Greetings People
I have finally found my Boulder Backroads Marathon stories on one of my old computers and here it is for your pleasure...
October 11, 2003
Introduction
I really was unsure about me participating in this Marathon. I only told a couple of people this time, but I really was only playing with the idea of actually doing another Marathon. I wanted to be sure of the weather and to be sure of my physical condition. So, I kept this from everyone and decided to surprise everyone if I did do the Marathon the following day.
Well, before I start I want to share a funny incident. So, it was the day after the Boulder Backroads Marathon and once again I was able to hobble into work. One of my co-workers asked me a question “Where does it hurt Mr. Charley?” She then immediately pokes, touches my outer thigh and boy oh boy was I surprised. More surprised, than getting the pissed off look and asking “what the hell did you do that for?” I just could not believe she did what she did. I am sure it was unintentional on her part, but I sure did feel pain and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I can laugh about it and I even joked that she almost made me cry, but it was just so unexpected. Too funny.
Do I really have to ask for you to take hold of my hand this time? After all we have been through I think you should be able to take hold without being told. Actually put your arm around my waist and let us continue through another chapter in my life.
Sunday, September 28, 2003 Boulder, Colorado - Elevation 5,173
Note: Before reading further - No disrespect is intended to any religious parties. My apologies to anyone who is offended. Remember you do not have to read anything you do not want to. All views expressed are mine. thank you.
5:00 AM - Daryl wakes up to the clock radio and hears the radio station KBCO. No song that he can recall hearing as before. As much as he wants to stay in bed and catch a few more minutes of sleep, he knows that he is delaying the unavoidable Boulder Backroads Marathon.
5:30 AM - Fully awake and all ready to go check out.
5:45 AM - The weather is sorta cool, but not like the 29 degree morning weather a couple of weeks ago.
6:15 AM - Once again looking at his destiny in the early morning darkness. The dawn is right on the horizon and she going to bring a beautiful day. The air is crisp and the sky is void of clouds.
6:45 AM - After a couple of port-o-potty breaks Daryl starts his stretching, even though he had about a 5 mile bike ride warm up. Hanging around the starting line he see many young people, unlike the Denver Marathon which he hardly saw any young people at all.
7:00 AM - The bag pipes start playing and they lead the group of runners to the starting line. The Sun is up and the sunrise is pretty this morning.
7:05 AM - And off to the start of his second Marathon. The Boulder Backroads is basically how it sounds. Little did Daryl realize how much of the course was going to be on dirt roads. This time Daryl is very prepared, wearing only a light jacket and his running shorts. Yes, he still donned his ZZ Top Bandanna and Oakley Sunglasses, which from here on out will be his signature.
Mile 1 - The sound of a rooster crowing in the morning can be heard in the distance by the runners. The Sun is now fully over the horizon and the runners are starting to get serious about the pace they wanted to run. Daryl found his pace and decided to do a 9 minute mile pace.
Mile 3 - (estimate) - (Niwot Road) - Daryl found someone to run with or she found him. Regardless, they were able to pace themselves against each other.
Mile 4 - (estimate) - (N 49th Street) - Well, Daryl has been paying attention to the mile markers and unlike the Mile High Marathon, the course is going to be marked for every mile. Daryl had said before this could be a dangerous thing, little did he know later that day it was going to be a painful reminder.
Coming to the second aid station he hears a young woman cheering the words “You’re my hero. You’re my hero. You’re my hero” to every runner passing by. Reflecting back on that moment Daryl gives her a lot of credit for saying that. That phrase can be heard in his memory and what a good memory that is. Daryl did not hear that as an individual comment, but as a whole.
The aid station routine Daryl did was without any errors. He did not choke this time on his accelerate drink.
Mile 6.55 - (Plateau / 39th St.) - The turn around for the Half Marathon. Since the Marathon-ers started first they saw no one doing the turn around for the Half-Marathon. There were quite a few of spectators at the junction and they looked like they were waiting for the Half-Marathon-ers to arrive
Mile 8 - (Nelson Road) - Pavement once again. So far Daryl has been running on about 7 miles of dirtroad which were washboards and have gravel the size of marbles and golf balls. Getting on the pavement was a relief, not to mention that the route has reached its most northern route.
Mile 9 1/2 - (estimate) - (Nelson Rd / N 55th St.) - About 50 or so spectators were at the crossroads. Time for the runners to turn South and once again run on the dirtroads. Meanwhile, Daryl and his “sidekick” have still been keeping the 9 mile pace.
Mile 10 1/2 (estimate) - N 55th St. - A moment Daryl wished he had not witnessed. There was this old guy in front of him about 20 yards of him and all of a sudden the old guy started to take a “leak” while running. The guy was running and pissing at the same time, I guess he thought fuck the trees and bushes. Daryl made sure he went well right of his pissing path. Not a sight he wants to witness from behind again.
Mile 12 1/2 - (estimate) - (N 55th St. / Oxford Rd) - “Take me down to the paradise city. Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. Take, take me home.” Daryl hears one of his favorite songs. A little G’N’R on a Sunday morning. A fast tempo and good song to run or bike to.
Mile 13.1 (Oxford Rd) - Picture time, but Daryl did not know that this was a picture taking spot. Daryl had been concentrating on the dirt road and where to place his next step. Next thing you know he noticed the photographer and well too late to do anything about it.
Mile 14 - (N 63rd St. / Oxford Rd) - This was the first time Daryl hears his bib number called out. Once again he feel like he is on top of the world and could run faster. A few spectators took his picture and wished him the best.
Unfortunately, Daryl knew that the course comes back this way and he saw the mile marker 20 on the opposite side of the road. Daryl did the arithmetic and knew he had another three miles to run until the turn around. Those three miles seemed huge.
Mile 16 - (estimate) Oxford - The pack is thinning its numbers and the runners have started to find their individual mode of escaping, one might say. Daryl’s pain has become a nuisance and he fears this could get worse.
Mile 17 - Turnaround - Time to head back in the opposite direction. The pain is bad. Only 17 miles down and 9 miles to go. Daryl knows that around mile 20 is the wall for most of the runners. Daryl’s wall has come early, but by no means did he ever give the thought of giving up.
Mile 20 - (N 63rd St. / Oxford Rd) - A runner passes Daryl by and mentions that he is listening to ZZ Top. Daryl can actually imagine hearing the song “La Grange” and the “Haw haw haw” of Dusty.
Mile 21 - (estimate) - (Oxford Rd) - The hill. A tough little hill right after an Aid station. The pain in Daryl’s foot can no longer be felt. Just a dull pain. With the pain gone, so to speak, he picks up a mad pace and goes for the jugular.
Mile 22 - (N 49th St.) - Daryl has indeed picked up a pace and has been running down the other runners and some walkers. The feeling of running down another Marathon-er is a high. Daryl sees the runners struggling as he passes them and also sees the pain in some of their faces.
Mile 23 (Niwot Rd) - Last dance on the Pavement and Daryl is still growing strong and his left foot no longer feels like it is hurting.
Mile 24 (55th St.) - Daryl catches up to a runner who passed him way back around mile marker 11. She had said to Daryl “You’re doing good. way to go” and now it Daryl’s turn to say “almost there”. Daryl does and passes her by.
Daryl then notices that she has put on her “running boosters” and is running along with Daryl.
Mile 25 (estimate) - She and Daryl are still running together, but it is Daryl who is leading the pace. She is keeping up with him and that makes Daryl keep up his pace.
Mile 25 1/2 (estimate) - Both of them are feeding off each other and then she drops behind to a walk. They did not speak when they were running together, but Daryl wanted to say “come on you can do it”. He wanted her to finish with him. She might of paid the price of running a faster pace Marathon, but Daryl has been paying his price of the dirt backroads.
Mile 26 (estimate) - The Finish line has been in sight and the announcer can be heard. The chute for the Marathon runners beckons Daryl to the Finish Line.
Mile 26.1 - Daryl starts his sprint to the Finish Line. He see the photographer up ahead and wants a picture that is worth buying.
Mile 26.2 - Finish line - The finish line volunteer makes him stop and takes his little number at which point Daryl almost fell over. After she was through with that he continued on and then another volunteer gives him his destiny. The Medal. Another Marathon Medal. Another victory. He hears the announcer talking, but for the life of him he can not remember actually listening to her.
Finishing in good time, 4:11:37 he hangs around the finish line and see the other runners finish. He sees the runners crying and tears of victory, which in turn makes him start to tear up. Is that what it is to cry for yourself at the finish? The hugging and embrace of someone close? Someone at the finish line waiting for you? Daryl knows not of these things. Maybe one day his time will come, but then again if it does not happen - no big deal
Although you see the tears and smiles at the finish line, you also see the physical damage of the Marathon, the 26.2 monster, does on the body of the runner. Daryl walks on legs that hurt everytime he walks. He is not alone, other people are walking funny too. He see how most runners move in slow motion. Even though it is slow motion, they share one thing - they did a Marathon. And for Daryl - the second Marathon in two weeks.
E
pilogue
I have to say this Marathon tested my mentality. I did not think about anything else before entering this Marathon. One was to get the medal I wanted so badly and two, I wanted to finish. I was doing good for the first 15 miles or so of the Marathon, but then around the 17 Mile marker my left foot was in pain. The outside of the foot was hurting. Almost to a limping run, but not quite. Every time my left foot struck the dirt it felt like my foot was getting sprained. The pain got worse through the miles and then about 21 Mile Marker the pain was dulled. After that marker, I was looking around my surroundings and I actually noticed the other runners. My first impression was that this was the running of the dead. I guess I saw how the other runners were struggling and I just imagined how the dead would run if they could and we would be imitating them. Not really running nor not really walking, the in between.
Looking back I think I was actually getting choked up around 19 miles in the Marathon. I kept thinking I got to finish. Fuck the pain in my left foot. I also heard a line from the movie Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers. “...Last Dance of the Ents” Was this going to be my last “dance”? Motivation to finish in pain was a huge factor in this Marathon. Yes, this Marathon cost me $ 75.00 to run, which averages to $ 2.86 per mile.
Through out the Marathon I kept hearing “DNF” and “Taking them back to the Reservoir”. I was starting to worry about getting a “DNF”. The “DNF” may be in my future, but on this particular day I had the drive to do what I wanted to do - To finish.
The last .2 miles were the best. No one was really behind me or ahead of me so I had the perfect finish line picture in store. I came to the “chute” and I saw the orange cone line and the Marathon-ers were to go on the left. I sprinted to the finish line. Mainly, my last picture at the Denver Marathon looked like I was power walking to the finish. I did not want that kind of picture again. The picture that was taken is priceless. The picture of a winner.
Author’s Note
What the hell was I thinking?! I am still unsure what I was doing. Was I actually trying to push myself to the limit? Or was it just the medal that I wanted. The medal. The bragging rights. My passion.
I do not want to sound or lead you to believe that I am conceited, but getting the bragging rights is something very important to me. What I did not comprehend is that I did something more than just doing two Marathons. I did two Marathons in Two Weeks. Not even a seasoned pro-Marathon-er does something like that. I pushed myself for 15 days and I did two Marathons and 100 Mile bicycle tour.
I am now thinking of doing more Marathons in other States.
Saturday, Oct 4th after this second Marathon was when I looked back on this event. I was doing my 52 mile bike ride to CastleRock and I suddenly started to feel once again - empty. I got emotional on my bike ride. The reality of what I have done in two weeks really hit me. I can not describe what went on. I rode with a drive against the wind. Sparing no mercy to the people I passed. Enjoying my experiences was the only thing on my mind.
Then, on Sunday Oct 5th, I lost myself. I decided to see a movie I have been trying to see - Lost in Translation. Let me tell you, the movie hit home for me and I think I actually was on the verge of getting depressed. The film was a very good movie and the title - Lost in Translation - is where I am at. I am trying not to get lost, but I think I might be. I do not need help, but maybe a push in the right direction.
What a trip this past month. Don’t you think so?
w-i-t-h-u-t-m-o-s-t-s-i-n-c-e-r-i-t-y
Daryl
aka Calseti
Oct. 12, 2003
I guess I probably should tag my blog with this signature as
The Fallen Athlete
Daryl Charley
I have finally found my Boulder Backroads Marathon stories on one of my old computers and here it is for your pleasure...
October 11, 2003
Introduction
I really was unsure about me participating in this Marathon. I only told a couple of people this time, but I really was only playing with the idea of actually doing another Marathon. I wanted to be sure of the weather and to be sure of my physical condition. So, I kept this from everyone and decided to surprise everyone if I did do the Marathon the following day.
Well, before I start I want to share a funny incident. So, it was the day after the Boulder Backroads Marathon and once again I was able to hobble into work. One of my co-workers asked me a question “Where does it hurt Mr. Charley?” She then immediately pokes, touches my outer thigh and boy oh boy was I surprised. More surprised, than getting the pissed off look and asking “what the hell did you do that for?” I just could not believe she did what she did. I am sure it was unintentional on her part, but I sure did feel pain and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I can laugh about it and I even joked that she almost made me cry, but it was just so unexpected. Too funny.
Do I really have to ask for you to take hold of my hand this time? After all we have been through I think you should be able to take hold without being told. Actually put your arm around my waist and let us continue through another chapter in my life.
Sunday, September 28, 2003 Boulder, Colorado - Elevation 5,173
"When you fuck with me, you are
fucking with the best"
Scarface
Note: Before reading further - No disrespect is intended to any religious parties. My apologies to anyone who is offended. Remember you do not have to read anything you do not want to. All views expressed are mine. thank you.
5:00 AM - Daryl wakes up to the clock radio and hears the radio station KBCO. No song that he can recall hearing as before. As much as he wants to stay in bed and catch a few more minutes of sleep, he knows that he is delaying the unavoidable Boulder Backroads Marathon.
5:30 AM - Fully awake and all ready to go check out.
5:45 AM - The weather is sorta cool, but not like the 29 degree morning weather a couple of weeks ago.
6:15 AM - Once again looking at his destiny in the early morning darkness. The dawn is right on the horizon and she going to bring a beautiful day. The air is crisp and the sky is void of clouds.
6:45 AM - After a couple of port-o-potty breaks Daryl starts his stretching, even though he had about a 5 mile bike ride warm up. Hanging around the starting line he see many young people, unlike the Denver Marathon which he hardly saw any young people at all.
7:00 AM - The bag pipes start playing and they lead the group of runners to the starting line. The Sun is up and the sunrise is pretty this morning.
7:05 AM - And off to the start of his second Marathon. The Boulder Backroads is basically how it sounds. Little did Daryl realize how much of the course was going to be on dirt roads. This time Daryl is very prepared, wearing only a light jacket and his running shorts. Yes, he still donned his ZZ Top Bandanna and Oakley Sunglasses, which from here on out will be his signature.
Mile 1 - The sound of a rooster crowing in the morning can be heard in the distance by the runners. The Sun is now fully over the horizon and the runners are starting to get serious about the pace they wanted to run. Daryl found his pace and decided to do a 9 minute mile pace.
Mile 3 - (estimate) - (Niwot Road) - Daryl found someone to run with or she found him. Regardless, they were able to pace themselves against each other.
Mile 4 - (estimate) - (N 49th Street) - Well, Daryl has been paying attention to the mile markers and unlike the Mile High Marathon, the course is going to be marked for every mile. Daryl had said before this could be a dangerous thing, little did he know later that day it was going to be a painful reminder.
Coming to the second aid station he hears a young woman cheering the words “You’re my hero. You’re my hero. You’re my hero” to every runner passing by. Reflecting back on that moment Daryl gives her a lot of credit for saying that. That phrase can be heard in his memory and what a good memory that is. Daryl did not hear that as an individual comment, but as a whole.
The aid station routine Daryl did was without any errors. He did not choke this time on his accelerate drink.
Mile 6.55 - (Plateau / 39th St.) - The turn around for the Half Marathon. Since the Marathon-ers started first they saw no one doing the turn around for the Half-Marathon. There were quite a few of spectators at the junction and they looked like they were waiting for the Half-Marathon-ers to arrive
Mile 8 - (Nelson Road) - Pavement once again. So far Daryl has been running on about 7 miles of dirtroad which were washboards and have gravel the size of marbles and golf balls. Getting on the pavement was a relief, not to mention that the route has reached its most northern route.
Mile 9 1/2 - (estimate) - (Nelson Rd / N 55th St.) - About 50 or so spectators were at the crossroads. Time for the runners to turn South and once again run on the dirtroads. Meanwhile, Daryl and his “sidekick” have still been keeping the 9 mile pace.
Mile 10 1/2 (estimate) - N 55th St. - A moment Daryl wished he had not witnessed. There was this old guy in front of him about 20 yards of him and all of a sudden the old guy started to take a “leak” while running. The guy was running and pissing at the same time, I guess he thought fuck the trees and bushes. Daryl made sure he went well right of his pissing path. Not a sight he wants to witness from behind again.
Mile 12 1/2 - (estimate) - (N 55th St. / Oxford Rd) - “Take me down to the paradise city. Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. Take, take me home.” Daryl hears one of his favorite songs. A little G’N’R on a Sunday morning. A fast tempo and good song to run or bike to.
Mile 13.1 (Oxford Rd) - Picture time, but Daryl did not know that this was a picture taking spot. Daryl had been concentrating on the dirt road and where to place his next step. Next thing you know he noticed the photographer and well too late to do anything about it.
Mile 14 - (N 63rd St. / Oxford Rd) - This was the first time Daryl hears his bib number called out. Once again he feel like he is on top of the world and could run faster. A few spectators took his picture and wished him the best.
Unfortunately, Daryl knew that the course comes back this way and he saw the mile marker 20 on the opposite side of the road. Daryl did the arithmetic and knew he had another three miles to run until the turn around. Those three miles seemed huge.
Mile 16 - (estimate) Oxford - The pack is thinning its numbers and the runners have started to find their individual mode of escaping, one might say. Daryl’s pain has become a nuisance and he fears this could get worse.
Mile 17 - Turnaround - Time to head back in the opposite direction. The pain is bad. Only 17 miles down and 9 miles to go. Daryl knows that around mile 20 is the wall for most of the runners. Daryl’s wall has come early, but by no means did he ever give the thought of giving up.
Mile 20 - (N 63rd St. / Oxford Rd) - A runner passes Daryl by and mentions that he is listening to ZZ Top. Daryl can actually imagine hearing the song “La Grange” and the “Haw haw haw” of Dusty.
Mile 21 - (estimate) - (Oxford Rd) - The hill. A tough little hill right after an Aid station. The pain in Daryl’s foot can no longer be felt. Just a dull pain. With the pain gone, so to speak, he picks up a mad pace and goes for the jugular.
Mile 22 - (N 49th St.) - Daryl has indeed picked up a pace and has been running down the other runners and some walkers. The feeling of running down another Marathon-er is a high. Daryl sees the runners struggling as he passes them and also sees the pain in some of their faces.
Mile 23 (Niwot Rd) - Last dance on the Pavement and Daryl is still growing strong and his left foot no longer feels like it is hurting.
Mile 24 (55th St.) - Daryl catches up to a runner who passed him way back around mile marker 11. She had said to Daryl “You’re doing good. way to go” and now it Daryl’s turn to say “almost there”. Daryl does and passes her by.
Daryl then notices that she has put on her “running boosters” and is running along with Daryl.
Mile 25 (estimate) - She and Daryl are still running together, but it is Daryl who is leading the pace. She is keeping up with him and that makes Daryl keep up his pace.
Mile 25 1/2 (estimate) - Both of them are feeding off each other and then she drops behind to a walk. They did not speak when they were running together, but Daryl wanted to say “come on you can do it”. He wanted her to finish with him. She might of paid the price of running a faster pace Marathon, but Daryl has been paying his price of the dirt backroads.
Mile 26 (estimate) - The Finish line has been in sight and the announcer can be heard. The chute for the Marathon runners beckons Daryl to the Finish Line.
Mile 26.1 - Daryl starts his sprint to the Finish Line. He see the photographer up ahead and wants a picture that is worth buying.
Mile 26.2 - Finish line - The finish line volunteer makes him stop and takes his little number at which point Daryl almost fell over. After she was through with that he continued on and then another volunteer gives him his destiny. The Medal. Another Marathon Medal. Another victory. He hears the announcer talking, but for the life of him he can not remember actually listening to her.
Finishing in good time, 4:11:37 he hangs around the finish line and see the other runners finish. He sees the runners crying and tears of victory, which in turn makes him start to tear up. Is that what it is to cry for yourself at the finish? The hugging and embrace of someone close? Someone at the finish line waiting for you? Daryl knows not of these things. Maybe one day his time will come, but then again if it does not happen - no big deal
Although you see the tears and smiles at the finish line, you also see the physical damage of the Marathon, the 26.2 monster, does on the body of the runner. Daryl walks on legs that hurt everytime he walks. He is not alone, other people are walking funny too. He see how most runners move in slow motion. Even though it is slow motion, they share one thing - they did a Marathon. And for Daryl - the second Marathon in two weeks.
E
pilogue I have to say this Marathon tested my mentality. I did not think about anything else before entering this Marathon. One was to get the medal I wanted so badly and two, I wanted to finish. I was doing good for the first 15 miles or so of the Marathon, but then around the 17 Mile marker my left foot was in pain. The outside of the foot was hurting. Almost to a limping run, but not quite. Every time my left foot struck the dirt it felt like my foot was getting sprained. The pain got worse through the miles and then about 21 Mile Marker the pain was dulled. After that marker, I was looking around my surroundings and I actually noticed the other runners. My first impression was that this was the running of the dead. I guess I saw how the other runners were struggling and I just imagined how the dead would run if they could and we would be imitating them. Not really running nor not really walking, the in between.
Looking back I think I was actually getting choked up around 19 miles in the Marathon. I kept thinking I got to finish. Fuck the pain in my left foot. I also heard a line from the movie Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers. “...Last Dance of the Ents” Was this going to be my last “dance”? Motivation to finish in pain was a huge factor in this Marathon. Yes, this Marathon cost me $ 75.00 to run, which averages to $ 2.86 per mile.
Through out the Marathon I kept hearing “DNF” and “Taking them back to the Reservoir”. I was starting to worry about getting a “DNF”. The “DNF” may be in my future, but on this particular day I had the drive to do what I wanted to do - To finish.
The last .2 miles were the best. No one was really behind me or ahead of me so I had the perfect finish line picture in store. I came to the “chute” and I saw the orange cone line and the Marathon-ers were to go on the left. I sprinted to the finish line. Mainly, my last picture at the Denver Marathon looked like I was power walking to the finish. I did not want that kind of picture again. The picture that was taken is priceless. The picture of a winner.
Author’s Note
What the hell was I thinking?! I am still unsure what I was doing. Was I actually trying to push myself to the limit? Or was it just the medal that I wanted. The medal. The bragging rights. My passion.
I do not want to sound or lead you to believe that I am conceited, but getting the bragging rights is something very important to me. What I did not comprehend is that I did something more than just doing two Marathons. I did two Marathons in Two Weeks. Not even a seasoned pro-Marathon-er does something like that. I pushed myself for 15 days and I did two Marathons and 100 Mile bicycle tour.
I am now thinking of doing more Marathons in other States.
Saturday, Oct 4th after this second Marathon was when I looked back on this event. I was doing my 52 mile bike ride to CastleRock and I suddenly started to feel once again - empty. I got emotional on my bike ride. The reality of what I have done in two weeks really hit me. I can not describe what went on. I rode with a drive against the wind. Sparing no mercy to the people I passed. Enjoying my experiences was the only thing on my mind.
Then, on Sunday Oct 5th, I lost myself. I decided to see a movie I have been trying to see - Lost in Translation. Let me tell you, the movie hit home for me and I think I actually was on the verge of getting depressed. The film was a very good movie and the title - Lost in Translation - is where I am at. I am trying not to get lost, but I think I might be. I do not need help, but maybe a push in the right direction.
What a trip this past month. Don’t you think so?
w-i-t-h-u-t-m-o-s-t-s-i-n-c-e-r-i-t-y
Daryl
aka Calseti
Oct. 12, 2003
I guess I probably should tag my blog with this signature as
The Fallen Athlete
Daryl Charley
