That's How the Big Boys Do It + Week 6 Schedule

Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich
grabs flag on his way to victory
(snapped from NBC TV)

My restless anticipation of the men's marathon had me tossing and turning in bed even before the alarm went off at 4:55 AM. Felt a bit like it might feel come next January, perhaps. Before my eyes could get into focus the race would begin. Olympic officials had denied the request of runners to start the marathon a couple hours earlier to avoid the midday heat, but at least the weather forecast would not include a heavy downpour like the one that occurred during the women's race a week earlier. This one would be contested without that burden, but the course and fellow marathoners would surely generate sufficient hurdles to overcome for anyone pretending to the 2012 Olympic marathon throne, erm ... podium.

Overhead view of the race's start
(snapped from NBC TV)

All the runners would start together, of course (no shuffling to the line after the gun for those way in the back like our January run), but that's the last time they'd be on an equal footing.

Pretenders and contenders mix
(snapped from NBC TV)

Those at the front early would include the 'real deal' but also a whole host of pretenders, those for whom this moment would be the camera's only view with them in the lead.

The starting pack gets strung out
(snapped from NBC TV)

As the minutes and miles wore on, what was once a large group of runners stretches out to a long string of runners, separating themselves either willingly because they know the pace is too fast for them on this warm day or unwillingly because the pace is already proving too much for them.

Kenya's Wilson Kiprotich surges first
(snapped from NBC TV)

Finally, someone decides to make a break for the lead: Kenya's Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich - yes, the same last name as the runner from Uganda. Surging - stepping up the pace to wear down the pack or escape their vision - is a genuine tactic in a marathon length race. Kenya's Kiprotich took a big risk with this move, especially this early in the race.

Ryan Hall DNF's for 1st time
(snapped from NBC TV)

At about this point in the race, and within a few moments of each other, both Ryan Hall and Abdi Abdirahman of the United States drop out of the race. Hall experiences a hamstring tie-up that wouldn't unknot and Abdirahman suffers a knee problem.

Abdirahman's knee gave out
(snapped from NBC TV)

Both DNF'd (Did Not Finish) but were not alone in this defeat. Fully twenty runners would drop out of the race at some point, a testament to both the heat and the terrible trauma the twisting and turning route applied to each runner's body. Our women marathoners had noted this from last week's race but there's not much the runners could do about it but try.

The three who lead all others
(snapped from NBC TV) 

Finally, Kenya's Kipsang is ultimately hauled in by both his fellow countryman Abel Kirui and Uganda's Kiprotich. The Kenyans spoke several times to each other, perhaps trying to devise an in-race strategy to help them finish 1-2 and nose out the Ugandan. NBC's commentator reminded us that the Ugandan - with whom the Kenyans trained - also spoke Swahili so we're not sure what secrets could be shared at this point.

Meb Keflezighi moves up slowly
(snapped from NBC TV)

America's last remaining marathoner - the U.S. Trials' winner, Meb Keflezighi - was pretty far back in the pack during the middle portion of this marathon. Meb, at 37 years of age, was surely pacing himself, using his many years of experience to keep him in the race and not 'bonk' out or get hurt like others. Meb had already an Olympic silver medal in the marathon to his credit, so he would not go chasing after fool's gold. Little by little, however, he reels in runners, making his way from back in 18th place at one point.

Uganda's Kiprotich makes his move
(snapped from NBC TV)

Then, with about 5K left in the race, Stephen Kiprotich makes his move. Using a couple of twisting turns in the course as his slingshot, the Ugandan broke away from the Kenyans and made the surge that would not be answered. Running at a blistering pace over the next mile or so, Kiprotich distances himself from his training partners and rushes headlong toward the finish line.

The Ugandan Kiprotich - alone in 1st
(snapped from NBC TV)

Though he looks back once or twice to make sure he cannot be caught, Kiprotich is now safety on his way to victory, Uganda's first marathon medal of any kind is a gold at the 2012 London Games - only the country's 2nd Olympic medal. With his goal in sight, Stephen Kiprotich breaks out in a big smile and is warmly greeted by the throng lining the 200m of the course.

Meb hoists the US flag near finish
(snapped from NBC TV)

Making progress slowly against the field of flagging runners, Meb Keflezighi manages to move all the way up to 4th place - out of the medals, but a sterling achievement by the 37-year-old United States marathoner. He was very pleased with his effort, though he would have preferred to finish on the podium.

The course was lined with running fans throughout. Londoners - Englanders, in general - are amongst the world's most avid track and field fans and their presence along the entire route gave tribute to this. Though the only UK runner in this race would finish in a distant 61st place, that didn't seem to matter to the crowd which cheered on all the runners in this - and every other running event at the 2012 Games.

The Olympic Marathon pace did not set a record, but Kiplotich's 2:08:01 clocking was quite impressive given the warm day and the myriad turns in the course. All in all, a very exciting event to watch, even if the timelapserunner had to take a 3-hour nap in the afternoon to catch up on his sleep. I believe Mrs. timelapserunner caught a few winks too, as she also got up in the wee hours to see the excitement live from London.


WEEK 6 TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Week 6's training schedule sees another uptick in the long run distance, this time to 7 miles. You have to go back to May of this year to find the timelapserunner putting in a longer distance. Of course, back then, we were running the whole distance - and at an average pace of 10:18. This long run will be much easier yet still another stepping stone to the conditioning we need for our goal.

Week 6 Schedule - Another Long Run Uptick

TODAY'S WORKOUT: Just active-isolated stretching today (done late in the day), as Sunday is a day of rest. I'm glad God rested on the 7th day because I sure appreciate having that one day off from the streets, as much as I love the other days on the streets.