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Post by frojoe23 on Oct 29, 2007 18:04:55 GMT -5
Hans, Thanks a lot for the comment. I was feeling really good at that point and maybe took a little bit of a gamble, but I'm happy with the way things turned out. And thank you for putting in a long day and volunteering yesterday. The race really can't go on without your support!
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Post by frojoe23 on Oct 29, 2007 18:18:54 GMT -5
Okay, so finally the big recap. You may want to grab a cup of tea and a snack because you may be here for a while reading this - after all, I am long-winded.
The day started off hectic enough with having to wait for the second train to come through the metro station and then getting crammed in there like sardines. The mental havoc that was played on beforehand was seeing a woman in the metro station with a singlet on screenprinted on the front and back with "Remembering Jaron". I took it as an omen that I would have a bad day, possibly a really bad day if I had to be remembered. Once we got off of the Metro at the Pentagon, it was a long shuffle out of the station and then weaving through parking lots to finally get to the baggage buses. I think Rob was getting annoyed with my "Are we there yet?" routine. We finally got to the buses and had to rush thanks to me since I had to meet Spinnler at the start line at precisely 7:40. So we changed shoes and we off to walk another half mile to the start. Of course Dave had to use the porta-pot and Jeremy and I waited maybe five minutes for him before heading off to the start - but he found us and we were all set. I got my bottles to Spinnler and got a good luck from him and a good luck to the other guys that I only remembered to share post-race.
Being the timid guy that I am, we had to start about 10 people back at the start. For maybe half a mile, I couldn't get around the people in front of me, but the pace was slow and I worked my way up front and latched onto the lead group at about 1.5. Carl Rundell (5th place finisher) was out front early sitting maybe 25 meters ahead of the group from 1-3 and then the pack caught him and another guy shot out in front. Again it was early and the pack of about 20 guys just let him go, because a mile later he was back in the group when we crossed the FSK Bridge into Georgetown. Immediately across the bridge, there is a long uphill to the Georgetown Reservoir and here was where Rundell and two other guys jumped out 25 meters ahead again. I was consistently at the head of the pack except on all of the uphills where they pushed a little bit and I dropped 2-3 seconds back off the leaders in the group. On the downs and flats, I was back up in the front again. About 4 miles into the race I was getting this annoying pain in my left arch. Every step hurt and it continued to do so for 3 more miles. I knew that the insole in my shoe was slipping out the back of my shoe and had become bunched under my arch. I was thinking about stopping and just pulling it out - I tried to do it three times while running but I'm not that coordinated. Instead, I just put it off and finally I didn't notice it anymore, although at the finish half of my insole was hanging out the back of my shoe.
Spinnler was handing me bottles (I brought five and wanted them every other water stop). I didn't see it at the second (mile 4.5), but at 7 miles Mike was there and I must have been in the zone because I didn't see him until I was right on him and he had to throw me the bottle. I made a Randy Moss style catch (yeah right) and carried it for three miles since I either had to throw it at runners on the other side of the street or into the Potomac. (more to follow)
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Post by frojoe23 on Oct 29, 2007 19:10:27 GMT -5
So at about 8 miles, the pack was still pretty large and at this time, Ruben Garcia started to move up to the front. He and Jose Miranda were about 5 steps ahead with a group of still about 15 hanging tight. The pace was quickening and there was some jostling in the pack. I was still holding onto my drink and trying to sip out of it. Apparently, my elbows were hitting quite a fews guys as I tried to drink, but tough. I was starting to get that tired feeling in my legs and I was getting worried at this point. It was still early and we were running relatively slow. I shouldn't have been feeling the least bit tired. but by 11 miles, things had changed. The group started to narrow down with me using the water stand as a place to jump the pace up. I had just finished my bottle and the group slowed up through the station to grab drinks and I just got a quick sip of water and saw Rundell move up front. I moved by his side and we ratcheted up the pace as we headed onto the Mall. Rundell and Miranda once again shot to my side and I tucked in behind those two as the group was now 10 guys with a few strung out right behind. I got another bottle from Spinnler at 12.5 and backed off a little to make sure I got all of it in me.
I had a slight worry at this point because as we rounded the Capital I had what I would term a few slow steps. I thought that my race was over and the bottom had just fallen out. I can't explain what happened, but I was immediately back in the group and Miranda and I ran side by side through halfway in 1:12:07. The ClifShots were at 13.5 and I shot a few steps ahead to grab a vanilla one (gross by the way) and this is when we really knocked down the pace. I found myself three steps in the lead - not where I wanted to be, but I felt good and kept rolling. I saw my Mom and Jackie at 14 and gave them a wave from the front. Then At this point, the pack was down to 6 of us. Myself, Rundell, Miranda, Garcia, Ayalew, and another Ethiopian (ayalew's teammate). At 15, Rundell had started to fall off the back and Miranda and I were sharing the lead. by 16, things were going way to fast out there on Hains Point and immediately after this point, I started to hurt a little too much. I backed off and watched Miranda and Ayalew surge ahead. Garcia seemed to be a little conservative and I stayed with him, thinking he was the one I should worry about. By 17.5, Garcia had moved ahead and I was in no man's land. I couldn't close the gap on that first group and Spinnler said that I had 18 seconds on Rundell in 5th. I could see Garcia close the gap, but those guys were a good 20 seconds up on me as we came off of Hains Point at mile 19. Crossing the bridge back to Arlington was tough. Some nasty winds on this section. At mile 20, I was hurting, but Spinnler thought that I was closing back up on the lead group. (I think he was watching another race, though). I got some encouragement here from two time GAR winner Matt Baressi who was cheering on. In between 20 and 21, I really had a bad stretch and 22 into Crystal City was worse. As we made it to the little turnaround in Crystal City, I saw Ayalew come back in my direction and knew that he had it in the bag. The other two guys I didn't see. According to the splits, Miranda had about 53 seconds on me at this point. I was only concerned about hanging onto 4th as that would be the first American spot. but at 23, I could see Miranda, and Mike kept telling me to close the gap and that "that spot is the bronze medal", "that's the podium". It didn't seem like I was closing and I was desperately hurting, but at 25 miles it was close and I found another gear to pass him and when I got by, I found another gear to hold onto it. As I came into the finish, I was elated and I gave the loudest "oo-rah" that I could give.
Immediately afterwards, I had two microphones in my face and two news cameras with questions about how my race went. I can't even remember what I said except "let me catch my breath" Then I got shoved into the media tent where I had to sit without any clothes on for about 20 minutes. All I wanted to do was find Jackie and watch Dave and Jeremy finish, but I had some questions to answer and had to get my photo taken for the Washingtonian. I got a Marine placed as my chapperone and he was supposed to follow me everywhere and make sure I was at the award ceremony. So eventually, I got to see the guys and congratulate them and get my bags and some food before heading to more media crap and the awards. But Lieutenant Williamson was the Hawkins Distance Project chapperone. Quite the experience.
Oh, yeah and I forgot to take any splits. I wasn't worried about where I was time-wise until 20 miles. I got these off of Spinnler
3 at 17:11 9 at 50:09 12 at 1:06:13 13 at 1:11:31 Half at 1:12:07 14 at 1:16:54 15 at 1:22:19 18 at 1:38:19 19 at 1:43:55 20 at 1:49:33 23 at 2:06:49 24 at 2:12:38 25 at 2:18:28
Ends up being 5:32 a mile or 34:25 every 10k, 17:13 every 5k. According to site I was 1:12:03 first half and 1:13:26 the second, but the last 8 I was on my own. I'm pretty pleased with the way my pacing went. Last 10k could've been faster at 35:56. Oh and that stretch from 13-15 was 5:18,5:23, 5:25 and then 15-18 on Hains Point were at 5:20 pace and those guys dropped me!!!
Thanks to all of the Striders for the support and to the group at the Depot all summer and fall. Special thanks to Spinnler for all of the help on race day. Thanks to Dave and Jeremy for being a part of our team - I know that we tore it up and I had been so excited about this day since we decided 5 months ago to do it. And then the way you guys performed on race day made it ever greater - congratulations guys! You'll never know how much you guys and Rob were a part of that 2:25 - but you guys deserve alot of credit for it as well. I could not have done it without you!
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Post by flyinghighrunner on Oct 29, 2007 22:17:41 GMT -5
Can't wait for the encore performances!! And when that window opens for qualifying, I'm sure Jaron will have no problem getting in...on on...
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Post by frojoe23 on Oct 30, 2007 10:34:43 GMT -5
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Post by frojoe23 on Oct 30, 2007 12:12:54 GMT -5
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Post by flyinghighrunner on Oct 30, 2007 17:39:55 GMT -5
You don't look too bad following a 26 mile run!!
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Post by flyinghighrunner on Oct 31, 2007 6:40:18 GMT -5
Another mention from marathonguide.com:
Marine Corps Marathon - Oct 28 - Washington, DC Ethiopian Tamrat Ayalew, 33 living in Atlanta GA, learned from his third place finish at the 2006 Marine Corps Marathon and found the extra speed to run away from two-time defending champion Ruben Garcia Gomez, 36 of Mexico. Ayalew, with another runner Jose Miranda, broke away from the rest of the pack at mile 18 and then continued alone to win in 2:22:20. Ruben Garcia, the 2005 and 2006 champion as well as the 2006 Miami Marathon champion, finished second in 2:24:20. Jaron Hawkins, 24 of Frostburg MD, was briefly leading the race at the mid-point and finished third in 2:25:34. Jose Miranda, who was fourth in 2004 and third in 2006, finished fourth in 2:26:03. Carl Rundell, 39 of Birmingham MI and a 2004 Olympic Trialist, had qualified for the 2008 USA Men's Trials Marathon, but chose to pass up that race to try to improve on his runner-up status at the Marine Corps Marathon in both 2005 and 2006, but finished fifth in 2:26:28. In the women's race, Kristen Henehan, 28 of Silver Spring MD, ran and won her first marathon, finishing in a time of 2:51:14. Lisa Thomas, 31 of Alexandria VA, was with Henehan until the final mile but finished second in 2:51:40. Claudia Colita, 29 of Atlanta GA and winner of the 2007 Cleveland Marathon, finished third in 2:54:19.
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Post by frojoe23 on Nov 2, 2007 10:53:00 GMT -5
Finally...finally...FINALLY!!!
It is official, more good news from Marine Corps
2007 MARINE CORPS MARATHON ORGINIZATION TEAM RESULTS
1.QUEEN CITY STRIDERS WITH A ACCTIME OF 08:04:44 2.METRO RUN & WALK I WITH A ACCTIME OF 08:10:03 3.MCRRC YAHOO WITH A ACCTIME OF 09:54:20 4.UPG RUNNERS-B'BURG WITH A ACCTIME OF 10:36:23 5.HELLGATE ROAD RUNNERS WITH A ACCTIME OF 10:51:12 6.METRO RUN & WALK II WITH A ACCTIME OF 10:55:45 7.STS- ROAD WARRIORS WITH A ACCTIME OF 11:00:03 8.MCRRC FLYERS WITH A ACCTIME OF 11:25:15 9.NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 1 WITH A ACCTIME OF 11:32:34 10.911 FITNESS WITH A ACCTIME OF 12:22:03 11.MCKINNEY FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL WITH A ACCTIME OF 12:53:21 12.NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 2 WITH A ACCTIME OF 13:24:37 13.NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 3 WITH A ACCTIME OF 14:35:08 14.NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 4 WITH A ACCTIME OF 15:25:16 15.NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 5 WITH A ACCTIME OF 15:54:01
2007 MARINE CORPS MARATHON ORGINIZATION TEAM RESULTS
QUEEN CITY STRIDERS PLACED 1 WITH A SCORE OF 08:04:44
JARON HAWKINS 02:25:34 DAVID MERTZ 02:49:23 JEREMY RICE 02:49:47
METRO RUN & WALK I PLACED 2 WITH A SCORE OF 08:10:03
AARON SCHWARTZBARD 02:34:22 KYLE SMITH 02:37:36 THEO HAAST 02:58:05 JIM BRADFORD 03:24:51 MARK KLAFF 03:39:49
MCRRC YAHOO PLACED 3 WITH A SCORE OF 09:54:20
JOHN RINN 03:12:04 PAUL HASSON 03:20:06 JASON DUELGE 03:22:10 CATHERINE POOLE 04:20:52 EMAAD BURKI 05:11:55
UPG RUNNERS-B'BURG PLACED 4 WITH A SCORE OF 10:36:23
MICHAEL MEDLIN 03:29:18 MARK LONG 03:30:20 CHRIS WEBB 03:36:45 RICHARD WHARTON 04:28:36
HELLGATE ROAD RUNNERS PLACED 5 WITH A SCORE OF 10:51:12
EAMONN KEANE 03:28:11 SUZANNE HUGHES 03:28:36 ANTONIO VICTORIO 03:54:25 JESSICA MOELLER 04:20:00 CAROLINE PEAthingy 04:35:48
METRO RUN & WALK II PLACED 6 WITH A SCORE OF 10:55:45
SUZANNE HUNT SCOGGIN 03:31:31 BRUCE OROSZ 03:33:35 JOSEPH O'GORMAN 03:50:39 HAROLD JOHNSON 03:54:59
STS- ROAD WARRIORS PLACED 7 WITH A SCORE OF 11:00:03
MARTIN PLUMLEIGH 03:38:39 JAMES KENNELL 03:39:17 HINA AYUB 03:42:07 JOHN WHELPLEY 03:46:43 ERIC DUNN 04:55:44
MCRRC FLYERS PLACED 8 WITH A SCORE OF 11:25:15
GERALD EPSTEIN 03:43:01 CYNTHIA GREENBERG 03:49:19 EMILY ARMSTRONG 03:52:55 ELISE BOWMAN 04:23:20 ANN ROSENTHAL 04:31:55
NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 1 PLACED 9 WITH A SCORE OF 11:32:34
JOSE REYES 03:44:19 MICHAEL HOLDEN 03:48:32 JULIE KIM 03:59:43
911 FITNESS PLACED 10 WITH A SCORE OF 12:22:03
RICHARD WILD 02:57:51 JOEY PISTONE 04:37:05 ADAM SAYIH 04:47:07 JIM SAYIH 05:56:26 JOSE CASTRO 05:56:27
MCKINNEY FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL PLACED 11 WITH A SCORE OF 12:53:21
AXEL FRAAZ 03:39:37 STEVE DORRIS 04:36:52 SABRINA DORRIS 04:36:52 RUSSELL GRIFFIN 05:37:24 JIM FLOYD 06:21:14
NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 2 PLACED 12 WITH A SCORE OF 13:24:37
C.DOUGLAS JOHNSTONE 04:17:13 KARLA COLLETTO-MILLER 04:24:18 PETER BRUNELLI 04:43:06 WILLIAM SACKS JR 04:52:07
NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 3 PLACED 13 WITH A SCORE OF 14:35:08
DALLAS HARRISON 04:19:08 BRAD KIM 04:52:37 ROSLYN ROBERSON 05:23:23
NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 4 PLACED 14 WITH A SCORE OF 15:25:16
JEFFREY ROBINETTE 04:53:23 CARL WILBERG 05:06:49 MARIAM KARIMI 05:25:04 REZA KARIMI 05:30:07 ENRIQUE FERNANDEZ 05:57:49
NAVY FEDERAL RUNNERS 5 PLACED 15 WITH A SCORE OF 15:54:01
FELIPE LOPEZ 05:10:09 JOSE ALVARADO 05:12:39 MANUEL MAREZ 05:31:13 PAUL JACCOD 05:39:33
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Post by flyinghighrunner on Nov 2, 2007 14:36:02 GMT -5
Awesome job guys....way to bring it home!!
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