It was an emotional scene re-uniting with Jen and my mother. Just like after the disaster in New York 4 years before, I
broke down in tears. But the situation was completely different and this time it was pure happiness. We had planned to throw
down a boot at the Essen Haus but my stomach was finally giving in. Room service liquor and delivery Pizza never tasted better.
We checked out and went to breakfast the next morning. I picked up the Wisconsin State journal to read the race coverage.
I ‘d seen some of the pros out there, but I wasn’t sure who won. The article mentioned a record number of DNF’s
due to weather, over 200 each on the bike and run.
There was small section that listed the local athlete results. I was looking for this UW chemistry professor who came out
of nowhere to place 5th the previous year. I didn’t see his name. The paper listed about 40 people, their
times, and another number—which turned out to be their overall place. I traced a few of them until I got to my approximate
time, which I did know. After the race the night before, we saw the time-keeping laptops set up on the Monona terrace. There
was no line, but we just wanted to get back to the hotel.
I could not believe what I saw. "Hey guys, how many people do you think came through before me yesterday?" At least
500, maybe 800.There were tons of them. "Try about 280." Later I would find out that I had negative split
the marathon, and only the pros and a few dozen amateurs had eclipsed my time. My strategy had worked. After spotting 3/4
of the field a headstart out of the swim, I steadily moved up and was able to catch over 600 people each on the bike and run.
Not a single person caught me from behind on the run, and only 2 people who exited the swim after me, finished ahead.
We were all astonished. My estimate was closer to theirs. I had run a few scenarios on this widget a UW athlete had put
up earlier. My perfect best case scenario, the one I ‘d never accomplished in training, put me in the 300’s. Some
guy at work said he’d buy me dinner, anywhere I wanted, If I broke 300. I ‘m torn between Arun’s and Trotter’s
at the moment.
The ride continues
I recovered with lots of wine and good food the next few days. My mom stayed in town until Wednesday and Jen was off as
well. We were all still basking in the glow of that weekend. It was such a great experience for the three of us. Even had
my "results" been different, the overwhelmingly positive vibes from the event were the gifts we took away. We had become this
team. We shared very special memories and are now forever bonded by them.
That’s one of the lessons that came out of that difficult race in New York. I was using my running as a sort of therapy,
which I still do. But I went too far, and I tied my performance to things I could not control. Even if I had caught fire and ran it in 2:20, those people were not coming back, nor would it have repaired the city I loved.
The world does not move because you do well or poorly in some race. But like any number of other activities, these events
hold the wonderful potential to connect people. The shared experience, so precious that it should be savored, is what really
matters most.
