Bacon Weekly- Race Week and Marathon Race Report

Mon-off

Tues- 5 miles at 8:38 avg pace

Wed- 2 miles at 10:23 avg pace

Thurs-off

Fri-1 mile @ 10:00 avg pace

Sat- 2010 Ky Derby Marathon

Chip time- 4:21:55

1387 Finishers

Overall 576/1387

Gender Place 425/869

Age Div. Place 72/152

Avg pace- 9:51 avg per mile

Avg Heart Rate- 154 bpm

Calories Burned- 3,782

Total Ascent- 3,286

Total Decent- 3,906

First, let me thank everyone that's watch, listened, and read during my training. Just knowing that what you're doing is being read by 1 person is enough reason to log these entries, plus the input over this period gave me the opportunity to have a great race. Also, my wife and kids, who made major sacrifices over this 4 month period to support my training...they knew how important the training and event was to me and made sure I felt good about any time that took me away from family activities. Mainly to God, who I thanked many times during the run, for giving me the physical ability to complete the training and race.

The final taper week had some challenges, a Tuesday fartlek injury to my left toe, left me concerned early in the week and proved to be a real issue in about mile 10, but I manged the pain to a "normal" state during the run and proved to be a non-issue overall. Also, the weather bounced around during the week' ranging from 40-80% chance of T-storms (trust me it was 100%), so the threat had me doing some additional research about rain running and prep that proved to be a major key to my finish success.

Arriving at the race start by bus approx. 2 1/2 hours before the race starting time, was a great thing for me as it gave me time to take care of all my business with no rushing at all. A mistake I watched 10,000 people make as they arrived 30 mins before race time and were 50 deep in lines for the porta pot. The rain was coming down early and most were soaked by race time; however the prep articles I read had me wearing old running shoes and socks to the start line, plus rain gear, pants, extra hat, plastic bags, rubber bands, zip ties, you name it...I had it....great for me and anyone who was around me as I shared some of me extra goodies with them. 30 minutes before race time and I pulled a completly dry pair of shoes, socks, hat out of my bag and packed all the wet stuff away and was ready for action. Tossed my bag to the transport guys and..I'm ready.... Out of nowhere...Dino and Mel show up just before race time and we shared a few last minute thoughts...Dino and I make our way to the start line and I crank up my watch and BAM...malfunction...a few minutes of panic and I realize that the plastic ziploc I had wrapped around it was preventing contact with my skin, so I quickly removed and it worked....disaster avoided...as many of you know, my pace and hr monitor is key for me.... Dino and I well wished and we made our way to our respective areas for the start.

At start time, the rain had subsided and provided a great race start. Not feeling particularly strong the first 5 miles, I got out of the "valley" in about mile 6 and felt great thru about 13. At mile 4, the ipod went haywire from the rain and bailed out. Many of you also know how dependent I am on it, so that was another bomb that proved ok..I tucked it away in my pants and about 1 mile later pulled it back out...it worked but only at one volume and no skipping songs..I didn't touch it again...was glad it worked at all! At mile 10 was the split for the marathoners and the 1/2 marathoners....As we approached 1000's went left...me, 3 guys, and 1 girl went right...I exclaimed "we'll guys, we're the owners of the lonley hearts club"...they didn't laugh...maybe from the pain of their face, but I was feeling good. At mile 13, I saw an elderly man sitting by himself, and waving to us with a smile on his face...it reminded me of my dad (past away in 1996) as the emotions took over and I began to cry for a short time and BAM I was in another "valley" and to top it off in one of the toughest climbs of the day. I thought about maybe my dad was pushing me up the hill and I swift footed my way to the top and I was in major pain,but the thoughts, while saddening to me, helped....the "peak" arrived shortly thereafter and carried me to around mile 20 when another "valley" arrived in d-town Louisville; then BAM I see running from the sidewalk Samantha and the girls...I cried again, looked at them and pumped my fists a few times and boosted my performance....I checked th spot (on my watch) just before I saw them and my pace was about a 10:36 mile; moments after I saw them ti moved to 7:36 avg for about a 1/2 mile. I saw them exactly when I needed them the most. I knew the finish would be glorious, but to see them at that moment meant more than finishing the race. Crossing the river bridge into Indiana was another difficult climb; after crossing a few miles running in Indiana proved difficult as they were miles 21-24, but lots of supporters on that side made it easier...several handing out orange slices, grapes, water, etc on their own to support. I thanked them all and every other race supporter too....as I rounded the bend to see the bridge again and another tough climb...BAM I see fellow TTT Dino and Melanie cheering for me on the bridge...I realize at this point mile 24 that I'm going to make it in performance stlye and increase my pace to the end...the last 2 miles were in the 8:30-45 range, so I round the corner to see the finish line...big smile, the announcer calls out..." HERE COMES CLAUDE BACON, OWENSBORO, KY TO THE FINISH LINE"....bigger smile......with a few more fist pumps and both hands in the air...mission complete....

Could not imagine running a better race, everything fell into place for me, I know it won't always be this way, but was great to have it all come together for my first marathon. What would I change, nothing...there's not one part of this race I would change...I trained and left it all out there.

A sore ride home, a big pizza, and a congrats cookie from the family were waiting.