12:43:45

That was the time I finished the Surfside Marathon. Nothing glamorous to be sure, but a "Surfside" PR nonetheless. I'll take it. For those with math issues, it translates into a 4:43:45.

Much like last year, Surfside provided an ill wind. Unlike last year, this one was cold, sending the feels like factor below 40 degrees. Why did I do Surfside again... Temos in the forties, with the wind making it much "cooler" than that. The almanac says it averages around 64 degrees this time of year. In two Surfside Marathons, I think the average has been about twenty degrees less than the norm.

I think the best thing about the race was the Saint Arnold Amber I had over at Boondoggle's after it was over. I cannot say I will be going back to Surfside, at least not for a marathon.

The race starts out easy enough. Two and a half miles with the wind. Then you make the turn and it is thirteen miles of non-stop wind in your face. My mile times were not too bad in the beginning, but the wind soon started taking its toll. Much like humidity, the wind just sucks it right out of you.

On the way out, I ran with Jaclyn for her first two 5/1 intervals. We were fortunate enough to see June, who was styling in her psychedelic running skirt mofo thing. As I made my way into the wind I debated on whether or not I should keep my wind breaker or not. It was doing an excellent job of keeping me at a good temperature, but I knew that at Mile 15.5, when we turned around, it would no longer be an asset.

I decided at Mile 5 to leave it at the car and continued on my way. As I mentioned, I was not doing too bad during the first few miles. Even into the wind I was just below a sub 10:00 pace for several miles. And, as promised, I was sticking to my 9/1 strategy.

As Mile 7 approached, I noticed I was breathing rather heavily during my walk breaks and knew that could not be a good thing. So I slowed down a bit. Just before Mile 9, the intrepid Keith Kelleher passed me by. I considered trying to catch Keith at the end of my walk break, but took on a different strategy instead. Rather than continue to fight the wind, I decided to scale back the pace even more and (hopefully) conserve my energy until we turned around.

As I approached Mile 9, which was the turnaround for the half-marathoners, I seriously considered making the turn myself. I had already seen several marathoners who had done just that, but when Keith continued forward, I did as well.

One thing about running on the beach, especially one as devoid of landmarks as Surfside: everything is much further away than it looks.

I was now running miles at an 11:30 pace or so. It wasn't too bad, although the wind absolutely sucked any fun running on the beach might bring. Somewhere during Mile 11 I felt a twinge and thought, "that cannot be good." It was me knee. Worse, it was my good knee. Dammit. The pain was not too bad and after each walk break, I was probably able to run another seven minutes before the pain set in again. Stupid knee. I briefly considered a "DNF" but felt it was tolerable. I did notice that toward the end of each nine minute interval my pace was dropping off by about thirty seconds or more.

Finally, the turnaround came and it sucked almost as much as the wind. The sand was not compact at all. But I did not care, the wind was finally at my back. I quickly pumped out two miles at around a ten minute pace before reigning myself in. I even caught Keith, but I think that only came about because he took an extended bathroom break.

Although I was not running fast, the miles seemed to just click right off. Not so during the first fifteen. Some of those miles seemed to take forever. I continued the 9/1 strategy, as well as taking a walk break at the water stops and that seemed to keep the knee in good spirits. It hurt, but it was still tolerable. At Mile 25 I took an extended walk break and then kicked it in. That mile was done in 10:08. Not bad for a last mile of a marathon, including a walk break. Just after I started running the last mile, I came upon two guys relieving themsleves in the middle of the beach. WTF? There are porta-johns up and down the beach and there are plenty of sand dunes. Dorks...

Anyway, strong finish and my knee survived although right now it hurts like a mo-fo. Brian and Melissa, our best firends, were at the finish cheering me on. Then it was off to Boondoggle's and of course, beer was involved.

Props go out to the volunteers, especially those on some of the remote outposts (waterstops). You have to appreciate people who show up on days like today. Like all of the runners, they should have a good story to tell. That said, I don't think Surfside will be on our agenda again. At least not the marathon.

Now it is time for a nap. Or more... 

Comments

[Edwin]

The weather was tough the past two years. Last year I thought it warmed up more than it did today. I mean, I don't think it got any warmer today as the race went on.
The first year wasn't cold at all.
Anyhoo, congrats on the race and for toughing it out in those conditions.
I saw Jaclyn, but did not see you.

[justjunebug]

dude...mo fo psychedelic?? seriously?? holy hell i just typed tht like 14 times....i had way too much beer tonight....