Minding Your Body
Kelly Kincl, Laurel Kincl and
Kevin Huck post marathon
A Long Run In Houston
I started running years ago when I was
in graduate school to stay in shape, to keep
my sanity and to hang out with friends. Now
running is a part of most days in my life and
is still a social activity. My partner Kevin has
done a lot of marathon training with me,
skipping the really long runs on weekends
but getting up with me at 6 am during the
week to run.
My first marathon was the Flying Pig
Marathon in Cincinnati, and I have run the
Portland Marathon for the past three years. I
was ready to think about a different one. My
brother and most of my family live in the
Houston or Austin area, and I have gone to
watch the Houston Marathon for about five
years because my brother runs it every year.
I usually jump in with him at mile 18 and try
to encourage him with jokes, pointing out
things along the course to take his mind off
the pain and just being next to him. He
always has run a personal record when I
■ By Laurel Kincl
accompany him at the end of his race. This
year, after checking with my brother, I decid-
ed to run in Houston.
In Houston on Jan. 14, the sun was not
quite up yet at the start. It was a foggy,
muggy morning, so it was somehow surreal.
‘
moving forward. I thought about all the time
I had spent in training, all the people in my
life who went out of their way to wish me
well in so many ways and all my running
friends through the years. All of this kept me
running, at a slower pace, but moving for-
ward nonetheless. In the last miles, it got
bearable, which was at the point when I real-
ized there were just a few miles left and I was
going to finish soon. Then my calves started
cramping.
I regretted only drinking water at the aid
stations! The cramping made running impos-
sible, and I had to walk and shake my legs to
try to release the muscles. I was determined
to not let my time slip, so I kept running as
much as I could, knowing there was an end.
Kevin ran the half, so after his run, he was at
mile 26 cheering me in the crowd. When I
passed the 26 mile marker and the end was in
sight, I think I had a smile that radiated way
past the finish. I did it!
I am not sure there is any way to describe
putting my mind and body through such a
trial or the emotions I feel when it is com-
plete. Despite the cramps, I ran a 3:48. My
brother ran a 3:36, so he was always ahead of
me by a few minutes, and I never saw him
until the finish. For three of my marathons I
have run a 3:48, so it seems to be my time,
although I keep trying to improve it!
For the post race celebration, I took my
traditional ice bath and then headed with my
family for chips and salsa and margaritas. I
’
I am not sure there is any way to describe
putting my mind and body through such a trial
or the emotions I feel when it is complete.
I felt great as I got into my pace and tried to
spend time observing my surroundings, tak-
ing in the spectators, other runners chatting,
the street surface, the buildings and trees. I
tried to be aware of my breathing and my
legs and shoulders. Then I started feeling
blisters about mile 9 or 10. I had not blistered
in the cheering, and even though I knew it
was printed on my bib, it lifted me every
time.
But around mile 19, I began to hit the
infamous wall. My legs were in pain, and the
mental energy that had pushed me for the
past miles was waning. I tried to focus on
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Marathoner tells her story
at all during my training runs, but I was not
surprised given Houston’s humidity, so I
ignored them. I also started feeling a bit nau-
seous, which was also unusual for me, but I
decided to stick to water only at the aid sta-
tions. That helped.
The support on the race is amazing, and
all the people who volunteer, including those
who hand runners water, are saints. The
miles passed amazingly fast. I did become
more internal as the race progressed, and
instead of focusing on my surroundings, I
focused more on myself.
During the race, I was not running with
anyone I knew, but everyone is certainly
chatty on the course, and I enjoyed hearing
all the Texas accents. I chatted with various
people along the way and used other runners
as rabbits (a runner in front of you with a
bright shirt or other distinguishable trait; you
try to keep up with or pass your rabbit). All
the runners are encouraging to each other
and often say, “You look awesome” or
“You’re doing great!” Some pat you on the
back if they pass you, and it always boosts
me to feel a friendly touch. I find it helps me
to do that for other runners — you give out
encouragement, which boosts you as well.
One thing that helped the miles pass was
the anticipation of seeing my family. I saw
them three times on the course, and I beamed
every time I saw them. I could not wait to see
them at the end. I also drew energy from the
crowd. Occasionally I would hear my name
feel content and look forward to the Eugene
Marathon to do it all again. Who knows,
maybe this time I can run faster!
■
Editor’s Note: Kincl adds, “Houston is very high tech and
has the results graphically on the web. If you type my bib
number, #672, you can see all sorts of data on my race (at
www.runpix4.com/hou07/ge.php).”
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FEBRUARY 8, 2007 13