What a trip. What a town. What a race. Sioux Falls, South Dakota offered exactly what I expected in weather, scenery, hospitality, and a flat fast course.
Chris and I arrived at The Sheraton around 11:30pm Friday night. He had driven all 14 hours and truly is a Road Warrior. With giant headwinds in Oklahoma and some hard rains also, our destination was a welcome sight.
The Sheraton was just a 9-iron from the Starting Line at Howard Wood Field so the 6:45am start on Sunday would be easy to handle. As we checked in I noticed a Special Sioux Falls Marathon Buffet flier for Saturday night. This was another welcome sight to all the still wild thoughts running through my running mind. Our room was on the 3rd floor and was 338. I joked with Chris that 3:38 would be a great time, a PR, but NOT what we had come here for. Honestly, we were both here to Boston Qualify (3:24:59) and even though he would not be running, we both quickly got serious and put our game faces back on. Much needed rest came next.
After waking at 9am, we got ready to find some grub, pick up race packet, and look at the course. We found a local place, Bagel Boys, for a breakfast bagel sandwich and very collegey crowd. University of Sioux Falls and Augustana College are the higher learning centers of the town, so it really has a youthful feel from that. The roads are definitely all runner/ cycle friendly with plenty of hills. This concerned me as we drove since hills were not what we expected.
Packet pick up was at Scheels Sporting Goods in the parking lot. It was well organized and had very friendly volunteers working. They informed us of the BIG High School Football Game that night at Howard Wood Field, invited us to GU samples, directed us inside to verify my chip, and made us both feel very welcome. We looked around a bit inside, but did not need to spend any more cash than we already had.
We decided we had time before the Texas Aggies v Florida game came on to drive the course. Some of the course was on streets, like the first 9 miles. After that it was mostly "Bike Trail" and we would only see from a distance. The Downtown portion was on streets, but was not fully drivable since German Fest was happening. We stopped in for a Sauerkraut Topped Brat and a look at Falls Park. This was by far the most beautiful part of the course.
It was good to get back to the room to relax, watch The Aggies, snack, and snooze. After the game, please no comments on the A&M intro to the SEC, we headed to Hy Vee for some Gatorade, bananas and bagels. I thought those were good choices for my "breakfast" on race morning since the room had no toaster for a waffle. We found out the answer to a question Chris and I were asking since arriving..."What NFL team do these folks get behind?" The cashier told us it is the Vikings, although there were a few trickles of Bears, Packers, and Chiefs.
Pasta Dinner at the Sheraton was good. There was Salad, Bread sticks, Corn (with BACON), and a choice of Red or White Sauce. We chatted about strategy for the race, relaxed, and had several plates. I expected many more runners, but we were there later in the buffet 5p-9p window. We exchanged some "knowing nods" with a few and had several "elevator chats" with others, but that was all.
In the room later, I prepared my race wear and nutrition. I was packing 5 Powerbar Gels and would eat a 6th right before race start. The fact that there would be no "waking up early" to fight traffic getting to the starting line was HUGE. Thumbs up to my buddy Chris for making this great choice. It was bed time and even though there was a good close Nebraska v UCLA game on, we both turned in early.
I had never run this distance, in training or racing, without stopping for a "restroom break", so let's just say this was the reason I wanted to wake up at 5am. (if you know what I mean) Well, without going into TMI, it worked! I felt ready to go and ready to step where my body had never gone before. The sustained pace I would need to reach BQ was 7:49/ mile. My training had speed work and tempo runs with this pace and faster, but NONE for more than 10 miles. Was this right? Was it good enough? Was Sioux Falls the place where weather, course, and competitiveness would come together and just be right. I prayed God would give my body the strength needed to find out.
It was chilly as we walked to the start line at Howard Wood Field. I wore my Runner Shop long sleeve over my white tank and again was thankful for Chris as he was there to take it before the start. I shot my gel, took a swig of water, and after an awesome National Anthem we were off. I started the race in the second row of the 267 runner field. Chris said to let these fast runners do the work and not to get too caught up with a cool crisp pace. These guys and gals just looked fast.
It was 46 degrees as we headed east. My fingers were all that was cold. The first 6 miles had some small gradual climbs. They felt good and really got my body warmed up. The scenery here was not interesting and there was no runners around at my pace to really chat with. I needed to find my cruise like Chris told me. Settle into a comfortable pace and conserve for later. I felt like 7:41 was that, so I will list that pace with my splits.
1. 7:13 Fast and getting passed (7:41)
2. 7:26 Cool temps are great 14:39 total (15:22)
3. 7:31 More slow climb 22:09 total (23:03)
4. 7:28 Passed by Little Patrick from Ohio & Chatted some 29:37 total (30:44)
5. 7:27 Sun is rising and getting stronger 37:03 total (38:25)
6. 7:24 Headed towards northern most part of course 44:27 total (46:06)
Heading West into the sun was tough. I did not wear my glasses or cap because I did not want to worry about them later. Sweaty stuff would only be a bother, so I fought it for a mile. Chris had also been busy driving and staying ahead of me to take pictures and offer support. I remember him at around miles 5 and 9 early. He had some Lemon Lime Gatorade, my favorite, in small bottles to give along the course. He was working hard and seemed to always be there when I needed something. He even lifted my spirits in a VERY long open stretch on the bike trail with some simple honks of the car horn. I could see him driving along the road and knew he was trying to stay ahead to help.
These bike trail miles were along a levee. They were lonely. They were void of view, race workers, and many runners. Miles 10-15 were just tough.
7. 7:22 Straight into the rising sun 51:49 total (53:47)
8. 7:12 Good water stop at Harley Davidson shop and downhill 59:01 total (1:01:28)
9. 7:28 Finishing up with road miles and headed to Bike Trail 1:06:30 total (1:09:09)
10. 7:39 Levee Bike Trail Run 1:14:09 total (1:16:50)
11. 7:39 Just trying to cruise at 7:40 or so 1:21:48 total (1:24:31)
12. 7:28 Chris was here along with some other support 1:29:16 total (1:32:12)
13. 7:39 Nearing the halfway point 1:36:55 total (1:39:53)
14. 7:43 Headed straight South. Honk from Chris along Minnesota Ave. 1:44:38 total (1:47:34)
15. 8:01 Off the trail and past the Penitentiary. 1:52:38 total (1:55:15)
As we went past South Dakota State Penitentiary, I did get to chat with some runners who had the same BQ goal as me. It was fun running downhill towards town and taking in a great view.
"Embrace the downhill" was shouted as I remember.
Chris was there at the bottom and was offering encouragement to a girl who was having trouble. He ran along me and gave me a splash of Gatorade. He told me to CRUISE. I was trying to find that level and just could not get comfortable. I was trying!!!!!
He also gave me an extra Powerbar Gel as I though I just may need it later. I'm glad I did.
There was life downtown. People and runners and walkers. This is where the Half Marathon Course joined us for the rest of the race. Some Marathoners may not like the runners and walkers of the Half Marathon Craze, but I embrace them! Heck, that was my start as well.
South on Main through town and looping back North to get to Falls Park, I was excited to see this again.
I did not get to vote for The Best Water Stop, but the team of kids just on the other side of the Falls were by far the most energetic and numerous.
THEY HAVE MY LATE VOTE!!!
The Falls and Downtown made up most of miles 16-20. Now that we are home in Texas, I really wish we had more time to discover Sioux Falls. It really does seem to be a great destination.
16. 7:24 Downhill!!!!! 2:00:02 total (2:02:56) 8 miles per hour for 2 hours.
17. 7:39 Encouragement from Chris along the way here. 2:07:40 total (2:10:37)
18. 7:35 Back North towards Falls Park. 2:15:15 total (2:18:18)
19. 8:02 Through the Falls and back into Downtown. Stopped to get Powerbar Gel down and get some extra fluids. 2:23:17 total (2:25:59)
20. 7:42 Transition back to Bike Trail 2:30:59 total (2:33:40)
Twenty Miles! This is a benchmark for me. This is the 6th time for me to be at this mileage and now the fastest. I looked at my Garmin and began to believe that this was going to happen. I felt good Cardiovascular and the legs were beginning to feel tired, but that is what happens, right?
Then it happened. As I was striding with my right leg to get up on a sidewalk, the right calf twinged....is that a word? It was close to the feeling that same calf gave me two years ago that put me out for a few months. It scared me and then it went away. It slowed me down for a bit as I did not want to injure myself. I think I cried out also. This began my Death March to the Finish Line.
Six Miles. A simple training run. I had about 53 minutes to bring it home. I began calculating in my head if this would happen and how. My head/ brain was not very clear but I just know I had to get this done. I was so glad Chris had given me the extra Powerbar Gel. I had two remaining and soon took one around the end of Mile 22. Water/ Powerade stops were more frequent in the last six miles and I tried to take in as much as I could. I slowed to a walk or stop at a few to try and get as much down as possible. My one small complaint for the race would be the plastic cups that did not bend well and cracked. Paper would be my choice, but this is very minor.
Six Miles. Just a little training run up Matlock Road to McGarry Street and back. That is all. Simple.
Death March Engage.
That feeling in my right calf came back and shared with the left calf. I think it was cramping. I have not had it before. It came and went. It slowed me to a walk many times. It made me scream out a few times. It made me wince and grimace as I passed Half Marathoners, like to two girls with the matching "mesmerizing shorts". I pushed on. I tried to run fast. I had to run fast. I had to make 3:24:59.
I ate my final Powerbar Gel around mile 24. I knew I would need one more. I tried to run fast. I had a bottle of water Chris had given me, but know I would need more. I tried to run fast, but the cramps would come. I slowed. In small uphills, the cramps came. I tried to run fast. I needed one more Gel. Would I have to ask a fellow runner for a Gel? I was ready to do this. I was ready to beg. I was at the mercy of the course and had no idea what to do.
Then, like an Angel, at around the mile 25 marker, there was Chris. I think he had parked on the access road of HWY 229 and ran down the embankment to a 10 foot fence along the trail. I yelled I needed a Gel and a new bottle of water. Like a vendor at The Ballpark in Arlington, he tossed them perfectly to me and I never even had to break stride. He told me I was doing great and to speed up. I tried to run fast. I headed under the highway, ate the Gel, washed it down, and moved toward the rest of the run. I tried to run fast.
I passed the 26 mile mark and turned North on Oxbow Avenue. The finish line loomed in the distance. I tried to run fast. My calves would not let me. I still tried. The finish line would not get closer. I looked at my Garmin. I STILL could make it. I had time. I tried to run fast.
I don't remember too much more. Marathon runners were on the left. Those last few yards were brutal and glorious. The race announcer called out my Name, Number, and Hometown. That felt great. People were cheering. I tried to run fast. I saw the race clock on the left and I swear it read 3:24:59. I lunged for the line and the timing mat. My calves sprung again and I think I yelled and nearly stumbled. I took a few steps and stopped the Garmin (3:24:12).
21. 8:16 Feeling the calves reject fast running 2:39:15 total (2:41:21)
22. 7:55 Can I keep this pace? 2:47:10 total (2:49:02)
23. 8:42 Stopped to let calves calm down. Trying to run fast. 2:55:52 total (2:56:43)
24. 8:25 Winding Bike Trail with shade. 3:04:17 total (3:04:24)
25. 8:44 Slowest mile of the day. 3:13:01 total (3:12:05)
26. 8:17 Thanks for the Gel Chris. 3:21:18 total (3:19:46)
0.37 7:48 Trying to run fast. 3:24:12 total (3:21:26)
The Finish Area was small, but perfect for this size race. There were plenty of volunteers handing out medals and more than enough water and Powerade. A volunteer put the medal on my neck and I stopped to rest by a drink cooler. I was overcome with all that had happened. I had run the race I had dreamed of. My calves were in pain. I could hear Chris yelling "You did it", but I just needed to lean on that drink cooler.
Jon Walker, from the Argus Leader, asked if he could help me and talk with me. I told him a bit about myself and he took his time to make sure I was OK. He asked "Why Sioux Falls?", when he heard we were from Texas. I replied, "Because the weather and course were supposed to be perfect for Boston Qualifying." He asked if I did and I told him I thought so.
Turns out there were many records broken Sunday at this flat, fast, perfect weather course.
The winner, Justin Gillete ran 2:30:10 beating the old mark of 2:31:14.
The female winner was not too far behind him. Kelly Brinkman ran 2:50:38 and annihilated the old mark of 3:14:09.
The food area was small but had all I needed. Bananas, Chocolate Milk, Smoothies, and a Sprite. Chris and I talked with several other finishers. Brett (3:20:11) from Wisconsin (NO JOKE), was a 22 year old who ran near me some of the way. He was starting his 50 State Trek and this was his 5th Marathon/ State. I told him to keep running and that I wished I had started that young. Little Pat (3:21:20) from Ohio stopped by. He had stomach issues and slowed so he did not puke. He seemed a bit put off by his finish time. One other runner told us he was running his first Marathon in over 20 years. He had run in High School, stopped, and was back at it now. Finish Line Areas are so inspiring.
I soon talked with Kathy on the phone. We all had been signed up for Time Tracker, a service that sent texts of Time Splits, but had yet to send the finish result. She finally confirmed the time with the official results. Her excitement made me miss her even more.
My finish ended up being 3:24:09, a 7:48 pace and new PR by 34 minutes. I was 47th overall and 7th in my 45-49 age group. This Age Group was won in 2:51:38 (WOW)!
My first 10K was 46:28 a new PR from 47:07. (I hate running 10K)
My half was about 1:38 a new PR from 1:40:37
My final 10K was 51:55. I was trying to run fast.
Chris got me to the car and back to the hotel. A fellow Sheraton Guest was doing the Marathon Hobble on her way in and we gave a SHOUT together.
After a shower, we packed, checked out, and grabbed some lunch at Chevy's Fresh Mex. Back to Texas and time to wait till Monday 9-17 at 9am when I can try and register for The Boston Marathon.
Sioux Falls South Dakota delivered as promised. Beautiful weather. Nice people. Flat and fast Marathon Course. Plenty of Marathon Volunteers. Not too small. Not too big. No chaffing or bleeding. Heck, I didn't even lose a toe nail.
