Okay, this one's a week or so late because we were on vacation, then I was working on a message for church last week. But, I wanted to write down my thoughts about the Madison Marathon on May 24. The short version: I ran a personal best 3:57:51 (in only my second marathon) and was able to walk the next day. Now here's the slightly longer version.
When I started considering a marathon late last fall, I was looking for one that was (1) driving distance (2) in a place I hadn't been, and (3) after the Indy Mini with enough time to recover, but not enough that I would lose my fitness. Madison fit right in- 5 hour drive, and 3 weeks after the Mini. Truth be known, I would have liked another week to allow for one more long run, but even more truth be known... I don't know if I could have run a 20 miler the week after the Mini anyway.
We drove up Saturday morning and arrived at the hotel right around 4:00, which was check-in time. We parked at the hotel and walked to the expo, and I was pleased to find out that our hotel was indeed walking distance to both the start and finish lines. This would work out well logistically, as I could walk to the start and my family could walk to the finish and watch me limp in. The expo was nice, but fairly small compared to the Indy Mini, and it was then I realized how small this race actually was. In a good way.
Sunday morning, I woke up at 5:20, 10 minutes before my alarm went off. I slept well from about 9:30, so that was nice. I ate two granola bars, drank a bottle of water, and went for a walk/jog through the parking lot and the finish line. I determined the finish was about a half mile from the hotel entrance, which would work fine.
I arrived at the start area about 7:00, 30 minutes before the start. The weather was perfect for running- 52 degrees, cloudy, and no wind. I looked for and found the 3:40 pace group. My plan was to run with them as long as I could, then hang on to make it under 4 hours. By this time, though, I had raised my expectations and thought maybe 3:40 was possible. Well, I introduced myself to a couple of the pacers, got a good look at them to know who I was following, then the gun went off. About 1,500 of us left the line, and ran around the Alliant energy center parking lot, off onto the road and we were at a mile before I knew it, just a tad slow. Okay, though. By close to mile two, I couldn't belive the crowd wasn't breaking up more... it felt like I was running with 15,000 people, not 1,500. I was feeling clausterphobic and had to get out. I ran up about 15 feet in front of the 3:40 pace group and all of a sudden, I felt I was running alone. This was more like it. I was very comfortable, enjoying views of Lake Monona, then the capital, then the University of Wisconsin. Five miles went by in 41:30 (8:18 miles), right on time. As we ran, I took note of a couple things to come back for with my family... a frozen custard stand (4.5 miles), a beautiful house being built on Lake Wingra (8.5 miles) and the zoo (9.5 miles).
When we exited the UW Arboretum and turned by the zoo, I couldn't believe the crowd there to cheer us on. There must have been close to a thousand people lining the path, yelling and screaming, ringing cowbells, and shouting our names, which were printed in large type on our bibs. It was very energizing.
I ran through the half in 1:48, which would have been a PR for me a month ago, but was just about on plan for the marathon. One more of those, and I'd run a 3:36. That would be awesome! But, it was not to be. At about mile 15.5, I walked the aid station. I had carried a pack of Clif Shot Bloks with me, and a honey stinger gel. I had planned to take a gel or some energy food every 6 miles, and I had hoped to pick one up at the 4 mile station, but I passed right by it. So, I had to be careful with my calorie intake, and now I knew I was off my plan, but I couldn't remember when I was supposed to eat again. So, I walked, took some Gatorade, and poured some water over my head (it was getting warmer now). I started running again with no problem until mile 17. As we ran around the Maple Bluff country club, we hit the longest/steepest hill on the course. It drove me to a walk, and I never recovered. Between 17.5 and 22, I was reduced to a pattern of walk 1 minute, run 2 minutes, or some variation thereof. The bottom line is there was about a five-mile stretch where I ran only about 2/3 of it.
By mile 22.5 or so, we were running along the shore of Lake Mendota, sharing a bike path with people out enjoying the beautiful day. The mix of more people, nice lake views, and proximity to the finish line drove me to run more. Now, I would walk one minute and run four. I just kept repeating to myself, "This is what all your training was for. This is why you spent so much time away from your family. This is something you can do!"
At mile 25, I started running and didn't stop again. Just before 26, we re-entered the Alliant energy center, and as I ran toward the finish, I started looking for my family in the crowd. As I passed 26, I saw them and realized we'd never arrived on where we would meet. I waved, though, and my girls got to see me finish, which was great. As I approached the finish line, I finally saw the clock and it started with a four. I was a little bummed, but not surprised considering how much I'd walked. Then I realized- that was the 1/2 marathon clock- they started 30 minutes before us. On the other side of the finish line was the marathon clock, and it was at 3:56. I was going to do it! I crossed the line at 3:58:17. I wasn't wearing my watch, but I knew it had been about 30 seconds before I'd crossed the start line, so I was safely under four hours. I grabbed a chocolate milk, hobbled back to find my family, and started to think. My first response surprised me. Instead of the usual, "I'm not doing that again," I thought, "I can probably take 20 minutes off that time if I work at it."
So, I'm really excited to see what's next for my running. The last two weeks I've run, bicycled, and lifted weights without a plan. Now, I'm in training for a 4.5 miler on the 4th, but I'm considering what to do in the fall... another marathon? Fast half-marathon? Ultra? Thoughts, anyone?
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Marathon FAQ's for my non-running friends
Since I've told people I've been training for the Madison Marathon, the responses have been varied. My running friends are mostly understanding, excited, inquisitive, and some even a little jealous. But, the most confused and amused looks and questions come from my non-running friends. So, to save the trouble of answering them many times in the next two weeks, I present here my Marathon FAQ's.
1. How long is THIS marathon? By definition, a marathon is a race that is 26.2 miles. To be more precise, it is 26 miles, 385 yards. The marathon was first featured in the Olympic games in Athens in 1896 as 40km (24.85 miles) and the now standard distance was used first in 1908, when in order for the Royal Family to see the marathon at the London Olympics, a partial lap around the stadium was added to the planned 26 mile race. Or something like that. Anyway, a marathon has been officially 26.2 miles since 1921, when the distance was standardized.
2. Why would anyone run 26 miles? Well, that's different for everyone. The race is named after an alleged journey of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger charged with communicating that his country defeated Persia in the Battle of Marathon. He immediately ran from Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 25 miles, upon which he announced, "we have won," then took a swig of Gatorade, wrapped himself in a space blanket, and promptly died. So, he did it as an act of patriotism. My motives are more selfish. I wanted to (1) have something out on the calendar to motivate me, (2) prove I could do it, and (3) train so that I could run better at other distances. Numbers 1 and 3 have worked so far; this Sunday, I'll run to see if 2 is true.
3. Wow, 26 miles. I don't even like to drive that far! Neither do I.
4. Madison? Won't that be hilly? Hmmm... maybe. But, I plotted the course on my favorite mapping site, and only got about 350 feet of vertical over the whole 26 miles. That's just over twice what the Indy Mini has, and it's twice as long, so it looks relatively flat.
5. What's your goal Wow, good question. My first and only marathon was a disaster. I finished the first half in 2:08 and the second half took 2:48, for a 4:56 total. I would love to run under 4 hours. Based on my recent half-marathon, I should be able to run a 3:35, but I don't know if I've run enough long runs for that. I plan to go out at a 3:40 pace and run as long as I can there. That is about 8:30 per mile for the math-impaired.
6. What comes next? Well, immediately afterward, the family and I will spend the first few days of Summer vacation in Wisconsin- first in Madison, then in The Dells. Next Saturday, I will continue to torture myself with a 15k trail run in Nashville, Indiana. You should come. No, seriously. After that, I'm a little less clear. I've been experiencing foot pain, so I may take a month or two off from running and ride my bike more. I'm open to ideas.
EDIT: Here are some other frequent answers I use. You can figure out the questions: No, I'm not insane. I use band-aids on them. Pretty much anything I want, but it will probably involve gravy. No, I don't- not anymore, anyway- just too much trouble to get rid of the stubble. Yes, like a pig. Go before you leave the hotel. Ice bath.
Thanks for reading. Wish me luck, and I'd sure appreciate your prayers Sunday Morning.
Steve
1. How long is THIS marathon? By definition, a marathon is a race that is 26.2 miles. To be more precise, it is 26 miles, 385 yards. The marathon was first featured in the Olympic games in Athens in 1896 as 40km (24.85 miles) and the now standard distance was used first in 1908, when in order for the Royal Family to see the marathon at the London Olympics, a partial lap around the stadium was added to the planned 26 mile race. Or something like that. Anyway, a marathon has been officially 26.2 miles since 1921, when the distance was standardized.
2. Why would anyone run 26 miles? Well, that's different for everyone. The race is named after an alleged journey of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger charged with communicating that his country defeated Persia in the Battle of Marathon. He immediately ran from Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 25 miles, upon which he announced, "we have won," then took a swig of Gatorade, wrapped himself in a space blanket, and promptly died. So, he did it as an act of patriotism. My motives are more selfish. I wanted to (1) have something out on the calendar to motivate me, (2) prove I could do it, and (3) train so that I could run better at other distances. Numbers 1 and 3 have worked so far; this Sunday, I'll run to see if 2 is true.
3. Wow, 26 miles. I don't even like to drive that far! Neither do I.
4. Madison? Won't that be hilly? Hmmm... maybe. But, I plotted the course on my favorite mapping site, and only got about 350 feet of vertical over the whole 26 miles. That's just over twice what the Indy Mini has, and it's twice as long, so it looks relatively flat.
5. What's your goal Wow, good question. My first and only marathon was a disaster. I finished the first half in 2:08 and the second half took 2:48, for a 4:56 total. I would love to run under 4 hours. Based on my recent half-marathon, I should be able to run a 3:35, but I don't know if I've run enough long runs for that. I plan to go out at a 3:40 pace and run as long as I can there. That is about 8:30 per mile for the math-impaired.
6. What comes next? Well, immediately afterward, the family and I will spend the first few days of Summer vacation in Wisconsin- first in Madison, then in The Dells. Next Saturday, I will continue to torture myself with a 15k trail run in Nashville, Indiana. You should come. No, seriously. After that, I'm a little less clear. I've been experiencing foot pain, so I may take a month or two off from running and ride my bike more. I'm open to ideas.
EDIT: Here are some other frequent answers I use. You can figure out the questions: No, I'm not insane. I use band-aids on them. Pretty much anything I want, but it will probably involve gravy. No, I don't- not anymore, anyway- just too much trouble to get rid of the stubble. Yes, like a pig. Go before you leave the hotel. Ice bath.
Thanks for reading. Wish me luck, and I'd sure appreciate your prayers Sunday Morning.
Steve
Sunday, May 3, 2009
OneAmerica Mini Marathon Race Report
The chart tacked to my office wall had teased me since November. "You can do it," it said. "You oughtta be able to run this race in 1:43:30." What did it know? It was just a piece of paper, after all. And besides, I'd run the Mini eleven times, and never faster than an hour fifty. In 1995, I ran 1:51. Since that time, the defining goal in my running life has been to beat 1:50. It consumed my thoughts each October-May, and last year, my 1:50:36 put me on an emotional tightrope between setting a new personal best and STILL not being in the 1:40's. This race has ALWAYS reduced me to a walk at some point. 1:43 seemed absurd and impossible. But the chart, which I had downloaded from McMillan Running, seemed to have some science behind it. So, I decided I'd shoot for 1:48.
The difference this year is that I'm also training for a full marathon three weeks from now. Up until now, I had lied to myself that the Mini would just be a training run, and I didn't really have to worry about my time. All the weekend long runs, all the 6- and 7-mile tempo runs, the 1/2 mile repeats- it was all in preparation for the Big Race in 3 weeks, I had said. I am a big fat liar. Yes, I'm doing the Madison Marathon on May 24, but the closer my calendar X's got to May 2, the more I realized how important the Mini really is to me. The week leading up, when people would ask me what I expected to run, I'd sheepishly reply, "Oh, under 1:50." Only to my close friends and running accountability partners did I boldly proclaim that I'd love a 1:45.
So, I lined up at the start on Saturday with 35,000 of my neighbors, and the butterflies came like always. The forecast had called for cool temps, no wind, and a chance of spotty showers throughout the morning- pretty nice racing weather. It turned out even nicer. At the 7:30 gun time, it was 48 degrees F, and by 8:00, the sun was peering from behind the clouds.
The area before the start was more constricted than usual, as the new JW Marriott hotel is going up right at the corner of Washington and West Streets, and the fenced area around the construction site had an extra lane closed off. This made it slow running getting to the start- 2:30 from corral "D" (the fourth of 20+ corrals), but once we crossed the start line, it was pretty much free running. My problem, with my new 1:45 goal, is that I was seeded based on last years 1:50, so I really needed to run faster than those around me. 8:00 miles were the goal, so as soon as my D-Tag beeped across the start line, it was Go Time.
Mile 1 seemed fast- maybe because the race allowed headphones this year- but it wasn't. 8:06. Crap! I'm already behind. Well, I didn't panic too much, because I think I remember this mile was marked a little long last year. When mile 2 clicked off in 7:38, I relaxed a lot and settled into a groove. I headed west on Michigan Road, in pursuit of the 100 year-old Indianapolis Motor Speedway that I loved so much as a kid (and still do). The miles went by pretty fast, and I hit the 5-mile mark, on Main Street in Speedway, at 38:34, a 7:42 average pace. Perfect! I was putting time toward my 1:45 in the bank.
At about mile 5.6, you turn left into Indianapolis's most famous landmark, down under the track, and back up the only "hill" on the course, and you are deposited smack dab between turns one and two of America's Greatest Race Course. I took an energy gel just before entering the track, knowing this usually seems like such a long part of the course because of the boredom (It's really cool to see it the first time, but there are really no landmarks and few turns) and the heat radiating off the pavement(but not today). In my head, I calculated. Twenty minutes- that's it. Twenty minutes and I'm off the track. So, I enjoyed it this year. I looked for drivers and sports personalities. I cheered for the cheer squads. I set a new 10k PR in the process (47:45). I hammed it up to get my picture taken crossing the yard of bricks. And in 19 minutes, I exited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and headed back out onto Olin Avenue.
This is the part of the course that gets me every year. I think it's because I grew up on the west side, in the shadow of IMS, and I remeber going downtown to see the Pacers play and the Indians, too. It always seemed like a long drive from Speedway to downtown, and now here I am, I've run 9 miles and I still have to run ALL THE STINKIN' WAY DOWNTOWN? So, I stopped and got some Gatorade, walked while I drank it and began running again. I hit mile 10 in 1:17:06. Wow, that means the 2nd 5 miles were 38:32 vs. 38:34 for the first five. Talk about an even pace, that is just how I want to run. For a moment, this insane thought goes through my mind- "Hey, if you just ran a 21:50 last 5k, you could be under 1:40!" HA! That would be my 2nd fastest 5k ever, and I've already run 10 miles today. I just need to be glad I'm on pace, and putting some time in the bank. So, I've cast that thought out of my mind, but I think, subconciously, it makes me run a little faster. That's a mistake.
At the water stop at I start to walk again, and then at about 11.5 miles. I tell myself just for a minute, but after about 40 seconds, I feel guilty and start running again. Mile 11 goes by in 8:03. Not bad, but definitely slower. I walk a little more in mile 12, maybe twice, but never more than about 40 seconds, and run an 8:29. All downhill from here!
On the drive downtown Saturday morning, I had a vision of crossing the line when the race clock said 1:46:04. If I do that, I would be well under my 1:45 target. But, mile 13 is cruel. She is painful. I stop to walk twice, again not more than a minute each, but I hate walking when I can see the finish line RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! Finally, I pick it up and mile 13 takes an excruciating 8:38. I cross the line, and pump my fist in a bizarre blend of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, knowing I could have run a little faster. My official time was 1:42:56- a 7 minute PR, and about 30 seconds faster than my crazy chart on the wall had predicted.
The rest of my Saturday was filled with household chores while my mind went back and forth between happiness (wow- 1:43), disappointment (what could it have been if I hadn't walked?) and exhaustion. I wonder what it would take to get in the 1:30's?
By the way, the other difference this year- on Sunday, I skipped my usual post-Mini couch surf and went for a 9 mile run.
Thanks for reading.
Steve
The difference this year is that I'm also training for a full marathon three weeks from now. Up until now, I had lied to myself that the Mini would just be a training run, and I didn't really have to worry about my time. All the weekend long runs, all the 6- and 7-mile tempo runs, the 1/2 mile repeats- it was all in preparation for the Big Race in 3 weeks, I had said. I am a big fat liar. Yes, I'm doing the Madison Marathon on May 24, but the closer my calendar X's got to May 2, the more I realized how important the Mini really is to me. The week leading up, when people would ask me what I expected to run, I'd sheepishly reply, "Oh, under 1:50." Only to my close friends and running accountability partners did I boldly proclaim that I'd love a 1:45.
So, I lined up at the start on Saturday with 35,000 of my neighbors, and the butterflies came like always. The forecast had called for cool temps, no wind, and a chance of spotty showers throughout the morning- pretty nice racing weather. It turned out even nicer. At the 7:30 gun time, it was 48 degrees F, and by 8:00, the sun was peering from behind the clouds.
The area before the start was more constricted than usual, as the new JW Marriott hotel is going up right at the corner of Washington and West Streets, and the fenced area around the construction site had an extra lane closed off. This made it slow running getting to the start- 2:30 from corral "D" (the fourth of 20+ corrals), but once we crossed the start line, it was pretty much free running. My problem, with my new 1:45 goal, is that I was seeded based on last years 1:50, so I really needed to run faster than those around me. 8:00 miles were the goal, so as soon as my D-Tag beeped across the start line, it was Go Time.
Mile 1 seemed fast- maybe because the race allowed headphones this year- but it wasn't. 8:06. Crap! I'm already behind. Well, I didn't panic too much, because I think I remember this mile was marked a little long last year. When mile 2 clicked off in 7:38, I relaxed a lot and settled into a groove. I headed west on Michigan Road, in pursuit of the 100 year-old Indianapolis Motor Speedway that I loved so much as a kid (and still do). The miles went by pretty fast, and I hit the 5-mile mark, on Main Street in Speedway, at 38:34, a 7:42 average pace. Perfect! I was putting time toward my 1:45 in the bank.
At about mile 5.6, you turn left into Indianapolis's most famous landmark, down under the track, and back up the only "hill" on the course, and you are deposited smack dab between turns one and two of America's Greatest Race Course. I took an energy gel just before entering the track, knowing this usually seems like such a long part of the course because of the boredom (It's really cool to see it the first time, but there are really no landmarks and few turns) and the heat radiating off the pavement(but not today). In my head, I calculated. Twenty minutes- that's it. Twenty minutes and I'm off the track. So, I enjoyed it this year. I looked for drivers and sports personalities. I cheered for the cheer squads. I set a new 10k PR in the process (47:45). I hammed it up to get my picture taken crossing the yard of bricks. And in 19 minutes, I exited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and headed back out onto Olin Avenue.
This is the part of the course that gets me every year. I think it's because I grew up on the west side, in the shadow of IMS, and I remeber going downtown to see the Pacers play and the Indians, too. It always seemed like a long drive from Speedway to downtown, and now here I am, I've run 9 miles and I still have to run ALL THE STINKIN' WAY DOWNTOWN? So, I stopped and got some Gatorade, walked while I drank it and began running again. I hit mile 10 in 1:17:06. Wow, that means the 2nd 5 miles were 38:32 vs. 38:34 for the first five. Talk about an even pace, that is just how I want to run. For a moment, this insane thought goes through my mind- "Hey, if you just ran a 21:50 last 5k, you could be under 1:40!" HA! That would be my 2nd fastest 5k ever, and I've already run 10 miles today. I just need to be glad I'm on pace, and putting some time in the bank. So, I've cast that thought out of my mind, but I think, subconciously, it makes me run a little faster. That's a mistake.
At the water stop at I start to walk again, and then at about 11.5 miles. I tell myself just for a minute, but after about 40 seconds, I feel guilty and start running again. Mile 11 goes by in 8:03. Not bad, but definitely slower. I walk a little more in mile 12, maybe twice, but never more than about 40 seconds, and run an 8:29. All downhill from here!
On the drive downtown Saturday morning, I had a vision of crossing the line when the race clock said 1:46:04. If I do that, I would be well under my 1:45 target. But, mile 13 is cruel. She is painful. I stop to walk twice, again not more than a minute each, but I hate walking when I can see the finish line RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! Finally, I pick it up and mile 13 takes an excruciating 8:38. I cross the line, and pump my fist in a bizarre blend of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, knowing I could have run a little faster. My official time was 1:42:56- a 7 minute PR, and about 30 seconds faster than my crazy chart on the wall had predicted.
The rest of my Saturday was filled with household chores while my mind went back and forth between happiness (wow- 1:43), disappointment (what could it have been if I hadn't walked?) and exhaustion. I wonder what it would take to get in the 1:30's?
By the way, the other difference this year- on Sunday, I skipped my usual post-Mini couch surf and went for a 9 mile run.
Thanks for reading.
Steve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
