Post Race Recap With Nick Stanko

January 16th, 2012 by Brandon

Time: DNF
Place: DNF
Age: 30
Affiliation: Brooks

Runners Feed: Describe your 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials experience

The experience in Houston was well worth the trip even though the race results were not ideal for me. Houston did a tremendous job of making sure that every “t” was crossed and “i” was dotted. No stone was left unturned. There was so much going on before the race, but it was all manageable because the athletes knew exactly where to be and where to go. The course was perfect and set up for people to run PBs. What better place to go after it than the OTs. I don’t think their should ever be a US championship marathon race that is not a circuit course. It was basically like running on a track and you had people cheering for you 100% of the time. Circuit courses for road races could be a very positive change for championship events. It’s probably hard to pull off for other distances, but it is something other races should consider trying. Not only did the runners enjoy it… I think the fans love it too. A win-win situation.

RF: Were you satisfied with your performance?

Yes and no. I ended my race around 24 miles. My legs just shut down and would not take another step. I have never taken myself to that point in the marathon. Going into the race I wanted to take a chance, and I knew the end results would be great or not so great. I was okay with both possibilities and I just wanted to take a risk and see what happened. I really had nothing to loose and a lot to gain, and I didn’t want to run another 2:19-2:20 marathon. I came through 1/2 way at 5:08 pace (sub-2:15) with Pat Rizzo and Josh Eberly and was feeling pretty good. But very soon after things changed. I started to cramp up a little so I slowed down… had to stop a few times… but was able to get back into an okay rhythm to try and finish with a respectable time. Going into the last loop I thought I might be able to finish strong that the cramping was subsiding. At 22 things started to shut down completely. This was my 9th marathon and I have never hit the “wall” before. I guess there is a first time for everything. At this point I just wanted to finish the race for the Haslett High School kids I coach who came down to watch. At 24 I couldn’t take another step and had to walk to the next medical tent. I stopped… got some Gatorade, used a volunteer’s cell phone to call my wife to let her know I was okay, grabbed a warming blanket and walked backed to the finish. Walking back gave me enough time to get over the fact that I had to DNF.

RF: What would you have done differently?

Even though it was not the ideal race I don’t think I would have done anything differently. I’m glad I got out and gave it all I had that day. Yeah… in the end it was too fast of a pace for me, but I had nothing to lose and I’m glad I put myself in a position to run a big PB. For the next marathon I have a new experience that I feel will help me… and hopefully set a PB down the road so I can be at the trials in 2016.

RF: What is on tap for the spring/summer?

For the spring and summer I’ll probably run some local 5k’s and 10k’s that have good regional competition and gear up for the US 25k champs and/or 1/2 champs. Running in the US championship road races is one of the things that keeps me going.

Share an inspiring/funny/fascinating Olympic Trials story

As I was walking back to the finish I ran into Rick Cummings the Wayne State Cross Country Coach who I have not seen in almost 15 years… when I was looking at college as a high school kid. He offered his coat and we walked back to the finish together. It was great to have someone to walk back with and chat with. It’s definitely a small world… and it’s another story of how great runners are… always willing to help another runner out.

Rapid Fire

RF: In 1 word describe your approach to the race? A Gamble.

RF: Rate the crowd support out of 10 10! That’s the honest truth… I’m not exaggerating at all. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.

RF: Who proved to be your #1 fan today? My family and friends who came down to Houston.

RF: Can we expect to see you gunning for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials? I really hope so. They have not announced the official standards yet, but I hope I’ll have a chance. I’m kind of 0 for 2 at the trials… as both times I have had a rough go. I guess if there is a next time I should probably run a little more conservative.

RF: In 1 word describe your emotion when you stepped off the course. Spent. When I stopped at 24 I knew I had absolutely nothing left… and I just couldn’t believe it as I have never been there before. I have a new respect for the DNFers in a marathon. It’s kind of like having a kid… you really don’t get it until you have been there.

TRUE or FALSE

RF: I executed my race plan. TRUE
RF: I hit the wall. double TRUE
RF: I had fun! triple TRUE
RF: I will do my best to make it to the start line of another OT race. absolutely TRUE
RF: I will take a week or more off running. 1 week of no running… then ease back into training.

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1 comment

#1kevin schumacherJanuary 17, 2012, 10:53 pm

Nick:

Way to go! You taught our daughter Jennie at Haslett. I especially loved your race strategy, why the Hell not go for it all! Go big or go home, only by looking for your limit will you ever know you have one. I started doing triathlons at 46. I’m not competitive by any stretch of the imagination, but in work and in the triathlons, sometimes you just have to go for broke and win lose or draw be accepting of the results. Every now and then I see you on your runs thru Haslett and watching form makes me continue to work on mine. Keep up the good work (both running and teaching)

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