Team Boyle Assault on Dallas - Dave & Leigh
(Part One)
So for the fourth year in a row I set out to run the Dallas Marathon with my (now) 69 year old father. The first year I injured my knee so didn't compete. Next year kinda did the LSD approach and barely dragged myself across the like with a 3:35. Last year? Oh decided to do Florida one month prior, so did almost zero training between the events and stagged across with a 3:30.
This year I took a slightly different approach, I actually trained for it. With my bike mojo nowhere to be seen since my little crash in June I took to running as much as I could. I was determined to do well. Initially the goal (a lofty one for me mind ya) was to qualify for Boston, needed a 3:15. As time went on I started noticing that I _may_ be able to squeak by with a 3:10. Leigh kept telling me I could totally do it, and I (as usual) told her she was crazy. As it turns out she was right 
So we flew down there and headed over to the expo. Usual crazy people trying to sell you all sorts of crazy stuff. From massages to retirement villages. Consumed a bunch of clif shots and other tasty stuff and got back to my Dad's to get settled in. We woke up at like 5 to head over, got some coffee only to get stuck in traffic. Like epic are we going to make it to the race traffic... We could literally see the start line but were getting nowhere closer to it. Leigh got out and hopped a fence (breaking the law! woohoo!) and I decided to stay with my dad and let the chips fall where they may. Lucky traffic opened up and we got a spot. The porta pottie lines were crazy and I just wouldn't have made the start if I did the usual pre-race activities. So decided if I had to stop and goto the bathroom that was fine, was kinda bummed cause my goal was to run the whole thing this time, no stopping... Slapped on my fuel belt, race belt and dropped off my bag and made my way to the B corral.
I had set my garmin to do the virtual partner marathon with a 3:10 goal. That was an even 7:15 pace. Dallas has historically been roughly a quarter of a mile long, so I just wanted to know I could run the distance in under 3:10. My race plan was to go ~7:25 for the first 5, then 7:10-15 for the next 15 then whatever I could muster for the last 6.2. While it meant I would have to make up the ~:50 seconds I 'lost' in the first five I figured it was smarter than trying to start off at pace since I didn't have time to warm up or anything.
Gun goes off and as usual everyone in front of me is slower... Usually with these things I try to get at least somewhat close to the start. Unfortunately everyone else does too. Even with the corral system which was based on your goal time there was no way people were being honest. Oh well. In the end being forced to weave back and forth and run real slow probably wasn't a bad thing. I kept looking down and seeing an average pace in the 8's and was getting worried. Thankfully that horrible traffic only really lasted for a few miles.
So first five miles:
7:39
7:34
7:15
7:22
7:25
More or less exactly where I wanted to be. Would grab a water and gatorade at each stop and shuffle step while I tried to get it down. Would also supplement with water from fuel belt.
Next 15 were all about being smart and not chasing the roxette's who where running in candy cane striped leggings. Not kidding folks, there were many of them running parts of the marathon and dang they were quick. Turns out they were taking short cuts etc and that is how they always were ahead of me 
7:10 was the average pace
Mile 16 I hit a huge decision. Do I take the cup of skittles at the water stop? Stopping and getting skittles wasn't on my pre-race nutrition testing. Decided to roll the dice and take them, other than the complete absurdity of trying to chew skittles while running I think it was a wise decision. Mental note: Skittles = Good for racing hehehe
I remember looking down and seeing that I hit mile 20, spot on to the race goal and the brain started clicking. Looked down at my little virtual partner and I was 183 ft ahead of him. Thankfully it is mostly downhill from mile 20 on so I started to push and see how I felt. Next 6 miles were:
7:13
6:46
6:57
6:54
7:04
6:06
6:45 (for the .22)
So according to the GPS I ran a 3:07:14! Course that doesn't matter cause I still had more to go LOL Last year I literally walked when I hit 26.22, my mind (and body) was just shot. This year I pushed through and kept going. Took me another 2 minutes to get to the finish and crossed the like in 3:09:26. So a > 20 minute PR and a boston qualifier by 5 minutes.
Was really a great great run, I don't think I could have run it any faster, and certainly couldn't have stuck to the plan and been successful any more than I was. Just was a great day.
Overall: 116 out of like 4500, 8th in AG
My dad crossed the line in 4:23, which it appears is also a qualifying time since it is your age when you would run Boston that matters and he turns 70 in a few weeks. Which means we will both be signing up for Boston 2011! Very cool.
So I know that running a marathon isn't the smartest thing to do in terms of what effect it will have on training for the real stuff. However this is always a fun event for me since it means alot that my dad is still out there running, the fact that I crushed it just was icing on the cake LOL. Thank you all for your text messages, facebook congrats etc. Really a fun group to be a part of.
Now time for some actual relaxation prior to my Jan OS start 
-Dave
Comments
Part 2- The Half Mary
While the Boyle Men were off conquering the marathon, I was off with some lofty half mary goals in mind. To really be competitive in my AG at the the 70.3 distance, I need to be south of 1:47-8 on the run. So give or take a few minutes, I really want to be down in the 1:41-2 range by spring for a stand alone.
In early October, I had my baseline test- the Maine 1/2 mary. This was done on minimal volume and some long runs but not much speedwork. I clocked in at 1:54:16 (8:44 avg pace). I was thrilled with that result. It was a pr for me at an official race! And it wasn't even a great race. I was horribly fading by mile 10 but my father in law was chasing me and after losing in a 5k to him the day before, had to save some face on this one!
My initial goal when I signed up for Dallas was a 1:50. That seemed doable based on Maine, but as I started to really start playing with speed work and a long run, I was able to hold my 5k ranges for longer and longer. Probably the biggest mental turning point for me was an 8 mile run I did as 1.5 mile warm and then 2x2 miles all out in late Oct/early Nov (remembered this one from earlier OS seasons). It was the first "long" run that I'd ever done sub 8 min pace. I couldn't believe it! From there it became a game of how long could I hold it. I did for 10 miles and faded at 13.1 (cracked 1:50 for the first time ever though). Another big mental boost came at turkey day with the 4 mile gobbler run- almost cracked 30 minutes and the last few mile repeat workouts where I got down into the low 7:20's. So from there the goal slid south to 1:45. I knew full well it was a stretch so I posted it up here early and often to keep myself motivated and not back out of it as "nah, that's too lofty...stay reasonable".
Anywho, onto race day. Looking at the course profile, it's gradual up's and down's with nothing steep. Mostly up for the first half and progressively down for the back half. My plan was to stay 10-15 seconds slow for the first 3, steady goal pace for the middle and then hammer the last 3. Nutrition wise, I had two gu's in a little flask that I carried and fluids as needed on the course.
How it really happened?
First half- 53:16 (8:07 pace)
Second half- 53:00 (8:06 pace)
Total time - 1:46:16 for 13.1 miles (8:06 avg pace)
[Course was a little long though so official time was 1:47:45 for 13.31 miles]
45/913 AG, 232/4569 Female, 957/7398 OA
Admittedly, went out fast. In the back of my head, I was thinking that I needed to keep it close on the first half and not lose too much time on the hillier parts. Combine that with crazy crowds and excitement and my first 3 miles were done and gone in 23:55.At mile 4, I was really starting to think that I'd blown myself up. Pulled it back together over the next few miles . By mile 7-8, I was dying again. Oddly enough- passed one of my patients on the out and back waving and calling my name and just laughed. Small world indeed. By mile 10 we hit the Katy trail and I thought I was done again. In fact, I would honestly say I thought to myself that I was done about 3 or 4 times during the race. I didn't wear a HR monitor because I didn't want to know but I imagine it would have been pretty funny if I had! At mile 10, I just put my head down and kept saying it's only 3 miles. It was a great motivator knowing I was a) close to the goal and that b) lots of people knew about the goal so I had to represent. By mile 12 my legs were wobbly and my calves were starting to cramp. Had absolutely nothing left in the tank to sprint for the finish. Last 3 miles in 23:59.
Hands down, I have never worked that hard in that long of a running race before. Usually, I work my way through the crowds and gradually pick up pace as I go. I sure as hell have never raced one before, and wow do I still feel the difference... two days later. Freakishly sore and walking slower than Dave (seriously!?).
Looking at the splits now, clearly slowed in the middle sections and ultimately that cost me the 1:45 goal by 16 seconds, but you know what- I wouldn't trade it for anything. Learned more during this race than I have in the last 8 years of racing. I'm now more motivated than ever to actually become a "runner".
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, PM's, texts and other assorted messages! This team really is something else!
The real highlight of my day was getting to catch Dave at the finish line. It's the first time that's ever happened for me. Usually we race the same races and he's always waiting for me, but this time I actually got to return the favor. Can't even tell you how much I swelled with pride when I heard the announcer "welcoming him home". He absolutely nailed it and I'm so damn proud of him I can't even tell you!! We've had our bumps along the way this year on the racing scene, but we closed out the '09 season on one helluva high note!!!
As always, thanks for reading and for the motivation!
It was great to meet you all hopefully next race we meet at I will be running also!
we closed out the '09 season on one helluva high note!!!
Team Boyle, the quote says it all! A big fat congrats to both of you. You guys both trained so well for this race. Just a great feel good story all around, with Dave and his Dad, Leigh catching Dave, and Leigh just gettin' it done and breaking through all sorts of barriers.
Will the Boyles ever rest?
Dave
Dave- you gotta be on cloud 9 with the idea of going to Boston with your dad in 2011. That's just freaking AWESOME!
I'm going to get me some Boyle-like times next year, I swear!!!
Rockettes & Skittles??
{{{HUGE HUGS}}} OF HAPPINESS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!!! AND BRUCE TOO!!!!!
I knew you were both ready to break down some major barriers, and I am so glad it all came together. Congrats, big time!!!! I am hugely impressed, but not surprised.
Rest up, and get back to hitting it hard with us here!
Great job and great report!
Very cool! I love this story!!! So impressed with you both and kudos to your dad!!!
Awesome Dave and Leigh. Fun stuff reading your race reports!
Vince
Congrats Dave & Leigh! & Dave's Dad
Way to end the season. You guys have been working hard, so happy to hear you had a successful day!
Work Works
Now enjoy some down time
Awesome job by all three, take some time to relax during the holidays. If you forget how to do that just watch your cats and do almost what they do
Congratulations! Getting to go to Boston with your dad = seriously cool. And thank you both for bringing such good love of running energy into the haus.
CONGRATULATIONS! Simply said: You guys ROCK and it is obviously hereditary! Special Congrats to Dad Boyle! Simply awesome that at age 70, he qualifies for Boston. What an inspiration!
Congrats to you both!! Uber cool that you will run BAA with your Dad !!
Congrats Team Boyle! What great races for all 3 of you!
Leigh and Dave (and Dad Boyle)
Just a really great report and effort all the way around. Truly inspiring. Boston passes a 1/2 mile from my office. 2011- I think I could probably get the day off to cheer.