The Calm Before The Storm

After 18 weeks of training through the middle of the night, sub-zero temperatures, and countless hours spent sleep deprived here I stand. It feels a bit like that first hill on a roller coaster. The slow climb up as you fill with anticipation and finally the crest where you look out and see everything laid before you.  Then a pause for a few seconds before the drop. That is where I am exactly. I write this opening 4 days before the 2016 Pittsburgh Marathon. The calm before the storm. It is terrifying, exciting, and amazing all at once. The Pittsburgh Marathon is the start of the summer race season for me. Afterwards it is 6 short weeks until the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail 70.5 mile ultra and then 8 weeks after that the Burning River 100 miler leading right into fall marathon season with Steamtown (Scranton, PA) on the bill. My longest race to date was at Burning River last year running the 50 miler. It is all new territory moving ahead and foolish or not, I feel prepared.

Marathon Weekend

After work Friday I headed downtown to pick up my friend Ryan from the bus terminal and we hit the Expo. We grabbed our packets and saw a number of friends from the Steel City Road Runners (SCRR), but didn’t have time to check out the vendors. After some excellent veggie gyros from Old Village Grille it was time to unwind and get a good night’s sleep.

Early on Saturday Ryan and I headed to Boyce Park and had a nice, slow 10km run on the trails there. It is one of my favorite places to run and I am always proud to show off my “homefield” to guests. The route we took avoided the largest hill climbs in favor of an easy and relaxing run.  Afterwards we picked Don up and went to the Expo. This time we spent a little time checking out vendors, chatting with friends who seemed to be every few steps we took, and eating all the free samples.  We stopped by the pacer booth for pace tattoos and Aaron was there. He was to pace the 3:30 group. I mentioned wanting to run with his group, but the pace was too quick. He told me I could do it. He has been following my training. That was all it took to change my mind from running with the 3:45 group (which I thought was still pushing it).  From here Ryan and I went on a quest for food and found ourselves at Mad Mex. Afterwards it was time to kick the legs up and rest until race day.

Go Time!

Some of the Runderful Crew

After sleeping like a brick for 6 hours (how did I get so lucky?) the alarm went off around 3:30. It was time! I started the morning with a 20 ounce bottle of 1 serving Hammer Heed, 1/4 serving Hammer Vegan Protein , and 1 serving of Generation UCan. I hate the taste of all protein powders, but I can choke it down on race day. That mix, coffee, and a banana made for about a 400-500 calories three hours before the race. I cleaned my glasses with Cat Crap. Not real cat crap, the anti-fog kind that Alyssa kindly gifted me during the winter. We picked Don up and drove into the city. I park by the Steel City Road Runners garage on race day. There is no post race traffic or road closures to deal with after the race as the Northside roads are the first to open and it is only a short walk into downtown. Coach Kim (aka Lambertghini) was also parking there so we talked for a brief moment before she headed off towards the city. We followed soon after.  After arriving at the Westin Convention center around 5:30 we busied ourselves with bathroom stops and happily chatting with friends. I took two Endurolyte electrolyte caps and a Hammer gel with some water.  Soon it was time to go. After a group picture with the Steel City Road Runners and Runderful it was off to the corrals. Don, Ryan, and I walked together and in turn broke off to our separate corrals. As I was waiting in line I felt a tap on my shoulder and turning around there was Vicki and Karla! We talked for a bit and noticed the line was not moving at all. The fence was opened only a crack and apparently they were only letting people through one at a time! Our corral was slated to close at 6:45 and it was quickly approaching that…and then it was past that. Finally they opened the gate more and we all surged in.

I quickly made my way through the crowd to the front of the corral where Aaron and the 3:30 pace group were. Looking around I saw a few friendly faces, all of which were too far away to catch their attention. Five minutes after the Elite start we were off to our race start!

 The Race

Starting out at the very front of Corral B was awesome! There was none of the overcrowding I am used to and I was able to get into a comfortable stride right from the start. Our pacers were doing the same and we clicked off the first miles right on pace. Off we went up Liberty Avenue. The raucous crowds usually present were vastly thinned most likely due to the rain, but those present made up for it in enthusiasm. It never rained hard during the race. Just a light and cooling rain early on with the remainder of the day being dominated by high humidity.

Race Start to the Southside

And that humidity was a beast! It was the first time this year we have had to contend with it so none of us, excepting some southern visitors, were acclimated to it and it made the task of the runners more challenging. For many of us the humid conditions descended upon us in the West End and Southside. I ran with the pace group in the West End and Aaron (one of the pacers and a friend) poked fun at my “Dad” look with the socks and sandals. I said I needed a fanny pack.  By mile 8 I had been running ahead of the 3:30 pace group banking time little by little for the climb up Forbes Avenue that would be coming soon. I was getting warm, very warm.

I carried one gel flask with 5 servings of Hammer Raspberry Gel mixed with Espresso Gel (100 cal per serving), one 20 ounce bottle with a serving of Hammer Melon Heed and UCan (210 cal), a bag of Endurolyte caps, and a few servings of Heed powder to mix up along the way. I supplemented with water at aid stations taking a cup to drink and a cup or two down the line to pour over my head. This helped clear the salt from my face and eyes and kept me a little cooler.

Passing into the Southside Flats I heard someone yell my name. I looked back and saw Lisa cheering so I ran over and gave her a big hug before continuing on. As always, the Southside was one of the more raucous spots on the course. It is always fun and a great spirit lifter before the climb into Oakland and despite the rain it did not disappoint. Rounding the corner onto the Birmingham Bridge the crowds were roaring and I was surprised how effortless running it seemed. And that is the power of positivity we all fed off of from each other and the crowds.  As the half marathoners turned left we would go right. As I hit Forbes I let out a “yeah hill runners!” to the True Runner Hill team that helps runners get up the big one. And then it was up, up, up for mile 12. I kept waiting to feel the hill and though my pace certainly dropped a little I didn’t feel taxed in the least until the very top. Sometimes it is just a good run day and when that happens to fall on a race day it is happy times!

Oakland to Homewood

Oakland hardly had any spectators, but there was plenty to see and an occasional light gust of wind that was welcomed. An easy trek up 5th and I was at mile 14 in Shadyside.  A marching band was at the turn onto Walnut and I was digging the drums, running with the cadence, and feeling good all around. I knew the 3:30 pace group was close behind because spectators kept yelling, “yeah 3:30!”.  And I was running with them again when we hit 5th Ave once more. I took the last of my Endurolytes and knew I’d need to refill my bottle soon. At mile 19 I no longer could sustain the 8 minute pace and began to falter. I poured a pre-measured serving of Heed into my bottle while running and stopped at an aid station near mile 19 to get the bottle filled with water. The volunteers were amazing at every part of the course.  This was the first time I stopped running and there would be many more to come.  Next it was on to the final leg through  Highland Park, East Liberty, Bloomfield, and on to victory!

Highland Park to the Finish

I was running slower and slower, but I was still running. Ahead there was a familiar form. As I neared I could see the sunglasses and yelled out, “Paul!” He turned around and we walked and ran together for a little bit. He was having a tough day out there. After a few moments I continued on, but he would make it to the finish line first. There is a slight uphill in Mile 22 going up Baum and Liberty Ave into Bloomfield that dropped me into the 9 minute paces. Near the top of the hill I saw Edward M. and said hello. We told each other we looked good and strong when I am certain I looked like hell. But runner’s are a supportive group and I appreciated the boost. My hamstrings wanted to cramp so I stopped to apply pressure and lightly stretch. I knew I was forgetting something! None of Alyssa’s magic pickle juice to save me this time. So I continued cautiously and walked when I needed. Mile 23 was through Bloomfield. I used to live here and love the energy on this stretch of the course. The community is vibrant and it is the last bright spot until downtown.  Mile 24 is downhill which should have helped my pace. It did  a little, but I was stopping to stretch and walk more. When I got to the Hash House Harriers and their table of beer I gladly accepted a little paper cup and downed it. This was the first time I ever drank alcohol during a race. I figured it couldn’t hurt at this point and might just kill some pain. Paul had caught back up to me and again we talked for a moment before he headed off. I wanted to keep up with him, but it wasn’t going to happen.

The 25th Mile           photo cred: Daniel Staiger

Then it was the hellish flat of Mile 25. This is open, flat, and mostly devoid of spectators. Many runners in SCRR would come out to help get people through that stretch. As I neared downtown once again I saw Lisa and stopped for a hug and a quick moment to compose myself. Lori had run by during this time.

I started out again feeling a little fresher and with better pacing. Then I saw Michael (aka Coach Pease) and made a bee line across the course for a beard brother high five. High fives should not be underestimated in a marathon! Each one gave me a smile and some pep in my step. Then it was into downtown for the final approach. I stopped 2 or 3 times downtown and continued on with a sub 10 minute mile to the finish line with a PR!

After the race Ryan and I met a few friends at the Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse for some post race celebration and refreshments. Make sure to check Wigle out if you are in the city.  Then it was home to eat everything! And Tara had prepared everything! At least 10 courses waited for us. I am one lucky guy.

A big thanks to Aaron Horrell for giving me the nudge to try for more than I thought I was capable of and for being an incredible pacer. He stayed on point and kept our minds occupied. I owe a lot of this race to him.

This was my third time running the Pittsburgh Marathon and by far my best race here. I truly love running this city. The people and places are just amazing. So if you are looking for a race for next spring why not visit the City of Champions and claim the title Runner of Steel. We will welcome you with open arms, even if you’re from Cleveland!

Course Personal Best by 33:57

PR by 12:15

Finally I got to ring the bell in the Burgh!