Running Cool - that's the San Francisco Marathon - Part II

One of the things I was looking forward to when I decided to run at the San Francisco Marathon is to also experience how technology helps with race event management. All the runners in this race were given a disposal RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Chip Strip – called the D-Tag. The name comes from the D-shape it makes after proper installation on your shoe laces.

The D-Tag must be placed along the shoe-lace

With this D-Tag strip, each racer in the Marathon and Half-Marathon actually gets a more accurate reading of his/her race time – the time doesn’t start until you actually cross the start line and stops when you cross the finish line – unlike our mass starts where everyone, whether you’re in front or in the back, has the same start time. I thought the 5K runners will have the same experience but I discovered that for the 5K runners, it was a mass same time start although individual finishes were chip-based. The other advantage of the D-Tag strip is that official results can be posted on the same day as the race!!!

Okay, so all the full and half-marathon runners were off – the 5K and Progressive Marathon runners were the only ones left. The Progressive Marathon event is a novel idea – one can actually run the full-marathon distance (26.2 miles) over a period of weeks or months while finishing the last 3.1miles during the 5K run!! You keep track of your mileage in an Interval Sheet that you submit to the race organizers when you get your bib. And when you finish at the 5K run, you actually get a Progressive Marathon Finisher’s Medal!! 5K runners don’t get finisher medals.

Getting ready for the start of the 5K race

So, it was time for us to run. It was close to 7:45am. We were now inside the starting chute, which was a few meters away from the Marathon/Half-Marathon Start Line. I was still being followed by the TFC camera man -- additional footages for background! The weather warmed up a bit and I decided to take off my jacket and tie it around my waist. At a little past 7:50am, our race officially started.

The disadvantage of a mass start is that you get everyone at different paces, both running and walking, in front of you. Quite a number of walkers were side by side – trying to overtake them was an exercise in nimbleness and patience.

Quite a number of cause-base running/walking groups. This one supporting the fight against Parkinson's Disease

After rounding the first turn on our way towards the AT&T Park, the lanes opened up a bit and I was able to start a more regular pace. I felt good --while I don’t have the fancy timepieces that measures pacing, I thought I was doing okay. However, the slight warmth at the start disappeared and with the wind blowing, it started to get chilly again. I thought that as I ran, I would have warmed up – it actually didn’t happen and the cold became a factor in the run.

After the 1 Mile point, it started getting harder. I could feel my legs getting stiff and my shins started a slight ache. It was a major mental effort to keep running. Unfortunately, as I hit a water station, I actually had to start walking as I sipped the water. I trotted on again a few seconds after the walk. But, before reaching the turn at AT&T Park, I gave in and walked for a few seconds before forcing myself to run again at the turn.

After that turn, it was all mental – I started counting my pace tagged to the lamp posts – I count every step and reset the count every time I hit another post. I had to do this all the way until I saw the Finish Line. Mentally, it allowed me to keep on running as every post was a new beginning. It was good seeing Wayne at the Finishing Chute – it help spurred me on – finishing at a run.

At the Finish, we were given bananas, drinks, energy bars and other food goodies. That’s where Wayne and I had our post race picture. Wayne did tell me about his disappointing finish but I believe a strategic retreat is sometimes necessary for long term victory! Listening to your body helps prevent injuries and allow one to bounce back again.

Flashing the V-sign -- Finished a race on North American soil -- inspired by SFRunner

So, I checked the race website for the official results – and yep, it was already up. I did 34:19! Could have been better but what the heck – I’m a tourist runner this race – the time wasn’t as important as the experience. And what an experience this has been! And that is why we keep doing this!!

My official time for this race, posted on the website within the day!!!