SHE’S MY RUSHMORE -
A brisk wind breezed between the Chicago skyscrapers on the
chilly warmup run. Marathoners made
their way to the Grant Park start line. My
hotel was only few yards across the street.
Careful logistical considerations were set once I received event
acceptance in January. However, serious race
training started immediately after a poor 2019 Boston Marathon. On Patriot’s Day 2019, I carried ten extra
pounds leading to disappointing results.
I knew changes needed to occur to the body, heart and mind. I took my goal 3:05 goal with determined ferocity.
This cool windy Chicago day energized my
redemption.
TEMPERING STEEL –
Square One in the plan involved improving the core and
losing weight. Weight loss proved easy
without starving or anything faddish. I
maintained disciplined eating through balance, timing and eating more. I ate more fruits, minimized fats, and ate at
times right after a run while the body was still burning calories. Never full or empty. Improving the core was as simple, no sit-ups. Timed front and side planks stabilized my
core and back. Weekly yoga sessions
supplemented my flexibility, meditation, and strength training.
A marathoner must run.
I boosted my mileage from 70 miles per week in May to 80 miles a week in
June. By July and August, my monthly
mileage was 360 and 475miles for the months.
Each run accomplished something meaningful while quelling demons and
doubts from within. Discipline on the
road mattered most regardless the hour, night or day. The 4AM run became common-place. My mind needed to say to itself, “We can do this
all day.”
SHARPENING THE SWORD –
Razor sharp blades cut the deepest. Luckily, I have one of the BEST edge-shapers
in Memphis. Four years working together,
Coach Kevin Leathers knew my weaknesses and strengths. In this cycle, he noticed a higher level of
fitness and endurance. To sharpen the
running prowess, emphasis needed to be place on the long run and racing.
The long run simulated consistent moderate speeds that kept
me on my feet for an extended period always on the move, my lungs had limited
recovery time. I preplanned routes and
stashed water & fuel along the way, so I’d never need to stop or take a
break. At a point after the halfway, the
pace would increase to a fast tempo. The
evolutions took great patience and discipline from a tendency to go fast at the
beginning. If played correctly, the
runner should have a lot in the tank at the finish.
Racing provide me the mental confidence to run with
anyone. Many think a race is a matter of
beating competitors. Truth be told, it’s
about being with another person trying to get to the finish line just like you. I would even train with competitors who would
turn out to be great friends such as my Tipton Country Running Friends. I was learning not to be afraid of other
runners since they are running their own race.
I completed nine races after the Boston Marathon placing well. I faced down my internal demons by facing
competitors and friends. Chicago
awaited.
CHI-TOWN ARRIVAL –
My Mother, Ninang (Filipina Godmother), Grace (wife) and I
scheduled our flight arriving early Friday morning to avoid the crowds. Organizers automated the entire check
in. Upon arriving to the first checkpoint,
an attendant scanned my packet pickup barcode sending an instantaneous
notification to my pickup location. Once
at the pickup location, two fellows greeted me, “Mr. Delasalas, Your Packet is
ready. Pleases review.” Talk about high
speed.
I didn’t dilly-dally with too many Expo sponsors. I sought out to speak with my coach at the
St. Jude booth talk about the game plan.
He asked what I envisioned. My
entire plan relied on staying behind a pacer and following them to the
end. Coach Kevin responded, “That may
work, however, you have to depend on yourself if things go awry.” He referred to my 2018 New York City Marathon
where crowds swept me away from the pacers and I panicked then blew up my
pace. “If you must, make sure to mark
time on each of the mile clocks and remember what time you started. Then go ‘old school’ and calculate your
pace. Be engaged in the moment and
THINK.”
HOLY COW! IT’S
SATURDAY –
My parents attempted the 2017 Boston 5K. My Mom PR’d (43 minutes) while my father blew
out his knee on the first mile requiring me to carry him 2.5 miles to the
finish. This year only my Mom and I took
on the Chicago course. Despite the wind
and cold, I remained positive telling my Mother, “It’s going to be okay. It’s not too cold. You are going to be Great.” She was rolling along in beautiful form
throughout the entire race despite minor knee discomfort. Before she knew it, she found herself at Mile
3 running to the finish with new PR of 42minutes! We celebrated with a nice brunch at the
hotel. Taking my coaches advice, I
stayed off my feet for the entire day to watch college football or sleep. I would only get up into the evening to
celebrate Catholic Mass.
Tucked between tall buildings, St. Peter’s Catholic Church rested
in the middle of the Chicago Downtown Loop.
My Mother, ever the churchgoer, settled us at the second row. At the end of Mass, the Priest asked all
marathon participants to the alter for a blessing. He was surprised to see over 75 runners join
him.
Leaving the church, I noticed Father speaking to man
wearing a Bank of America Official’s badge and a Road Racing Club of America
(RRCA) sweater. I introduced myself and
told the man I was a registered coach of that organization. He shook my hand telling me he was the
National President of the RRCA, Mr. Mitchell Garner of Michigan. I mentioned that I certified to give back and
volunteer coach. Moved, he pullout a
cloth from his briefcase. It was an Olympic
flag signed by many Olympians including the Great Captain Billy Mills, USMC
(Gold Medalist 10,000m Tokyo-1964). As
we left each other, Mr. Garner imparted words of wisdom from Capt. Mills to
help inspire me for the marathon.
"Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back
to the Creator is what you do with your life."
RACE DAY –
Following a great slumber, I woke fresh at 4AM as if it was
a normal workout day. I grabbed a
granola bar, took a brisk two-mile run, and returned to dress into my race kit. I headed to Grant Park at 7AM, I was in Red
Wave, Coral B. The wave gate would close
at 7:20. Once, I figured out the lay of
the venue, It was already 7:15, my gate would close in 5minutes and I still had
my check-in bag! I quickly checked in my
bag. Now, I had less than one minute to
the gate. Apparently, ten other runners
failed to monitor time like me. We
sprinted to the gate with only 10 seconds left to spare. Still sprinting, we funneled fast like X-Wing
Fighters though the Death Star corridors leading to our corals.
Once in the corals, I looked for the pacers. As feared, the pacers were at the very front
of the coral and I was at the very back.
Shades of NYC Marathon were repeating.
However, instead of concern, I drew upon Coach Kevin’s advice and game
plan. The strategy involved staying
close to goal time (7:03s) for two hours.
Then at the third hour, put the hammer down.
With a prayer, I crossed the start with glance at the clock
reading 7:35AM. My start was only 5
minutes behind the running clock. My
forearm listed each mile mark time.
GO TIME –
The start itself was magical. Coral B was only a few yards from the head of
a gigantic line. After crossing the
line, runners sped to their pace through a dark quiet tunnel heading to a
light. Once in the sun the intensity of
cheers roared with people lining the sidewalks.
Pockets of dead-spots isolated runners at Boston and New York. Not Chicago, spectators lifted every
marathoner to the very end,
My race started slow and I found myself losing time, two to
five seconds per mile. However, I didn’t
feel the need to tense. In fact, my
circumstantial running partner amused me.
A Japanese man dressed in a Minnie Mouse outfit (skirt and all). The crowd would yell out cheers for
“MINNIE”! I chuckled and gestured to the
running Minnie. In those moments, I
realized not to take the moment to seriously and enjoy the run.
Unfortunately, Minnie didn’t run fast enough. By the 13.1mile (Half) mark, I was a 1.5 minutes behind schedule. However, I didn't panic. I kept telling myself, “You are fine, relax, your time will come.” As luck would have it, Coach Kevin happened to be at the half-way rooting me on. His presence boosted my morale.
At mile 17, I threw aside 2
hours of patience and unleashed 7 months of focused energy. Recalling Jack London’s ‘Credo’ to fit the
moment, “Run Like a brilliant blaze. A
superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow. Runners and Spectator
alike will know YOU ran this Day!” I
would either become burnt ash or lightning flash at the finish. I took
inventory of any pains. Feeling none, I flipped the switch. “Nine miles to make
something special.”
THE PUSH –
I felt my speed increase to
sub 7’s. I ran hard the next mile and my
watch confirmed my feeling. Now rolling
under 6:50s, I kept the pace going into 20 miles. My mind fully engaged, my body ran like a
finely tuned sports car, and I passed bundles runners. I was flying fast, relaxed
and awake in the moment.
Mile 23 and I'm going for
it. I know I have less than 25minutes left of this race. No sign of leg cramp, stomach pain, chest
cave or light-headedness. No signs of
anything that hindered me in past Marathons. My system in full operational and ready for
MAXIMUM EFFORT!
I flew through Chinatown and
gave a quick nod-bow to a temple. I hit
Southside and slapped hands with guy holding a Boom Box. I cruised through a school zone speed
indicator reading 9MPH. I crossed the
bridge headed back into the Chicago Loop, this race was close to over.
THE FINISH - FLY THE ‘W’ –
Leave nothing on the table! Bet everything on you!
Back onto Michigan Avenue toward Grant Park, I knew I had made
up the time and more to meet my 3:05 goal. With every step, the euphoria
started to seep into me. Full sprint to the finish, I cross the line both fists
clenched in my personal victory and let out a WARCRY. The kind the Marines
taught me at Officer Candidate School that comes from Chest, Heart and SOUL! I
didn't beat a person. I beat internal limitations. I Out-Ran Myself Today.
Sashaying in happiness back
to the hotel, I noticed I defeated my pre-race soundtrack of 46 Tracks making
it to only 45 songs. Reaching the front
of the hotel, my jubilant family celebrated with me. My mom gave me a balloon just as she did when
I won a 50yrd dash in Catholic Youth Sports as an 8yr old boy. It was cool then, darn if it wasn't cool
today. I knew I did something very
special. Initial online results read,
3:03:22 (six-minute personal record).
I reflected on another quote
from Capt. Mills. "The ultimate is
not to win, but to reach within the depths of your capabilities and to compete
against yourself to the greatest extent possible. When you do that, you have
dignity. You have the pride. You can walk about with character and pride no
matter in what place you happen to finish."
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