Marathon #7: San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon, 1998

Inaugural Course

The Competitor group began with its first ever Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 21, 1998. It had a record-breaking inaugural headcount of roughly 18,000 participants, with the promise of live band performances at every mile. We had a huge contingent from our local running group running the full, and one 5 person relay team, which included my husband of 3 weeks, Toby Linder! For me, this was a good way to show off my "hometown" to my new husband and to get the opportunity to run a marathon in familiar territory.  We knew the Competitor group was biting off more than they could chew with their ridiculous headcount, so right away we knew to dial down our expectations of an organized race, and in my mind I knew I wanted to "enjoy the day", so no PR or Boston qualifying goals.

There were four of us who planned on running together, Me, Amy Jacoby, Kathy, and Nancy Scholberg (from our relay team Texas Roadkill).  We all wore the same outfit, Texas flag shorts and matching jog bras. Before the race start, which was delayed by over 40 minutes, I got separated from them and wandered about the corrals until I heard my name being chanted over and over in the distance. When I finally found them, the surrounding people started clapping and cheering. I'll never forget that ridiculous moment! It was already about 65 degrees, and the June gloom marine layer was already long gone. I assumed (correctly) that the water stops would be utter chaos, so I actually carried my own bottle for most of the race. Some water stops were either under-staffed or were quickly running out of supplies. The four of us only remained together until about mile 7 or so. Amy and I fell back as it continued to heat up. At this point the course was just hideous, as it ran along Sea World Drive out in the middle of nowhere. It also became obvious that there would be very little in the way of musical entertainment on the course as promised, but this did not surprise me. Still, as we approached the Mission Bay area the scenery improved. Somewhere around mile 14 or so Amy dropped off, but then I ran into Kathy and Nancy again. I can't recall how long we stayed together, if at all, but I do know Toby handed me a full water bottle somewhere along this stretch. From the beginning he was my hero!

The husband, 3 weeks in...

At around miles 18-19 we entered the on-ramp to the Pacific Highway (no I am not kidding), and exited near the Naval Training Center and actually ran inside the center for a bit. From there were ended up on North Harbor Drive, which was just stunning to run along. We actually ran along Harbor Drive all the way back into downtown San Diego, where the finish line was. The only glitch was at some point we had to run up (and then down) a make-shift plywood bridge, which isn't normally a big deal, but it proved difficult at miles 22-23. The finish was absolute chaos, but we were all able to find one another eventually.  (Times: Kathy 3:51, me: 3:58, Nancy: 4:03, and Amy: 4:12. Not bad for such a hot mess).

The first of many finish line photos with Kathy

Later that evening we ventured over to the cove (That's La Jolla Cove to you non San Diegans) with snacks and champagne to watch the sun set. A spectacular ending to a crazy day!

For what it matters, the course we ran in 1998 was never again replicated, and I believe it took them several years to dial in a course they felt satisfied with.  I like the map they have for 2015, and with a May race date, even better. Still, I'm glad we ran it and can tell people we were there when the Rock and Roll series began.

Marathon #6: The Houston Marathon 1998

Refer back to a previous blog titled, "The Marathons I Don't Want to Write about". That era began at this marathon, but in truth it began somewhere before then, clearly after the Cowtown marathon in 1997, where I had ran a 3:48 and confidently thought a 3:45 marathon on a flatter course would be a no-brainer. A lot of my friendswere either trying to qualify for Boston or had already qualified, so there was a lot of activity surrounding a potential group trip to Boston, hence a lot of pressure for me to qualify. Amy Jacoby had already qualified and really wanted me to go with her, so she volunteered to pace me at Houston. So before I even got to Houston it was decided that I was going to run an 8:30 pace, do or die. I would reach mile 20 at 2:50 elapsed time, and at that point Toby would run me in. It was going to go down like that, no matter what.

Flash forward to race day morning. It was 65 degrees and humid, very humid. Rational minds would say today was not that day, slow down and enjoy the ride. But no, dammit, I was going to make it happen. It was obvious to me from the start of the race that the pace was too fast for me in those conditions, but I refused to slow it down. Amy and I ran together and did indeed hit mile 20 at 2:49:59! We were killing it, but I could feel that it wasn't going to last. I could feel the cramping starting in and the impending doom...just waiting for the wheels to fly off! I had told Toby that if I was on pace at mile 20 to keep me going no matter what, but when I saw him I immediately said to ignore what I told him! I was unraveling! Amy went ahead, and Toby had to deal with the disastrous aftermath! The last 10K  took me 59 minutes. I would have to stop and catch my breath and/or fight off the urge to throw up. I ended up running a 3:49:54. Not only did I not qualify for Boston, but I didn't run a PR either. It didn't matter that I had finished yet another marathon. It was a huge disappointment. I wish I had more to add to the race day story, but truthfully it was all a blur. I'm still grateful for Amy for trying her best to get me there. She did end up finishing with a 3:45 that day!

Years later, when I ran Amelie in for the last 10K of her marathon at Houston I was surprised by how pleasant the scenery was. All I remember of the last 10K was concrete.  I have always considered Houston one of my least favorite marathons, but I don't think I've judged it fairly, since I don't remember most of it. As far as organization goes it was top notch and still is.

Here is a photo of us marathoners before the race. I want to point out a few things. First, this is the first marathon Kathy and I ran in together! Number 2221 with the short hair! Amy and I were still running for Run-On, hence her Run-On jog bra.I probably got in trouble for not wearing their apparel! Although in hindsight, maybe not, ha ha. The guys, all three of them dropped out of the race! Ok, I am not entirely sure about Tom, but I know Doug and Jim did. They dropped out and hung out at mile 20 with Toby. As Kathy ran by she yelled out to Jim to help her qualify, because she was struggling, and he did, and she did! (She had to run a 3:40 and made it).

I can't even bring myself to scan the pictures taken of me along the course. They are truly hideous. Oh perhaps I should scan just one and call it "therapy". Before you laugh just remember that we are all a work in progress...

closing my eyes didn't make it go away

The headband and the shorts..and the big clunky white shoes...oh my!

Perhaps I'll run this marathon again someday and come full circle with it. Oh and yes, get a medal. In 1998 we got nice glass beer mugs, but no medal. Sadly, I had the nerve to think I didn't deserve one that day, which was just wrong.