ST JUDE MARATHON 2017 – “ITS PERSONAL, NOT JUST BUSINESS” by Romadel Delasalas (#30340)

ST JUDE MARATHON 2017 – “IT’S PERSONAL, NOT JUST BUSINESS” by Romadel Delasalas (#30340)

Reasons -

I’ve supported St Jude as team support with Coach Kevin Leathers (St Jude Heroes National Coach) for a few years.  I told myself that I would never run it because I had too much fun supporting other runners from the sidelines.  However, I had time.  I completed the 2017 Boston Marathon in April and the New York Marathon would be in November 2018.  I had a year and a half to put a marathon somewhere in the schedule. 

I remembered the St Jude kids fighting cancer, some with no chance for survival.  Yet, St Jude was there supporting them and their families.  This race was not ‘because’, but for a “Cause”.  I signed up as a Bronze member.  I was all business about my preparation and fundraising efforts.  By the end, I didn’t know what was harder the training or the fundraising.  However, I found both were possible as long as you remembered you weren’t alone and kept trying. 

Coach Leathers and I talk Strategy at the Expo

Training & Fundraising

The beginning was slow.  I started on hills to get my wind back.  I also built a stronger chassis by concentrating on my nutrition, yoga, and strength training.  The road race series brought new challenges and more competitors up to the task of racing faster.  I was trying to build speed, but also thought endurance was going to push me through at St Jude. 

I primarily concentrated on running long daily.  I amassed a magnitude of miles of over 100miles a week, +400miles a month (498 miles alone in October).  I wanted to know I could be on a course forever and that time was irrelevant.  Speed would take care of itself when scheduled hard workouts came.  I wanted the mindset that “I could do this All-Day.”  I perform well in individual Road Race Series events.  But when it came to the “Beast” (RRS 10miler) and the RRS Half, I felt like I could be on the course longer than most people. 

My fundraising wasn’t as great. I was very sluggish.  My training seemed so much easier than the fundraising.  But, like my training, I followed simple principles such as , “Just Ask, Just Try.”  A “No” is fine but a “Yes” is even better.  Just like my training, I didn’t go into it alone.  My training partner, Scott Rauls, was not only a good runner he taught me how to be more efficient and successful fundraiser.  He'd remind me it was about the kids.  Not just the fundraising, but also the running.  Running is not as hard as what those kids have to go through.  

Scott Rauls, A Great Running Buddy!

A week prior to race day, I found myself down from my goal when I received a message from my Father in the Philippines.  He had been an admirer of Danny Thomas in the 1960’s, not only as an entertainer, but as a humanitarian.  I would learn that like my Father, Mr. Thomas was a devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.  I humbly accepted my Father’s donation putting me $9.50 above goal.  I was ready physically, mentally, and most of all, spiritually.

Getting the Bib.  Next to Juice Plus, my Daily Supplement

Race Weekend

I got my bib (#30340) in the St Jude Heroes section.  I felt very proud of that distinction.  It also got me into the Heroes Pasta Dinner.  The National St Jude Coach (Kevin Leathers) spoke for a few moments and said somethings profound that I would take into the race.  First, “When it gets hard especially towards the end.  How are you going to end your story?”  And second, he said, “Don’t think, Just Execute.”  Armed with those two thoughts, I was ready for Saturday.

Coach Leathers final Motivational Thoughts

My Strategy for the Day -"Don't Think, Just Execute"

The strategy was simple.  Run with the 3:10 pacers.  Simple right?  Well, it would be if, my person record (PR) was close.  It was actually 3:17:26.  To do it, I’d have to run 7:15 per mile for the entire course.  That pace was 17 seconds faster than my best marathon pace.  With faith from Coach Leathers and the St Jude Pacers (Anthony and Paxton from Iowa), I told myself it was possible and continually affirming the belief.

Daily Prayer Book, Entry @ 5AM before race

The line was much different from Boston.  There are no waves but a lot of corrals (ten or more).  I set myself up behind Pacer Anthony and his 3:10 sign in corral #2.  I took a look back at the corrals behind me.  Over 12,000 marathoners and half marathoners, it looked like a flock of birds heading out for migration.  Corral #1 (actually called the Elites) took off.  Corral #2 would start 60seconds later. 

Feeling Optimistic for the Day

I said my prayer as the Maroon colored electronic board counted down.  Go time NOW.  I hit my start button after crossing the line and covered it with a sweat band.  I would not look or touch it again until the finish.

I stayed on Anthony’s tail, a quick look around and noticed there were approximately 25-30 people in the group.  I was surprised that the pace didn’t seem too fast, rather manageable and easy.  However, that’s the trick of the marathon.  It feels really good at the start because you’re pumped up and want to fly.  But to reach your goal, you need discipline (and faith). 

Sticking with Anthony all the way

Discipline would be put to the test with a right turn going into the St Jude campus.  I heard how emotional and lifting it was to pass all the kids who were fighting for their own survival.  Previous runners  experienced feelings that caused them to run too fast or slow losing track of pace.  I intended to look right at Anthony’s back and not pay attention.  However, Anthony started doing “High-Fives” with the kids and I caught a glimpse of a bald little boy with his brother in a University of Washington (my Alma Mater) sweater cheering us.  I got emotional for a moment and refocused on the road ahead.  “I’ll celebrate when it’s time.  This is for you Kid!”

The streets were so familiar; I had run them with MRTC buddies many times.  I would see friends near Breakaway and familiar faces on Poplar and McClain.  Seeing all these people I knew strengthen my resolve.  These people knew me and I was not going to give them a poor Marathon story.

The 3:10 pack was still very strong heading down Madison Street.  However, I knew the Half Marathoners would be going left while I went right on Cleveland Street (mile 11).  A quick “Good Luck” from the Pacers and three-quarters of the pack was gone.  There would be six of us flying the rest of the 15miles. 

Paxton called out the half way point time, “1:35:02!”  I joking yelled back, “Dude, you’re letting us down!”  The six laughed.  Paxton and Anthony would do everything to get us through.  We grooved to my 80’s music playing on my smart phone.  I set the playlist for 3:11:50 and all songs were as close to 180BPM to keep cadence.  Luckily all six of us were old enough to know each song.  One of my goals was to beat my soundtrack (47 Songs).

Into the neighborhoods after Southern Avenue, the first inclination of discomfort started.  Again, I didn’t want to “Think” too much.  I told myself, “Hey, I’m on mile 19 and I’m only feeling the discomfort now.  I’m doing really well.”  I would continually take inventory of my status.  I would tell myself “I’m doing Really Good” often.  I would see runners ahead of our pack start dropping or slowing.  At least I thought they were slowing, or maybe we were speeding up.  Paxton would yell to them to get on board our pace machine and roll with us. 

Pacers on Peabody - Anthony in Blue / Paxton in Yellow

I found exhilaration at Peabody and MLK.  I knew that it was going to roll downhill and that there was only 5miles left.  Now larger sums of runners were fading while we were still running strong but had unfortunately dropped two in the flock.  We were inspired by one runner who flew on his own, a magnificent sight.  I was still behind Anthony as things got harder.  The dreaded right hamstring started its typical tremor.  I reflected on Matt Fitzgerald’s books “How Bad Do You Want It” and “Brain Training for Runners.”  Specifically, when it gets hard to focus and disassociate the pain.  It will be there, but deal with it.  My disassociation was looking at Anthony’s back and the words Pacer on his shirt.  I lasered on the “C” on his back when it got hard.  That would be my central point and anchor. 

Right turn on Danny Thomas, I had practiced the “Paperclip Route” seven times in November.  Here I was when it counted, and I was ON TIME!  My wife planted herself on the Union Street overpass, I yelled at her, “I’M STILL HERE BABY!”  Then, I yelled at Coach Kevin at the Monroe Street overpass, “This is my Gosh Darn Story!!”  Right turn on Adams Street I started to slow.  Anthony was the only one with me.  Paxton was trying to save the other two pack members who were fading fast.  Anthony assured me we were still on pace.  Up Jefferson overpass, the trembling in the hamstring worked its way to the gluteus.  I didn’t call on a negative thought, instead I called to Anthony, “Right Ham and Glute!”  He said, “Shorted the stride going up but keep the cadence.  Breathe it out nice and slow.  Follow and We’ll get there!”  Paxton rejoined us for the last mile.  I had the Anthony/Paxton convoy and they were going to get me in.  I hit it hard with a right on Beale, then right to Auto Zone Park.  At the 26mile marker, Paxton yelled at me in an angry voice, “ROME, Get your BUTT MOVING!  RUN!” 

Full Sprint

Paxton and Anthony follow me in

On a scale of 1-100 of pain, I was at 99.  But that 1% left over was exhilaration.  If I’m ahead of my pacers, I’m ahead of my goal.  “Fast Feet,” I thought.  Left turn into the park and 25yrd to the line, I raised my hands into a double fists pump and gave an Eagle’s Cry.   

I crossed and hit my watch; I was under 3h10min.  Paxton said we made it to 3:09:29 and laughed that I had beaten my marathon’s soundtrack.  More amazingly, I was the last man standing.  

A year prior, a good friend (Paul Dinus) ran 3:09:14 accompanied by these same men.  He sent me a picture of him and the 3:10 flag and told me it was one of his prized marathon possessions.  Moments after my race, Anthony would hand the 3:10 flag to me as my own keepsake.  I’d find out later that I had placed 35^th Overall of 2897 marathon participants and that I would receive the 2^nd Place 45-49 Age Group award.  

At the Finish

Getting the Flag / Paxton following me in

   

Paul Dinius getting the 3:10 flag in 2016

Final Thoughts

St. Jude is more than a race.  The love I had for it as a volunteer elevated as a participant.  Not just because of the Run, but because of the community and the cause.  From my Father half way around the world donating retirement money and friends across the country giving what they could,  to local runners and coaches in this great city pushing each other to run better, fund raise more and support each other as human beings with the spirit to save children and our souls.  Preparing, running and fundraising for this race, I was never alone.  I couldn’t have asked for a better time to race my best.  

Can't Stop Endurance Coach and I Celebrate the Race

Negative Split on the Second Half

Thank You St Jude Donors

Bobby D.

Brenda B.

Gray M.

Victoria & Rob S.

Vicente M.

Lisa M.

Anna L.

Mae U.

Alan D.

Steve L.

Navy Personnel Command / PERS-9

Navy Recruiting Command N7 Training and Quality Assurance Chief's Mess

Soundtrack

Duration	"	Song	"	-	Artist
0:05:07	"	God of Wonders	"	-	Third Day
0:04:10	"	Return to Innocence	"	-	Enigma
0:04:06	"	I'm Like a Bird	"	-	Nelly Furtado
0:04:48	"	Ramblin Man	"	-	Allman Brothers
0:03:34	"	Tusk	"	-	Fleetwood Mac
0:03:37	"	Tenderness	"	-	General Public
0:03:59	"	Modern Love	"	-	David Bowie
0:03:52	"	Tonight she Comes	"	-	Cars
0:02:58	"	Don't try Stopping it	"	-	Roman Holiday
0:04:23	"	Lunatic Fringe	"	-	Red Rider
0:04:43	"	The Stand	"	-	The Alarm
0:04:37	"	Pressure	"	-	Billy Joel
0:04:50	"	Dancing With Myself	"	-	Billy Idol
0:04:27	"	Rag Doll	"	-	Aerosmith
0:04:38	"	Cradle of Love	"	-	Billy Idol
0:04:50	"	Burning for You	"	-	Blue Oyster Cult
0:03:35	"	Devil Went down to Georgia	"	-	Charles Daniels
0:03:50	"	Why Can't this be Love	"	-	Van Halen
0:04:58	"	Same Direction	"	-	INXS
0:03:40	"	Black and White	"	-	INXS
0:04:18	"	All the Things She Said	"	-	Simple Minds
0:03:43	"	Opportunities	"	-	Pet Shop Boys
0:03:34	"	Private Idaho	"	-	B52s
0:05:01	"	Lay Your Hands	"	-	Thompson Twins
0:03:44	"	Turning Japanese	"	-	Vapors
0:03:10	"	Should I Stay	"	-	Clash
0:04:12	"	Radio Clash	"	-	Clash
0:03:12	"	Train in Vain	"	-	Clash
0:03:40	"	Rock the Casbah	"	-	Clash
0:05:09	"	Atomic	"	-	Blondie
0:03:32	"	Call Me	"	-	Blondie
0:03:14	"	Treat me Right	"	-	Pat Benatar
0:03:04	"	You Better Run	"	-	Pat Benatar
0:03:29	"	Just a Girl	"	-	No doubt
0:03:49	"	Dangerous	"	-	Roxette
0:05:07	"	Running on Empty	"	-	Jackson Browne
0:03:10	"	Maps	"	-	Maroon 5
0:05:44	"	Just About Enough	"	-	Paris
0:04:03	"	Poker Face	"	-	Lady Gaga
0:03:28	"	Bulletproof	"	-	La Roux
0:04:21	"	Starships	"	-	Nicki Minaj
0:03:49	"	Rolling in the deep	"	-	Adele
0:04:43	"	Counting Stars	"	-	One Republic
0:03:50	"	Remember the Name	"	-	Fort Minor
0:04:18	"	Can't Hold Us	"	-	Macklamore
0:04:30	"	Empire State of Mind (New York)	"	-	Alicia Keys
0:03:20	"	London Calling	"	-	Clash
3:11:56

Splits	Avg Moving Pace	Avg Run Cadence
1	7:10	208
2	7:05	207
3	7:10	205
4	7:16	206
5	7:14	205
6	7:07	208
7	7:10	206
8	7:08	205
9	7:09	208
10	7:11	209
11	7:10	207
12	7:08	206
13	7:06	209
14	7:09	206
15	7:19	208
16	7:08	210
17	7:10	209
18	7:05	207
19	7:10	209
20	7:02	212
21	7:06	211
22	7:04	210
23	7:14	204
24	7:05	204
25	7:12	197
26	7:00	196
26.2	6:32	199
Summary	3:09:34