Photos collected by Pokey:
Pokey and Spencer can run
Marathon finish line
Pokey accepts award
Rebel Chip Times:
Pokey - 2:43:50 2nd overall
Sit Down - 3:43:52 16th in age group
Loco - 4:00:36 1st in age group
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Onto the race:
The race started and Mike Monagle from the Delaware Running Company took off, as he was in the marathon relay.
Spencer, who was "hired" as my pacer, kept my pace in check so I didn't go out too fast. Within a couple miles,
we were alone in first and second place! Where'd everyone go...?
Spencer and I ran together and I felt great. He had to keep telling me to slow down and relax. Even with
his words, we were running 6:10 min. per mile, instead of 6:20. After about 8 miles, we were caught by
another marathoner, who had worked hard to get to us. Spencer asked if we should stay with him, and I told
him to just keep the pace we were running. "Don't worry about him, let's just run our race."
The new runner got ahead, but never got too far away.
After entering Cape Henlopen I started to feel the cold and wind affect my legs. Spencer offered to block
the wind for me, and I accepted. After 15 miles, I was starting to labor through the undulating and twisting
trails. After leaving the park, the 3 miles along the open road was straight into the wind. Even Spencer
couldn't help me. I dropped off the back and Spencer and our new challenger left me - at least for a bit.
After getting back into some protection from the wind around mile 18, Spencer waved for me to get back up
with him. After several surges I caught back up, but was hurting real bad. Holding a 6:15 pace for much
longer seemed impossible. I grudginly waved for Spencer to take off around mile 19 and leave me to deal
with my pain, alone. The new challenger did not react to his surge and Spencer left us so he could win
the race.
At mile 20, I started to feel a little stronger and decided to try to stay with our challenger. However,
everytime I tried to run next to him, he would surge. I could not react to his surges and resigned to sit
right behind him and use him as a pacer.
At mile 22, Tom Jermyn almost literally popped out of the woods and greeted me. He promised to run with me
for the last few miles and he didn't let me down. He started running with me and encouraging me. He
probably saw my fatigued look and my poor form (legs akimbo and head hanging to the side). I managed to
pass my challenger and he didn't react. Tom and I ran together and gapped the other runner. Several times,
I asked Tom, "How... far... back.. is...he?". Tom would look back and tell me. Each time, he was farther back.
Tom also acted as cruise director. He told where I had to turn and what to aim for. In addition, he gave
me the pace I needed.
With a quarter mile to go, he yelled at me to give everything I had. In my head, I said, " I ALREADY AM!!".
I took off down the boardwalk towards the finish and tried to sprint. However, my legs quickly cramped and
couldn't go any faster than my present pace. I came into the finish and collapsed against one of the
officials - me legs actively trying to cramp.
I knew I had just achieved a new personal record. Regardless of the event, breaking a PR is emotional,
and this was no exception. I hugged Spencer, who had finished 3 minutes ahead of me and thanked him
and Tom for their help. My achievement would not have been possible without them. Johnny Coco and
Shaggy were also a big help in handing me food and taking the clothes I didn't need.
I finished 2nd overall with a time of 2 hrs, 43 min. and 50 seconds - a personal record by 4+ minutes.
Congrats to the Philly marathoners. It was fun being a spectator for once. It brings a new perspective to racing.
See you guys out on the roads.... or at the bar.
--- Andy
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- Heart Rate Monitors, Watches, Shoes, Water Bottles
