RACE REPORT #2: Tobacco Road Marathon

Submitted by: Tracy Proctor

March 20^th, 7:25 A.M.  I am waiting for the race to start, or should I say finish.  For me, this one started months ago.  I’m not certain if it was the ride home from Beach 2 Battleship with Kinnie as we discussed the need to change my fueling strategy and asthma medicine, or the day I sat with Patti at Via Cap, strategizing my training plan.  “We” had decided to try the FIRST training program, I thought she had seriously bumped her head as she told me the paces I would need to run my speed and tempo runs.  Yeah right, I thought, those are so NOT going to happen!

Fast forward several weeks.  Training had gone better than I expected.  The plan was harder and more aggressive than any I had ever followed, but to my surprise, manageable.  Race day was fast approaching, would I be ready?  I was told repeatedly, “You can do this if you run it smart.”  Doubts frequently filled my head.  I had already tried 12 times to qualify for Boston and always came up short.  Did I really have it in me or was it simply an unattainable goal—dream?

Race morning, time to find out.  I hug Patti and Kinnie and wish them luck, knowing we were all there with the same goal in mind, BOSTON.  The crowd begins to move forward, I decided to run with the 3:45 pace group.  Mile one clocks off, pacer is way ahead of pace, mile two even further off.  Reluctantly I back off; I remember Kinnie’s words to run smart.  I’m on my own now with 24 miles still to go—ugh!

I watch the sea of faces looking for other members of the RMEC, this helps keep me focused and motivated.  I keep a close eye on my watch, wondering can I maintain this pace?  Having run this course last year I knew what was ahead of me.  Miles 22-23.  This is where my race fell apart in 2010, could I hold it together?  I trudge up the big hill and turn off the trails back onto the road to begin the trip to the finish.  I know the hill ahead; I walked it previously, defeated.  I felt strong this time and went for it, at the top I glanced at my pace.  I could pull this off!  The realization found a new burst of energy.  I run past a group of volunteers cheering me on, one tells me I look strong and asks if I am running another loop.  I offer if he will join me.  

Final mile I’m pumped and passing people.  I hear my name from the crowd and look to see Jeff and Ryan.  They yell to me, “You have it.”  I look at my watch and simply reply, “I know.”  I see the finish line ahead, clock ticking away and muster one last push—time 3:47.  I did it, tears in my eyes the lady places my medal around my neck and congratulates me with a “good job.”  Thanks I say, it was.  I ran it smart.