Pittsburgh Half-Marathon

First, Congrats to all my friends/runners in this past weekend's Pittsburgh Marathon, and thank you to all who cheered on! Who knew so many people were ridiculously in shape, and completed the 13.1 or 26.2 Mile challenge with ease. I'm truly impressed and thankful I got to experience such an event with everyone.

This whole journey started back in February a bit before my 29th birthday. After realizing I was going to be 29 in a few shorts weeks, and 30 in a year, I started to panic.....alot. Joking around about being one of the oldest people in this group of friends is one thing, but joining the "elder" crowd in their 30's is a whole different ballgame.

With a bit more than a year left before the 3-0, I started to put together a list of activities I wanted to accomplish in the next year. Chatter started in February about a group of Pitt folks running in the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon. Immediately I thought, "13 miles? I can do this! I have 3 months to train, which is plenty of time!" Those may be the most ignorant words I've uttered in the past 5 years.

I started on weekly runs of 2-3 miles in the beginning of March. Always feeling tired, but never exhausted I was optimistic about my chances. Soon after, I built up the distance, increasing a half-mile each week. However, right around 5 miles I began to experience extreme discomfort in the back of my knee. Not knowing what to do, I rested and put off running for a bit. Soon weeks flew by, and I attempted running again. Now after only 1-2 miles into the jog, the pain was back.

Feverishly, I researched diagnosis and treatments. I concluded it was IT band related, and after purchasing a new pair of running shoes and a IT-Band wrap, I thought I had the problem solved.

WRONG! Once again, two miles into running I could barely take another step. At this point, it's early April and I (like many times in life), gave in and figured there's no chance to compete, yet alone COMPLETE this half-marathon. Two more weeks flew by, after being consumed by re-locating to Herndon and other activities.

One constant throughout this entire ordeal was Gigs urging a few things:
1) See a doctor/professional
2) Accept the barefoot/minimalist running religion as my savior
3) Just attempt the half-marathon, b/c whats the worst that could happen?

My answers were always the same back to him:
1) I don't want to see someone about something I can solve through trial and error
2) I'm not a runner and those shoes will never work
3) My knees could explode and I'd never be able to compete in any sport

One week before the race I started to look into selling my bib, but still researched for a solution to my knee problem. The friendly folks at Potomac River Running, spoke with me for about 15 mins after I described my whole ordeal. I asked about a knee compression sleeve, which they agreed that sounded like a great option to try.

My first run with the sleeve was a four-miler, with no pain whatsoever. A mere fluke I thought. Two days later I went on a 8-mile walk/run, only because I became extremely lost in the suburbs of Reston.

Two days before the race I found a buyer for the bib, and figured there was no way I could jump from running 5 miles to 13. I'd simply show up for morale support and cheer the other 10-15 people I knew who were conquering this race.

Then Friday night, Jane sends me a text that Derek Boogaard had died. I was stunned, shocked and left wondering whys and what ifs. Derek was a winger on the New York Rangers hockey team. I never met the man, but since the Rangers were my 2nd favorite team, I knew plenty about him. Derek was only 28, and suddenly had his life cut short. It's a tragic situation and just goes to show that when your time is called, that's it. You gotta live your life as full as you can with every day you have left.

Between the text from Jane, my thoughts of the situation, and a bit of final encouragement from Gigs and Sarah, I HAD to do this, there was no excuse anymore. Even if I had to walk the remaining 8 miles, I would finish.

Race morning came and I was scared as hell. The rain was coming down and after wishing a few people good luck, there I was, alone with my thoughts and music.

Ironically as my Corral is called to start running, "Final Countdown" hit my MP3 player, and we were off to a slow start. About a mile into it, my mouth is already dry and I'm beginning to wonder how I'll get through 12 more. I continuously search around me for anyone I know or recognize, while trying to find a comfortable pace.

Right around Mile 2, one of the bands on the side of the road is playing "Master of Puppets" by Metallica. The song gave me chills, and shocked my entire system, almost like a re-boot. I picked up the pace a bit, found a breathing rhythm and raced onward.

Shortly after, we hit the first Refreshment stand, and after a cup of Gatorade (LIFE SAVER!) and water, I finally feel awake and energized.

Around mile marker 5, I find the final motivation I need to keep a steady pace for the next 5 miles. I'll give you a clue, it wasn't an ice cream truck. A doe-eyed brunette, who resembled a shorter version of Anne Hathaway, was the answer. She was part of a 5 person running crew all wearing the same "Pittsburgh Half-Marathon" shirts, handed out the day before. Knowing I was both in a race and that she was outta my league, I kept my mouth shut and kept pace.

The group disappears around the 15 KM sign, because I need to re-adjust the knee-sleeve due to the pain onsetting. At this point I was entering the South Side, which I knew was the last leg before heading Downtown to finish. What did I have to lose??

Right before heading through the long stretch of the South Side, an angel gave me a gift in the form of GUMMY SAVERS! Thank you to whoever it was from "TEAM IN TRAINING" that handed out this snack!

We circle around the South Side and are about to head over the bridge by Station Square to enter the final 3 miles Downtown. The temporary sugar high was wearing off and I began to wonder where the next Gatorade stand was.

Just then I hear, "GO STEEEEEEEVE!". I look around to see Bryan's (Gigs) g/f Sarah, over in the crowd cheering us on. Just as when I heard "Master of Puppets" earlier in the day, this was the shot of adrenaline I needed. I sped up and over the bridge, knowing I only had 2 miles left. Right around Mile Marker 12, I hit a brick wall. It's as if my legs knew I was so close, but said NO MAS!

The last bridge near PNC Park was all that remained. Just then a friendly family was handing out drinks in unmarked cups at the bridge. Wary and worried about this substance I thought, "what the hell", and drank whatever it was. It was either lemonade, Gatorade or some combo of both, but it has enough sugar to propel me through the last mile. Just as I could see the finish sign about a quarter-mile away, I hear "MIIIHHHHLF!", from a screaming Laura Recchie, only soon to be followed by another "MIIIIHHHHLF", coming from the other side from Snoop. A huge smile comes across my face and I run with everything I have left to the finish line, making sure I beat the official clock that read 2:20:00.

I soon found out my time was 2:11:26.

Ironically, throughout the race, I didn't see any of the amazing 15 friends who were running in the half-marathon. But in the finish/recovery area, I ran into so many friendly faces, it made the entire day sooo worth it.

With an almost exact 10-minute mile pace, I was satisfied with the results. For someone who never ran track in high school or participated in 5Ks or 10Ks, I thought this was a great starting point.

Thanks and Congratulations to all the runners and cheerleaders, both friends and unknowns (Anne Hathaway look-a-like) and especially to those who ran for Kyleigh's Foundation. It was a great time, and I look forward to doing it again soon, once I get the robotic knees installed haha.

- Derek "Boogeyman" Boogaard, this race was for you.