Race day is here. I got up at 5:00am, which wasn't too big of a deal since we turned back the clocks last night. I headed out around 5:20, so I could get good parking. More on that later. It was fucking cold. Somewhere in the 40's. I was dressed well, but could have used some gloves. It wasn't too bad since it warmed up quite nicely later on. We started off promptly at 7:00. It took a couple of minutes to get to the start with all the runners. It's not a big marathon, but the half is very popular since it's an easy course. The marathon course if very challenging even though they made it a little easier than last year.
I came out pretty strong. I was keeping a solid 10:30-ish pace most of the first half of the race. I befriended two woman at the start of Ebenezer. We ran together for a bit, so it helped pass the time, especially on Ebenezer, which I think is the hardest part of the course. It starts down hill, but then you have a few miles uphill that are not super steep, but are fairly long with a few flats mixed in. This is followed by a nice flat entry into Umstead and a nice downhill for about a mile. I made it all the way down that hill, which takes you to about mile 16, and that's where I started to lose it. So now we have two marathons, and I get hit at mile 16 with the same affliction. Quad cramps! I've never had this problem on any of my training runs. For whatever reason, it hits me race day. I did everything right. I had gels. I had some food. I had plenty of water and gaterade.
So now, I'm in the same boat as last time. My quads are twitching, and I have 10 miles to go. At least this time, I wasn't relegated to walking the rest of the way. I did have to stop and stretch, and I did take walk breaks, but I was able to run a lot more than I did before. So I just tried to keep moving forward. It was hard. There were a few times that my quads were giving out. Stretching helped a bit, but not enough at times. I think I realized at about mile 22 that I wasn't going to make my 5 hour goal, so at this point my goal is to finish as fast I can. The last couple of miles were not as flat as I was expecting, but I made it, and I finished with a chip time of 5:05:55, which is the one that I count for myself. Officially (gun time) I finished 5:08:21.
Overall, I feel good about this. I was off my goal but happy that I fought through and finished as strong as I could. Not once did I think about giving up.
I have to say this was a really good marathon. It was very well organized, and Raleighans were very supportive. The coolest thing about the race, though, was the inspirational marine. He ran the whole marathon with a flag pole down his shirt holding an American flag. This was not a small flag/pole. The pole probably spanned from the bottom of his back and well above his head. The longest part of the flag almost touched the ground. I saw him after and asked to shake his hand. He was truly inspiring.
Now on to my post race parking drama. After all the running and walking around for massage and food, I could not find my car. I knew I parked in a deck, but it was dark. I tried the one I thought was it, but it was empty. I asked around and found another, but no car. I'm so fucking tired at this point, and I want to go home. I wandered around some more and found out that I had the right deck in the first place, but the entrance to the other half of it was on the back end of it.
Good day, but man, I am shot. My legs are killing me...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
City of Oaks, Race Week Training
I can't believe that race week is finally here. I'll have a separate blog about the actual race on Sunday, but I still want to get my training for the week logged.
Tuesday's run was a break from the normal track stuff. We ran a 2 mile tempo with a warm up and cool down. We started out Research and down Harrison to Black Creek, and then up the trail parallel to Montibello. The numbers were 1.02 mile warm up at 10:43 pace, a 2.01 mile tempo run at 9:09 pace, and a 1.23 mile cool down at 11:07 pace. The over run was 4.25 miles in 42:43, which is a 10:03 pace. Definitely a good run.
Thursday's run was supposed to be a lite 3 miler, just to keep the legs moving. I ran in the morning by the house in case I got a chance to early vote, which I didn't. I ran 2.94 miles in 27:31, which is a 9:22 pace.
This is it. 3 days to go...
Tuesday's run was a break from the normal track stuff. We ran a 2 mile tempo with a warm up and cool down. We started out Research and down Harrison to Black Creek, and then up the trail parallel to Montibello. The numbers were 1.02 mile warm up at 10:43 pace, a 2.01 mile tempo run at 9:09 pace, and a 1.23 mile cool down at 11:07 pace. The over run was 4.25 miles in 42:43, which is a 10:03 pace. Definitely a good run.
Thursday's run was supposed to be a lite 3 miler, just to keep the legs moving. I ran in the morning by the house in case I got a chance to early vote, which I didn't. I ran 2.94 miles in 27:31, which is a 9:22 pace.
This is it. 3 days to go...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
City of Oaks, Week 2 Training
This was a taper week, which means it's supposed to be fairly lite. I ended up scaling back this week to only my 3 normal runs, with no cross training, but that was not because of the tapering. Just normal circumstances getting in the way.
Tuesday's track was 5 x 1K's. My times were 5:01, 5:01, 5:06, 5:01, and 5:06. Very even, which means my pacing is good. I felt pretty even on each interval. I really feel like I'm reading my body well. The overall, with warm up/cool down, was 6.16 miles in 1:07:26, which is a 10:55 pace.
Thursday's run was supposed to be an 8 miler. I ran the first 3.5 with Bill, Cindy, and Vivian. We ran Research/Harrison/SAS Campus and back behind building S. I cut off at Dr. G's and headed out Appletree to Harrison, down to Black Creek, out at Montibello and back in at Research. I finished with 7.4 miles in 1:16:33, which is a 10:19 pace. My tempo pace seems to be getting stronger. I'm hoping this is setting me up for a strong race pace and finish.
Sunday's run was supposed to be 8-10 miles. I decided to do an oldy but a goody; the Maynard loop, which is an 8.5 mile run. I started out strong, running south from High House in the direction of Kildaire Farm Road. By the time I hit Kildaire, which is the 2 mile mark, I remembered how challenging this run is. It's very hilly. I made the stretch toward the mall a bit easier but was challenged up the hills past the trailer park (yes, Cary has a trailer park; it's not all Preston) and up to Chatham. The hill leading me to Harrison is the one I remembered, so I wanted to hit it strong, which I did. I have to say, overall, this was very challenging, but I felt strong throughout and really finished well. I remember the first few times I ran this routes and dying on the hill coming up to Harrison, as well as the hill past the dog park before Lowes. When I hit the starting/finishing point, I kept running onto High House toward the house and finished the run at exactly 9 miles. I finished in 1:30:24, which is a 10:02 pace. I was extremely happy with my time.
This is it. This week is race week, which means a couple of lite, short runs. I have to say, I feel great. I am much more prepared this time. I'm actually thinking of signing up for the National Marathon in March in DC. Sounds crazy, but I'm really thinking about it.
1 week to go...
Tuesday's track was 5 x 1K's. My times were 5:01, 5:01, 5:06, 5:01, and 5:06. Very even, which means my pacing is good. I felt pretty even on each interval. I really feel like I'm reading my body well. The overall, with warm up/cool down, was 6.16 miles in 1:07:26, which is a 10:55 pace.
Thursday's run was supposed to be an 8 miler. I ran the first 3.5 with Bill, Cindy, and Vivian. We ran Research/Harrison/SAS Campus and back behind building S. I cut off at Dr. G's and headed out Appletree to Harrison, down to Black Creek, out at Montibello and back in at Research. I finished with 7.4 miles in 1:16:33, which is a 10:19 pace. My tempo pace seems to be getting stronger. I'm hoping this is setting me up for a strong race pace and finish.
Sunday's run was supposed to be 8-10 miles. I decided to do an oldy but a goody; the Maynard loop, which is an 8.5 mile run. I started out strong, running south from High House in the direction of Kildaire Farm Road. By the time I hit Kildaire, which is the 2 mile mark, I remembered how challenging this run is. It's very hilly. I made the stretch toward the mall a bit easier but was challenged up the hills past the trailer park (yes, Cary has a trailer park; it's not all Preston) and up to Chatham. The hill leading me to Harrison is the one I remembered, so I wanted to hit it strong, which I did. I have to say, overall, this was very challenging, but I felt strong throughout and really finished well. I remember the first few times I ran this routes and dying on the hill coming up to Harrison, as well as the hill past the dog park before Lowes. When I hit the starting/finishing point, I kept running onto High House toward the house and finished the run at exactly 9 miles. I finished in 1:30:24, which is a 10:02 pace. I was extremely happy with my time.
This is it. This week is race week, which means a couple of lite, short runs. I have to say, I feel great. I am much more prepared this time. I'm actually thinking of signing up for the National Marathon in March in DC. Sounds crazy, but I'm really thinking about it.
1 week to go...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
City of Oaks, Week 3 Training
The week started with some Yasso 800's; 8 to be exact. This is supposed to be a good predictor for marathon pace. So you run a bunch of 800's, take your average time in mm:ss and that should translate to hh:mm in the marathon. So my times were 4:28, 4:10, 4:05, 4:02, 3:58, 4:03, 4:02, and 3:59. That averages to 4:06, so in theory I should be able to do the marathon in 4 hours and 6 minutes. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!! That's just crazy talk. My overall workout was 6.38 miles in 1:06:27, which is a 10:25 pace.
Thursday's run was solid. I ran the Black Creek/Harrison loop, which is just under 5 miles. The final numbers were 4.95 miles in 49:31, which is a 10 minute pace.
I added an extra run on Friday this week, since I was working from home and didn't feel like heading in just for the gym. I ran my typical 3.5 mile loop by the house. The numbers were 3.54 miles in 35:17, which is a 9:58 pace.
I attempted the weekend long run on Saturday, since Jen had her triathlon on Sunday. I got a late start, but I finally motivated and got out to Umstead only to find that I didn't have my watch. I didn't have time to head back, get it, come back, run, and make it back for Aidan's party, so I scrapped it for Sunday. I headed out in the afternoon after the morning festivities, which included brunch at Weaver Street Cafe in Carrboro after Jen's tri. BTW, she did really well. I had a 13 miler on the plan, but as I got out, I realized that I just didn't have it in me. I ended up running 10.03 miles in 1:43:40, which is a 10:19 pace. The run was respectable, but I just didn't have it in me for the whole 13. I didn't think it was a big deal, since I added the Friday run in to cover my overall miles for the week.
Overall, I feel good at this point. I feel ready for the marathon. Or at least I hope I am.
2 weeks to go...
Thursday's run was solid. I ran the Black Creek/Harrison loop, which is just under 5 miles. The final numbers were 4.95 miles in 49:31, which is a 10 minute pace.
I added an extra run on Friday this week, since I was working from home and didn't feel like heading in just for the gym. I ran my typical 3.5 mile loop by the house. The numbers were 3.54 miles in 35:17, which is a 9:58 pace.
I attempted the weekend long run on Saturday, since Jen had her triathlon on Sunday. I got a late start, but I finally motivated and got out to Umstead only to find that I didn't have my watch. I didn't have time to head back, get it, come back, run, and make it back for Aidan's party, so I scrapped it for Sunday. I headed out in the afternoon after the morning festivities, which included brunch at Weaver Street Cafe in Carrboro after Jen's tri. BTW, she did really well. I had a 13 miler on the plan, but as I got out, I realized that I just didn't have it in me. I ended up running 10.03 miles in 1:43:40, which is a 10:19 pace. The run was respectable, but I just didn't have it in me for the whole 13. I didn't think it was a big deal, since I added the Friday run in to cover my overall miles for the week.
Overall, I feel good at this point. I feel ready for the marathon. Or at least I hope I am.
2 weeks to go...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
City of Oaks, Week 4 Training
This week was a bit so-so.
Tuesday's workout was 10x400's. Sounds great on paper. Not so great in reality. I did my typical warm up, then on to the laps. The times were 1:59, 1:45, 1:42, 1:46, 1:43, 1:43, 1:40, 1:41, 1:40, and 1:43. Keeping up this pace was very tough. The overall workout was 6.62 miles in 1:17:12, which is an 11:40 pace.
Thursday's workout was a short one in preparation for the long Sunday run. I had 5 on my plan, but I decided to go short, because I'm going to add a bit on my long run on Sunday. I ended up doing 4.21 miles in 44:02, which is a 10:28 pace.
Sunday's run had 20 miles on my plan. This was my last 20+ miler before the marathon, so I was really hoping for a good run. I decided to do the 2x10.5 mile run that is part of the course, which makes it a 21 mile run. I started at the usual place on Duraleigh and made the turn onto Ebenezer. I could tell right away, it was going to be a hard run. I was really feeling the first hill on Ebenezer, which is not usually that hard. I fought my way up and into Umstead. Overall the first half of the run was good. I ran it at an 11:02 pace, but I was definitely feeling tired. I had a 3 minute transition to swap bottles and grab food, which factors into my overall time. The second half was a real struggle. The Ebenezer hills were pretty tough, and I had to take my first break to stretch a bit. Even coming down the Graylin hill was beating up on my quads. I had to take numerous breaks to stretch and walk throughout. I ended the second half at an 11:49 pace. The overall run was 20.94 miles at 4:01:59, which is an 11:33 pace. Very tough run.
3 weeks to go...
Tuesday's workout was 10x400's. Sounds great on paper. Not so great in reality. I did my typical warm up, then on to the laps. The times were 1:59, 1:45, 1:42, 1:46, 1:43, 1:43, 1:40, 1:41, 1:40, and 1:43. Keeping up this pace was very tough. The overall workout was 6.62 miles in 1:17:12, which is an 11:40 pace.
Thursday's workout was a short one in preparation for the long Sunday run. I had 5 on my plan, but I decided to go short, because I'm going to add a bit on my long run on Sunday. I ended up doing 4.21 miles in 44:02, which is a 10:28 pace.
Sunday's run had 20 miles on my plan. This was my last 20+ miler before the marathon, so I was really hoping for a good run. I decided to do the 2x10.5 mile run that is part of the course, which makes it a 21 mile run. I started at the usual place on Duraleigh and made the turn onto Ebenezer. I could tell right away, it was going to be a hard run. I was really feeling the first hill on Ebenezer, which is not usually that hard. I fought my way up and into Umstead. Overall the first half of the run was good. I ran it at an 11:02 pace, but I was definitely feeling tired. I had a 3 minute transition to swap bottles and grab food, which factors into my overall time. The second half was a real struggle. The Ebenezer hills were pretty tough, and I had to take my first break to stretch a bit. Even coming down the Graylin hill was beating up on my quads. I had to take numerous breaks to stretch and walk throughout. I ended the second half at an 11:49 pace. The overall run was 20.94 miles at 4:01:59, which is an 11:33 pace. Very tough run.
3 weeks to go...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
City of Oaks, Week 5 Training
This blog is a little late. I was a bit busy after Sunday's run, but more on that later.
The week started well. I had 3 x 1600's on the plan. The workout went well. I ran them in 8:22, 8:16, and 8:17.
Thursday's run was good as well. I had 10 miles on the plan. I decided to do a late morning run, instead of first thing. The weather was still cool, which was good. I ended up running 9.86 miles in 1:43:56, which is a 10:33 pace.
Sunday's long run was a 15 miler. I planned a 7.5 mile out and back on Black Creek and into Umstead. I ended up taking Reedy Creek to Graylin to the point where it almost meets Ebenezer before turning back. I ended up running the 15 miles in 2:45:23, which was an 11:01 pace. I split the run into 2 7.5 mile laps, which I finished at 11:09 and 10:54 pace, respectively.
After the run I felt amazing. I don't think I ever felt that good after that long of a run. The good times didn't last, though. I somehow decided that this would be a good day to finish tiling my fireplace. After 5 hours of being on my knees, my legs were shot! After the kids went to bed, I melted into the recliner with a glass of wine, thanks to my lovely wife who went to buy it.
Overall, it was a great week.
4 weeks to go...
The week started well. I had 3 x 1600's on the plan. The workout went well. I ran them in 8:22, 8:16, and 8:17.
Thursday's run was good as well. I had 10 miles on the plan. I decided to do a late morning run, instead of first thing. The weather was still cool, which was good. I ended up running 9.86 miles in 1:43:56, which is a 10:33 pace.
Sunday's long run was a 15 miler. I planned a 7.5 mile out and back on Black Creek and into Umstead. I ended up taking Reedy Creek to Graylin to the point where it almost meets Ebenezer before turning back. I ended up running the 15 miles in 2:45:23, which was an 11:01 pace. I split the run into 2 7.5 mile laps, which I finished at 11:09 and 10:54 pace, respectively.
After the run I felt amazing. I don't think I ever felt that good after that long of a run. The good times didn't last, though. I somehow decided that this would be a good day to finish tiling my fireplace. After 5 hours of being on my knees, my legs were shot! After the kids went to bed, I melted into the recliner with a glass of wine, thanks to my lovely wife who went to buy it.
Overall, it was a great week.
4 weeks to go...
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