The finale. Official last race of my annual running calendar after which I go away to hiberate for long winter. Occasional small races follow, but nothing big on plan. My third consecutive Richmond marathon. The race itself is just for few hours (in my case 5 big ones), but the yearly ritual that starts in June goes on for almost six months culminating in this big finale. I had a good marathon training season - Two times 5K PR, three times half marathon PR and a marathon PR. It took me 6 marathons to achieve a 4hr and smthin (4:56) mark, which finally happened at Steamtown marathon. I wanted to get another PR in Richmond which i consider my home run.
It took us sometime before we could find a parking on race day morning. From there Ranjan and I went to Omni Hotel to meet Corey, Maria and other team members. It was good to meet Corey and Maria after long, since his move to Texas after last year's marathon. The weather was much better this year, some wind but good for a long run. By the time we reached Capitol the grand MTT photo op was already over. This is the second time in three years I missed that. As the start time approached crowds start merging towards start line. Half marathon start was before us and this year they had a different start route, because last year many of half-runners in later waves got confused with marathon waves, and took the longer route. The portapotty lines were long but its kind of good place to meet lot of team mates running the marathon.
The first Half
Ranjan is much faster than I ever could be, so it was understood that we were going to run different races just like all others races we participated together. My aim was to get a PR and better my Steamtown time. I kept a small paper with mile wise break up in my pocket.
We started together, but just after a few yards I let Ranjan go so I do not get trapped in his fast pace. It was third Richmond marathon and we train of same roads so I was familiar with the course. First couple miles on W Broad then some in beautiful Monument Avenue. I looked at the Garmin as i turned to Monument Avenue and it was showing more than 3 miles with 7ish pace. My watch malfunctioned. I paused the timer and started again. It was showing correct pace (10ish) now but at the mile marker three I was almost a mile ahead as per my watch, which means extra calculation for the PR. I kept my steady pace around 10:30ish as I ran through Grove Av and River road to the Pony Pasture. I love this strech on the banks of James River but i also knew that the hill before mile 10 maker is coming. Somehow the overall motivation was missing.I looked at the hill and opted to walk till the water stop. This was also the time when 4:45 pacer passed me. My pace was still OK for the PR but I was not sure if i could keep it up. Running through the forest avenue i passed the RRRC tent and picked some M&Ms. I reached the half marker at 2:21 which was atleast 5 minutes more than i expected it to be.
The 20 mile marker
This is not the PR race i thought as i finished M&Ms picked earlier from RRRC stop. I was not disappointed as already got my PR time in Steamtown last month, but kind of relieved to have the PR thought out of my mind. I was into walk-run mode now clocking around 13 min/mile as i reached Lee Bridge. The coaches asked me if I need any assistance but i didn't. I met Mike and Mike just before the Lee Bridge so just for fun I started running faster again. I crossed Lee bridge and ran the hill after that. I was back at 10:30 pace. After the water stop before mile 18 i again started my run-walk. The next few miles were very familiar on the Boulevard, as most of our training runs had this on our route. Silver Mike passed me around this point, he was running good. I was pacing and talking with runners with similiar pace. Some new, some pro runners. Jen was there as Pink Nation stop just like every year. Again i picked few M&Ms and carried on. I reached mile marker 20 at 3:55 as per my watch. I thought for a second. 1 hr and 6.2 miles to go, still could be a PR, but discarded it very next moment
The final 10K
The next couple miles are always the most interesting part of the route through Hermitage and Belevue, because here this is where i found good partners every year with whom i finish. Brian in 2013 and Jim in 2014. I found this guy who passed me. After he did that couple of times, I offered him to run-walk together. He was from Ohio who reached after midnight in Richmod, didn't get much sleep and was attempting his first marathon. I picked up few pringles from next junk food station in mile 22. I also offered a advil i was carrying for 'just-in-case' scenario to a runner who was asking for one. The Ohio guy and I ran-walked till mile 24 after which he went ahead. I saw my 5hr cut-off going 'poof' after half a mile. After the turn at Lombardy St the finish was so near that i could feel it. Some fast finishers were already there with medal around their neck. A lady was sitting at the turn of Grace St with encouraging sign '3 turns less than a mile'. So i ran the last 2 turns as fast i could and saw the finish line downhill. I ran faster on downhill and crossed the finishline third time in three years at 5:21. Tammy was there with the finisher medal. I was so happy to see her. Last year it was Barb, and this year Tammy. I love Richmond marathon finish line.
After the race I met Ranjan (4:14), Corey (4:30) and Maria (4;28) waiting for me for a long long time in the finish area. My overall performance was not on expected lines, but now it is time for a long vacation home. Next year would be a new start with new oppurtunities for more PRs.
It took us sometime before we could find a parking on race day morning. From there Ranjan and I went to Omni Hotel to meet Corey, Maria and other team members. It was good to meet Corey and Maria after long, since his move to Texas after last year's marathon. The weather was much better this year, some wind but good for a long run. By the time we reached Capitol the grand MTT photo op was already over. This is the second time in three years I missed that. As the start time approached crowds start merging towards start line. Half marathon start was before us and this year they had a different start route, because last year many of half-runners in later waves got confused with marathon waves, and took the longer route. The portapotty lines were long but its kind of good place to meet lot of team mates running the marathon.
The first Half
Ranjan is much faster than I ever could be, so it was understood that we were going to run different races just like all others races we participated together. My aim was to get a PR and better my Steamtown time. I kept a small paper with mile wise break up in my pocket.
We started together, but just after a few yards I let Ranjan go so I do not get trapped in his fast pace. It was third Richmond marathon and we train of same roads so I was familiar with the course. First couple miles on W Broad then some in beautiful Monument Avenue. I looked at the Garmin as i turned to Monument Avenue and it was showing more than 3 miles with 7ish pace. My watch malfunctioned. I paused the timer and started again. It was showing correct pace (10ish) now but at the mile marker three I was almost a mile ahead as per my watch, which means extra calculation for the PR. I kept my steady pace around 10:30ish as I ran through Grove Av and River road to the Pony Pasture. I love this strech on the banks of James River but i also knew that the hill before mile 10 maker is coming. Somehow the overall motivation was missing.I looked at the hill and opted to walk till the water stop. This was also the time when 4:45 pacer passed me. My pace was still OK for the PR but I was not sure if i could keep it up. Running through the forest avenue i passed the RRRC tent and picked some M&Ms. I reached the half marker at 2:21 which was atleast 5 minutes more than i expected it to be.
The 20 mile marker
This is not the PR race i thought as i finished M&Ms picked earlier from RRRC stop. I was not disappointed as already got my PR time in Steamtown last month, but kind of relieved to have the PR thought out of my mind. I was into walk-run mode now clocking around 13 min/mile as i reached Lee Bridge. The coaches asked me if I need any assistance but i didn't. I met Mike and Mike just before the Lee Bridge so just for fun I started running faster again. I crossed Lee bridge and ran the hill after that. I was back at 10:30 pace. After the water stop before mile 18 i again started my run-walk. The next few miles were very familiar on the Boulevard, as most of our training runs had this on our route. Silver Mike passed me around this point, he was running good. I was pacing and talking with runners with similiar pace. Some new, some pro runners. Jen was there as Pink Nation stop just like every year. Again i picked few M&Ms and carried on. I reached mile marker 20 at 3:55 as per my watch. I thought for a second. 1 hr and 6.2 miles to go, still could be a PR, but discarded it very next moment
The final 10K
The next couple miles are always the most interesting part of the route through Hermitage and Belevue, because here this is where i found good partners every year with whom i finish. Brian in 2013 and Jim in 2014. I found this guy who passed me. After he did that couple of times, I offered him to run-walk together. He was from Ohio who reached after midnight in Richmod, didn't get much sleep and was attempting his first marathon. I picked up few pringles from next junk food station in mile 22. I also offered a advil i was carrying for 'just-in-case' scenario to a runner who was asking for one. The Ohio guy and I ran-walked till mile 24 after which he went ahead. I saw my 5hr cut-off going 'poof' after half a mile. After the turn at Lombardy St the finish was so near that i could feel it. Some fast finishers were already there with medal around their neck. A lady was sitting at the turn of Grace St with encouraging sign '3 turns less than a mile'. So i ran the last 2 turns as fast i could and saw the finish line downhill. I ran faster on downhill and crossed the finishline third time in three years at 5:21. Tammy was there with the finisher medal. I was so happy to see her. Last year it was Barb, and this year Tammy. I love Richmond marathon finish line.
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| Crossing the finish line a third time. Blowing kisses..eh? |
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| The best hug after the race |
After the race I met Ranjan (4:14), Corey (4:30) and Maria (4;28) waiting for me for a long long time in the finish area. My overall performance was not on expected lines, but now it is time for a long vacation home. Next year would be a new start with new oppurtunities for more PRs.
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