The Equinox Marthon (course profile and map) has been advertised as the second most difficult in the country (after Pike's Peak). The Equinox is a trail run with modest hills for 10 miles, a 3+ mile relentless up-hill (1500+ft climb up Ester Dome), 4 miles of rolling hills (up and down), a very steep downhill chute followed by 6 miles of steady downhill to a finish with one more modest hill (up and down) at end.

Why? (what kind of fool runs a marathon)

Starting this year I was certainly a pudgy, middle-aged, couch potato. I have been thinking about walking the Equinox again for the last 10 years. I walked the Equinox 1965 through 1969 (7 to 11 years old) and finished twice, 8hr20ish and 6hr45ish. Prior to this summer I never ran any kind of race and probably never ran farther than 4 miles. I started walking daily 12/1999 to lose weight and get in shape. I have lost 50+# since December. I started running in early June to participate in the 10k Midnight Sun Run (49:15) and subsequently ran two additional 10k (PR 48:01, faster in training) and a 5k (20:51) event. Running has been feeling good... why not try the Equinox, eh? I decided to try the Equinox in July hoping for a time under 5 hours. After training through August I am hoping for a time under 4hr20.

Training

Middle distance training runs:

Pre-Race Condition

Feet, calves, thighs, back, lungs at 100%.
Rest at 95+% (7 hours/day sleep last week, not as much as I wanted, but better than average for me).
Knees at 85% (which is as good as they get).

Goals and Strategy

1. Survive (and don't hurt myself)
2. Finish (probably under 5 hours even if I tank half way through and walk remainder)
3. Realistic goal: 4hr20mn (10 minute miles)
4. "Very happy" goal: 4hr07mn (9:30 minute miles)
5. "Ecstatic" goal: < 4 hours (not realistic)

Anticipated pace (a test to see how well I know myself)... and actual (after the fact):

Race Day:

• Weather:

  Gorgeous! Sunny, blue sky, fall colors.
  Morning temperature was 27F with light breeze, likely near 40F by noon. Saw some ice on puddles on Ester Dome. Saw frost in low areas after 11am. No overnight rain so trail was dry, hard, and fast (good conditions). However, enough leaves had fallen (roughly half) to obscure some of the tree roots and damp spots creating a challenge to footing at times.

• Weight:

  166# at start, 160# at end.
  This is my "typical" loss in middle distances, too. There were enough water/gatorade stops (every 2-3 miles) to stay hydrated. Earlier weights: 12/1/1999 217#, 3/21 176#, 6/21 176#, 9/11 161# (I intentionally put on weight over the last week).

• Time: 3:59:48

  Yup... I was pleased with breaking 4 hours. Although I was "racing" myself, I finished 18th in my class (40-49) of 64 finishers and 40th overall for men. This year there were 511 entrants (311 men, 200 women), 442 finished. There were also 49 3-person relay teams, only 5 of the teams finished ahead of me. The fastest time was 2:56:52, only two people broke three hours this year. See also the official results.

  
Views from Ester Dome.
  
Where to go and after the marathon.

Post-Race Condition:

Immediately fatigued, went home and climbed in jacuzzi.
Knees hurt through evening and back was stiff.
Was able to walk a 2.5mi and a 3mi Sunday... no running!
Monday I walked to work as usual, ran 4 miles home and felt good.
Mid-day Tuesday ran 7miles under 55 minutes (a good time for me).

What I Did Wrong (yeah, some would say even entering was silly)

• Over ate night before, had stomach problems throughout run.
• Underestimated Ester Dome (in spite of good times)
• Underestimated my stamina... or perhaps my stubborness.

What I Did Right

• "Gu" for calories @6,10,15 miles, could not stomache scheduled 4th package @20mi.
• Pre-applied ointment to chaff areas
• Gained weight (ate a lot) week before -
  Intentional due to fatigue during runs the previous weekend.
• Started initial hill slow (learned from "Run for Refuge - ANWR").
• No cotton except socks -
  Accidental, I was cold in training runs and finally invested in wicking clothes the last week of training.
• Walked the steeper parts of Ester up hills -
  This conserved energy and since I walk fast (as low as 12 min/mi) I was walking as fast as those running.
• Carried a watch for first time during a race -
  I slowed down when I was pacing too fast after 7 miles;
  Watch was an incentive @23mile with possibility to break 4 hours with strong finish.

Inspirations

• Beautiful day!
• Started out-and-back on Ester (12.5-17 mile) in time to see race leader, albeit several miles ahead.
• Ran with some nice folks for several stretches, especially Nat Goodhue, Don Norris, a runner from Anchorage (APU), and another fellow for much of Ester Dome.
• Encouraging others and encouragement from other runners (a very friendly run).
• Encouragement from the many bystanders (thanks to all).
• Encouragement from little boy @8ish mile and little girl @22ish mile, those young kids really made me smile (which I really needed especially after 22 miles).
• Pre-run (and post-run) encouragment from a good friend (who also suggested the Gu and ointment).