August 31, 2006
The Race, Part II
Getting over the bridge and onto the Quebec City side of the St. Lawrence River was paramount to finishing the race. A local runner whom was on the bus to the starting line told me it was 13 kilometers to the finish once I got over the bridge. So I knew after that it would be about nine miles.
Helping break that up was knowing my support group would be at mile 22 to cheer me on. I figured once I got over the bridge, I had five miles before seeing them, and then just four to the finish line.
It turned out to be a good game plan because once I got over the bridge, the running got tougher. By now my right ankle was barking and my lower left back was sore.
I knew it was cool outside from the clouds, but I didn’t realize the wind I had at my back while running on the Levis side of the river. Once I made the descent (and it was a doozy) from the bridge to the road along the river, I learned just how windy it was. I could feel the cool wind whipping through my saturated running shirt, and resisting me on every stride.
Not helping matters was the road along the river was closed to traffic. With no housing along that part of the route, it meant no spectators. The only people to cheer us on were the workers, and they all were terrific. Not only in doling out refreshments, but also encouragement.
Finally, about four hours into my race, I saw my support group for the second time. It was about mile 22, and rain began sprinkling. I’m not sure what they were standing on, but my sister (I think it was her, but who knows after running so long) was standing on some cement stump or guard rail holding up a sign. I went close to them, said a few words I don’t remember, gave Kyan and kissed and told them I would see them at the finish line.
They made a mad dash back to their car, then drove downtown to find parking and get to the finish line. Meanwhile, I was in for my last hill, which I didn’t expect. It was an overpass, although I don’t recall what it went over. It was about then my left knee became sore, although the pain from that seemed to numb the pain in my ankle and back.
I must confess that I after the halfway point I began walking through the water stations, carefully listening to my body and what it needed. But I know I hydrated well because I wasn’t thirsty the final four miles, and didn’t drink that much during it.
With about three miles left I received a jolt of what a marathon can do to someone. I had run about a mile on the front end of the course with a guy from just outside of Quebec City. He was telling me his training didn’t go well at the end because he wasn’t sleeping well. Because of that, he was constantly monitoring his pulse.
Well, at a medical station about three miles from the finish, there sat that 30-year-old-ish man in a wheel chair, with blankets wrapped around him and two paramedics at his side. Talk about a visual not needed after 23 miles.
When I got about a mile further up the road, there was a woman sitting on the curb in the pouring rain, wrapped in blankets as paramedics on bicycles tended to her. Another chilling visual.
Just after passing her the course director played a dirty trick. Getting the 26 miles of a marathon is the easy part, but directors often have to be creative to add the two-tenths of a mile. That’s what happened with a parking lot to the right of the road.
We made the turn in, then made a left to go toward the finish line. However, after about a minute of running, there was a hairpin turn to send us back the other way. Yes, out of the parking lot and back to the road we just came from. In all, about a three- to four-minute detour.
As I got closer to the finish line, Lower Quebec came into view. This is below the cliffs that protected the city centuries ago, and is line with cruise ship terminals and boat docks and sail boats and shops. But the heavy rain kept most of the spectators away, until I saw the sign for 500 meters to the finish.
I know after that I ran for a long time before I got to the sign declaring 250 meters to the finish, which is where we made a left turn and finally saw fans along the street and the finish line banner.
It took some time, but I located the cheering family on the left, and made a bee-line straight for them. I traded my water bottle for a baby, and dashed the last 100 feet with a giggling Kyan in my left arm. As I crossed the finish line I pumped my right fist in the air, gave a quick thank you prayer and basked in glory as the medal proclaiming my feat was draped over my head and hung around my neck.
I finished in 4 hours, 52 minutes, 32 seconds. (View race results)
The time was about what I thought. Standing at the starting line, I thought I would finished between four hours, 45 minutes and five hours.
The only downer of the race was the post-race support. There were no foil blankets wraps, the rain was coming down hard and I was soon freezing. So we quickly grabbed the car and headed to the hotel, where I set the thermostat to 30 degrees Celsius and piled on a few blankets. It took about three hours for me to warm up.
Now, my legs, especially my thighs, remain sore but I am glad my fifth marathon is over. It was a grueling training session, mentally and physically, but I was able to do it.
The obstacles were more than I anticipated, mostly because I had no idea what it would be like to train in the Valley in the summer, and then with an infant.
I thought about that on the course, and how this could be my last one for a while because it’s time to focus on Kyan and making sure he gets everything he needs. Fitting distance running into that schedule is difficult, as I learned.
But after suffering through a brutal summer of anxiety attacks in 2005, to get back to running and finishing a marathon is something I am very proud of.
Thanks for allowing me to share my experiences with you over the last four-plus months. Hopefully, we’ll meet at the finish line of some future marathon.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)
August 30, 2006
The Race, Part I
The Quebec City marathon was more than I expected, on many levels, but I am so proud to have finished it.
From having to go to the ER 13 months ago, to losing 20 pounds while I wondered what was wrong, to Rebecca and I having our first child, it has been a long 15 months. I proved to myself that I could recover from last summer and do another marathon, which is what this whole experience was about.
First, Quebec City is gorgeous, from its architecture to its narrow roads and cafes and shops, it is reminiscent of a small European village. To race in such place was spectacular.
The race started across the St. Lawrence River in Levis, at a local school. I knew it would be a tough run because I wasn’t hungry at the start. I forced down a banana, but couldn’t eat my peanut butter sandwich.
It wound through neighborhoods and down to the south side of the river’s edge. Spectators didn’t line the course, but there were enough during the first eight miles to keep me going.
Running on the tight streets gave it a European flavor. Couples and families either stood just outside their house cheering as we ran past, and there were a few older couples sitting in their bay windows and waving and clapping as we ran past.
What I was surprised about, especially given the elevation map I saw, was how hilly the course turned out to be.
Near mile 8 (it’s an approximation since the course was charted in kilometers) is where I got to run past my support group for the first time. It’s amazing the surge in energy when I see them. It makes them believe I’m feeling great the whole race.
Anyway, I saw Rebecca and Kyan, my mom, my sister (Cindy) and her three kids (Heather, Nicole and Megan). They made signs, one of which was Kyan telling me how great I was doing.
Looking across the river at Quebec City’s sky line was inspiring. I could see the walls of the Citadel, a castle which was turned into a hotel and an impressive cruise ship docked at the port.
A few miles after seeing my family, though, I could feel my empty stomach. We were running along the river, with a cool breeze and clouds protecting us from the sun. And this is where the hills really began. Between mile 10 and 14 it was mostly an incline. It culminated with a run over a mile-long bridge onto the Quebec City side of the river.
Check back later today for the final part of my blog.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:55 AM | Comments (1)
August 28, 2006
Yes, I finished
Just a quick note. I finished in about 4 hours, 50 minutes. It was a grueling marathon because of hills, but I did it, and am very proud. I'm tired and getting read to leave, so check back Wednesday for last blog entry.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:53 AM | Comments (3)
August 26, 2006
Almost Race Time
It is just about 12 hours to race time, and the butterflies have started. I’ve chowed down on my pasta dinner, after having pasta for lunch the last two days, and feel ready. In fact, I haven’t felt this ready to run this marathon than I do right now.
But let me say, this isn’t just a race trip. It’s a trip to take in Quebec City, and it is gorgeous. Someone compared Quebec City to Paris, which is my favorite city.
I see the resemblance, especially with the weather being like it was today. Mid 70s, the narrow streets packed, a bunch of cafes with people sitting on the patio.
One thing I really love about this city is how the central, downtown area is filled with shops, cafes, museums and churches, but there are apartments above it all so it is a nice mix of visitors and locals.
And the locals are very nice and helpful, willing to take time to explain directions and make things easy to find.
We did a lot of walking this morning, which isn’t the best thing for Sunday, but what the hey, it’s my first time here and there is a lot to see. I also checked out the finish line, posed for a picture on the winner’s podium (not even a thought race day) and saw the streets I will finish on.
We did all that, then it was back to the hotel for a nap before carbo-loading for dinner. After dinner, it was time to get my race gear together, which means pinning on my bib, making sure I have all my gels and energy bars and going over the last plans of where Rebecca, Kyan, my mom, sister and her three kids will view me on the route.
Well, I have to be up at 5 a.m. to get over to the buses that take us to the starting line. Gun goes off at 8:30 a.m. here, and hopefully I’ll finish within five hours.
The forecast is clouds in the morning and afternoon rain. Check the marathon’s official site for my finishing time. My guess is I will not be blogging until later in the night since I will want to rest when I get back to the room.
See ya’ in 26.2 miles.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 5:17 PM | Comments (1)
August 25, 2006
In Quebec City
One of the best parts of a marathon, other than finishing and having that medal draped around my neck, is bib pick up. Whether the event is big or small, there's always excitement in the room when all the other runners are picking up their bibs.
This was the case again Friday. Although I was tired from the drive from Boston (it took a little bit longer than I hoped), the nice thing was the hotel for the bib pick up was right across the street.
Therefore, we made the quick jaunt over, and picked up my packet, which includes a champion-chip. That's what you wear on your shoe so your time can be registered. Also in the packet are some runner's goodies, some advertisements and a marathon t-shirt. And don't forget the bib. I am bib No. 93.
We also took a quick walk through a central part of the city, and it was packed. Shops, restuarants, bars and tons of people. It is absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, I'm exhausted and starving, so we headed back to our hotel for a quick bit to each, and then some shut eye.
Saturday I'll do a more expanded blog in preparations for Sunday's race.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 6:12 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2006
On the right coast
Not much new, other than the 3 mile walk I was supposed to do today never happened. Why?
Well, we flew to Boston to meet some family members, but by the time we got to the hotel and had dinner, it was too late. No big deal, though, since I figured I must have walked three miles in the airport, getting to baggage claim and then the shuttle to the hotel. Plus, we walked to dinner, so I am counting it all as three miles.
Kyan was great on the flight, and I was pleased to see Delta leaving bottles of water at the back of the plane for people to get. You know, with not being allowed to bring beverages on the plane and all, I wondered how the airlines would work it. Delta did a nice job with it, all of which doesn't make up for them ruining one of our pieces of luggage.
Sorry, nothing too exciting. Fridayit's on to Quebec City for Sunday's race. Maybe if we pull in soon enough, I will drop by to pick up my runner's packet instead of waiting until Saturday.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:42 PM | Comments (1)
August 23, 2006
Last Run Done
My last training run is in the books. I knocked it out early Wednesday morning, a three-mile jaunt with Kyan before the heat and before UCLA practice. I still have a three mile walk Thursday, but my running is done with.
It’s strange, though, because I didn’t experience the same type of euphoria when I finished this training session as my others.
Instead, I felt content, at ease, and eager for the race. The key for the next few days is rest and proper hydration. I’m excited for the race to be here, but not anxious.
Certainly, I curtailed my training during the last month, partly because of heat and becoming tired, but also because of my leg injury (which still feels fine, thankfully, after two straight days of running). I haven’t done the calculations, but I still believed I ran approximately 450 miles in the four months of training.
The end of my training runs also give me a type of inner peace, and sense of achievement, but more on that later this week.
Thursday, it is on to the East Coast, before a Friday drive to Quebec City.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:32 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2006
Training Fun Again
I’m not sure what exactly happened, but about 4 p.m. today I got the itch for the race to be here. I wasn’t doing anything special, other than picking Kyan up, but suddenly I got a great rush of excitement and was ready for race day.
The marathon is still a few days away, but I had a great 3-mile run Tuesday night. The temperature was in the 100s in the afternoon, and when I left at 7:30 p.m. the thermometer still said 90 degrees. I felt the heat while running, but it wasn’t a big deal. I do know I need to start drinking water and Gatorade exclusively to get my body ready for Sunday.
But the most important part of my run was my right leg. There was a tinge of soreness at times, but most of the three miles I didn’t think about it. I felt refreshed, comfortable and excited all at once.
I even began packing today. We leave Thursday for Boston and will drive up to Quebec City on Friday. It’s nice to have friends here in L.A. willing to shack up for a few days with our dogs so we don’t have to board them (or spend the money to do so).
One other exciting facet of training is it is almost over. I have a three mile run Wednesday and a three mile walk/run Thursday. I’ll be honest, the end of it has snuck up on me because my leg injury knocked me out for nine days, and I can feel it a little when I run now.
But marathons are about toughness, and fighting through mental barriers. I’ve done that before, and know I will do it again this time.
By the way, I like the way the weather forecast is changing as Sunday approaches. Oh, please, please, please let it rain.
See ya’ll again tomorrow.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 8:39 PM | Comments (1)
August 21, 2006
Back in Training
I was back out and running Sunday, and although my leg didn’t feel perfect, I was able to complete two miles without pain. There was some soreness in the calf area, but not enough to slow me down. In fact, it didn’t hamper my running at all.
But once I stopped running, there was only slight soreness in the area between the calf and the bone on the inside of my right leg. It wasn’t worse than it has been, which keeps me optimistic for Sunday’s marathon.
My plan for this week is to run either two or three miles Tuesday and Wednesday, and then walk three miles Thursday.
Check back each day for updates between now and the race.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2006
Race forecast
I'm sure the forecast for the race will change several times between now and race day, but the preliminary forecast is out and it doesn't seem bad. Of course, when I looked at it a day earlier, the chance of rain was 60 percent, and now it is down to 10 percent. In case I didn't mention this in the past, I would love it rain for the race.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 5:04 PM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2006
Good news from Doc
My doctor called and told me x-rays were negative (which I expected) and I would be ok to run, as long as I stay in tune with my body and listen to my leg if it barks at me. It eased my mind. Also, my leg felt good again today. I can still feel a tiny tinge in it once in a while, and I decided I would run with a sleeve on that part of my leg. Now, it is on to Sunday's test run.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 8:43 PM | Comments (0)
Tentative sked
Another good day for my ailing right leg, which has just a morsel of soreness in it. I feel confident things will be ok, and Sunday my plan is to run 2 or 3 miles. I thought of trying two miles Friday, but I promised myself I wouldn't run until Sunday, so I am sticking to it.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:18 AM | Comments (1)
August 16, 2006
A leg up
I'm trying to stay off my feet as much as possible, which is difficult with UCLA football practicing and my attendance mandatory, but I am feeling better and better about my leg. I had one sore spot today, about halfway up my right leg between the calf and bone. It was only tender when I planted my foot, and with the ingesting of Tylenol 8-hour to reduce inflammation, the soreness/tenderness/pain is gone.
My plan is to rest for a few more days, then take a short run this weekend to see how the leg feels. No, it's not the ideal way to lead into a marathon, but I've done four months of hard training. I don't believe two weeks off before the race will be that damaging, because my base is built pretty strong.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 4:38 PM | Comments (2)
August 15, 2006
Feeling better
I have decided to rest my right leg at least until the end of the week, but it is getting better. A trip to the doctor's office eased my fears a bit, and I at least know I will start the marathon. How far I go will depend largely on how I feel.
But I have a preliminary diagnosis that makes me feel better.
It looks as though the injury was to a ligament or tendon, and much of the soreness is now near my Achilles. Another positive sign is there is not as much pain as there is soreness, so I will ice it and try to stay off it as much as possible.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 1:05 PM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2006
An injury hope
After a few days of pain, I wrapped up my lower leg very tightly for the day and it felt good. Not perfect, but much better than it had been feeling. It has given me hope that I can sit and rest it for a week and still get in a run or three before the race on Aug. 27.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 9:24 PM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2006
Injury stops training
I am officially worried about my right leg. The race is two weeks away and I’ve had to stop training because of the pain in my right leg.
I know the problem started late last week, but I can’t remember when or how I may have injured the leg. I was able to run 8 miles Thursday, and did so with relatively little pain, but rather soreness.
However, Friday it began to hurt more. At first I thought it was my calf muscle, so I tried to stretch it out. It wasn’t much of a factor during my 5 mile run Tuesday, but I didn’t feel the soreness Wednesday.
But by Friday night I had ruled out the calf muscle and I am now focusing on the inside of my leg between my ankle and calf muscle.
The darnedest thing is I went to the beach Friday night, stood in the water for a while, and my leg felt great. If it doesn’t show marked improvement over the weekend, I will get it checked out by a doctor during the week.
As of right now, my plan is still to run in Quebec City. I will run as much as I can until the pain takes over and causes me to stop, but again, it’s more soreness than outright pain, so maybe I’ll make it all 26.2 miles.
I also have two weeks to get it healed, so my hope is I strained or sprained something, like a ligament, and rest will do it well. We shall see. It would be a shame to spend four months training and not get a chance to race.
As of now, my training is on hold. Check back Monday for another update on the health of my right leg.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:43 AM | Comments (2)
August 9, 2006
A calf concern
Now that the race is getting closer, I will be updating my blog more regularly. One thing I've noticed is with the start of UCLA football practice, finding time to run will be challenging, so I am glad I am winding down my training.
However, I postponed my 8-mile run Wednesday because I am having soreness in my right calf. My plan is to run 8 miles Thursday, then do my 5-miler Friday before a 9-miler on Sunday. The weird thing is my calf isn't painful, it's just sore.
And it also isn't in a normal spot. It's more on the inside of the calf, closer to the bone. I don't think it will be a long-term problem, but whenever I get close to a race, I am very in tune with my body, and the smallest thing creats more concern than it should.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 9:02 PM | Comments (1)
August 6, 2006
A Training Folly
My last long run is done, and I am thrilled. My longest run before the Quebec City marathon is nine miles, which seems like a walk in the park after my 18-miler Saturday night.
I kept a slower pace than normal, but still averaged less than 11 minutes per mile, but my final big-distance run wasn’t without incident.
As was the case with all my long runs for every marathon I’ve trained for, Rebecca was there to help me with water and, if need be, snacks every couple of miles.
However, for the first time we failed to hook up at a meeting spot. In fact, after getting my second re-fill of water from Rebecca, Kyan and (my niece from Jersey) Nicole, it was an hour before I saw them again.
What happened?
Well, I ran a portion quicker than I anticipated when I gave my timing estimates and locations before I left. Rebecca missed a turn, had to make a u-turn, and in that time I ran past the designated spot. They waited there for a while, wondering if I had to slow down or walk, or stop for another reason, before back-tracking to see if they could find me.
When that failed, they headed to the next stop. But I was already past that one. With an ambulance or two whizzing by, the sun setting and my hydration suffering, I flagged down a car in a parking lot, explained my situation and asked if I could borrow a cell phone.
That’s when I got a, ‘'Sorry, my battery is dead’’ response. Disgusted, I looked for a pay phone, finally found one and made the call. It turned out Rebecca was about a mile away, waiting for me and wondering if I was ok. Everyone, thankfully, was fine, my fluids were quickly replenished and I was on my way again.
I finished about 9 p.m., feeling good and knowing, if this was the race, I could have gone another 8 miles. My legs were tired, but not overly sore. My belly was filled with fluid, giving it an airy feeling, I could have used a donut or chunk of bagel or something, but other than that, there were no problems.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 10:02 AM | Comments (2)
August 3, 2006
A Vision of the Future
The running four days a week (instead of five) is agreeing with my body, and my mind. So much so that during this last week, I started to visualize the marathon.
I had great runs Wednesday and Thursday, including a powerful and energetic finish to Thursday’s 5-miler.
Another beautiful thought is Saturday will be my last run of more than 10 miles. It’s an 18-miler, and one I am ready to tackle. But it is a change from my schedule in that I’m running Saturday instead of Sunday. Hey, FC Barcelona is in town, and Ronaldinho is calling.
But I digress.
To me, visualization is important, especially as the race nears. I think about running through some of Quebec City’s neighborhoods at the beginning, going along the river during the middle and late portions before ending up at the finish line.
For months, it felt like the finish line was much, much, much further than 26.2 miles. But now I am visualizing the end, and hoping the low temperatures associated with the marathon hold true.
It’s not quite time, but pretty soon I’ll be checking the 14-day forecast to get a better idea of the weather conditions for the race. Oh, please, please, please be drizzling and 55 degrees.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 8:42 PM | Comments (0)