Sometimes the best races have nothing to do with time.....

It was all too surreal when I drove up to EJ the Friday afternoon before the CVX Marathon.  Home in the summer is usually all about relaxing, boating, drinking, and canoeing.  I had to keep reminding myself I was here to run a marathon and spend time with my family that was all coming in for my Grandpas 93rd birthday.  My life of running was being merged with home, two things I love dearly and credit a lot of my personality and attitude for.  It was a weird feeling, but it made me smile. 

I arrived to my moms house and walked in to find an East Jordan track singlet on the table.  I never ran x-country, and only ran track so I could high jump, so I found it even more amusing that I was now gonna be wearing this again tomorrow...but with the pride it deserved. 

The family that traveled in had rented a large house right on the race course and walking distance to the "expo" and start line. Once settled at my moms I headed up there to get my packet and visit with the family.  The expo was less expo, more booth.  It was tiny, but sat right in a small park overlooking the lake in downtown Charlevoix, which was a perfect setting.  I checked in and headed back up to the rental house for some family time.  Normally a pre-race day like this would have a lot of traffic, shuffling through long lines, waiting for a place to eat out for lunch, more traffic, and eventually some relaxing and a small dinner.  This was quite the change, and I liked it.  I got to sit on the porch with family I hadn't seen in 4 or more years, sip some homebrew and catch up.  I even went for a short run just to see how my legs felt. 

Confidence grew as I finished about 3 miles and my legs were fresh from some much needed rest.  I checked the weather almost hourly.  It dropped from 59 at the start to 55, and should have been only 62 by the end with almost no wind.  Conditions were perfect.  I visited until early evening then went home to my moms, grabbed some gatorade and some pasta for breakfast.  I meticulously pinned my bib on my EJ singlet, and my "Never, Never, Never Give Up" sign on my back in honor of my friend Megan.  I settled into the recliner, read a chapter in my running book and hit the bed.  Usually I sleep poorly before a big race.  I'm fairly certain I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. 

I awoke at 5am and "lubed" up liberally with anit-chafe.  I was literally gonna be a well oiled machine this morning :)  I made some coffee, and ate some pasta.  I finished the last chapter in RUN by Dean Karnazes.  The timing for finishing this book was great. 

My mom and I drove up together and arrived to the family house about 6:15.  A few aunts and uncles were already up enjoying coffee.  I said my "good mornings" and went to run a quick mile to loosen up.  The run went well, legs were still fresh, not that I could do much if they weren't at this point anyway.  Stretching, gatorade, go time. 

My uncle Chris arrived just as we were heading to the start line, he was also running the full.  We met down near the start and I took some pics of the start, it was a GORGEOUS day.  The sun coming up over round lake and shining down the channel onto the lighthouse.  It was amazing. 

Before I knew it the gun was going off and we were off!  I heard and saw some family along the start yelling for me....I got chills realizing I was about to run 26.2 miles where I grew up and I would have friends and family along the way.  I had to push that aside though, I had a long way to go and as I knew from the last race....anything can happen over 26 miles. 

I felt great mentally and physically.  It was hard to keep a 7min mile, I wanted to go faster, but I held back.  The first few miles were through some amazing homes by famous architects and around Mt. McSauba, where I had spent some winter days playing.  We popped out near the main road and jumped onto the bike path.  Up ahead I saw a blue shirt that I recognized immediately, it was last years EJ River Run shirt hanging in a tree and Rob cheering and taking some pics.  My best friend had found me and I was very touched he came out so early to cheer me on.  I told him I didn't need him there so early but he insisted, and I appreciated it.  

Miles were clicking away pretty good and my pace was steady.  I was very please to look down at my watch at each mile marker and see that it matched perfectly.  Usually I expect to see an extra .2 miles over a marathon on my watch so this being so exact meant more time for me....another benefit to the day so far.  

The course was a bit lonely but I loved it.  We were somewhat secluded on a shaded bike path, trees on both sides.  If you were driving down the main road you might not even know we were there. We'd pop out every now and then at a roadside park on the lake, furthering the beaty of the course.  Every mile or so you'd see a group of people and an aid station.  I was running with some people that must have had a group following them, I saw the same fans at every stop.  Then I too saw a familiar face!  My uncle Ken was standing along the path taking pics.  I didn't know he was going to be there so that was a real treat.  I thanked him, gave a thumbs up and kept moving.   

I didn't think the course was as hilly as it looked on paper, but just then I saw a beefy one ahead.  It stretched up and over an overpass, probably a couple hundred yards long.  Nothing I couldn't handle, but my pace suffered a little.  I was about 40 sec ahead until that point, the hill cost me 20 seconds, no bid deal though. 

I felt pretty good still, but I had forgotten how it feels to be running for so long.  "Are we there yet?" seemed to be a common thought for me.  "If I can just get to the turn" I thought, "I'll know I'm halfway and can run with my heart from then on, legs or no legs". Sadly, things started to take a turn, BEFORE the actual turn. 

Somewhere around 12.5 my bodies check engine light went on.  It was my left foot, the toes were curling/cramping.  "NO, NO, NO!!" I thought and my mind started racing.  I calmed myself down and tried not to think about it, hopefully NOT letting it get to me would settle things down...mind over matter.  It kind of worked and I was coming up on the turn.  A nice group was formed and they were all cheering, I was probably only 30ppl or less back from the leader, and out of 600 that was pretty good!  I saw my aunt Beckie there and my uncle Ken had made it there too, taking some pics.  I told them I was starting to cramp (dont think he heard me), but I kept pushing.  I didn't know if this would get worse, get better, or go away.  It didn't take long to figure that out. 

About 13.5 miles in it was like a switch hit and my legs were frozen in time, but my upper half was still moving.  Cramps engulfed my left foot, shot to my left calf, hamstring, and groin, then down the right side, everything but my right foot.  I locked up entirely and instantly and hit the pavement.  To say I was upset would be a massive understatement.  Barely over half way and I was a statue.  I took a quick second to stretch and try to loosen up.  I got up and tried desperately to turn my hobble into something that resembled a run, and then into a marathon pace.  I made it about another 200 yards......leg lockdown.  More stretching, more limping, more realization that today might not be my day. 

Surprisingly I kept a level head.  "Don't give up, give yourself a chance" I kept telling myself.  I thought if I could just keep moving, who knows what could happen.  I could break free from all this and get back into a pace and maybe, just maybe I could muster up enough in the last few miles to keep myself in the running for Boston.  I had already lost a couple minutes, but with the course being so exact, I knew I had about 1:45 on my side, I just had to keep going.  Sadly, by mile 15, I had lost several minutes and was only able to run a quarter mile or less before the cramping was so bad I was screaming in pain and doing everything I could to stretch things out and keep mobile.  It was kind of sad, I saw my uncle Ken up ahead, he had drove ahead after watching me make the turn, what a difference 2 miles makes, huh?  I was hobbling along, but I saw him and it made me smile, he could tell I was upset, and I explained what had happened.  He offered a banana and some gatorade, which I declined....it was too late for that :)  He asked if I wanted a ride back.  Without hesitation I replied "they'll have to peel me off the course today, I'll be at the end" and I kept right on hobbling. 

The next several, seemingly endless miles, were torture, but did force me to enjoy some of the finer race experiences.  Every aid station was so supportive and nice.  I'd stop to stretch, drink some fluids, try to have something witty to say and make my way to the next one.  If I saw someone walking, I'd try to catch up to them and walk with them for a bit.  Misery loves company, right?  It gave me a chance to hear a new story about fellow runner I'd never met, it was nice.  Some were also trying for Boston but had lost hope, some hadn't trained at all but just wanted to run it today.  The scenery was amazing, the people were great, this is why I started running to begin with.

Days later (it felt like) I was approaching mile 23 and I knew Rob and Scott would be there.  I felt bad; I had told Ken to call my mom and Maura to let them know I had blown up, but I was ok, but I had no way of letting Rob and Scott know......I felt bad about this.  I got up to them and gave Rob a big hug and told Scott I was sorry he wouldn't be getting the workout I promised :)  He didn't seem to care and we kept on. 

"Ok, let's go"..........."oh god, CRAMP" seemed to be my only coherent thoughts at this point.  I know I was trying to hold a conversation with Scott about work, his wife, the twins on the way, but I also know I couldn't remember if he answered me, or if I had already asked a question....my brain was completely cooked.  Can't say I've ever experienced that before. 

"Hey, I'm gonna pace these guys for a bit" I heard coming up from behind me and two guys caught up and started walking with us.  Just like I had done earlier, two guys just wanted to chat and together we joked and laughed about our misfortune.  One guy kept looking back to see if his wife was gonna pass him, fearing how the rest of that day would go if she did.  Eventually we made our way to the last mile and I told Scott "no matter what I'm running down the hill to the finish"  One of our companions had taken off and as we rounded the half mile left mark, the other said he was gonna try to beat the 4 hour mark which was closing in.  I didn't have that level of fight in me so we let him go.  I watched him go, and watched my watch.  Just at the top of the hill, with 100yds left, he stopped, put his hands on his knees and began to walk......4:00....he didn't make it. 

"Here comes the house my family is in, I can't let them see me walk" I told Scott.  I was ready to run as soon as we get to the main road.  "GO BABY PIE!!" I heard all the sudden.....ha!  It was the girl who lived next to me in the dorms at WMU!  She called me that, can't remember why, but it made me smile and I started to run as the hill approached, onlookers stuck in bridge traffic cheering, the crowd growing as we neared the crest of the hill. 

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"  I yelled out and my calves and hamstrings locked harder than rock and for the first time all day I could NOT move. I couldn't even move enough to attempt stretching it out.  I was standing 50yds from the finish, my family and friends could see me and I was frozen to the earth. 

Runners are a funny group, we take pride in the pain and the work it takes to improve.  It's these things that create an amazing sense of comradery and what drew me instantly to running to begin with.  This was never more evident than at this moment.  A moment of extreme pain in front of tons of people, a fellow runner who had already finished jumped the guardrail and bent down, slapping and hitting my calves.  "Don't worry man, we'll break you free" he said.  He didn't have to do that, but he's a runner, so in a way, he DID have to :)  It worked and I was able to move again.  I stood for a second and looked down at the finish line.  Two deep breaths and I took off like a mad man down the stretch and across the finish line.  I made it.  Rob was there instantly to give me a hug and to hold me up.  My mom just behind him very happy to see me.  My dad had been there, but after such a long delay figured I'd be too upset and figured I'd want some space, I dont blame him for this, I wanted solitary confinement after Va Beach. Scott and Bethany were there and both congratulated me.  My uncle Chris finished just after I did, I was very proud of him!  I took my medal with pride today.  I couldn't even beat 4 hours, but I fought for every step today, and never once considered giving up.  I'm ok with that.  I saw the two guys I had walked with at the medical tent resting.  We high fived and shared a good laugh.  One guy said to me "Andy, you inspired me man, thanks".  I honestly have no idea how I did that, or maybe I hallucinated him saying it, or was so wacked out during our walk with him I said something profound.  Either way, it was nice to hear.

My mom and I shared a drink at the Weathervane, I still wanted my champagne, and I was also very proud of my mom for doing her first 10K.  We sipped them down and I later went back to shower and get ready for my Grandpas B-day. 

The rest of the day was amazing.  My grandpa was so happy to see everyone and my grandma happy to have pulled off a surprise party for her hubby.  We stuffed ourselves with good food and good tunes as my uncle, and his daughter, and another uncle played some great bluegrass.  I feel like I got to visit with most, if not eveyone, with some quality one-on-one time, which we dont get often being so far apart.  I remember at one point I was just sitting next to my uncle Gerard, him playing the guitar, me sitting next to him sipping a good beer, and my 93 year young grandpa sitting across from us.  I was taking it all in.  I was sore and dehydrated, but my heart was as full as its ever been.  This was the best race experience I've ever had and it had nothing to do with the time on the clock.  It was about the time spent with the people of the day, some of them I had just met that day, some I've known my whole life.  Both impacted my life for the better, and I'm extremely greatful for all that I have.  Thank you running.

EJ HERE I COME!!!

I haven't posted anything since I decided to run the CVX.  I dont really know why this is, I just wasn't feeling it.  I think I felt a little let down when I posted all the time, bringing people along on my last journey, only to seemingly fail....I didn't want that again. 

But I'm back, sorta.  I wanted to at least re-cap my training, the good, the bad, and the ugly and give a peek into my mental state before my race in 6 days.

Training:

Training for this marathon has been nothing short of "freestylin".  I remembered immediately why training during the spring and summer months is so tough.....there's so much more to do :)  I was now in a basketball league, and my work golf league started.  It was daylight longer and warmer so going on the boat and keeping the house in order were now all competing for my time.  I've always said that if running felt like a job, I'd quit, so I decided to run what I felt like, when I felt like it.  I still ran almost 6 days a week and got a hefty amount of miles in, but most importantly, I wasn't killing myself every day, I enjoyed the "pace" of training and that kept me happy.  I just hoped I wasn't NOT doing enough to keep me in a position to compete. 

Instead of 2 days of speedwork, I basically got one per week, and most of the time that speedwork consisted of a Y league basketball game.  I think it actually helped that I used that in my training.  I found myself playing harder, running up and down the floor faster and picking up my guy the full length of the court simply because I "needed the exercise".  I think people thought I was a bit nuts, but....I am, so it's ok. 

The other days of the week I would usually run anywhere between 6-8 miles, sometimes at an easy pace, sometimes I'd push it more.  The total miles for the week were less than I was suppose to do, but I focused on the quality, not the quantity. 

My Saturday runs were my main focus.  Kick ass on these and all was well.  For the most part, I was able to do this.  My 15, 17, and 19 mile runs went perfectly as scheduled.  I decided that I'd make my new goal pace a 7:00mile vs. 6:40 on these runs, which also helped.  As much as I wanted 6:40, 7:00 would get me into Boston and that's the ultimate goal.  No sense in pushing myself, and risking a blowup again.  On the day my 21 miler was going on, it was both fantastic and probably self destructive in hindsight.  This particular week I was super stressed out and decided not to run the Friday night before. I left early Saturday morning and headed out to the river.  I warmed up as usual and stretched out more than usual.  Once I took back off I realized how great I felt.  My legs were loose and fresh and I was comfortably holding a mid 7min mile!  I knew this was dangerous, knowing I had to run the last 8 at a sub 7min pace, but I was feeling so good I just kept on.  At mile 10 I was still feeling amazing and decided I'd see if I could run the last 11 at sub 7.......I came close.  I ran the last 9 at around a 6:50, the last two just over 7min.  Total pace was 7:15! By far better than anything I expected.  BUT......at what cost?

Injuries started setting in.  From this run onward I started battling aches and pains all the time.  I now realized that the plan states "easy" for the first part and then goal pace becuase pushing beyond this will break your body down to a point where full recovery is needed.......oops!  Knees ached, ankles felt weak, muscles were trashed.  The following weekends were challenged with IT band issues, and severe muscle pains in my right quad. It took 6 miles of the 23 miler (last big workout) before I loosened up.  I ran it well, but I knew something was a miss, and I needed help to get things in order before the race just 3 weeks away.  I took an extra day off and tried to run a measly 4 miles while traveling for work, but the shooting muscle pain in my right quad/hammy was too much to deal with and I was forced to rest the rest of the week. 

I decided to go see the same massage therapist Maura was using for her knee issues. He specializes in pain relief so I figured that was a good place to start.  It was basically paying for torture.  He used a lot of "cupping" therapy, which  is using suction to pull muscles apart in hopes of breaking things up and allowing blood flow to get into areas that need it.  Incredibly painful!  It seemed to work but even after a weeks rest and some therapy, I was still feeling like a beat up ol' truck.  I ran 3 days, dealing with the pain but then switched to Spin classes since that didn't seem to hurt.  I decided to go back for another treatment, fearing that I had a small muscle tear.  Doesn't look like anything is tore, but I'm likely overtrained.  I have spots in my quad where it feels like I have cement implanted.....not good.  It was decided that it was best to allow treatment to set for another two days, then do spinning two more days, then I'm traveling for work, so basically rest Wednesday and Thursday, a couple warmup miles on Friday to make sure I still know HOW to run, and then..........it's game time. 

Race:
The race itself follows some gorgeous areas of Charlevoix, MI, just 13 miles from where I grew up riding my bike.  It's an out and back course, fairly flat and has many spots where I can see Lake Michigan.  I get goosebumps just thinking about it.  My uncle, at 50+ is also running the marathon, my mom, a couple aunts and a couple cousins running the 10K.  My "EJ Boys" are going to be somewhere along mile 20 and my friend Jesse at either 18 or 23.  One friend, Scott, might actually run the last 3.2 with me......that should be cool.  Basically I'm trying to survive 20 miles becuase I know once I see them I'll be emotionally charged to make the final miles.  My mom scored an EJ Red Devils track singlet for me too and I read on the race website that the EJ HS Cheer Team is working the finish line.  I couldn't paint a better scenario to run a marathon if I tried.  The time is important, but there's something about all this coming together, my life of running down here and combining with all I love from home that's really special for me right now.  I just hope that I can remind my self of that for 26.2 more miles...............here I go. Thank you to all that believe in me and have supported me thus far......see you at the finish line!