August 12, 2012
This was my “I can’t believe I’m running a marathon” marathon.
I had started running in the spring of 2011, and entered my very first race – a 10K – at the inaugural Age of Sail Marathon event in August of that year. It was my first time running that distance – I hadn’t even done it in training before. I think I did it in 55 minutes, and I recall talking at the finish line to Mackie Ross, whose wife and daughters were also in the race.
“I can’t believe there are people who actually run marathons,” I told him, gasping for breath. “They must be crazy.”
One year later, here I was, back at the second annual Age of Sail event, running my very first marathon.
How I got there is fairly uneventful. After my 10K the year before, I was eager to continue on to the next challenge. I couldn’t wait to see what was around the corner. I continued to train and get in better shape.
At the beginning of 2012, I decided to map out some goals. Using online training programs, I determined it was possible I could train and be ready for a full marathon in August. Looking back, that was a bit crazy, but nobody talked me out of it. Along the way, I also planned to run my first half marathon at the Johnny Miles in New Glasgow. If that went poorly, I would rethink this whole marathon idea.
The half came and went, and things were going great. I loved the Johnny Miles. Why not go for it and try the marathon? I had nothing to lose. Having a marathon event right here in my backyard of Port Greville and the Parrsboro Shore made it even more appealing to me. So I signed up.
Finally, race day came, and it was go time. The start/finish line for the out-and-back course was at the Age of Sail Museum, about 2K from my house. I drove myself there and parked nearby.
The first water stop was located next door to my house, and my wife Marlene and kids Neale and Mackenzie were helping out there. I knew that it would also be my last water stop, and that seeing them would give me a much-needed boost.
I had no idea what I was doing. At that point, I had only two races under my belt – the 10K a year earlier, and the half marathon at the Johnny Miles. My goal was to simply finish this race.
Pacing? No idea. I was just going to run, and hope for the best. Fueling? I took nothing, and had only the water and Gatorade along the route.
As for the route, the Age of Sail had its challenges. Right at the start you get Mill Hill, a short but steep incline that quickly separates the leaders from the rest of the pack. The rest of the way brings some rolling hills –a couple of decent size – along Highway 209 to Parrsboro.
Perhaps the biggest challenge with this race was mental. Because of the small field and limited spectators, you feel isolated real fast. But it’s where I live and train, and it was pretty much all I knew back then. I was certainly used to running alone.
During its six years, the Age of Sail was a nice event with the small community charm that many enjoy. It offered a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K, and the marathon was a Boston certified route. It promoted the local museum and the heritage of the area, and donated proceeds to community organizations. A friendly post-run reception at the fire hall included live music and tasty chowder. But the event never drew big numbers, and the marathon field was usually around 10-15 runners at max.
I don’t remember much about the field on this particular year, other than Dave Nevitt of Dartmouth showing up and running away with it. Apparently there were 11 runners.
So how did my race go? It was about what one might expect from an inexperienced runner who was really not ready for a marathon. I remember feeling good for the first half, and struggling through the second, especially from around the 30K mark on.
I may have been inexperienced, but I wasn’t completely naïve to what kind of challenge I was in for. I knew it would be the toughest physical test of my life. In training that summer, I ran some tough 30-32K long runs on some hot days and suffered. I remember vomiting after those runs, and wrapping myself in a blanket, my lips blue, because I was freezing on a 25C day. I was clearly feeling the effects of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
That happened again with this marathon. I was so wrecked afterwards that I didn’t even make it to the post-run reception at the fire hall.
I crept across the finish line at the 4:11:28 mark, hugged race director Joan Czapalay, stumbled to my car and drove home. I felt near death, but so proud of what I had achieved. I was a marathoner!
The Age of Sail Marathon was discontinued in 2017, but will always hold special memories for me. I still train on that route almost every day, and it serves me well.
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