3 - ONE MARATHON DYNAMICS RUNNER’S AMAZING STORY!

Last fall, one of our newer runners, Patrick Trainor, ran a stupendously great race at the Chicago Marathon to cap off an unbelievable season of challenge & conquest. He penned a post-race report that I was so moved by that I asked him for permission to run it in our next e-newsletter. Turns out we didn’t actually do an official winter edition…so here it is, one season later—enjoy!

Hey all:

I don't usually give marathon race reports, but I received a number of well wishes before the race and congratulations after the race so I thought I would share a few unique moments of Chicago 2006.  As most of you are aware of by now, last year I felt I was going to beat 3 hours for sure - it was in the bag.  It was going to be my third attempt at getting below 3 hours and I was confident--more so than any other race.

However, on race day, for whatever the reason, I just didn't have it. Despite tapering, there was general lack of energy and the 26.2 miles I ran were just down right painful, mentally and physically.  My heart rate rarely dropped below 175 - it was a struggle and led to some disappointment despite being a personal best (PB) of 3:02:01.  Shortly after, I start going for tests only to find out about my non-Hodgkin's lymphoma – my "little bug".  Did this cause me to miss my goal?  I don't know - maybe, maybe not.  But when we all set goals, we like to achieve them - I guess I am no different and I wanted this goal.

When I started chemo in January 2006, I set out with several goals for the coming year.  From a sports/ activity point of view, my goals were threefold:
1.      beat cancer
2.      compete in the July 2006 Lake Placid Ironman
3.      go to Chicago and take back what was rightfully mine - the sub 3 hour marathon run

Well, most of you know, in mid June, I was finished with my chemo and turned my attention to Ironman.  I can only say, it was one of the best experiences of my life - a shade slower than the year before, but for the first time, I didn't care.  I would take that experience any day. After Ironman was over, there was only the 3 hour barrier remaining, and I had in my mind - I was not going to be denied.

In August and September, I put in more miles than I have ever run before.  I was able to hook up with a Marathon Dynamics for their Tuesday evening hill and track works outs.  I had some great workouts
and met some superb people.  It was the first time I actually exercised and started to push my exertion and heart rate up since the previous October.  I continued my long runs, with my friend Ilias.  He was injured and slower than usual, somewhat fortunate for me as I seemed to be able just to keep up with him in his injured state.  I just didn't seem to have the speed I needed - we were a good pair.  The last 3 long runs, including the Scotia Bank half marathon, were very disappointing. I was tired, without energy and the jump we like to have and nowhere near where I needed to be.

Fast forward to race day: zero excitement, not looking forward to the race at all.  Cold weather, threatening rain, winds... I wanted to be anywhere else but running that day.  I was pretty much resigned, that I was not going to break my 3 hours.  I started to accept that there would be other days.  

As the gun shot, despite the huge crowds of runners and spectators, still no adrenaline rush.  I ran the first mile in 7.04, the next mile not much faster (I need to run 6:53) and my heart rate started to creep over 170,  “Great --slow start and high heart rate --this is going to be a long day”.

Shortly after I passed the two mile mark, I came across a lady, who had on the back of her white tank top, in dark blue, the word BELIEVE.  As I caught her, I struck up a conversation.  I told her my story and how the word "Believe" and "Livestrong" were my mantra for this past year.  I told her I really appreciated seeing it on the course.  We ended up running to the halfway point together.  She was targeting a 3:10 marathon, an improvement from her previous 3:24 and better than her 3:16 marathon she ran 12 years ago in Boston.  Since Boston, she had two kids, age 1 and 3 and seemed to be really busy.  When we went by crowds, she raised her hands and people screamed and cheered.  It was great, the time flew and I almost forgot about the race as I was chatting with her.

When I hit the halfway point, a few things I notice.   I was a shade under 1 hour 30 minutes (I was hoping to be about 1.27.30), but I felt calm, relaxed and full of energy.  It was like I had not started running yet and my heart rate was about 150 to 155 - this is all good!! 

At that point, I realized, I was going to break three hours and there would be no denying it this year.  I said to my new friend, I was going to pick up the pace a little and ended up leaving her.  She wished me luck as I did her.  If I could only capture the determination and resolve I had for that last half and be able to use it at will, it would be neat attribute to have.  I set forth and everything was falling into place.  At the 31 km mark, I felt a little twitch in my calf.  I immediately grabbed my salt pills and took some Gatorade but within 200 meters the little twitch, turned into a full-blown cramp.  Without panic, I stopped and massaged my calf for over a minute, and slowly started to run again.  The mind was determined, calf cramp "you are going to go away".  Within a couple of kilometers, I was back to full speed and feeling even more rested.  Away I went, last stop – finish line. 

As I approached the end, with time in hand, I almost skipped down the last two hundred meters of the race in front of tens of thousands of people.  Soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying every stride, it was unbelievable.  As I pumped my arm crossing the line -and pressed the stopwatch - 2:59.06 - a first time negative split for me and a sub 3 hour run- and energy to spare!!!!  The sporting goals for 2006 had been accomplished - what a rewarding feeling.

I waited at the Finishers line for less than 5 minutes, and my new friend from Pennsylvania came across the line.  I thanked her and congratulated her.  She was elated as she ran a 3.04. 

Oh, by the way, she had just broken a world record by over 20 minutes for a female runner with a prosthetic leg.  Amy and her story as a one legged runner will probably be carried in next April's Runners World, coincident with her arrival in Boston, where she will be going out to beat her 3:16 two leg PB time with only one other small goal--break 3 hours (wow, maybe I didn't set my expectations high enough this year?) 

Yes, lessons learned for all of us ---to achieve what we want to achieve, we just need to BELIEVE! Thanks for your congrats and well wishes.  Look forward to seeing you all soon.