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...
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| 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.
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