Hamptons Bay Marathon Report
My first running of The Hamptons Bay Marathon is in the books. I say the first because there will be more. It was a great experience.
On Thursday my wife and I arrived in New York. My niece’s (Patti’s), husband (David) picked us up at the airport. He was doing the marathon with me. During the drive to my sister in law’s (Pat’s) where we would be staying for the weekend we decided that we should drive the course.
We drove out to East Hampton with map in hand. Met up with sister in laws husband (Jim) right at the start line, he just happened to be working in that area and knew the area pretty good. Went over the map a bit and off we went. Pretty much from the get go I knew this was going to be a run that I would like. It was laid out through country roads carved through beautiful forests and a section that stretched out along the coast of Long Island. It was a delight to drive it and I was going to be able to run it.
The race started at 8:00 in the Morning and was about an hour’s drive. Jim, David and I left at 6:00 and we arrived at about 6:45. It’s still kind of dark at that time. I was quite excited. As people came towards us I would say Good Morning or some other type of friendly greeting. The response was kind of mixed. David said Tim people don’t do that here in New York. I paid no attention and continued on greeting people despite the advice from David. He commented “If you keep doing that I won’t walk with you”. Heck we were at the staging area anyways so I relented and just kept my giddiness to myself. It was now just a bit after 7:00 so we just moseyed about till 10 minutes before race time.
Prior to getting into the race I need to digress just a bit and get into the weather details. When we got that there it wasn’t raining which was better than we expected. However our expectations did come to fruition about 20 minutes prior to the start time. It rained, not hard but steady for about the first 3 miles or so I think. Then it stopped. Not bad one would think. But then it started up again at about mile 16 to 17. A steady and just a bit harder rain than earlier. The rain continued on pretty much until mile 20 I think. From there it was pretty much rain free. Of course along with the rain it was a bit humid. The temp was in the low sixties and the wind was pretty much a non factor except for one small stretch. David said most New Yorkers would say it was miserable, my thought hey no big deal just run.
We started pretty much right on time. The beginning was downhill for a little bit. Just a bit before mile 2 we started to go up significantly. Once we hit the crest of that hill the course terrain was gently rolling hills for about 5 miles or so. Between mile 7 and 8 we descended down to the flat part of the course. It stayed flat for the next 9 miles. Starting right at about 17 we encountered the second significant incline of the route. This incline was also followed by some gentle rolling hills before descending at about mile 21. From there it was predominantly flat with an occasional bump here and there. It was a nice way to finish a long run.
I was able to run more during this marathon than my previous 6. I basically ran at a pace that felt very comfortable. I think for 95% of the race I felt in total control and mentally I was doing quite well. There was one small section in the flats when I was heading directly into the wind that I felt oh oh I am going to be able to get through this in under 5:00. Once I turned the corner and had the wind at my back it was nothing but positive. At mile 16 I checked my time and I was in much better shape than I thought. I had a chance at finishing in under 4:40. It was a slim chance but a chance. It gave me a big boost. At this point I did start a run/walk routine. I ran for about 9 minutes and than walked for a minute. I also walked the water stations. At mile 25 I still had a shot at finishing in under 4:40 but it would have required a pace of under 10:00 and I as hard as I could try that was not going to happen. What was going to happen was that this marathon would be my second best finish. I walked for 30 seconds and than put into the highest gear I could, managed a 10:35 pace, to finish at 4:41:04. It was an awesome run.
I had help in making this marathon a wonderful experience. David ran with me and that was a great motivator. I had family there to cheer me on. And boy did they cheer. They not only gave me a big boost, they gave another runner a boost too. They were screaming, hollering and shaking cow bells like there was no tomorrow. A guy next to me said “wow thanks I needed that, I am pumped too”. The second time around my wonderful wife had a dry shirt ready for me. A quick change and I was on my way. Too bad the rain started up again about 10 minutes after that. And of course I knew my entourage would be there at the finish line to cheer me on home.
This marathon was without a doubt a very special moment. Between mile 25 and 26 it wasn’t raining from the sky but it was a bit watery if you know what I mean. In addition to my family there have been so many people who have supported me along the way. That’s all of you who have followed my blog and chatted with me on running threads. I thank you and I used you along the way as well. I look forward to the next time.