[pct-l] A 26.2 mile trip report....

[calliger at infolane.com (Richard)]

Great report! Some details I'd like to know please:

was course mainly flat? location?  any elevation gain? elevation of
course was in the foothills of the Rockies? entirely below in the
flat? temperature and humidity?  your age too?

Thanks,

Richard

At 07:09 PM 9/28/03 -0700, Paul Magnanti wrote:
>
>Earlier, there was  thread of long-distance hikers
>preparing for a marathon. Mentioned that I did not
>have a running background at all, but am training for
>a marathon. Shared my crack-pot theories on what a
>marathon would be like for a person who is primarliy a
>long distance hiker. Assuming there is still interest,
>here is my "trip" report I posted earier on AT-L:
>
>Well the day finally came. Did my first marathon.
>
>A little background, I only started running this year.
>Typically for me, when I find something I enjoy, I
>tend go hard core. Enjoyed my first backpacking trip,
>two years later hiked the AT. (And did another little
>walk last year out west. ;D)  Did a "fun-run" on New
>Year's Eve...decided to do a marathon. And so I did.
>
>Wanted to see if I could indeed do this challenge I
>set for myself. Never considered myself being running
>material.  Turns out I enjoy it. The simplicity, the
>challenge against myself, the feeling of
>accomplishment at the end of a run. I'll never be a
>fast runner, but have the endurance to "make the
>distance" and enjoy my run.
>
>The marathon chosen was the "Boulder Back Roads
>Marathon" (www.boulderbackroads.com).  This local
>marathon is low key (only 700 applicants for the full
>marathon) but very well organized. Plus, when you are
>viewing the foothills and Rockies during a run..well
>it is a good thing!
>
>It was an incredible experience. The day started off
>with the sun rising above the Boulder Res. The morning
>air was crisp, the cotton woods were golden, and not a
>cloud in the sky. A perfect autumn day...and a perfect
>day for my first marathon.
>
>Lined up at the finish line to the sound of bag
>pipers. (Don't ask. I have no idea myself!). And off
>we went. Kept a slower pace than my normal 8:30 for
>training runs. At first, I was wondering what the
>#$@#% did I get myself into as people came whizzing by
>me. Was I going to be in last place? :-)
>
>But a thought occured to me. For some, this was their
>first long-distance event. Though I never ran a
>marathon, felt a long-disance hiking background seemed
>to have given me a sense of pace. Slow and steady
>works for trails...and it works for me on a marathon.
>
>The day, as mentioned, was stunning. The foothills and
>the Rockies themeselves could be seen and the route
>was along dirt roads. Often, I would scan the horizon
>and just think how gorgeous the day was. Really
>started to feel great at about the 8 mile mark. At the
>13.1 mile mark, really seemed to hit my stride.
>Enjoyed the whole experience, and managed to keep a
>consistent 10:30 or so pace for most of the run. Not
>exactly making any land-speed records, but I enjoyed
>the whole race. Not once "did I hit the wall". Again,
>I think having a long distance hiking background has
>geared my body up for endurance versus speed. 
>
>The only slight snag I hit was at the 23 mile mark.
>Cold feel my calve muscle cramping up. Simply yelled
>out loud (I kid you not) "WE ARE ALMOST DONE. YOU
>*WILL NOT* CRAMP UP NOW!!!"  :-)   Again, had some
>prior experience on pushing the body through painful
>and tiring situations. The cramp went away.
>
>At mile 24, had a GREAT boost. My good friends Josh
>and Marni were there. Josh and Marni are mutiple NYC
>Marathoners and have been mentoring me as I progressed
>in my running. (For those who check out my on-line
>pictures, you have seen their faces quite a bit.)   To
>see them at the course was fantastic. As a side
>note..they said they spotted me from my gait. Said it
>looks like I am pounding up a mountain when I run...
>:D (Ya can take a thru-hiker off the mountain..and so
>on..)
>
>At mile 25, I honestly felt great. Heard one woman
>from the crowd say "Look! He's still smiling." My
>already big smile grew even larger. During the least 4
>or 5 mile stretch, passed some people who looked just
>wiped. Glad I took the advice of experiened
>marathoners and paced myself !
>
>Saw the 26 mile mark (Yay!) and one last uphill!
>Cripe! But I did it and felt so much energy actually
>sprinted towards the end... Again, had a big smile on
>my face when people said "Strong finish!" Again saw
>Josh and Marni, along with my neighbor Mike who did
>the marathon today as well. This was short run for him
>as he just did the Leadville 100 ultra-marathon last
>month. :O I'll stick to 26.2 miles. For now. ;-)
>  
>In the numbers game, came in at 4h 40m. As I said, not
>exactly breaking land speed records, but for my first
>marathon, I ain't complaining.  There were 642
>finishers over all (approx 60 DNFed -did not finish)
>and I came in 351st place. I'll take the solid middle!
>:D 
>
>Was a wonderful experience. Honestly enjoyed the whole
>day. I was afraid of the "wall" everyone talks about.
>But did not feel it once. 
>
>So that was my "trip" report. Overall, I am tired but
>happy. And my legs are stiff and a bit sore. To be
>expected... But, that is OK, I'll be in a natural hot
>springs on a backpacking trip on Saturday of this
>week. :-)
>
>Many thanks to Jim (AT-L) and Larry (PCT-L) who gave
>me some very welcome pre-marathon advice.
>
>Mags
>
>
>
>=====
>************************************************************
>The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a
portion of the rainbow I have clutched
>--Thoreau
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