Goals:
1 - Finish in less than three hours. (Last year was 3:00:38.)
2 - Place in the top 10.
Plan:
First 6km – Run at a 4min/km pace. Use my Garmin 310XT with the GPS.
Turn off the GPS since it doesn’t work in the gorge and use the Foot Pod for the rest of the race.
Next 18km up the gorge – Run at a 4:15-4:30min/km pace.
Last 18km – Run at a 4min/km pace.
Some History:
I have been keeping an eye on the weather because this year seemed to be a little warmer than usual - lows of 20C, highs of 22C. Previous years have been around 17C for the low on race day. In 2008 it was also very warm, but that is the one year I wasn't able to go. I usually look forward to this marathon because it is a nice break from the heat, but not this year.
A Few Days Before:
My family and I left a couple days earlier than usual. We usually leave on Friday and stay one night. However, we wanted to visit Farglory Ocean Park and this year and time of the year seemed to be the best time to do it. Everyone had a very good vacation time there.
The Day Before:
The hotel served an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, so I filled up on the usual pasta and breaded items. We didn’t eat much for lunch because we were all still full from breakfast. I snacked on some granola throughout the day and tried to make sure I drank plenty of water. The evening before the race, I picked up my race packet near the train station. I then needed to buy a train ticket for the rest of the family for the train and bus to Taroko Gorge at 4:35 the next morning. I sent the family to the hotel while I went and waited half an hour in line at the train station. Afterwards, I went to the hotel to drop off my race packet and get the family. We then headed out and got some shrimp fried rice from our usual place in Hualian right across from our hotel which is also just across the street from the train station. The lady at the restaurant told us that the top three people who were Kenyans ate there earlier that day. I ordered a serving of chicken-fried rice for later that evening. Afterwards, half the family went back to the hotel while I took the other half with me to a couple 7-11s and a grocery store to get some food and drinks for the race. We got back to the hotel and all the kids fell asleep fairly quickly. I took a shower and shaved while my wife repacked everything for easier mobility (we left some luggage at the hotel and tried to take only what we needed to the race) and then we went to bed.
Morning of the Race:
The low was only 22C during the night. I woke up at 3:30am and got ready. The rest of the family woke up soon after and also started getting ready. I ate a couple bananas and drank some sports drink. We left the hotel by 4:10am. The line for the train was halfway down the street already. I didn't think we would make the 4:35am train. The line moved quickly and we made it onto the platform. However, the train was already very full, so I figured we wouldn't make it on, especially with a stroller. So we just sat down and waited for the next train that was coming in 30min. The train ride was about 15min long and not as crowded as the first. I also used the bathroom while we waited for the train to get going. After the train, we then waited in line to get on the bus. I went for another bathroom break. We got on the bus and made it to the park entrance in 5min. However, the 2min ride to the start turned into a 30min crawl and wait. I also needed to use the bathroom again due to all the sports drink and trying to keep hydrated. Several times I thought about getting off the bus. We got off the bus at about 6:10am. The race starts at 7am, but they want us lining up at 6:40am. I wanted to get to the start by 6:30am so I could get to the front. The family decided to wait at the bottom near the start this year. In previous years they have always waited at the top of the hill. I made my way up the hill to wait in another line for the bathroom. It was 6:30am when I was finally at the front of the bathroom line, not the starting line. Sunrise was at 6am and by 6:30am it was getting a little warm standing out in the sun. After, I quickly made my way back down the hill and was able to find my family. I took off my throw-over and sandals and went to the front. It was about 6:45am when I got close enough to the front.
The Race:
The race started at 7am. We took off and I was able to get into a rhythm fairly quickly. The sun was pretty warm, so I tried to stay in the shade during this portion. I saw only a few other people doing this. The marathoners and half-marathoners all start together, so I can’t tell who is running what race until I can see the front of them and what color their bib is. I had to wait until about 3km into the race and then there is a turn-around point. When the runners started coming back, I started counting bibs. Some were a little hard to tell, but I think at the turn around point I was in 18th place. I passed a few more people, but wasn’t able to really see their bibs. So I was guessing I was in 13th place by the time I made it back to the start area before we headed into the gorge. I then had to turn the GPS off since it doesn’t work in the gorge (too many turns and tunnels [the longest one being 1.2km long]) and rely on the Foot Pod for my pacing information. I had just purchased it for this race about a month before the marathon, but was having a little trouble calibrating it, so I wasn’t too sure how accurate it was. Even with the half-marathoners, there were not many people ahead of me. At one point I had ran 4km before I saw anyone in front of me. I also saw the section where one of the tunnels had collapsed about a month before. By the time the half-marathoners got to their turn-around point, I estimated I was in 12th place. I kept going up the gorge and was relieved when I made it to a couple downhill slopes, though one was rather steep. I was able to pass one other runner, though my goal at this point was just to keep my place and try to pass people on the way back. The Foot Pod was fairly close, though by the 20km mark it was short by about a half of a kilometer. I would rather have it short than long. At about 22km, I was going around one of the sharp curves and almost was run into by the number one and number two runners because they decided to cut the corner. We all slowed down a couple steps to make sure we didn’t run into each other. I started counting the marathoners to make sure I had an accurate number for the position I was in. One and two were running together with number three not far behind. It was a couple more minutes before I saw number four. Then a couple more minutes and I saw number five. Another minute or two and I saw number six and seven. I knew I was coming close to the turn-around point at 24km. I then saw number eight and also the turn-around point. That is when I realized that I was in ninth place and tenth place was a ways behind me. I got around the turn-around point and was so glad that I was now on the downhill portion. I accidently sped up and soon realized I was going too fast. I passed the number eight runner. I slowed down slightly and after a few kilometers I was already hoping the downhill would end soon. Now the goal was to just try and keep my place. After a few more kilometers, one of the runners I had passed on the uphill portion passed me going fairly fast. It was too early and I wasn’t going to try to keep up with him. I was still in ninth place at least. Now I was starting to see the half-marathoners who were mostly walking. This is when it becomes more difficult because of having to dodge the walkers and others who aren’t paying attention. After a few more kilometers, the runner I had passed shortly after the turn-around point passed me though not as quickly as the previous one. I picked up the pace slightly. Now I was in tenth place. I now realized
I might have to work really hard to keep my tenth place. Then I heard something and looked back and saw someone in orange coming up fairly fast. The person and a scooter passed me. It was the first place female runner. I was still in tenth place for the men. The scooter was making a path for her and I tried to pick up the pace in order to follow the open area. That only lasted for about one kilometer. At this point, I wasn’t sure if I was going to break three hours, but be a minute over again like the previous year. I was soon at the 5km to go mark and from then on the markers are every one kilometer. I also noticed my Garmin was off by about 1.5 kilometers. This made me realize that I would definitely go under three hours. With about four kilometers to go, I was coming around a curve and up a slight hill to go across a bridge when I heard a loud banging sound. I looked farther down the bridge and they were telling people to move to the left side of the bridge and I heard a lady tell someone that it had landed right in front of her. Apparently a large rock had fallen off the gorge and hit the bridge. The last three kilometers are mostly tunnels. This year was better than last year in that the half-marathoners were not taking up both lanes as in previous years. I came out of the last tunnel still in tenth place but I had no idea how far back the next marathon runner was. I decided to speed up a little for the finish and then a bus pulled out right in front of the runners. I had to slow down a little and go to the left to not hit it. I managed to cross the finish line in tenth place with a time of 2:57:10 (unofficial).
Post-Race:
I only wanted some shade and to sit down. I tried to find a place close to the finish, but didn’t see any good spots to sit down that also had shade. So I made my way to the food and drink area to get my lunch box and drinks and then proceeded to find a place under a tent to sit down. I waited for my family there, but I knew they were going to have a hard time finding me. I saw them a couple times in the next lane over, but by the time I was able to stand up, they had turned around and headed the other way. After resting for a few minutes, I got up and went over to the next lane and found them there. We then went back to the shade. The kids ate my lunch which I usually never eat. I am usually more thirsty than hungry after a long run. After a few more minutes, I got washed up and changed clothing. They then called for me to come to the stand. I got 10th place for the men (a plaque, $5000NT [~$166USD], and a free pair of running shoes). We then left to get in line for a bus back to the train station and then crowd on a train for the 15 minute ride to the next train station. The third oldest son was very tired and was falling asleep standing up. When we got to the next train station, we dropped off all our stuff at the hotel with the rest of our luggage and went to McDonalds. Afterwards, we got our luggage and rode the 4.5 hour train ride back home.
The Next Day:
Both of my quads are a little sore. My right calf is sorer than my left. Biceps are a little sore. I will need to add some hill work to my running so I will be able to manage the downhill portion better next time. I think with the hill work, having better weather, and getting down to 138lbs. (63kg.) (currently 148lbs [67kg.]), I will be able to run under 2:50 next year.
1 - Finish in less than three hours. (Last year was 3:00:38.)
2 - Place in the top 10.
Plan:
First 6km – Run at a 4min/km pace. Use my Garmin 310XT with the GPS.
Turn off the GPS since it doesn’t work in the gorge and use the Foot Pod for the rest of the race.
Next 18km up the gorge – Run at a 4:15-4:30min/km pace.
Last 18km – Run at a 4min/km pace.
Some History:
I have been keeping an eye on the weather because this year seemed to be a little warmer than usual - lows of 20C, highs of 22C. Previous years have been around 17C for the low on race day. In 2008 it was also very warm, but that is the one year I wasn't able to go. I usually look forward to this marathon because it is a nice break from the heat, but not this year.
A Few Days Before:
My family and I left a couple days earlier than usual. We usually leave on Friday and stay one night. However, we wanted to visit Farglory Ocean Park and this year and time of the year seemed to be the best time to do it. Everyone had a very good vacation time there.
The Day Before:
The hotel served an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, so I filled up on the usual pasta and breaded items. We didn’t eat much for lunch because we were all still full from breakfast. I snacked on some granola throughout the day and tried to make sure I drank plenty of water. The evening before the race, I picked up my race packet near the train station. I then needed to buy a train ticket for the rest of the family for the train and bus to Taroko Gorge at 4:35 the next morning. I sent the family to the hotel while I went and waited half an hour in line at the train station. Afterwards, I went to the hotel to drop off my race packet and get the family. We then headed out and got some shrimp fried rice from our usual place in Hualian right across from our hotel which is also just across the street from the train station. The lady at the restaurant told us that the top three people who were Kenyans ate there earlier that day. I ordered a serving of chicken-fried rice for later that evening. Afterwards, half the family went back to the hotel while I took the other half with me to a couple 7-11s and a grocery store to get some food and drinks for the race. We got back to the hotel and all the kids fell asleep fairly quickly. I took a shower and shaved while my wife repacked everything for easier mobility (we left some luggage at the hotel and tried to take only what we needed to the race) and then we went to bed.
Morning of the Race:
The low was only 22C during the night. I woke up at 3:30am and got ready. The rest of the family woke up soon after and also started getting ready. I ate a couple bananas and drank some sports drink. We left the hotel by 4:10am. The line for the train was halfway down the street already. I didn't think we would make the 4:35am train. The line moved quickly and we made it onto the platform. However, the train was already very full, so I figured we wouldn't make it on, especially with a stroller. So we just sat down and waited for the next train that was coming in 30min. The train ride was about 15min long and not as crowded as the first. I also used the bathroom while we waited for the train to get going. After the train, we then waited in line to get on the bus. I went for another bathroom break. We got on the bus and made it to the park entrance in 5min. However, the 2min ride to the start turned into a 30min crawl and wait. I also needed to use the bathroom again due to all the sports drink and trying to keep hydrated. Several times I thought about getting off the bus. We got off the bus at about 6:10am. The race starts at 7am, but they want us lining up at 6:40am. I wanted to get to the start by 6:30am so I could get to the front. The family decided to wait at the bottom near the start this year. In previous years they have always waited at the top of the hill. I made my way up the hill to wait in another line for the bathroom. It was 6:30am when I was finally at the front of the bathroom line, not the starting line. Sunrise was at 6am and by 6:30am it was getting a little warm standing out in the sun. After, I quickly made my way back down the hill and was able to find my family. I took off my throw-over and sandals and went to the front. It was about 6:45am when I got close enough to the front.
The Race:
The race started at 7am. We took off and I was able to get into a rhythm fairly quickly. The sun was pretty warm, so I tried to stay in the shade during this portion. I saw only a few other people doing this. The marathoners and half-marathoners all start together, so I can’t tell who is running what race until I can see the front of them and what color their bib is. I had to wait until about 3km into the race and then there is a turn-around point. When the runners started coming back, I started counting bibs. Some were a little hard to tell, but I think at the turn around point I was in 18th place. I passed a few more people, but wasn’t able to really see their bibs. So I was guessing I was in 13th place by the time I made it back to the start area before we headed into the gorge. I then had to turn the GPS off since it doesn’t work in the gorge (too many turns and tunnels [the longest one being 1.2km long]) and rely on the Foot Pod for my pacing information. I had just purchased it for this race about a month before the marathon, but was having a little trouble calibrating it, so I wasn’t too sure how accurate it was. Even with the half-marathoners, there were not many people ahead of me. At one point I had ran 4km before I saw anyone in front of me. I also saw the section where one of the tunnels had collapsed about a month before. By the time the half-marathoners got to their turn-around point, I estimated I was in 12th place. I kept going up the gorge and was relieved when I made it to a couple downhill slopes, though one was rather steep. I was able to pass one other runner, though my goal at this point was just to keep my place and try to pass people on the way back. The Foot Pod was fairly close, though by the 20km mark it was short by about a half of a kilometer. I would rather have it short than long. At about 22km, I was going around one of the sharp curves and almost was run into by the number one and number two runners because they decided to cut the corner. We all slowed down a couple steps to make sure we didn’t run into each other. I started counting the marathoners to make sure I had an accurate number for the position I was in. One and two were running together with number three not far behind. It was a couple more minutes before I saw number four. Then a couple more minutes and I saw number five. Another minute or two and I saw number six and seven. I knew I was coming close to the turn-around point at 24km. I then saw number eight and also the turn-around point. That is when I realized that I was in ninth place and tenth place was a ways behind me. I got around the turn-around point and was so glad that I was now on the downhill portion. I accidently sped up and soon realized I was going too fast. I passed the number eight runner. I slowed down slightly and after a few kilometers I was already hoping the downhill would end soon. Now the goal was to just try and keep my place. After a few more kilometers, one of the runners I had passed on the uphill portion passed me going fairly fast. It was too early and I wasn’t going to try to keep up with him. I was still in ninth place at least. Now I was starting to see the half-marathoners who were mostly walking. This is when it becomes more difficult because of having to dodge the walkers and others who aren’t paying attention. After a few more kilometers, the runner I had passed shortly after the turn-around point passed me though not as quickly as the previous one. I picked up the pace slightly. Now I was in tenth place. I now realized
I might have to work really hard to keep my tenth place. Then I heard something and looked back and saw someone in orange coming up fairly fast. The person and a scooter passed me. It was the first place female runner. I was still in tenth place for the men. The scooter was making a path for her and I tried to pick up the pace in order to follow the open area. That only lasted for about one kilometer. At this point, I wasn’t sure if I was going to break three hours, but be a minute over again like the previous year. I was soon at the 5km to go mark and from then on the markers are every one kilometer. I also noticed my Garmin was off by about 1.5 kilometers. This made me realize that I would definitely go under three hours. With about four kilometers to go, I was coming around a curve and up a slight hill to go across a bridge when I heard a loud banging sound. I looked farther down the bridge and they were telling people to move to the left side of the bridge and I heard a lady tell someone that it had landed right in front of her. Apparently a large rock had fallen off the gorge and hit the bridge. The last three kilometers are mostly tunnels. This year was better than last year in that the half-marathoners were not taking up both lanes as in previous years. I came out of the last tunnel still in tenth place but I had no idea how far back the next marathon runner was. I decided to speed up a little for the finish and then a bus pulled out right in front of the runners. I had to slow down a little and go to the left to not hit it. I managed to cross the finish line in tenth place with a time of 2:57:10 (unofficial).
Post-Race:
I only wanted some shade and to sit down. I tried to find a place close to the finish, but didn’t see any good spots to sit down that also had shade. So I made my way to the food and drink area to get my lunch box and drinks and then proceeded to find a place under a tent to sit down. I waited for my family there, but I knew they were going to have a hard time finding me. I saw them a couple times in the next lane over, but by the time I was able to stand up, they had turned around and headed the other way. After resting for a few minutes, I got up and went over to the next lane and found them there. We then went back to the shade. The kids ate my lunch which I usually never eat. I am usually more thirsty than hungry after a long run. After a few more minutes, I got washed up and changed clothing. They then called for me to come to the stand. I got 10th place for the men (a plaque, $5000NT [~$166USD], and a free pair of running shoes). We then left to get in line for a bus back to the train station and then crowd on a train for the 15 minute ride to the next train station. The third oldest son was very tired and was falling asleep standing up. When we got to the next train station, we dropped off all our stuff at the hotel with the rest of our luggage and went to McDonalds. Afterwards, we got our luggage and rode the 4.5 hour train ride back home.
The Next Day:
Both of my quads are a little sore. My right calf is sorer than my left. Biceps are a little sore. I will need to add some hill work to my running so I will be able to manage the downhill portion better next time. I think with the hill work, having better weather, and getting down to 138lbs. (63kg.) (currently 148lbs [67kg.]), I will be able to run under 2:50 next year.
