Jack & Jill Marathon, Boise, ID
September 15, 20194:36:37
194/293 Overall 5/9 in 65-69
Cavet
Emptor: Downhill marathons are not
recommended! I’m finishing this on Tuesday morning and Jodi and I have been the
sorest we’ve ever been after a marathon these last two days. We can barely
shuffle and it hurts everytime we stand-up after sitting.
Jack
& Jill Boise was our second J&J in the last seven weeks. But whereas
the one outside Seattle was a gradual downhill not far above sea level, this
one started at 6500’ and descended to 2500’. I was apprehensive of these
extremes, and our drive up the mountain to the start at Bogus Basin on Friday did
nothing to assuage my fears. We were staying with my friend, Steve Strickland
with whom I had taught at Hoover and his wife, Tess, in Meridian, a suburb of
Boise. Being avid skiers, they gave us a guided tour of the mountain and the
ski resort. We had a lot of great views of Boise on the drive. But the road
contains 90+ switchbacks and is constantly down except for half mile hill in
mile 16. It reminded me of Sky Harbor without the uphill sections with the
slope mostly in the 7-11 degree range. As many of you know, I’ve always
discouraged runners from doing Heavenly Half because it is all downhill and
hard on the leg muscles. Now here I was going to do 18 miles of down followed
by 8 flatter. I was very concerned about what I’d gotten into. Also, the
weather looked to be much warmer than optimum for a marathon.
Saturday
we picked up our bibs at a local running store. We also toured the state
capitol. Interestingly, the governor from 2007-Jan. 2019, Butch Otter, is a
cousin of Tess’.
Sunday
morning we got up at 3:20 so we could catch the bus at 4:30 that took us the 26
miles to the top of Bogus Basin for the 6:30 start. It was chilly and dark at
the start. They did provide us with small flashlights which we used for the
first 3 miles; I was happy not to trip in the dark. It warmed up quickly and I
tossed my long sleeve by mile 3. Most of the race was in 60s to mid 70s at the
end with no cloud cover.
Starting
out, I found it hard to go far without feeling winded. I had to walk a number
of times in the first few miles because of the altitude. After 4-5 miles, I
found a pretty good rhythm on the downhills and could easily run 8:30-8:50. But
I’d have to do walk intervals every mile to catch my breath and get my heart
rate down. I had some miles at or under 9, but most were 9:30 because of
the walking. I kept thinking that I might be able to get under 4:05, but when I
realized that wasn’t going to happen, I started thinking that I could do sub
4:20 and BQ for 2021 when I’d be in next age group. All I needed to do was stay
under 10 minute miles for the last 8 on the flatter ground. However, that
proved to be impossible as the quads and calves were too sore to perform. I
ended up doing 1-2 minutes running with 30-60 second walking and doing about 12
minute miles for the last 6 miles.
I
would not recommend doing this race or any other with such extremes of
elevation dropping and altitude. Also, there were not enough aid stations (I
was very dry mouth even though drinking 2 cups at each aid station), there were
not enough course monitors or aid station helpers, and the course was poorly
marked. I had to ask which way to go a few times. The course was also open to
traffic and bikers going up the mountain. There were about 2 spectators along
the way. It really felt like we were just dropped at the top of the mountain
and left to find the way back.
Interestingly,
the race finished near Boise State, so we got to see the football stadium as we
passed by. We also ran past the zoo and were happy we had at least 2 giraffes
that were spectating. At the finish I was greeted by not just Jodi, but my
Westmont College buddy, Cornell who lives in Boise. That was a sight for sore
eyes (and legs). Cornell had found Jodi since she had finished before I did. Jodi:
I was standing at the finish line waiting for John. A man approached me and
said “Are you Jodi Volkman?” I was instantly worried that something had
happened to John on the course. After I said yes, he said “I’m John’s friend,
Cornell” and my response was “I’m sweaty and gross.” WTH??? Haha. I
guess I was still a little delirious.
Here
is Jodi’s write-up on Facebook:
Today
we ran Jack and Jill Downhill Marathon in Boise. This was supposed to be my
Plan B for qualifying for Boston 2020. But today was also “the last hot day” in
Boise and anyone who runs with me knows that I’m not a hot weather runner. The
race started at Bogus Basin ski resort, at about 6500 feet of elevation and
dropped 4000 feet over the next 18 miles. By the time I hit 20 miles and flat
terrain the wheels fell off. Calves are killing me! I made the mistake of
trying to walk for a minute but then couldn’t find my pace again. But some
great things happened today!! My chronic hip/SI joint issue wasn’t a problem at
all. My shoe problem isl u solved. I love running under a full moon, which
lasted the first hour of the race so the moon and starry sky was a treat.
Most importantly I didn’t give up on myself and really used my techniques for
“staying in the mile” and not allowing so much negativity to dictate the
outcome. Marathons are just hard!!
I
ran 4:19. My C goal was 4:15 and improving my last race time. I may have hit
the C goal if I didn’t run the wrong way on the course, having to backtrack. My
marathon ended up being 26.6 miles. This was my first time EVER following
suggestions from elite athletes of having A, B, and C goals. In the past I only
had 1 goal and I think it was very helpful to have something to strive for when
the legs shut down.!!
Sunday
afternoon we ate and napped and did not do any of the usual touring that we
like to do after a marathon. We did hobble around The Village Shopping Center
in Meridian so that Steve and Tess could show us the cool water light show and
family-friendly setting.
This was Marathon #169; 29
states on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.
Marathon photos: View 42 Photos “View Photos” link will take you to Shutterfly
where you can sign-up for free account to view the slideshow. Hold Ctrl and
Click “Enter” to go to website.
