The Pocono Run For The Red Marathon Race Report

Some people listen to advice, some don't. I guess I am one of the latter. Going into the Pocono Marathon on Sunday in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. I had read the reviews on MarathonGuide.com and listened to others about taking it easy for the first half so that I would not suffer from the downhills on this race. My goal should have been to run a good race, not go sub 3. But as stuborn as I am I decided to go for it.
The Pocono Marathon is a point to point course starting at about 2000' in Tobyhanna and then dropping 1500' to finish in Stroudsburg. A beautifull course through rural countryside and small towns was well supported by volunteers and sparse crowd support.
Sunday morning came early so that we could meet the buses at the local high school in Stroudsburg. At 6:30 they left for the start line. On the bus I got talking to a young guy from Tuscon who was doing his 2nd Marathon and hoping for a sub 3 hour, how about that me too. Prior to the start there was about an hour waiting in the comfort of a local school, nice, as it was rather chilly outside. The race started on time and after a km or 2 I was runnng with a group of 3 or 4 others all looking for a sub 3 time. The pace was brisk and the course rolling. We were running well under sub 3 pace, but it felt ok (famous last words). At about 10 miles we ran into the town of Mount Pocono and the biggest downhill of the race approached and instead of backing off a little I "took advantage' of the hill. That wasn't that bad. This was followed by a beautful run through a heavily forested small road before hitting another main road just before the half way mark. At the half I was under sub 3 pace (1:29) but the down hills had already taken their toll and I knew my goal would have to be adjusted. A dull pain had started just above my right knee in the lower quads, something I had felt near the end of the 52k trail race 2 weeks earlier. By 16 miles the pain was more intense and I was ready to stop, I decided to walk to the next aid station which turned out to be the 18 mile mark. The more I walked the worse it seemed to get, so after arriving at the aid station I quit. Told the personnel there that all I wanted was a ride back to the start and sat down. I sat down for 1.5 hours before getting the word that it would probably at least another 1.5 hours before I could get a ride as all the roads on the course were closed and no vehicles were allowed through other than emergency vehicles. So at that point I decided I might as well start walking. So for another 8 miles I walked (hobbled). It is quite humbling to have the back of the packers pass you, but it gives a much better appreciation for what they are doing and for the dedication of all the volunteers who were still there and cheering me on, even though I felt I didn't deserve or want it.
Meanwhile back at the High School Stadium finish line, my wife was worried sick and eventually got the organizers concerned as someone who was expected in at 3 hours + was still out there after 5 hours. They sent people out looking for me, they found me at the last mile marker, struggling along and accompanied me back. By this time I had decided that I've got this far I might as well finish and get my medal. I guess in my absence I had become a bit of a celebrity as everyone knew who I was now and cheered me in to finish. Joan was especially happy to see me. I even tried to run (not very well) around the track. A special note of thanks should go out to Art & Paula from Stroudsburg who kept Joan company and went out looking for me and all the organizers who did what they could.
Leesons learned? Yes I think so...
A new appreciation for the back of the Pack runners, who not only put a lot more time out there, but see the course in a different way. I got to see a bald eagle flying overhead while feeling sorry for my self.
Hopefully people will read this and take heed of advice they get about running and not be a stubborn ass like me.