Marathon Me

Today was the Humpy’s Great Alaska Alehouse Marathon in Anchorage Alaska. The weather was absolutely perfect. It stayed in the 50s for the whole race, the humidity was low and it never rained.

The race started at 9am, which was noon in Texas, so it felt like a really late start to my body. The plus side was that I slept in until 7:30am (10:30 Texas Time). I ate a couple chocolate Hostess donuts (stored in the fridge, of course), drank a cherry Pepsi and had two cups of cereal. I lounged around for a little while then hit the facilities and then took a shower.

In honor of Paul Williams, I left my hotel at 8:43 and walked over to the start. I arrived with more than 10 minutes to spare. Which might have been a bit long, but I somehow endured.

A local sang the National Anthem and we go last minute instructions. The race would be about a half mile on the road and then head into the forest on a paved trail for the remainder of the race. For most of the race the paved trail was joined by a grass/dirt patch right next to it, so if you didn’t want to run on the asphalt you didn’t have to.

Looking at last year’s times I figured I would be in the Top 10-20 people, so as is my custom, I lined up near the front.

We headed down West 6th Avenue and then turned right onto H street, followed it down a hill (which we would have to go back up at about 25.5) to 3rd street, made a left onto West 2nd and then headed for about two blocks leading us to the trail head of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

I went out prety fast in the first mile just to get things going, my patent “Fly and Die” strategy. Close to mile 1, last year’s winner Pete Pounds, came up and we chatted for about 30-45 seconds before he dropped me like a bad habit.

I felt great for the first mile, knocking out a 6:14, but then started feeling a little tired and had to dial it back a little bit, I’d stay under 7 minute miles for 4 miles, but then stay bouncing around above/below.

0-1: 6:14
1-2: 6:35
2-3: 6:45
3-4: 6:51

Between miles 4 and 5 you get a minor hill that was about a 50 foot climb over about a half mile. So not too bad, but you definitely noticed you weren’t running totally flat anymore.

4-5: 7:13
5-6: 6:50

From mile 5.5 to 6 you pick up a 75 foot hill, which would be the biggest on the course. The plus side was you’d eventually get to run down both of these hills.

The marathon follows the Coastal Trail for a mile and a half to the “Y” at Westchester Lagoon, where it bears to the right and continues to follow the Coastal Trail to approximately Mile 7.3, past Earthquake and Point Woronzof Parks, to a turnaround point.

I was feeling pretty good, and was going to try for a 1:30 / 1:31 first half of the marathon and then would just hang on. I wanted to go under 3:20, and after about 10, I figured I’d be able to hold it for a little longer and make a run at another Boston Qualifier.

6-7: 6:55
7-8: 7:00
8-9: 6:56
9-10: 6:49

Somewhere around mile 10-11 or so you come to a turn around and get to see the leaders. At this point I had dropped down into about 5th place, but still felt solid for my target half marathon time.

10-11: 7:14
11-12: 7:06
12-13: 7:25

I came through the half marathon in about 1:30:30 or so. There were some rolling hills but most of the them place on the way out, so after you turn around the last major hill would be at mile 25.5.

For the next few miles, I just stayed focused on knocking out some miles. I started regretting the bad Chinese food from the night before, and was trying to see how long I could hold off the pit stop. The bigger problem was the lack of porta-potties. I picked it up for a couple miles going downhill to get some time in the bank for when I knew I’d pull off.

13-14: 6:56
14-15: 6:47

I had to back off a bit to regain control, and that lasted for about 3 miles.

15-16: 7:12
16-17: 7:18
17-18: 7:28

About mile 18.5 I finally see a Gold Shinning Light, the clouds part and rainbows come out and shine on the magic porta-potty. I jump inside and take care of business.

18-19: 9:34

Well, that was a painful mile. I drop it into a fast gear and have a couple good miles. I’m calculating that if I can run 7:30s I should be able to still sneak under 3:10 and get another Boston Qualifier. The next 3 miles come easy after sitting down and taking it easy. Hahah

19-20: 7:11
20-21: 7:33
21-22: 7:20

I’m still on target for 7:30 getting the good time, I stick right on 7:29s, then the hills from the beginning come back and I lose 10 seconds and then the final hill falls and I’m back in town with only a few blocks to go.

22-23: 7:29
23-24: 7:29
24-25: 7:40
25-26: 7:36

I put it on auto-pilot and as I’m heading towards the finish line I see Shelley and Christopher and get a big smile on my face.

26.2: 1:32
——-
3:09:20

So State #43 is now in the bank. Seven more states and DC to go and then I’ll have completed the 50 states. Hopefully sometime next year.

We headed back to the hotel, showered and changed, then went back to Humpy’s to pick up my 1st place age group award, which was a really cool coin minted by the Alaska mint.

This race was great, the weather was perfect, and if you need an Alaska marathon, I highly recommend it. Even if you already have Alaska, this is a great race to do.

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Tags: Marathons, On the road again..., Race Reports //