Barry Jones
In Florida this happens a lot: A day or two before a big race you are wishing and praying for a cold front to move in and make the race just a little bit more enjoyable. Well, this was the scene at my house (and, I'm sure a few hundred other houses) the week prior to the Ocala Marathon in February. And this time the Weather Genie granted my wish. Next time I'll have to remember to suggest a certain temperature, though. The temperature at the 7 AM race start was 29 degrees. A little too cold for this transplanted Florida guy. My wife (Brenda) and I did our prerace stretching and warm-up routine in the van with the heat turned way up. This same strategy was followed by many of the people around us. Fifteen minutes prior to the start, all the car doors around us opened up and there was a massive warm-up jog to the start line.
A mile or two into the race the cold became a little more bearable. Speech was still a bit of a problem, however. It is very frustrating the way sub-freezing temperatures can slow down the facial muscles. The mind delivers words faster than the mouth can form them. Simple phrases like, "What pace are you shooting for?" are translated into, "Waa pae shoo fa?". It's like trying to talk to your dentist with a mouth full of cotton and novacaine. Motor skills were a bit of a problem, as well. At the six mile mark I made an attempt at my first Power Gel. With numb fingers, it was like watching someone else open the pouch for me. I was able to get most of the white cream in my mouth, saving just enough to smear around my frozen face. I'm sure I looked like I had just sneezed or tried to spit or something. Runners: yeah we're different.
All in all, it turned out to be a great day for a marathon. I continued to see frost on the ground up through mile 10 or so. I noted the first bead of sweat on my forehead at mile 17. And, by mile 22 I had taken off my long sleeve T-shirt. With the exception of shoes on my feet, I must have looked like Matt Mahoney. I finished the race with dry (sweat-free) shorts and socks. That, in itself, is a personal record.
The Ocala Marathon course is the most scenic and challenging that I have experienced. I think race horses and cows may have even out numbered runners. They advertise a flat course with gently rolling hills. I would call it a hilly course with some flat sections. None of the hills were overly steep or long, however. They actually served to break up the monotony of running three hours at the same pace and rythym. Volunteer support along the course was fantastic. Aid stations every two miles up to mile 20 and every mile thereafter were staffed by very helpful and enthusiastic people. This is especially impressive considering the freezing temperatures that morning. Every station offered water or powerade served by volunteers who shouted out your name as you approached. Three stations offered oranges, bananas, gels, vaseline and band-aids to the runners. Over 250 volunteers contributed to the enjoyment of the 235 marathon and 177 half marathon finishers. Food, music and massage awaited the finishers when their race day was done. Top that off with results updated every 15 minutes and unique awards. In my experience this is one of the best races in the state. If this success continues, it won't be a small race much longer.
SCR Ocala Marathon and Half Marathon finishers: Marathon OA Time Pace AG Group OA sex Num Name 3 2:47:22 6:23 1 40-44 3 M 677 Bruce Bayliss 5 2:48:09 6:25 1 30-34 5 M 521 Michael Revense 13 3:03:13 7:00 2 45-49 13 M 487 Peter Gelzinis 14 3:04:13 7:02 3 45-49 14 M 608 Don Dore Jr 21 3:12:00 7:20 6 35-39 19 M 492 Barry Jones 85 3:50:06 8:47 3 35-39 18 F 493 Brenda Jones 89 3:52:41 8:53 4 35-39 20 F 636 Dede Henrich 113 4:02:42 9:16 6 40-44 27 F 539 Noreen Williams 169 4:29:02 10:16 4 60-64 127M 542 Charles Desrosier 185 4:40:58 10:43 24 35-39 139 M 595 Richard Sellers Half-Marathon 21 1:36:08 7:20 8 40-44 18 M 189 Glen Reed 29 1:37:17 7:26 10 40-44 23 M 205 Nicholas Smith 38 1:41:04 7:43 14 40-44 28 M 170 James Ralph 134 2:13:10 10:10 9 40-44 45 F 188 Janet Reed 139 2:17:14 10:29 11 40-44 49 F 169 Debra Sieloff