J
Jos Bergervoet
Guest
Race report : Eindhoven Marathon (the Netherlands, Oct 12, 2003) Author : Jos Bergervoet Web-site :
http://www.marathoneindhoven.nl/main.php Participants : about 1000 Winner : ***** Cheruiyot (Kenya)
Winning time : 2:09:03
This was my first marathon. Together with many of my colleagues (of Philips Research Laboratories)
we had subscribed. Most of them would run the half-marathon, and we also had a team in the
"company team competition", where the result would be based on the three best ranking runners in a
team of five. But that was also based on the half marathon. In the end I was the only one doing
the full marathon.
My proclaimed goal was to finish within 1.5 times the new world record of Paul Tergat (2:04:55),
which gives a time of 3:07:22. During the training period, I tested my half marathon time in a
race and got
1:25:48. Using the 'rule of thumb' that says: twice that time plus 15 minutes, that would predict
3:06:36, so the second target (1 1/2 times Paul Tergat) would seem realistic. Of course,
since this was to be my first marathon, finishing it would be good already. And on the
other hand there was of course this highest imaginable goal: to run my debut below 3 hours!
As I drove to the Eindhoven city hall, where we would start at 11.00, the weather looked nice,
temperature about 50-55F. I was a bit late, since chip and bibnumber had been pre-arranged, and this
meant that the nearby parking was full! Fortunately, at half a mile walking distance there was still
space, so I arrived in time to look around. Some of my colleagues were already there, and had parked
a van nearby where we could leave our bags. Most of the others had still to arrive since the half
marathon would start later.
For this race, Runner's World had arranged pacing teams for various finishing times, each 15 minutes
apart. I had to choose between the 3:15 and 3:00 pacers, or run my own race. I decided for the 3:00
pacers (the fastest group!), to give it at least a try to get sub 3 hours. The starting area was
already filling up, but fortunately people left lots of space, so I could easily walk all the way up
to the 3:00 pacers. I guess there were only about 100 people in front of us (but not the top
runners, as far as I know they had their own "elite start!")
Just before the gun, I started drinking my usual two bottles of sport drink, but before I finished
the last one we were sent off, so I kept it in my hand when we started. I seemed to take about half
a minute to reach the chipdetector. In the beginning it was fairly crowded, but the pacers had
chosen their starting position well, so we went rather quickly into a decent pace. A few times I
considered slowing down, when my HRM came above 153 (my estimated LT is 158), but after I dumped the
drinking bottle, it soon became a steady 150, so I decided I could go on. At the 5k point the clock
read 21:30, and considering the delay at the start, that would be a 5k of about 21 minutes, a
perfect pace!
Meanwhile, we had a great public, and bands were playing at almost every street corner. Drink
stations were positioned at every 2.5k, offering gatorade, water, and sponges. I drank some
gatorade, poured some water over my head, and started thinking about eating the energy gels I
carried (I had six of them). I took one at 10k and another one at 15k, each time with a cup of
gatorade or water soon after it. All the time the pacers were doing their job, the second and third
5k both went in
1:26. Then, however, the pace seemed to go up a bit, and again I was in doubt whether I should
follow. Indeed, at the 20k mark we seemed to have done a 5k of 20:30, nearly one minute
faster! We now were back in the city center, and nearing completion of the first lap. Both
sides of the road were crowded with people, especially at "Stratumseind", the narrow road with
the many bars. Lots of people standing outside, drinking beer and giving us loud support! We
completed the first lap, half-marathon time 1:29. I guess the faster fourth 5k was for keeping
it below 1:30.
I was now almost the last one in the pacing group and again considered slowing down. Also, after
having a third gel with a cup of gatorade, my stomach started protesting. To avoid severe problems,
I slowed my pace a bit, and at 25k I was 200 meter behind, although the group was still clearly
visible (the pacers all carry helium balloons!) My 25k time was still compatible with a 3 hour
target, but I was clearly losing pace, since the fifth 5k split was 22:10. So it seemed wise to
change to the "realistic" goal, the 3:07:22. Well, 7 minutes to spare and only 11 miles to go! I now
had time to look around, wave to the public, applaud back when they applauded us, and watch other
runners. From time to time I tried speeding up a little, but my stomach was not amused by such
efforts. HR went down to 145 and the sixth 5k took me 23 minutes.
We were now at Anthony Fokker road, nearing the far point of the second lap, and also nearing the
point were the famous "wall" should be expected! And indeed, around 32k (20 miles, precisely as
predicted!) I suddenly started to pass people. Some of them almost seemed to stand still! As for
myself, I started to feel my quads, although that didn't slow me down much further than I already
had, and the seventh 5k went by in 23:10. I did, however, start to worry a bit about my (new) target
time, since at 35k I had only about 34 minutes left, with 7.2km to go. Meanwhile, the great thing
about running alone were the cheers of the public for every lonely runner, and a few times I heard
"hup Jos" when someone who knew me was among the spectators. I couldn't resist making a few joking
remarks like: "How can you stand still for so long!", or "It's tough, isn't it?"
In reality, the tough thing was that after each corner a new piece of road appeared, and for someone
who doesn't know the area exactly this seems to go on forever! In this part of the race I would have
preferred a long straight road with a visible target. One discovery I made (perhaps interesting, in
view of the frequent HRM discussions) is that watching the HR now and then is very useful to prevent
your pace from slipping away completely! I must admit that once or twice I saw an embarrassing 139.
Some extra arm movements and a few deep breaths would then bring it back to 145. It sure helps to
see the unforgiving display in front of you! I also noticed a strange thing at the last pass-over of
John F. Kennedy lane: with tired quads, the uphill part actually feels easier than the downhill
part! At that point, however, I knew that the good part would now soon begin, at the next turn
southward.
Yes: Field-marshal Montgomery lane! A big, straight road, the skyline of the city center looming in
front of us, and dozens of other runners visible (and looking slow!) Here we passed the 39k point: 2
miles to go, and 15 minutes left. Going into 1-1 breathing mode, I finally managed to get a
non-embarrassing 155 on the HRM, and started passing others. The speed dropped a bit in the center,
running in a corridor between massive walls of people. Then the second passage through Stratumseind:
giving a friendly nod here, waving to some people over there, and thumbs up to the boys with the
beer (everyone seemed in a very good mood!) Then the little bridge over River Dommel, the
right-hander to the van Abbe museum, and the final turn to the finish. Style is everything, of
course, so I tried to do (for once) everything that Ozzie tries to teach us in his FAQ. And also to
smile into the cameras of the local TV. And also to run all the way over both chip detectors. Even
to stop my own watch! Anyhow, the finish clock read 3:07:18, so apparently I made it with 4 seconds
to spare! Actually my chip time turned out to be 3:07:02.
Now it was time to join the people at our van again, eat an apple and some biscuits, and quickly
lend a helping hand at Stratumseind. (I mean, the company team would need our support!) When the
half marathon runners came in, our first three runners (Ad, Ivan, and Koen) took places 5, 16, and
28. This gave Philips Research second place in the team competition! All in all, a day well spent.
My splits:
time | split | 5k part
----------------------
:21:30 21:30 gun to 5k :42:50 21:20 5-10k
1:27:10 21:20 10-15k
1:28:40 20:30 15-20k
1:29:02 <-- Half-marathon time 1:29:02
1:30:50 22:10 20-25k
1:31:50 23:00 25-30k
1:32:00 23:10 30-35k
1:33:50 23:50 35-40k
1:34:18 10:28 40-42.2k <-- Finish time 3.07.18, chip time 3:07:02
Avg. HR: 148
http://www.marathoneindhoven.nl/main.php Participants : about 1000 Winner : ***** Cheruiyot (Kenya)
Winning time : 2:09:03
This was my first marathon. Together with many of my colleagues (of Philips Research Laboratories)
we had subscribed. Most of them would run the half-marathon, and we also had a team in the
"company team competition", where the result would be based on the three best ranking runners in a
team of five. But that was also based on the half marathon. In the end I was the only one doing
the full marathon.
My proclaimed goal was to finish within 1.5 times the new world record of Paul Tergat (2:04:55),
which gives a time of 3:07:22. During the training period, I tested my half marathon time in a
race and got
1:25:48. Using the 'rule of thumb' that says: twice that time plus 15 minutes, that would predict
3:06:36, so the second target (1 1/2 times Paul Tergat) would seem realistic. Of course,
since this was to be my first marathon, finishing it would be good already. And on the
other hand there was of course this highest imaginable goal: to run my debut below 3 hours!
As I drove to the Eindhoven city hall, where we would start at 11.00, the weather looked nice,
temperature about 50-55F. I was a bit late, since chip and bibnumber had been pre-arranged, and this
meant that the nearby parking was full! Fortunately, at half a mile walking distance there was still
space, so I arrived in time to look around. Some of my colleagues were already there, and had parked
a van nearby where we could leave our bags. Most of the others had still to arrive since the half
marathon would start later.
For this race, Runner's World had arranged pacing teams for various finishing times, each 15 minutes
apart. I had to choose between the 3:15 and 3:00 pacers, or run my own race. I decided for the 3:00
pacers (the fastest group!), to give it at least a try to get sub 3 hours. The starting area was
already filling up, but fortunately people left lots of space, so I could easily walk all the way up
to the 3:00 pacers. I guess there were only about 100 people in front of us (but not the top
runners, as far as I know they had their own "elite start!")
Just before the gun, I started drinking my usual two bottles of sport drink, but before I finished
the last one we were sent off, so I kept it in my hand when we started. I seemed to take about half
a minute to reach the chipdetector. In the beginning it was fairly crowded, but the pacers had
chosen their starting position well, so we went rather quickly into a decent pace. A few times I
considered slowing down, when my HRM came above 153 (my estimated LT is 158), but after I dumped the
drinking bottle, it soon became a steady 150, so I decided I could go on. At the 5k point the clock
read 21:30, and considering the delay at the start, that would be a 5k of about 21 minutes, a
perfect pace!
Meanwhile, we had a great public, and bands were playing at almost every street corner. Drink
stations were positioned at every 2.5k, offering gatorade, water, and sponges. I drank some
gatorade, poured some water over my head, and started thinking about eating the energy gels I
carried (I had six of them). I took one at 10k and another one at 15k, each time with a cup of
gatorade or water soon after it. All the time the pacers were doing their job, the second and third
5k both went in
1:26. Then, however, the pace seemed to go up a bit, and again I was in doubt whether I should
follow. Indeed, at the 20k mark we seemed to have done a 5k of 20:30, nearly one minute
faster! We now were back in the city center, and nearing completion of the first lap. Both
sides of the road were crowded with people, especially at "Stratumseind", the narrow road with
the many bars. Lots of people standing outside, drinking beer and giving us loud support! We
completed the first lap, half-marathon time 1:29. I guess the faster fourth 5k was for keeping
it below 1:30.
I was now almost the last one in the pacing group and again considered slowing down. Also, after
having a third gel with a cup of gatorade, my stomach started protesting. To avoid severe problems,
I slowed my pace a bit, and at 25k I was 200 meter behind, although the group was still clearly
visible (the pacers all carry helium balloons!) My 25k time was still compatible with a 3 hour
target, but I was clearly losing pace, since the fifth 5k split was 22:10. So it seemed wise to
change to the "realistic" goal, the 3:07:22. Well, 7 minutes to spare and only 11 miles to go! I now
had time to look around, wave to the public, applaud back when they applauded us, and watch other
runners. From time to time I tried speeding up a little, but my stomach was not amused by such
efforts. HR went down to 145 and the sixth 5k took me 23 minutes.
We were now at Anthony Fokker road, nearing the far point of the second lap, and also nearing the
point were the famous "wall" should be expected! And indeed, around 32k (20 miles, precisely as
predicted!) I suddenly started to pass people. Some of them almost seemed to stand still! As for
myself, I started to feel my quads, although that didn't slow me down much further than I already
had, and the seventh 5k went by in 23:10. I did, however, start to worry a bit about my (new) target
time, since at 35k I had only about 34 minutes left, with 7.2km to go. Meanwhile, the great thing
about running alone were the cheers of the public for every lonely runner, and a few times I heard
"hup Jos" when someone who knew me was among the spectators. I couldn't resist making a few joking
remarks like: "How can you stand still for so long!", or "It's tough, isn't it?"
In reality, the tough thing was that after each corner a new piece of road appeared, and for someone
who doesn't know the area exactly this seems to go on forever! In this part of the race I would have
preferred a long straight road with a visible target. One discovery I made (perhaps interesting, in
view of the frequent HRM discussions) is that watching the HR now and then is very useful to prevent
your pace from slipping away completely! I must admit that once or twice I saw an embarrassing 139.
Some extra arm movements and a few deep breaths would then bring it back to 145. It sure helps to
see the unforgiving display in front of you! I also noticed a strange thing at the last pass-over of
John F. Kennedy lane: with tired quads, the uphill part actually feels easier than the downhill
part! At that point, however, I knew that the good part would now soon begin, at the next turn
southward.
Yes: Field-marshal Montgomery lane! A big, straight road, the skyline of the city center looming in
front of us, and dozens of other runners visible (and looking slow!) Here we passed the 39k point: 2
miles to go, and 15 minutes left. Going into 1-1 breathing mode, I finally managed to get a
non-embarrassing 155 on the HRM, and started passing others. The speed dropped a bit in the center,
running in a corridor between massive walls of people. Then the second passage through Stratumseind:
giving a friendly nod here, waving to some people over there, and thumbs up to the boys with the
beer (everyone seemed in a very good mood!) Then the little bridge over River Dommel, the
right-hander to the van Abbe museum, and the final turn to the finish. Style is everything, of
course, so I tried to do (for once) everything that Ozzie tries to teach us in his FAQ. And also to
smile into the cameras of the local TV. And also to run all the way over both chip detectors. Even
to stop my own watch! Anyhow, the finish clock read 3:07:18, so apparently I made it with 4 seconds
to spare! Actually my chip time turned out to be 3:07:02.
Now it was time to join the people at our van again, eat an apple and some biscuits, and quickly
lend a helping hand at Stratumseind. (I mean, the company team would need our support!) When the
half marathon runners came in, our first three runners (Ad, Ivan, and Koen) took places 5, 16, and
28. This gave Philips Research second place in the team competition! All in all, a day well spent.
My splits:
time | split | 5k part
----------------------
:21:30 21:30 gun to 5k :42:50 21:20 5-10k
1:27:10 21:20 10-15k
1:28:40 20:30 15-20k
1:29:02 <-- Half-marathon time 1:29:02
1:30:50 22:10 20-25k
1:31:50 23:00 25-30k
1:32:00 23:10 30-35k
1:33:50 23:50 35-40k
1:34:18 10:28 40-42.2k <-- Finish time 3.07.18, chip time 3:07:02
Avg. HR: 148
BTW did you decide on the Asics DS trainers,