Running For Grampie!! Cape Cod Marathon report 10/26/08

In loving memory of Harold Sargent 9/23/23 – 10/21/08


(click photo to see the memorial bib)

After Grampie passed away last week I initially was thinking I’ll just do a different race. When I found out that there were no conflicts with the race and the funeral I decided I would still race and I would do it in honor of Grampie Sargent. I was able to see Grampie a few days before he passed away and had a moment with him that I will remember forever. His funeral was such an honor to him and the life he lived. He touched so many people’s lives through community service that it blows my mind. I was simply in awe during the funeral to see and hear from all those who’s lives were touched by him.

I was going to run 26 miles to honor Grampie. After the funeral I met up with my training partner Justin Ryea somewhere north of Boston where Lindsay dropped me off. Race morning was typical. I felt pretty good. My plan was to go out and run 6:30 – 6:40 as long as I could shooting to go under 2:55 as my recent performances suggest that is realistic.

Once the race started I knew something was wrong even by the end of the first mile. I had to use the bathroom!!!! I think I didn’t clear out enough before the race. There was no place to go so I kept running until there was a porto-let. I was holding right with the plan still as far as pace and it felt comfortable. After the first portolet visit it just got worse. My stomach was a mess and I needed to do my business another 8 or 9 times. Sometimes in the woods and sometimes in a portolet. I think I lost a good 1-2 minutes each time. I felt awful, stomach was a disaster and I didn’t seem to be digesting my shot blocks. If I wasn’t running for Grampie I think I would have considered dropping out. I went into survival mode and just H’dTFU. I made it to the line in 3:13 and a pretty good deal of disappointment but happy that I finished for Grampie.

This race capped what I feel was a great season. I set new PRs for half ironman (4:11), run split in a half iron (1:25), and open half marathon (1:20:00). This marathon was the first race in over a year that the GI problems were an issue, I just need to hone in on the cause.