As I sit here in my hotel room across the street from Lambeau Field, I realize that my life as a marathon runner is over. After yesterday's performance, I've decided to hang it up. My body is not built for the 26.2 mile trek that I did yesterday morning. I'll stick to 5k's, 10k's, and maybe half-marathons.
I arrived here in Green Bay on Saturday afternoon, picked up my "goodie" bag at the Lambeau Field Atrium and then headed to my hotel. I wasn't really sure what to expect. The race started at 7am with weather conditions were going to be ideal minus the 30 mile an hour winds. I didn't plan on the wind and had to buy a long sleeve shirt.
Saturday morning rolled around really quick and I was ready to go. The race started on Lombardi Ave, right in front of Lambeau. I found the three guys that were the pacesetters for the planned four hour marathon. Once the race got started, I was caught in the middle of the roughly 8000 half and full marathoners and it took a solid two minutes to get to the start line. I felt really good right from the get-go. I decided I wasn't going to listen to music until I started struggling and needed a boost.
As we ran through the streets of Green Bay, I was surprised by the support of the community. It was great to see all the people out in lawn chairs and some even drinking beer (Welcome to Wisconsin moment). I had a little potty break about 5 miles in and then had to catch up with the four hour group and then caught a a groove. After the half marathoners split with us, we headed for the river and that is where the pain began. Not quite the type of pain you would think of though. The wind was so intense that it forced me to really concentrate on not falling over.
I finally put some tunes on at the 13 mile mark and actually went ahead of the four hour group. I was feeling good and the music was definitely helping. We ran along the river for what seemed like forever and it wasn't easy. The wind brutal and I was trying to draft a little bit but it didn't matter. Right around the 19 mile mark the four hour group caught up with me and I tagged along but not for long. I think I lasted with them until the 21 mile mark.
Between the 21 and 24 mile mark I really struggled. My feet were throbbing and my legs weren't responding like I wanted to. Going in my longest run was 17 miles so this wasn't unexpected but I thought I could and would fight through it. I certainly didn't. Through these mile markers I probably walked 3/4 of the way and lost a lot of time. I tried to run a couple of times and there wasn't much left.
Right before the 25 mile mark I could finally see Lambeau again and all of a sudden my body decided I could run again. I caught a great song to finish to in "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (check out this father and daughter cover HERE). So I had I smile on my face as I ran towards Lambeau. Little did I know that we were headed for the tunnel and I was able to run a lap around the actually field. It was a pretty surreal moment. After the running around the field (I could've done the Lambeau Leap but legs said no thanks) I headed back to the tunnel and to the finish line.
I officially finished the marathon at 4:14 and 30 seconds. It was a Personal Record for me and I was excited about that though I didn't break four hours. I then headed back to the hotel (it's a couple of blocks away) and got some food and fluids back in me as I laid on the floor with my legs elevated on the bed. Overall, It was a good experience but I'll never be to feel the joy (or pain) of finishing another marathon.
Edit: Just got an email from the organizers that everyone ran a little over 800 feet further than the regular 26.2 miles. So I'll get the adjusted time here soon and it will be a little better than what I thought.
Now back to St. Paul to congratulate the baseball team on winning the MIAC Championship yesterday. I believe they will play the regionals at UW-Whitewater starting on Tuesday.
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