Carlsbad Marathon Recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 5; 3rd Edition
78.6 miles raced in 2010
Race: Carlsbad Marathon
Place: Carlsbad, CA
Miles from home: 734 miles 
Weather: 30-40s; sunny

In my 10th official pacing of the 3:10 group and third of that time at the Carlsbad Marathon, I figured there would be very little surprises.  But I knew that while the surprises may have been few, the great stories would not be so limited.


The days before the race were filled with trepidation as myself and many runners were both greatly inconvenienced (sometimes for hours upon hours) by uncharacteristically awful winter rainfalls in the Southern California area as well as left wondering if we were going to be running in a downpour.  However, the forecast called for a clear but chilly morning come race day so the focus of the expo was to meet as many people as possible, listened to their stories and fill them in on what I would be doing the next day.

Having run a 3:09:50 and a 3:09:52 as the 3:10 pacer the past two years, I would once again be filling that role for the Running Center Pace Team here.  Joining me was another pacer name James who was planning on just running the first half and then letting me take over as a solo pacer from there.  We both informed our group of how we would be running and what we would do to help them meet their goals.  As the chilly air cut through our pack of lightly dressed runners, anticipation was high.  I was ready to begin running my 111th lifetime marathon and those around me were just itching to take the first step of the Carlsbad Marathon.

 

First 10K: 7:32, 7:30, 6:55, 6:53, 7:12, 7:15

I have known from running the race twice previously that, for whatever reason, the first two mile markers are just off.  No idea why but they are.  As such, I told my runners (I do think of them as "mine" even though James was pacing as well, and I had only met them minutes previously) that they needn't worry about these first few miles and all they needed to do was trust me.

With the first 4 or 5 miles run in a calm darkness with the sun just barely cresting the horizon in front of us, illuminating the pacific shoreline to our right, I reminded everyone how lucky we were to be here.  And as the darkness sort of hid some of the mile markers, before they knew it we had come to the 10k, had split from the half marathoners and were right on pace.


Onto the Half: 7:07, 7:26, 7:34, 7:12, 6:55, 7:06, 7:09

The only significant hill to speak of on this course is right around mile 9.  I told my runners we would take it conservatively, instructed them on the proper way to tackle a hill and we began to cruise right up it.  We saw Sam Felsenfeld on number 5 of a hopeful 60 marathons this year and I let all my runners know what he is doing.  I then teased Sam and said that he had never beat me so if it came down to a sprint finish, I was ditching the pace group and taking off after him.  While we passed Sam on this uphill, I think it may have lit a fire in him.

I was hoping to see an internet running buddy handing out water but unable to scan the crowds while keeping my eyes on the road and shepherding my runners, missed him.  Alas.  With a screaming downhill to contend with and a bunch of runners who wished to make up the time we gained going uphill (which was surprisingly low) I was using all my energy keeping them all in check.

Having done so in a satisfactory way, I know I was not the only one who was happy to see the halfway point ahead.  The brisk morning coolness finally was wearing off and slight swirling winds were abating.  With a half-marathon time just about 25 seconds ahead of exact pacing, the second half began.


To the 20 mile mark: 7:14, 7:09, 7:20, 7:13, 7:17, 7:27, 7:18

I had a brief and surprising flashback as we hit the mile 15 point of my race the previous year when a girl I was dating had been waiting for me to cheer me on.  For no good reason, I almost expected her to be there again.  These are the things which slip into your half-awake mind nearly 2 hours into a marathon.

An irresistible urge to go to the bathroom had me placing my pacing sign into James' hand as I went to relieve myself.  James had decided to run the full marathon simply because he had invested so much into this team that he wanted to see them do well.  He was a welcome addition indeed.

Hitting the turnaround on PCH, we began our trek towards the final 10k.  With the sun at our back and miles under our legs, my group was still strong and talkative.  I knew the real test lay ahead.

Bringing my pacees home: 7:10, 7:17, 7:12, 7:19, 7:01, 7:15, 1:43

For the next few miles, we ran unhindered by much of anything.  The rolling hills we encountered we swatted away with ease, even joining the tremendous glut of half-marathoners was no problem as we had our own dedicated lane on the far right hand side.  Sure some pedestrians did not realize this was not a walking lane specifically for them but a few well-times, bass-filled "Runners on your LEFT" from me had them scurrying for cover.  This lane was a new thing and one I thought was a brilliant idea.  Until it ended a little before mile 23.  Then it became a madhouse.

While the half-marathoners have paid their registration and deserve to be on the course as much as anyone else, they must simply be aware of their surroundings.  Full Marathoners running at a 7:15 pace were crashing into the ass ends of those running anywhere up to 9 or 10 minute pace and it was not pretty.  And as many had their infernal listening devices on they could not even tell a group of 10 runners or so, just a 5k away from realizing their dreams, were barreling down on them.  This MUST be addressed.  I don't know if a dedicated lane the whole way in is the answer or what exactly but neither group of runners needs this hassle.

As we joined the masses, the loss of accountability made many of my runners who had been hanging on, fall back into the anonymity of the pack.  I was soon down to a handful that were right on my hip and following every move I made through the crowd.  James had fallen off the pace somewhat and I have a feeling he was trying to bring in as many stragglers as possible.

Soon, there were just a few miles left and a catchy phrase popped into my head.  "Boston might be 3,000 miles away for everyone else, but it is just 3 miles for us!"  This emboldened many and away we went.


With a mile to go, I knew my core group of runners was going to get their times. Only a massive collapse would keep them from doing so.  Winding through the crowds, with the sun finally warming our backs, I allowed my runners to do a dead sprint ahead and leave me, as usual, starkly alone for my on time arrival.


3:09:52 seconds after the start, or EXACTLY what I ran last year, I crossed the finishline.  My 53rd Boston qualifying race was under my belt, lots of hugs were shared and many first time Boston Qualifiers like Michael V and Brian P. (who needs to get his official time fixed) were ecstatic. I beamed with pride as if these runners were my old friends.  In a way, they were.

Run a marathon side-by-side and step-by-step with someone and you learn a great deal about their character.  I learned that the group of 10-12 who would all eventually break either a 3:10 BQ time or set a new PR under my care, were a great group of people.  I can only hope they have wonderful races the rest of 2010.

They earned their medals on this day.