Road Runner Akron Marathon....for Duma

Saturday morning I woke up to butterflies in my stomach. I got ready, ate breakfast, pinned on my race number. It was all the usual race morning routine, but for the first time in months I had jitters about my marathon. I wasn't worried about being able to finish the distance, or having pain issues. I wasn't concerned about the weather or the course. Today the responsibility of being a pace leader weighed on my shoulders. I was excited about the opportunity to lead a group of marathoners, many of which would be first timers, to their goal of a 5:00 hour finish (or 2:30 half) through the pace company marathonpacing.com. This was my first time being a pacer and I wanted to do the best job I could, running consistent as possible and giving my runners everything they needed to be successful in their goal.

I got into Akron, Ohio on Friday evening and worked the pacing booth for a couple hours, getting a chance to meet most of the team, handing out pace bands and explaining our pacing options to runners. We had pacers running from a 3:10 to 6 hour finish and with almost 5,000 people running either the half or full, we were busy the entire evening. The expo was flooded with energy, everyone
excited about running their race in the morning.

As I was handing out pace bands I realized my first error of the weekend. In my craziness of packing and trying to get on the road on time, I managed to forget the one thing I told myself not to leave behind, my own pace band! I was supposed to print it up and get it ready, as we didn't have any 5 hour bands. I ended up making my own little homemade band after the expo and hoped it would hold up through the miles and sweat.

 pace bracelet

Race morning, I got to the start area early, parked my car in one of the many lots and vowed not to forget where I parked it this year (as I did last year when I ran Akron). Walking up to the start, the sky still covered in a thick black blanket, the air cool.  I was sincerely excited to have a chance to lead other runners. I snapped a quick picture of the start banner and made my way toward the back of the starting corral.

Flags designating breaks in predicted paces so runners could line up according to their intended speed. Standing there with the 5 hour pace sign, runners started to quickly gather. Within a few minutes we had packed in well, and I had a good size group of runners planning to run with me.

 So ready to rock!

The gun sounded and slowly we made our way to the starting mats. For the first time in what seems like forever, I spent most of the race keeping an eye my watch. With a 5 hour finish time, I needed to maintain a 11:27/min per mile pace. I planned to run slightly faster in the first half, banking a little extra time to walk through the aid stations and to give us a little cushion for the second half when people would be worn out.  We were blessed with great weather and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to talk with the runners as we settled into our rythem. School bands cheered us on as we ran through Akron.

Then at mile 3 we all had to come to a sudden halt. I was worried that perhaps someone was down on the road, but as it turned out the wheelchair participants were crossing paths in front of us and we had to wait almost 2 minutes before we could resume running. I was already concerned about the pace differences from going up and down hills, but now I had to also factor in the extra time lost with the stop.

 Waiting at mile 3

And as always, I had to make sure I stopped along the way to take photos. I had explained to my group about my blog before the race and ever so often I handed off my pace sign so I could jump to the side, take a photo and then rush back to the group. Everyone was really cool and understanding about my having to take pictures. And I loved getting to know my runners. Over the course of the race I got the chance to talk one on one with probably a dozen or so. At mile 11, the half marathoners split from us for their last 2 miles and our group dwindled. As the miles carried on, I lost people here and there. Some had gone on ahead, some had dropped back.

 

Being a personal trainer, it's my job to inspire and motivate people. It's my responsibility to help them achieve their goals, to keep them on track and being a pacer was just the same. It was my chance to encourage and motivate. It was a time to share stories and distract when the miles got tough. It was my job to keep them focused and on track as we closed in on the final miles.  It was an awesome experience for me. I loved every mile and every minute. I was running Akron for Duma, a 10 year old boy who is orphaned in South Africa. Every week I have the motivation of the child I carry on my back. I know these miles are not for me, but for them. Running for someone else is incredibility motivating. It gives new meaning to the task at hand. It's not about bringing home a medal, but bringing hope to children who have lost so much. Pacing was a chance to extend that purpose.

Duma

When I think about it, we have pacers in so many aspects of our lives. Growing up we have our parents, our teachers. Their responsibility is to lead, and ours to follow. At some point, we become the pacer for someone else. We have the chance to give that direction, that insight. Life turns full circle.

Regardless of personal beliefs, we all have a need for direction, advice, and wisdom. We seek it out in different ways, through different channels, but we never outgrow that need, as adults we still need a pacer. And as for me, God is my pacer.

We ran, coming from all walks and stages of life. From stay at home moms to students. Working as lab techs, teachers, dietitians and attorneys. We were running in our own backyards and had traveled far to be a part of this experience. Running in celebration of amazing weight loss and in memory of loved ones lost. I found myself truly motivated by their stories, their lives. I might have been pacing them, but whatever I had given, whatever support I had been, I felt blessed 10 fold through their camaraderie.

Akron offers a very fun, and picturesque course. We ran through downtown, seeing the sights of different neighborhoods and the University campus. There were plenty of rolling hills to keep things interesting and even a few miles of soft surface on the Towpath trail, going over bridges and along golf courses. We spent several miles running on beautifully shaded streets away from the world before we made our way back toward the finish line.

The last couple miles I struggled to keep my runners. Fatigue was setting in, and more and more people dropped back. The volunteers on the course were great, spectators came out to cheer us. I didn't want to lose any runners, but I knew I had to keep going. I picked up a few tired runners and encouraged them to keep running to the finish line. 

The hill at mile 21

I crossed the finish line a minute earlier than I intended in 4:58:40, but it was a moment of celebration. I stayed around the finish area and got to see several of the runners who had spent most of their day
running with me. We snapped some photos and I congratulated them on their accomplishment.

Band at the finish line

Pacing made me really reflect on life. A lot of runners had just finished their first half or full marathon. This race, this moment, would stand out for a long time to come. I've run almost 60 lifetime marathons, and yet I remember my first marathon like it was yesterday. I was really glad to have been a positive part in so many people's marathon experiences.

 26.2 miles DONE!

When it comes right down to it, we all have our own life course, a different purpose, a different path. But in some way we all need to be lead, and to lead. It just depends on if we are open to that responsibility.

 Akron gives out seriously awesome swag!

Brooks running jacket and a finishers headband!

This marathon journey is a chance to give through my running, but it's also about so much more.  I hope it will inspire others to find what they are called to do. We all have been blessed with something that we can in turn use to bless others. What is it you have to give? Who are you a pacer for?

Final Race Stats:
4:58:40 - finishing time
1267 out of 1523 overall
387 out of 511 women
70 out of 94 for my age group (25-29)