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date: 02/02/09
Coast 2 Coast and Adventure
Racing Star Robert Sharpe does Personal Best in Trinidad
Marathon.
I arrived at 4:45am for the
start of what would be my fifth CLICO Marathon, with a PR of
3:15 achieved in 2006. While my training went well I was
very aware of how easily all plans could fall apart as it
happened to me in 2005. At the start it appeared to be a
much smaller crowd than normal as parking was not a problem
and the warm-up area was quite sparse. Did the normal
preparation of a light run followed by some stretching and
was ready to go.
While moving about I met
Clarance (Toco-Toby) Tobias and Brent Chock Hong (from
Port), we extended best of luck wishes for the race and
discussed our strategy for finishing. I mentioned to
Clarence about hitting the wall at 20miles so I was not sure
what time I would achieve, his response to met was there is
nothing like hitting the wall, so once you have prepared
properly your fitness would carry you to the finish. It was
a comment I would keep telling myself as I entered POS.
At 5:20 we were called to
assemble outside the gates for the start and exactly at 5:30
the gun went and we were off. My strategy unlike most people
has always been to run the first half as fast as possible to
take advantage of the cooler conditions. So I started at a
steady clip and soon found two guys from Roadrunners going
at the same pace so I decided to stay with them for as long
as possible. At the 2ml marker I looked at my watch and saw
13mins so I knew I was averaging a 6:30 pace which was fast
but I was comfortable. At about the 4mls Clarence caught me
and in passing he told me to watch my pace as it was a long
way still to go. I was surprised that he was behind me but I
decided then to ease back a bit as I was still on a 6:30
pace. Going through Caroni I accelerated to catch up with
two guys from Defence Force who were not too far ahead and
kept pace with them until Kay Donna.
At Kay Donna I met my support
crew of Gregory Solis (driver), Troy Mc Kenzie (rider) and
Ryan Mendes (my rabbit to be), at this point Ryan indicated
that he would run with me from the half. So I continued
along with the Defence Force guys until we hit the Eastern
Main Road. At the 13.1 miles marker my time was 1:31 which I
knew was still fast as it was also my finish time for the
UWI half in Nov. But I was feeling good and very relaxed so
I decided to continue at this pace.
At this point Ryan started to
run with me and we continued down the Eastern Main Road on
our way to POS. At the Croisee Gervase Warner rode past,
turned and also rode along with us. I was happy as I now had
two cyclists behind me so I did not have to worry about cars
behind. Along the way I was passed by the first Trini female
runner Shermin Lasaldo, I caught her and we ran together for
a couple of miles. I asked her how she was doing, she
indicated that she was starting to get tired but right after
that she took off again. I stayed behind her for a while
then decided it was time to catch, sorry Ryan. I accelerated
caught her and continued at a faster clip as we were almost
into town and I could see City Gate.
Going up Edward Street was
nice as it was shaded and I knew I was coming up to the
21mls mark in front of Zen. I was still comfortable at this
stage and between Ryan and Gervase they were providing me
with the much needed motivation to continue.
This was the first marathon I
was able to pick off runners on the second half one by one
along the way and guys who I knew were top distance runners
were coming back to me. Going around the savannah I was
steady and as I turned off the savannah and into Prada
Street I accelerated as there was a slight downhill. Just
before St Mary’s grounds I passed one of the guys from
Roadrunners as he was having some knee problems and by the
Roxy roundabout I caught the other. This seemed to energize
me as I was able to continue through St James steadily
increasing my pace. Turning into Mucurapo Road I saw another
runner just ahead but I knew I was almost there and soon he
was behind. I increased my pace again and at this point Ryan
indicated that he could not hold on much longer. We stayed
together until on entering Arappita Avenue I decided it was
time to kick for home. At this point I was also running with
the finishers from the 5k, as I entered the Marathon Tunnel
I made my way around the track and it was really great to
see the clock in front me with the time showing 3:07 a new
personal best by some 8minutes.
This by far was my best
marathon, physically I was very relaxed and mentally I did
not put any pressure on myself to finish in any particular
time, while I knew I was running fast I was not really aware
what time I was heading for. It was also the first time I
never had to stop during a marathon.
I could not ask for a better
support team, these guys were Excellent, Ryan you were
amazing, how could I not forget on entering POS your
comments “see the river ahead, let it’s currents absorb you
and flow with it’s currents towards the finish”. Gregory you
are my inspiration just being there, Troy my ever reliable,
friend, neighbor and support partner and Gervase who was
very motivational along the way providing pace info and
supporting comments.
Thanks again guys WE did it!!
Next year sub 3…..
Robert Sharpe |
