Death Before DNF...

In search for my next challenge (after the Tobacco Road Marathon on March 15, 2015), I found Death Before DNF 50 miler.  I have copied and pasted some info from the website.  I have a lot of training to do, but for now, here's the info...

When: August 15th, 2015
Where: Briar Bottom Camp Ground
Why: "People would do well to have more failures in their lives" - Laz
How: Only you will find that out...
What: BLACK MOUNTAIN - 
DNS Marathon
Drop to 50 Miler 
DNF 100 Miler 

This course is pre-marked with maps that will be provided with in order to traverse the loop. We are looking at a 25ish mile loop that climbs, and ascends, and climbs, and ascends, and gets hard, then gets harder! We are taking a "Page" out of the Barkley's Book by placing a single set of items at the turnaround checkpoint that you need to complete. The details of that completion will only be told once you arrive at the destination. The only aid station is what you bring with out on the trail as you will be able to restock once you get back to the Start/Finish Loop. If you decide to continue back out onto the loop we will add another challenge upon your decision. If you refuse the challenge you will be given the resounding DNF label on your result list along with many others. This challenge is designed to awaken the soul and the mind in pushing your perceived limits beyond the intangible. If you accept this challenge you are braver than I. That is why I am on this side of the event. I envy your participation none the less...Our main objective is to challenge the mind, body, and soul in hopes to change you. Make the individual better through a test of courage and failure. Through failure we appreciate success. Without one you simply cannot have the other.

P.s. You will not get an award for winning. Those who challenge themselves to the fullest extent will take something from this day that will not be taken away from them ever...

Never Forget.

My tribute...9.11 miles logged running today for those who gave all, their families, and those who are still giving.

Wine Grapes

The attendant said "We just released two new wines, Peach, and Blackberry".  My wife taste tested both, and picked the Peach infused Shelton Vineyards wine.  Now to go back to our hotel room (at the same facility) and prepare for in the morning when I will be off for my second attempt to "Run the Vines" of the Shelton Vineyards.  

Morning came, breakfast past, and there I was on the starting line.  I made sure I was a few rows of people back from the actual front, but close enough to the center to make it through what appeared to be a narrow starting chip timing shoot.  The race started a few minutes late, but soon I was forcing myself to slow from a 7 minute pace to a 7: 40ish pace.  Prior to this morning, I've mostly been training at long distances, but today, I would hopefully cash in some stock in the periodic speed and hill work over the past month.  

The course started in the hotel parking lot, took a right turn onto the adjacent roadway, and then trekked straight along some rolling hills for about the first 3 miles.  Somewhere near mile 3, the course made a 90 degree left turn into an actual house/property section, with wine grape rows on each side of the drive.  Just before making the turn, I took note of the police car, with the race leader not far behind, already traveling away from the turn I was about to make.  I tried to take in the beautiful view, but was soon distracted by the steep hill leading up to a plantation style house.  With a counter-clockwise circle drive turn around at the top, I was headed back down the hill.  I was able to gain a little momentum and a bit of encouragement as I met all the runners who were behind me prior to the turn.  To my surprise, I spied a few runners who I anticipated would have been way ahead of me.

The course pretty much was all declines and inclines from here on out.  I ran mile 4 almost all down hill, not really passing anyone, but maintained a respectable pace.  After that, miles 5-finish were 90% uphill, except for the last half mile or so.  I was encouraged that I did not slow down much, and even picked off a few younger looking runners.  I took water at the last stop, and made my way up the final accent, then turned left onto the last portion of highway before reaching the main entrance to Shelton Vineyards.  Just before the entrance, with about .2 to go, I kicked in what I had left in my gas tank and passed approximately 5 people, most of which were my senior, so I didn't get too excited.

I was motivated as the finish line clock came in to view and I was able to make out 47 minutes and something.  Yes, I forgot to stop my watch, but the official results link is below.  

At the 10 k awards, the 40-49 age group winners came and went without my name leaving the announcer's mouth.  My wife and I made our way back to the parking lot, where she had drove ahead to watch me finish, and we were off to enjoy the rest of  the day in Mount Airy (commonly know as the Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show).

The Wine - Spending a weekend away in the beautiful countryside of northwestern NC with my wife of 20 plus years.  

The Grapes - Well, I must say my second attempt at Running the Vines was bitter-sweet.  Bitter in that I did not run as fast as I wanted, but sweet that in a two years I shaved off 59 seconds from my total time from 2012.  

Official Results:
Time- 47:46:50
Pace- 7:42
AG-12 of 27
Overall- 41 of 208

Results Link- http://sheltonvineyards5kand10k.itsyourrace.com/results.aspx?id=315

The Ebb, Flow, & Snow

The temperature was 43 degrees, wind speed around 12 mph, and rain fell as I watched the steady stream of runners dotted with umbrellas, ponchos, trash bags, and such, headed towards the Starting Line of the 17th Annual Myrtle Beach Marathon.  At 0610 am, February 15, 2014, I peered out my hotel room window, while thinking how happy I was for deciding to splurge for our last minute reservation at the only hotel located at the race venue (Hampton Inn, Broadway at the Beach).

Armed with a Garmin on each wrist, a heart rate monitor, dressed in my black CW-X Endurance tights, a black dri-fit Fleet Feet t-shirt, and covered by my Sheddable Shell disposable jacket, http://sheddableshell.com/.  My feet were socked by Balega socks and placed snug inside my Asics GTX 2000 Trail Shoes.  You read that right, I opted to wear my trail shoes made with Gortex material so they would drain and dry from the rain.  And let me not forget my Tifosi Running Glasses and my old faithful neon yellow Nike running hat.  About half past 6, I headed out in the blowing rain to claim my spot among approximately 10,000 marathon/half marathon runners, http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1008013#.UwLGV2JdXj4.

After meeting up with a handful of North Carolina Troopers there to run the marathon as well (all were returning MBM marathoners, but me), I couldn't find DM Friend Brad G. in the crowd, so I took my place, started my GPS watch satellite finder, and anticipated the start of my first sanctioned marathon.  I've ran a 50k, but never an official marathon.

Miles 1-12

My pace stayed between 8:40ish and 9 minute miles as planned.  I also shed my disposable rain jacket within the first mile or so after the rain ceased.  The marathon's first few turns led by the Pelican Park/Finish Line Chute Entrance, out to King's Highway toward the south end of Myrtle Beach.  A few more turns and miles, and the route took the runners down the main drag running parallel to the ocean.  Now running north and somewhere along this area, I had a brief conversation with an older gentleman named Vince from Ontario.  I noticed Vince due to his grey hair and older look.  I shared with Vince the fact that I always kid my wife about wanting to be that "old guy" running when I'm 70.  Well, come to find out, Vince was 70.  We talked a few minutes, encouraged one another, and I told Vince farewell and wished him luck completing his half marathon adventure.  Yes, both half-marathon & full marathon runners left at the same time and location, but the half-marathoners split off the route around 12 miles to headed back towards Pelicans' Park to the Finish Line.

Somewhere around mile 11

From a physiological standpoint, I felt well rested, and strong in my pace of sub-9 minute miles.  Every 2 miles I hydrated with fluids and electrolytes.  At miles 5 & 10, I fueled with a Huma Energy Gels made with chia seeds and other natural ingredients.  

Miles 13-20

Who flipped the switch was what I was asking myself.  Almost like clockwork, as I hit miles 13 and beyond,  there was an appreciable drop in my energy levels.  I didn't feel like I was bonking, but my body was almost saying to me...you've reached the distance you've trained at/for, so why are you not hitting the stop time button on your Garmin.  As a result, somewhere between miles 15 and 20 I incorporated some walk breaks to include, but not limited to the hydration stations.  During this segment, I remember seeing a woman sitting on the cement curb, hole torn in her black running tights, and a quarter size bloody gash in her knee.  Needless to say, she looked like she was a DNF and was being assisted by the MBM staff.  Ouch.  Again, at miles 15 & 20 I fueled with Huma Energy Gels.

Miles 21-24

Still trying to minimize the damage of my energy loss/slower pace, I tried to push where I could and walk where I could not.  I will have to say at somewhere along these miles, I reminded myself I was not competing as a professional athlete and just finishing the marathon was a huge accomplishment for a 41 year old male.  Somewhere around mile 23, I fueled with the last item left in my 2 bottle Nathan Hydration waist pack, a package of Extreme Sports Beans with Caffeine, watermelon flavor.

Miles 25-Finish

I passed a Myrtle Beach Police Officer, who I had thanked for what he was doing earlier in the race.  This officer now returned the nicety and said " You better keep going Trooper, you're almost there."  I was encouraged by his words and continued towards the finish.  At some point, I found myself running between Jersey Barrier type partitions, which formed the funnel to the Finish Line.  I crossed the line with no increased, or burst of energy, but remember one of the volunteers saying "You can stop running now."  Just then, another volunteer placed a MBM Finishers' Medal around my neck.  It was over, my first official marathon.

My take:

Although I was disappointed with not running a sub-4 hour marathon, I was very happy about the fact I'm 41 and can traverse 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 19 minutes.  I do want to return for the 18th Annual MBM for a little revenge if you will, but in the interim...I'm going to focus on my base, work in a handful of half marathons, and try to run a full this fall.

My Stats:
Kelly Stewart, Newton, NC
Bib# 2219
10K Split- 58:07.5
13.1 Split- 01:57:36.2
18.3 Mi Split- 02:52:14.6 
Gun Time- 04:19:07.7  
Chip Time- 04:18:47.5 
Pace-9:53 41
Age Group-93 out of 155 
Overall- 708 out of 1620

The Snow:  Besides the 4-5 inches on my driveway before we left for the beach, it was the multitude of runners of all walks of life that ran with me, in front and behind me.  The hope of another race, and accompanying my wife as she completed her 1st Official 5k, The MBM Neon Night 5k the night before my marathon.

My Wife & I after completing her first 5k together