chore. I began getting passed. I could feel myself hurting all through my body. My legs were no longer numb they were painful. About half way through the 22nd mile I knew I would have to walk. At the tunnel to go under Whitesburg Drive (21.6 miles) I decided to take a short rest. I walked through the tunnel. Except it was not walking, it was staggering. Exiting the tunnel I began to shuffle my feat again.
The next mile was laborious. It was a made up of running as far as I could and then walking for no more than 15 second. I fell once. Not wanting to look like Tiger, I got back up and continued my shuffle.
My next personal aid station of Mom and Dad was at 22.3 miles in. I drank as much Heed as I could and continued on.
I continued my system of running as far as I could and then taking 15 second walk breaks. Here, I would like to thank the entire volunteer crew who was out there and encouraged me when I am sure they could tell I was suffering.
My shuffle walk system finally brought me to the penultimate aid station at 23.7 miles. I ate half a macadamia nut cookie and drank about six paper cups full of Gatorade. My arduous task finally caused me to fall again. This time a red bearded medic was at me by the time I could stand again. He commanded me to sit and wait. Red Beard radioed in some code and my location. I refused assistance and continued on.
My eyes were constantly in and out of focus. I knew my chances of breaking the state record were over but I wanted to finish with a respectable time.
Somewhere in the 24th mile, Eric Charette caught me. With his encouragement and support I unrelentingly pushed onward. I was able to keep up with him for about a half mile. During this half mile I ate an orange slice from some nice couple who set up their own aid station in their driveway.
I was forced to walk again. I told Eric to go on and leave me. I had one mile left to run. I willed myself to continue and keep moving. With a more than a half mile to go, I watched on my watch as the clock passed 2:56:35. Dink was still the best.
When the final turn came into sight I was elated. It was almost over. I gave my final effort running the last 0.4 miles. I crossed the finish line at 3:01:28.
Barely conscious, the next ten minutes are a blur. I was shaking violently. I could not support myself. I remember people asking me questions to which I had no energy to respond. My eyes flickered. The paramedics swarmed in. After a quick finger prick and a blood pressure test, I was laid on a stretcher.
On the stretcher, they rolled me to the makeshift emergency room. They wrapped me in many blankets. All I can remember is watching the ceiling and shivering from the cold. I remember crying, but I do not remember the reason. It may have been sadness for my failure to reach my goal. They may have been for the physical pain I was in. Or, my tears also may have been shed for the accomplishment of completing the most physically arduous task of my life. It was probably a combination of the three.
It was almost 20 minutes from the time I crossed the finish line to the time I could move on my own. My gloves were gone, but all I wanted to do was rest. I took off my arm warmers. When I took off my shoes, I saw bloody socks. When I could stand I had to walk in little circles to prevent major cramping in my legs.
I am sure most are getting bored of this, but it is time for another thank you. This thank you goes out to all the paramedics and volunteers who helped take care of me in those 20 minutes.
In another ten minutes or so I was dismissed from emergency care and went to get food. I ate some great soup, Moon Pies, and an ice-cream sandwich.
Unfortunately, I think that it is impossible to describe the physical pain and mental suffering I was going through on the last four to five miles of the race. Only if you have gone through a similar experience will you be able to understand how I felt. I also can not explain my determination and effort to finish in a respectable time or why I continued to push myself to my physical limit after the expiration of the state record time.
The Aftermath and Other Stuff:
I am still in recovery (which is going great. Thanks for asking!). Looking back on this day, I realize that about 21 miles into to the race I hit “The Wall.” This was the point at which I was totally physically exhausted and had no energy left. While I would have liked to set a state record, I gave literally every ounce of energy I had in my body.
My life had a purpose for 6 months. I directed all my energies to reaching the most challenging goal that I have ever set. Unfortunately, I was unable to reach that goal. The only consolation for my sadness is that I gave 100% effort. It was physically impossible to reach that goal. Even if I could go back in time and train for and run the marathon again, the result would be the same.
Thank you to Dink and Suzanne Taylor for putting on a great race. My thanks also goes out to all the volunteers, police, and paramedics who supported any runner during the marathon.
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