From the Archives...
Curly's Marathon II
September 20th, 2009 - Pittsfield, MA
September 20th, 2009 - Pittsfield, MA
I completed my 45th marathon today, the 2nd Curly's Marathon.
After feeling as though I was demolished at this event in 2008, I had a goal of finishing under 5-hours this time around. In 2008, the event took me 5:54:36. This would be a challenge, and something I do not usually stress myself with (having a "goal" time).
The day was tremendous, and I felt great. Somehow though, in the first 5 or 6 miles, I missed a turn. I ran a ways before I turned around. By the time I re-entered the correct course, I was at the very back of the race. After several minutes, I caught my (at the time) 70-year old father. This was not great, but I felt so fantastically good that I wasn't really bothered by it.
A few miles later I caught Wuzzam, and we ran along the top and Berry Pond together. I pushed decently down the Turner Trail, lost Wuzzam but got to half-way just after 2:30:00. All I needed to do was run the same time for the second loop - yes, I would be tired, but I wouldn't have to run the extra mile or more.
I can still recall getting back to the top and knowing I would really have to push down the entire Turner Trail. I did, and finished under my 5-hour goal with a 4:59:27. I felt really, really good on this day. I have no idea how far I went out of my way on that first loop - but judging where I came back out on the course and who I was behind at that point, it was meaningful minutes. Keeping a positive attitude through it really helped, and I felt blessed.
After feeling as though I was demolished at this event in 2008, I had a goal of finishing under 5-hours this time around. In 2008, the event took me 5:54:36. This would be a challenge, and something I do not usually stress myself with (having a "goal" time).
The day was tremendous, and I felt great. Somehow though, in the first 5 or 6 miles, I missed a turn. I ran a ways before I turned around. By the time I re-entered the correct course, I was at the very back of the race. After several minutes, I caught my (at the time) 70-year old father. This was not great, but I felt so fantastically good that I wasn't really bothered by it.
A few miles later I caught Wuzzam, and we ran along the top and Berry Pond together. I pushed decently down the Turner Trail, lost Wuzzam but got to half-way just after 2:30:00. All I needed to do was run the same time for the second loop - yes, I would be tired, but I wouldn't have to run the extra mile or more.
I can still recall getting back to the top and knowing I would really have to push down the entire Turner Trail. I did, and finished under my 5-hour goal with a 4:59:27. I felt really, really good on this day. I have no idea how far I went out of my way on that first loop - but judging where I came back out on the course and who I was behind at that point, it was meaningful minutes. Keeping a positive attitude through it really helped, and I felt blessed.