Strava Marathon (Bellingham, MA)
Finish Time: 3:59
Pace: 9:09
Temp: 67
Conditions: Indoors
Run For: Mike
Recap:
After a busy summer and just over a month removed from the last marathon, it was time to get back after it with another 26.2 for Mike for this marathon. Initially the plan was to run a marathon for Mike, sharing his story and hammering out 26.2 miles in honor of him. However, Mike’s story was not all about him, it was almost a story about his dad as much as it was about himself. After reading Mike’s story I knew I was going to run a marathon for him and then one for his dad. It only made sense to honor Miguel as well by running 26.2 in his memory.
Like I mentioned, it’s been a busy summer and my schedule hasn’t allowed for time on the weekends to dedicate the hours needed to cover 26.2 miles. Luckily this past weekend things seemed to open up, kind of, so I figured let’s see if we can do a double marathon weekend. Go big or go home, right?
Sunday was the 52nd Falmouth Road Race which I was planning on running so, like in years past, I would incorporate that 7-mile race into the marathon for Miguel, but more details about that for the next recap. Let’s just focus on Saturday for now.
The plan was to run the marathon for Mike on Saturday, at home on the treadmill, broken up into two parts. I’d run in the morning before heading to the cape (Falmouth) to the race expo to grab my race number as well as meet up with the team from UCONN. Each year a research study directed by the Korey Stringer Institute at the University is done in conjunction with the Falmouth Road Race. This year the research aimed to establish the influence of exercise, heat, body hormones, medications, and body cooling on the physiological outcomes surrounding the race.
Information from the study will contribute to improvements and advancements to health and fitness.
I’ve participated in this study for the past three years and it’s been awesome working with some pretty amazing people doing such good things in the exercise physiology field. Hopefully the research they are doing will help athletes moving forward and to play a small role in all of it is cool.
Getting up fairly early meant I was able to run a decent portion of the run, 16 total miles for the first part of the marathon. It was basically uneventful and I felt really comfortable keeping a consistent pace, which I made sure wasn’t too quick. I finished watching the stage recaps from the Tour de France so that kept my mind distracted for the two plus hours running on the moving belt. After that it was time to drive, hit the expo, then drive back (or more accurately) sit in traffic while making my way home to jump on the treadmill again to finish up the remaining 10 miles.
One thing I conveniently forgot about was the total amount of time I’d be sitting in the car, driving to the expo and back. Normally it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but after running 16 miles, then quickly transitioning to sitting and driving, my legs were not happy. After getting home, I refueled and had to spend a fair amount of time, stretching and loosening up before getting back on the treadmill to run. My legs were not very happy but once I got a few miles into the second part of the run things seemed to feel “normal” again.
My pace was actually a little quicker for this part, but it was shorter (10.2 miles) so I knew I could push a little more and wasn’t going to be on this run for long. Plus, I really didn’t want to wait any longer because I knew I needed to optimize my recovery time with the next marathon being the very next day with an early start. I wanted to give my body as much down time as I could.
More cycling helped my push through this one and I even did some runners math with about a mile to go, picking up the pace so I could sneak this one in under the four-hour mark. The math worked and I even had 13 seconds to spare. After that small victory my focus shifted to hydration, recovery, and preparation for Sunday… oh yeah and sleep, which looking back, I failed miserably on.
Sticking with this marathon, it went well and I was able to run this one without any issues or surprises. I was happy with how I felt, how it went and who it was for. For those who know Mike, what I’m going to say is nothing new. Mike is one of the nicest, happiest, and honestly most chill guys I know. I first met Mike a few years ago when he signed up to run the Chicago Marathon with Team Challenge. He was on the team and getting to know him and meet him was a real honor, knowing he was a patient dealing with IBD. At the time I first met Mike, I didn’t know about what his dad went through so his story was even more touching when he shared it with me for 26.2 For You.
I clearly remember being out on the Chicago course, coaching when Kat and I ran into Mike and as he came up to us, he was smiling ear to ear when every other runner around him seemed miserable. It was warm and no one’s race was going exactly as planned, but Mike was just so positive and really upbeat. I was impressed by his attitude at that point in the marathon and he was just so nice and thankful. It left a lasting impression on me and I remember thinking to myself, I’m so glad he is here on this team and doing what he’s doing, running and soon finishing the Chicago Marathon.
Mike has been through a lot in his life, and like many I know in the IBD family he has a very positive demeanor when he probably shouldn’t. I know it sounds weird to say, but life has thrown some hard stuff his way that should leave him bitter, angry and even resentful, but he’s the complete opposite. It’s something I truly admire and try to emulate myself when life isn’t always being cooperative at times. Mike is the perfect example of working hard and being resilient while still showing care and compassion for others. He does it all while maintaining that positive outlook. It is inspiring to say the least.
Mike, it’s been an honor to run for you, to share your story and to have a front row seat seeing you run multiple marathons for Team Challenge. You are more inspiring than you know and you definitely helped motivate me to run for you, and your dad over the weekend. This marathon was for you!
26.2 FOR YOU 