1M 8'25
2M 8'05
3M 8'09
4M 8'11
5M 8'03
6M 8'06
7M 7'58
8M 7'57
9M 7'51
10M 8'09
11M 8'13
12M 8'29
13M 10'11
1/2 Marathon
TOTAL 1'48'33
14M 9'15
15M 10'20
16M 10'27
17M 10'45
18M 10'47
19M 10'21
20M 11'53
21M 10'40
22M 10'43
23M 9'54
24M 12'15
25M 13'13
25M 9'55
Marathon
TOTAL 4'10

New Jersey Shore Marathon 1999
A Tale of Two Races

4'10

I guess the punchline is that I finished the marathon. However, it was likely a textbook performance by an undertrained, inadequate miles per week, only one long run under his belt novice runner who ran the first half of the race too fast and then died for the rest. Having said that I ran a decent 1/2 marathon.

The 1/2 Marathon: I ran the first 13 miles strong at just around 8 minute miles. If this had been the days race it would have been quite a success and would have represented an improvement over my first 1/2 Marathon. However, I didn't kick it in for the last 1.1 mile because I knew I had much more to go. In fact I lost 90 secs ducking into a portable toilet for a quick mid race pit stop. Otherwise I expect I could have finished with another 8 minutes for a respectable time for the first half.

The Death March: My pace disintegrated after the 1/2-way point and I realized that I was in trouble. Now that is over it doesn't seem all that bad and I feel just fine. However at 18 miles I was thinking about giving up running all together. At 20 miles I was wiped. My little walk shuffles at aid stations were getting longer and longer (I can't run and drink water at the same time without drowning) and had expanded to almost 60 seconds of walking each by mile 19. At mile 24 I was finished and when I noticed blood running out of one shoe I got rather discouraged and walked for 3-5 minutes. A sub four race went out the window there. But running actually felt better than walking so I finished up the last 2.2 miles. I ended with about a 4'10 or so. I had a split right heel pad and blisters between every toe. Other that a little post race stiffness though everything else seems OK.

But I had fun, the day was great, the beach start with the NYC skyline was cool, I ran a good half, and I ultimately I feel that I completed a marathon. It wasn't easy. I got a medal and completed the mortal coil shuffle objectives. This performance does not earn me the tattoo I had planned on getting on account of the walking and the poor pacing, but I think there will be a next time and I am looking forward to it.