- By Ernest Joseph – April 2004
Have you ever been in the situation where you are just feeling so good about your marathon run and can’t wait to tell everyone about it? Well, I am not only feeling good, but I am ecstatic about the Jersey marathon on April 25th. The day was perfect, unlike last 3 years in a row when it had rained hard and strong wind was in our face all the way. There was some strong wind this year, but coming off the ocean and not in our face. I met up with Steve Joseph before the race and with Debbie and Shawn at the start. This was Herb Conrad’s first marathon at age 58 and Steve told me later that he looked good around mile 21. I am not sure how many were in the race, but it seemed close to 2000 for the marathon. My goal was to run 3:30 marathon and Steve was shooting for 3:45. Herb was in a win-win situation of running his first marathon and setting a PR.
First mile was in 8:15, which was our plan. Reached 10K in 48 min. (7:45 pace). Felt very relaxed and not pushing at all. Reached Half in 1:41 (7:45 pace). I was constantly checking the time every mile to make sure I do not go out too fast. At this point, I met up with two runners who were running interesting pace for a 3:30 marathon. They were running every mile at 7:30 pace, and at the mile marker they would stop and walk for 25 sec. I guess this way averaging 8 min. pace per mile for 3:30 marathon. I wonder how they did. I passed them soon. The next 7 miles I must have picked up the pace a little because I reached mile 20 in 2:33 (~ 7:40 pace). At this point the memory of NY came to mind, where after 23 miles I had started to cramp badly. No such mishap to report this time around. I felt strong and must have picked up 50 or so runners in next 6 miles before reaching the finish in 3:23 something. I was within a minute of my best time of 3:22 on the slightly different course in 2000 when the race was called Jersey Shore Marathon. I was happy to run the “textbook” marathon – first half in 1:41, followed by 1:42 second half.
And to top this effort off, I also scored a personal victory. At mile 25 or so, I saw this distinct neon yellow shirt of GNY team. As I started to gain on this runner, I realized that I was chasing Julio Aguirre. I have been chasing this 57 years old (and 9-year senior to me) unsuccessfully for ever in the Central Park races where he usually tops his age group. But today, I had his number. It took me 25 miles to chase him down. Most likely he will restore the order when we resume in the Park, but for once, it just felt so good. (Three weeks later Julio ran Queens half marathon in 1:25 on a hot Sunday).
Steve Joseph ran 3:41 (well within his goal of 3:45) and he was generous to share facilities at the motel with me (no Jeff, we ran together, not showered together). Herb Conrad ran his first marathon in 4:16 and he is satisfied with his time considering the first one at age 58 and happy with the experience. Few days later Herb commented that “Now that my legs and body have actually recovered, training for the fall marathon starts. I don’t know why, but I just can’t wait to go through this pain again. I am afraid I am becoming addicted.”
If there is a marathon, then you can bet there is going to be a runner in costume. Around mile 20, I saw someone running in a long blue dress about a minute ahead of me. I could not catch up with her, but after the 21-mile turn around point, I had a closer look. This was a young male cadet (I assume from the West Point Academy). When I said he looked great (and I meant his running form), he replied with a signature response of “thank you, sir.”
Overall, a very satisfying day and for a change something other than cramps, hot weather and bonking to talk about.
Reflections on Running & Life 