Bryan Massingale

I traveled to Myrtle Beach for the marathon on 2/18 with hopes of a BQ and returned empty handed again, but I learned a lot about running/racing this weekend.  I had planned to have the family with me on this trip, but on Thursday it was apparent my stepson wasn’t going to be up to it, due to illness.  Since we only have one car right now, I went into panic mode and turned to the most logical solution for this conundrum, the good folks of DART.  It wasn’t long until I had secured transportation with Bobby Aswell, which was very much appreciated.  Little did I realize what a treat I was in for.  Being unaware of his running resume (except I knew he was faster than I was), he was gracious enough to share all kinds of thoughts, tips, tricks, suggestions, etc. on all things running.  I was like a sponge although I should’ve recorded our two ~4hr. conversations for reference sake.

My last day of running prior to the race was a quick 3m run through Davidson.  1m warmup/cooldown bookending 1m @MP.  I felt that my energy level was low and my breathing was a little off.  I thought perhaps my body was off because it was fighting off the sickness in the house all week.  I told myself that wasn’t the case though and it was just tapering thoughts anyway and I’d be fine.  This is certainly not an excuse, simply an observation.  I leave the hotel at 5:50a for a 15-minute walk to the start line.  I get to bag check and while in line get my gels stashed and body glide on.  I head over to the start line and fall in line just behind the 3:05 pace group.  While standing there I see the DART logo on the back of a white singlet in front of me so I walk up and introduce myself to Tommy Wagoner, who had an awesome race that day.  We chatted for a few minutes before the race and wished each other well.  A quick glance to the jumbotron revealed the starting temp to be 39, just about perfect I’d say.  With a loud blast, we’re off.

Heading down Robert Grissom Parkway the marathoners have to run across the median in the road to make the first (left) turn on the course, which was a bit strange and not something I remembered from last year.  After traversing that, I get back on the pavement and try to find my rhythm.  At the mile 1 marker, I’m one second OVER pace, gadzooks!  I’m already 0-1 for hitting my pace for Boston, sheesh it’s going to be a long race.  Luckily, I was able to pull it back together and get that second back on the next mile.  In fact, miles 2-10 all range from 7:09-7:13, so all is well at that point.  Just after mile 10 I see a green Vac n Dash shirt on the course and realize it’s Bobby Aswell, so I think, great a familiar face, this will be good.  I pull up next to him and ask, “How did you end up back here with us slowpokes?”  He informs me that he had to make a pit stop and is trying to find his rhythm again.  I can attest this is one of the hardest things to do during a race.  I know it doesn’t bother some people, but I don’t like to stop at all as I have a very hard time getting back to my target pace.  We run up Ocean Blvd. together for a while and I notice the temps are starting to increase.  It is around the split that I start trying to plot my plan for how/when to shed my gloves.  I would’ve done it immediately but I use them to hold my gels so I don’t want to have to hold them and deal with that at this point.  Alas, I’m overheating so I go ahead and make the adjustment and now the gloves are soaked and getting a ride on the waistband in the front of my shorts.  I’m way too aware of them for a while, but continue to run well for a bit.  The thought of grabbing and tossing them to the side of the road has crossed my mind more than once.  I never do it and they made it back to Davidson with me, they were lucky.  Through mile 16 I’m on track, but begin to feel the race.  This is pretty early for me to begin to have a perceived effort increase.  Mile 17 begins to show signs that my perception is becoming reality and I run a 7:20 mile, not acceptable.  Unfortunately, that’s followed by 7:22 and 7:19.  I never recovered.  Pace went downhill from here getting frighteningly close to 9:00 pace by the end.  I believe it was around mile 25.5 that the green Vac and Dash shirt passed me back and I never caught him again.

Here are the lessons I learned from this race:

• After running my 7th marathon, I’ve yet to run a complete race and finished strong
• Even if all the variables (weather, bathroom karma, etc.) work out in your favor, you’re not guaranteed a good race
• Running 26.2 miles is an accomplishment every time
• Disappointment of not achieving my goals motivates me
• My best races are still ahead of me
• I must train smarter to overcome my weaknesses
• I must become tougher mentally to push through the last 10k
• I like training and love racing
• No excuses, EVER

That’s all I have time for on this race.  Watch out when I do BQ and it’ll be a turn by turn manifesto.  Congratulations to all the other DARTers who ran in MB and achieved their goals.  You all are an inspiration!