State Number 45 - Baltimore Marathon

State Number 45 – Baltimore Marathon

Baltimore, MD

20 October 2018

States 45 and 46 are borne out of escalation and in the interest of frugality – quickly knocking out two states with one East Coast swing.  Securing our second double marathon weekend of the year requires our active participation in the Baltimore and Atlantic City Marathons. 

Running two marathons in two days is, by many accounts, a little nuts.  To the average person, running just one marathon is excessive and even for serial marathoners, they’re simply difficult.  So to do two consecutively requires a little more training, an affinity for fatigue, and the stamina to continue pushing yourself when every muscle is ushering you towards collapse.  However, even with all of these discouraging factors, there are many people who double-up anyway.  In fact, many nutcases go beyond two.  There is even the infamous Quadzilla in Seattle, which hosts four marathons over the four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  The Mainly Marathons series even ups them by routinely hosting up to seven consecutive marathons in seven different states around the country in seven days.  Or, better yet, running the seven continents in seven days.  What’s next?  One on earth and another on the moon?

So it’s not at all uncommon.  But what I have noticed is that, for the most part, whenever fearless runners double-up, they tend to run each race at a very conservative pace.  For me, really slowly.  I’m not out to disparage anyone’s accomplishments because it still takes a lot of dedication, endurance and mental willpower to cover 26.2 miles twice in one weekend.  But for me, the marathon has always been there to push me to my limits, forcing me to cross every finish line with nothing left at times, each drop of sweat and spit, forever grafting itself on the experience.

But I’m also not stupid.  There’s no way I can bust out a marathon as fast as possible two days in a row.  For those who can, I salute you.

I therefore decided the best way to challenge myself over the weekend without dying is to run both marathons in under five hours.  But after combatting a gastrointestinal issue over the previous several weeks, my training and energy levels plummeted, leaving me with no option but to finish, and if it’s under six hours, I’ll be happy. 

When each run has a purpose, it makes training much easier.  So you could say there may be a hypocritical conflict of interest signing up for a double marathon event in the first place.  By squeezing in a full marathon before another full marathon, I am basically creating junk miles that would tire me out for the next day’s run, going completely against this ethos.

And then it hit me, these aren’t junk miles at all.  I actually need to start the Atlantic City Marathon on tired legs.  After this 52.4-mile weekend, I will have no other marathons to worry about until after the new year as I knock out my remaining four states, besides the mileage will better prepare me to tackle the responsibilities of pacing a couple of half marathons near my hometown in November.  By then, the possibility of the debilitating effects of this double marathon will have faded into oblivion.  The best thing I could do for my legs at this moment was to run long while tired. 

 

But that doesn’t mean that it is suddenly time to run with zeal akin to an agile gazelle.  Had I decided to tackle this race at the threshold of my abilities, I would put myself at risk of dehydration and injury, neither of which would help me get through the next day.  So instead, I mapped out a plan.  I would keep a relaxed pace for the first half, and then possibly crank up the speed to a tempo until well into the second half of the race when I usually begin to feel fatigued.  This may not only make the race fun, but it makes the prospects of finishing much more worthwhile – something that had been lacking since my great run in Arkansas.

In February, I successfully completed the Hilton Head Island and 26.2 With Donna Marathon twin-bill.  While the first finish wasn’t all that bad, the finish line at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville was all but celebratory.  Due to the Northeast Florida heat, my legs simply decided to stop running during the arduous, laborious and grueling final five kilometers.  I finished the race, but barely, and I did give myself a moment to feel pride because I endured the tough running conditions the entire way.  Even through the pain, I had felt I had a meaningful experience.  I attempted to kick through those last three miles, but just couldn’t do it with any sort of fluid motions.  I gave it my all making the race itself count for something other than a conscious attempt at tiring out my legs and body.

Running South Carolina and Florida taught me a lot about adversity and running through tough times, but a chance to run with new faces in new places made the experience a little more enjoyable.  As I look ahead to this double marathon weekend challenge, I hope the finish line in Atlantic City is a much more festive affair.

It’s strange to have to re-learn such fundamental lessons.  Challenging myself is why I got into this sport so you would think that it would be at the forefront of my runner’s psyche.  I thought my Fifty States mission would keep me excited about running, but it seems like I let myself forget that the true purpose of the sport is, quite simply, to run and quickly course air through my lungs and blood.

Fresh off a mediocre marathon experience in Illinois, hopes that Baltimore and Atlantic City will meet or exceed Belleville’s production; however, remain in serious limbo.

My wife and I departed LAX on an Alaska Airlines non-stop red-eye flight to Baltimore (BWI).  I’m not a champion upright sleeper and overnight flights are never meant for me.  Quite simply, the red-eye is synonymous with misery – especially when traversing three time zones.  Trading a bed for an airline seat is a serious comfort downgrade, and arriving at my destination well-rested and functional is the farthest thing from the truth.

We arrived at BWI around 0530 hours hungry and sleepy-eyed.  We took a short catnap in the terminal, obtained our rental car and were fortunate enough that the good folks at our downtown Baltimore hotel allowed us check in before 0800 – permitting us to slumber on the ultra-comfortable bed for some forty winks before the race expo opened at noon.

The Expo/Packet Pick Up

The Convention Center in downtown Baltimore hosts the marathon expo, conveniently located about three blocks from our hotel.  I have to admit, I was surprised!  For a larger marathon event, this expo was sadly small for a race that attracts some 20,000 runners among all the festival’s events (5K, half marathon, full marathon and relay).  Possibly the best part of the expo is the race merchandise, and the Baltimore Running Festival has some cool event merchandise designs.  I found it rather uncommon to be in and out of a large marathon event’s expo.

Under Armour is the title sponsor of the marathon, and Baltimore IS the home of Under Armour, so it goes without reason that most merchandise is labeled with the Under Armour brand.  It seems that you cannot go anywhere in Baltimore without seeing at least one piece of Under Armour on every person you encounter or every apparel store.  Baltimoreans must love their Under Armour.

As my wife and I entered expo floor, I immediately looked for an opportunity to grab a photo op with Blue (the mascot) before picking up our race swag.  Unfortunately, Blue was nowhere to be found, so an up-close of a stuffed replica was the next best thing.

This years’ marathon event long-sleeved shirt design is red in color with the title “Baltimore Running Festival” featuring the heraldic colors symbolizing the coat-of-arms design of the Calvert-Crossland families of Sir George Calvert.  Only the half and full marathoners receive long sleeve shirts, relay and 5K runners receive short sleeve shirts.

Sure, you may go to a restaurant in Alaska, California or Massachusetts and order a bowl of Maryland-style crab soup, but if you're a native from the Chesapeake Bay area, locals say those soups don't bring out the flavors of Baltimore, Annapolis and the towns surrounding the Bay.

As a visitor to the Charm City, I had to try for myself whether this soup is all the rave.  With a craving for the distinct delicious flavors of real crab soup, my wife and I ordered a bowl of the culinary creation to accompany our pre-race meal at the Water Street Tavern.

My wife and I envisioned the soup would bear a resemblance to clam chowder, but rather, it’s a tomato-based soup filled with vegetables, lima beans, potatoes, seasoning and chunks of crab meat.  Undeniably delicious.

Let’s Do This

The marathon commences on the north side of Camden Yards, home to the Baltimore Orioles, which I found to be a really cool place.  I had never seen the ball park up close and personal, and it looked very different than I had expected for a ball park. 

Threatening grey clouds dominated the early morning sky with temperatures hovering around 55°F.  Meteorologists predicated a slight chance of a stray shower or two for the Running Festival.  The elevated dew point created a relatively humid morning, sounding my alarm bells.  But hey, I’ll take it over a cold miserable rainy day anytime.

The marathon begins promptly at 0800, while the half marathoners begin their journey near the Inner Harbor at 0945.

We checked our bags and headed to the start line, crowding in with 2400 runners with a little time to stretch my nervous muscles.  We were not pre-assigned any specific corral placement, as there weren’t any, but race officials set up abundant pacers and pace signs so runners may place themselves accordingly.  We slotted ourselves in between the 10:00 and 10:30 per mile group.  I still hadn’t decided if I was going to run with a pacer or just go at it alone and do what I can.  All I know, I have another marathon the next day, so I needed to carefully pace myself for that reason.

Following the pre-race introductions and announcements, runners directed their attentions to the stars and stripes and listened to the National Anthem.  I was taken by surprise when the local runners collectively emphasized “O!” while raising their right fist into the air while singing the seventh line “Oh, say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave.”  Apparently, it’s the signature cheer Baltimoreans use during the anthem before a baseball game and is a huge part of Orioles magic.  One must remember, the Star Spangled Banner was written in Baltimore, by the way.

I guess the Orioles tradition is analogous to Boston Red Sox fans rocking Fenway by shouting out “So good, so good” in harmony as Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline rings through the stadium’s sound system during the middle of the eighth inning of every home game.  Diamond’s classic and catchy song is a traditional part of Red Sox Nation lore, and by swirling in Sweet Caroline with the Fenway faithful, good times never seemed so good.  If you’ve never experienced the tradition, do so.  It’s an unforgettable experience especially after my wife and I endured the forces that shaped Boston Strong.  But I digress.

At 0800, race starters set off the wheelchair athletes and after a few ticks of the clock later, the horn declared the official start of the marathon.  We cleared the start line under an arch of red, white and blue balloons streaming with confetti and headed northward up Paca Street.

The first half:  (9:50, 9:47, 9:59, 10:16, 9:58, 9:47, 9:43, 9:44, 9:22, 10:14, 10:56, 11:00, 11:21)

The first three miles of the marathon generally fashions itself uphill towards Druid Hill Park and into the Baltimore Zoological area.  It doesn’t take a genius to know, that when a few thousand runners troop down city streets, there’s the tendency the first couple of miles becomes a little crowded leaving only marginal spaces to comfortably move about.  The crowds and slow movement forced me to hold back my propensity to charge out with an unsustainable pace and settle into a rhythm with equally paced runners.

Runners course through the historical neighborhoods of Madison Park and Penn North before entering the Druid Hill Park area.  As the ‘Hill’ in Druid Hill Park implies, it’s an obvious clue to what the first few miles demands from runners.

I managed to keep a comfortable, but steady, 9:50 – 10:00 pace up the hill into the Maryland Zoo and any hint of my typical heel or hip flexor pain was, for the most part, held at bay.

As runners cross the park’s threshold, race volunteers kindly direct runners through the gates of the Maryland Zoo.  Some of the zoo keeping staff greet runners with various animals and birds, such as a raven (hey, it’s Baltimore), a lionhead rabbit (what?), a striped skunk (whoopee), a green heron (I think) and, of course, the famous penguins decked out in their tuxedos waiting for the perfect photo-op.  Unfortunately, no photo-op for me, but I did sneak in to pet one, paying little attention to the keeper’s warning that they can inflict a nasty bite.

Once through the zoo and park, it was across the I-83 freeway into the renowned Johns Hopkins University campus and the first relay exchange point at Marathon Mile 5.7, crossing the mat in a time of 0:58:44.  I always look forward to relay exchange points along a course.  There is always great crowd support with abundant energy to lift the spirits of worn-out runners.  On the down side, runners with fresh legs charge past those without.

The next three miles saw runners trotting down St. Paul Street into the heart of the downtown area and into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the starting point of the half marathon.

Half marathon runners hadn’t begun their race as I began the out-and-back portion of the course.  However, the 5K race was still in progress, so crowd support was at an all-time high.

At Marathon Mile 9, runners enter Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area for a two-mile out-and-back section, making a 180-degree turnaround at the foot of the Under Armour headquarters.  Runners then turn back retracing their steps through the second relay exchange point at Marathon Mile 12.1 to the half marathon split at the westerly section of the Inner Harbor near the USS Constellation in a time of 2:16, more or less. 

The second half:  (12:13, 11:41, 13:38, 12:43, 13:00, 13:14, 13:35, 14:04, 13:38, 14:26, 13:41, 12:55, 13:46, 11:17 projected pace [final 0.54 mi])

The beginning of the second half of the marathon led runners back around the harbor through an old cobblestone plaza, home to the Katyń Memorial, honoring the victims of the 1940 Katyń massacre of Polish nationals carried out by Soviet forces during WWII. 

The cobblestones pose a significant running hazard for those not paying attention to their footing.  One can easily twist or break an ankle or trip and take a nasty fall.  I traversed the plaza with a slow, but cautious gait.

As I entered Fell’s Point near Marathon Mile 14, I sensed a maritime past and the aura of an old seafaring town.  From what I witnessed, a large concentration of pubs, taverns and other drinking establishments and restaurants lined Aliceanna Street.  

USS Constellation

Some of my feathered friends swimming in the Inner Harbor

Runners left the harbor area just after Marathon Mile 15 at Linwood Avenue in the direction of Patterson Park and the beginning of a steady uphill trend.  I had this sentiment of a rather desolate stretch of the race for the next few miles.  At this point, the half marathon course merged with the full course bringing about a noticeable increase in runners and walkers bringing up the rear of their race.  Many folks sat on their front stoops cheering runners, handing out water, gummy bears, candy and various snacks.

As runners passed through Patterson Park, the slow steady incline began to affect my focus and energy levels.  To skirt my mental and psychological weariness and to put myself into a different frame of mind, I forced myself to pass the multitudes of half marathon walkers giving me a sense of making some headway against other runners.

Valve house

Shortly past Marathon Mile 18, runners enter Clifton Park, complete with ball fields, a high school, playgrounds and an 18-hole municipal golf course.  Also, one cannot miss the Clifton Park Valve House, an 1880s massive octagonal stone structure with large once ornate Romanesque archways and Gothic windows, surrounded by Type K railing and portable chain-link fencing, has unfortunately has fallen into a state of disrepair. 

The final relay exchange point came after the valve house.  I found myself maintaining a comfortable consistent pace as I made my way onto Harford Road towards Lake Montebello.

Lake Montebello

Whether their intentions were good or not, I heard many spectators telling runners, “It’s all downhill from here.” 

Was I hallucinating?  Based on my increased running effort and by my topographic observations, I questioned their motives – it looked uphill to me.  Given the proclivity of the course, I had this strong sense as if I was running uphill all day long.

I reached the “summit” past Marathon Mile 19 with a slight downhill leading into Lake Montebello.  With one of the few flat parts of the course, runners completed a one-mile circuit around the lake in a counter clockwise fashion, only to emerge with another brief uphill out-and-back section.

Exiting the Lake Montebello area at Marathon Mile 21, it was uphill once again.  Runners proceeded westerly along E. 33^rd Street into the Dunkin Donuts “Munchkin Mile” where volunteers handed out large cups full of “munchkins,” essentially a glazed doughnut hole with a glorified name. 

If you know me, I usually use common sense when it comes to eating and long-distance running, and if common sense prevails, I usually don’t try any new foods on race day or during a race.  I usually stick with that rule…well, maybe for six chocolate glazed munchkins, I made an exception.  I chalk it up as a dessert after having just consuming a GU energy blocks chased down with cups of water.

As I passed the aid station, munchkins littered the roadway as if someone participated in a dough-ball fight.  What a waste.  I guess some runners before me couldn’t stomach the doughy substance in their gullets, but I expected the sugary confection would provide an enjoyable energy boost.

After closing out the last uphill segment through various neighborhoods at Marathon Mile 23, finally runners enjoyed a much anticipated long straight downhill gradient to the finish.  While not paying attention to my surroundings, I proceeded to stumble over a small fiberglass traffic delineator, pulling my calf muscle and nearly tumbling to the pavement – scary thought, but I managed to regain my balance.

While trickling through these neighborhoods, inspiring Baltimoreans were out in force, encouraging runners and walkers with their impromptu aid stations along the course offering free beer to runners.  How could I pass up an opportunity for some needed carbs and an ice cold drink? 

I stopped to sample a Natty Boh at one of those unofficial aid stations.  A beer never tasted as good as it did then!  Fueled with a small amount of carbs, I attempted to pick my pace up once again, enjoying the feeling of heading toward the final miles of a long race.  The crowds got a noticeably bigger as I neared the final mile.  Law enforcement officers cheered runners, giving high fives or simply a fist bump, lifting my spirits as I made my final push to the finish line. 

Even though runners encounter a couple nasty short inclines after Marathon Mile 25 thrown in just to keep you honest, the final stretch was downhill.  Runners made a left turn onto Pratt Street to the enjoyment of the final 0.2 mile of cheering crowds heading into the finish. 

Multitudes of runners seemed to whiz past me during the final homestretch.  As I looked up at them, I saw the “RELAY” sign pinned to their shirts.  Nothing kills the ‘ol ego faster than some fresh-legged runner sprinting past you in the final mile of a marathon.

I crossed under the finish line gantry with a not-so-inspiring time of 5:10:34.  Considering my conservative approach to my race pace and the fact my GI issues over the past weeks kept me from feeling one hundred percent, I had to feel content. 

Shortly after I finished, I hunched over to take a load off my back.  A medic quickly approached to query me about my health status.  I assured her I was ok, but was quickly told to move off to the side so other runners wouldn’t crash into me.  Given my place in the overall standings, that was unlikely to happen.

As I entered the finisher’s chute, I gladly accepted my unique customized finisher medal in the shape of a crab, with the shell opening up to a scene of the Baltimore skyline.  I grabbed some bags of Utz chips, cowtails, water and a couple other post-race goodies and waltzed over to the harbor area meet up with my wife.

Typically right after a marathon, I do not have any kind of satiable appetite.  So, a cup of crab soup given to the first 15,000 runners didn’t appeal to me (with my luck, probably would’ve been out) – neither did the thought of having my free Dogfish Head craft beer.  I instead pointed my feet towards Pratt Street and walked back to our hotel to shower, check out and depart for Atlantic City to do this crazy activity one more time.

RACE STATS:

Distance: Marathon (26.2 mi) – my Garmin clocked it at 26.54 mi

Date: 20 October 2018

Bib No.: 2355

Weather at start: 55°F with cloudy skies, slightly humid

Gun time: 5:11:06

Chip time: 5:10:34

Average cadence: 152 steps per minute

Average pace: 11:51 per mile

Overall rank: 1426 of 2326

Gender rank: 921 of 1400

Division rank: 72 of 107

Elevation: 1132 ft gain / 1125 ft loss

Half split: 2:16 (10:23 pace)

Average finish time: 4:40:11

Standard deviation: 0:53:03

Age graded score: 45.77%

Age graded time: 4:28:39

Garmin splits: 9:50, 9:47, 9:59, 10:16, 9:58, 9:47, 9:43, 9:44, 9:22, 10:14, 10:56, 11:00, 11:21, 12:13, 11:41, 13:38, 12:43, 13:00, 13:14, 13:35, 14:04, 13:38, 14:26, 13:41, 12:55, 13:46, 11:17 projected pace [final 0.54 mi]

 

LIKES / WHAT WORKED:

• Great communication from race organizers.
• Cleverly crafted crab finisher’s medal that opens to reveal a skyline scene of Baltimore.
• Well organized event.
• Fantastic race shirts.
• Medium-sized marathon field of about 2500.
• Amazing support by Baltimore police! They love high fiving and cheering on runners.
• Free race photos!
• FINISHING!!

DISLIKES / WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

• The food variety at the finish line could be improved.  
• The late start time.
• Hilly course.  Seems like running uphill the whole day.
• Spectators are sparse in some areas.
• Could use more on-course entertainment.

Final thoughts:

From what I could surmise, this marathon shows what Baltimore is all about – warts and all – to the runners.  Baltimore seems to be a beautiful city in many places and facets – but, as one can expect, there are also the gritty places that no one likes to talk about. 

Based on crowd support alone, Baltimoreans portray an aura of taking pride in their city and don’t shy away from the harsh realities characterized by large urbanized expanses.  Amazingly, even in some of these less than desirable areas, residents came out to cheer on all the runners.  I thanked many of these people for their support by waving to them.  I know it certainly means a lot to runners having so much spectator support.

I was happy to see that all aid stations had the same layout and flow – Gatorade then water then food.  I was glad bananas were available; however, I was unhappy they provided whole bananas and everyone who ate one just ate a bite or two then discarded the rest either in trash receptacles or on the street.  I found it a bit wasteful and something the organizers can easily change in future years.

With my finish time at 5:10:34, I have to get rid of some fifteen minutes.  Speaking of which, after my initial competitive disappointment slipped out of my mind never to be seen again, I remember that technically, my goal was to finish in under five hours.  So really, I did meet my goal since theoretically, I was at 4:59¼more or less.  Sometimes you have to get creative for inner peace.

Yes, I was sore, achy, and stiff, and definitely did not look forward to running another 26.2 miles.  But, I was on a mission – a mission I will complete.  Just five more states!

Onward and upward to Atlantic City!