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| Your first ever marathon. (Read 827 times) |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 1:52 PM |
How was it?. Were you well prepared or not? Was it a breeze or did you struggle? Was it your first and last or the first of many?
Im planning for my first May 2009! |
"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
Goals:
Sub 40 10k (achieved 21.06.2008, 38:59)
Sub 39 10k again (achieved 11.08.2008, 38:46)
Sub 38 10k
Do a Marathon! May 2009
stay injury free! |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:28 PM |
I was pretty well prepared for my first in Manchester and had a blast. I was better prepared for my second in Providence, ran a better time but didn't enjoy it very much. It actually left me pretty depressed for a week.
In my case, it was hopes/expectations that turned a twelve minute PR into a failure. My third is four weeks away and my hopes/expectations are even higher, so I'm setting myself up once again for the triumph of victory or the AGONY of defeat. That shows how addictive these things can be.
If I can qualify for Boston and make it to the start in '09, it will mark the return to marathoning for the joy of it. Boston for me would be the ultimate fun run. |
Ed
Tuesday Good Times 5K series in Lowell, MA (So sad it's over)
2008: HTFU and BQ at BayState Marathon
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:30 PM |
Detroit 2000. I did not prepare adequately, my peak mileage was 56 mpw. I had done my long runs too slowly with training partners.
I went out too quickly for what my mileage would support and began bonking at 14 miles. By 18 miles I was toast. Those last miles were hell, I went from top-10 to in the 20s place-wise. I did not understand how easy the first 10 miles must feel to finish well. I was disappointed the 8-point buck that bolted across in front of me at mile 22 missed me, it would have been a good excuse to stop.
I finished in 2:53, my vision was blacking out from the outside in for the last quarter mile I was so low on blood sugar. Another hundred yards I probably would have passed out.
I've done about 10 since, most much better prepared. All have been at least 16 minutes faster. |
"Talent" is a cop-out for not wanting to try harder.
marathon - 2:28
HM - 1:09:53
10K - 30:57
5K - 15:18 (2nd half of above 10K) |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:40 PM |
fantastic. Philly marathon 1997. traiing went well till I tweaked my knee the last two weeks and wasn't sure if'd finish but no problems on raceday. it was fun and just an excellent long run - actually it was then that i decided I would ask my then girlfriend to be Mrs. H.
did two more marathons and didn't train as well and didn't have nearly as much fun or good results but it was the memory of the first one that makes still think about doing it again |
| Rule #1 for training and racing - If momma ain't happy nobody is happy
http://www.athletefocus.com/athlete/Joeh |
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Scout7 view logCPT Curmudgeon |
posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:43 PM |
Baltimore 2006.
Used Higdon's Intermediate II plan. Goal was sub 3:30, ran a 3:28 or something like that.
I was struggling for the last 10k. I went through a whole lot of emotions (yes, I do have some), and contemplated quitting, but I pushed on. It hurt, and I hurt for a week.
Have done two more since (Lehigh and Baltimore last year). The third one was great, no issues. Upped the total mileage, though, and I think that definitely helped. |
Amat victoria curam.
Sine labore nihil.
Dulcius ex asperis. |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:48 PM |
| Quote from Ootee on 9/18/2008 at 1:52 PM: How was it?. Were you well prepared or not? Was it a breeze or did you struggle? Was it your first and last or the first of many?
Im planning for my first May 2009!
My first was Disney about 5 or 6 years ago. It was a great marathon, but I was a little under-prepared for it. I had some ITB issues around mile 22 that hurt for the last 4 miles but I kept running, though I then couldnt run for about 2 months after.
So far I have done 5 marathons, with that first one still being my fastest (due mainly to other circumstances - ie: stomach issues,more ITB issues, high temps and the fact that one of them came after a 2 mile swim and a 112 mile bike).
But I still keep trucking and have another one in 4 weeks. |
"80% of success is showing up." ~ Woody Allen
"Go that way... really fast. If something gets in your way... turn." ~ Charles DeMar
God doesn't give you what you want. He gives you what you need, the rest is up to you. |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:48 PM |
Maine Marathon 2003: First 24 miles were great. Last 2.2 miles, lousy. Until the 24th mile, I thought I was prepared. I do not plan on doing another one.
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mark-bixler view log |
posted: 9/18/2008 at 2:53 PM |
Thunder Road Charlotte NC 2007
I thought I had prepared adequately...All I wanted to to was go below 3:43..I started too fast, about 8:00 m/mm or so...I felt great for 15 miles...Went up a slight grade between 16 and 17 which ended feeling like I was climbing Mount Everest...It was all downhill from there (and I don't mean the course)...The last 8 miles or so were a jog, walk, limp...My IT Band was cursing me...The steep grade at mile 25 almost brought tears to my eyes...But I laughed in disbelief instead...Finished in 3:53...Finally threw up about an hour later...I couldn't run for almost two months...
I am upping my mpw and doing tempo's and fartleks for speedwork instead of intervals...You have go to train for endurance or it will be hell...
I can't wait for my next one: Shamrock Virginia Beach March 22, 2009!! |
'He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are
his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such
devotion.' --- Author Unknown
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 3:02 PM |
Mine was Marine Corps Marathon 2007, I think I was prepared in the aspect of training but had no idea how much pain I'd be in the day after. I didnt have any problems till after mile 21, then it was horrible...I still managed to keep running but I wasn't ok mentally or physcally...I badly wanted to just stop at one point.
but when I crossed the finish and realized I had made it, it didn't matter how much pain I was in. |
| Liver Transplant - July 2, 1991 |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 3:08 PM |
My first was the 2007 Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, VT.
It was a lot of fun, with great crowd support. I had a few friends that were doing the relay, so I saw some of them at each transition area. The course itself was great, with several passes through the downtown area and some stretches along the lake on a bike path.
I could have prepared better... I followed a training plan that was very light on weekly mileage, focusing instead on the long runs. It go me through in the time I wanted, but I started hurting bad at mile 22. I remember passing the water station right before turning onto the bike path. Right as I passed it, my legs suddenly felt dead. I HTFU'd though and ran all the way in, even mustering a sprint to the finish. My goal was 3:45 and I came in at 3:45:40... close enough in my book!
Attempt #2 will be in Chicago in a few weeks! |
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Upcoming Races:
JCC 5K - September 7 - 20:15
Reach the Beach Relay - September 12-13 - 30:59:22
CVS Downtown 5K - September 21 - 20:24
Chicago Marathon - October 12 - Let's ignore this disaster
Mews Tavern 5K - November 23
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 3:09 PM |
My first was the Mayor's Midnight Marathon in Anchorage, AK. Unlike the name implies, the race is done in the morning.  It was a GORGEOUS course, through some of the foothills of the Brooks range, through downtown Anchorage, and on the ceremonial iditarod trail. SO COOL. The last half mile is pretty much a vertical hill and I was screaming at my husband to leave me alone in my misery and to stop taking pictures, but other than that, it was a great race. I was SLOW - finished in 6:09. Partly my fault because I was in awe of seeing eagles in treetops on the trail, and partly because they stopped us for a couple minutes around the 14 mm to chase away a bear that had wandered onto the course. I was perfectly ok with that!!
Second was the Tulsa Route 66 marathon...also a great race. I finished about 20 minutes faster, but around mile 16 I was like, "WHY did I sign up to do this again???" I seriously think the second race is the hardest mentally, because your mind already knows what's coming. Ugh.
Marathon #3 is CHICAGO, baby!! |
| "If you run 100 miles a week, you can eat anything you want - Why? Because (a) you'll burn all the calories you consume, (b) you deserve it, and (c) you'll be injured soon and back on a restricted diet anyway." ~ Don Kardong |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 3:12 PM |
heh heh...my first marathon. NIGHTMARE Exactly all the stuff we always tell newbies NOT to do.
In July or some crazy point I had just started trying to run again after my baby was born. Very overweight. I came home from a 2 mile run that I had struggled to complete in 14 mm to find my online mom's group abuzz. One of the moms had decided to run Phoenix (January) for a children's charity. Then another did. And another. Then I found myself not wanting to be left out of the party and thinking how nice it would be to meet these women. So I signed up and paid my initial fundraising money and off we went.
It was a 16 week training program that took you from a long run of ONE mile to 20 in 14 weeks. I had signed up with 2-3 weeks before the initial program started so I emailed the "coach" for advice on what to do in the meantime. "Dont worry about it".
Get the schedule. 3 types of speedwork each week. If I knew now what I knew then. 
Followed the schedule fairly well until Halloween. I actually was doing pretty well, wasnt getting in all the speedwork or the length of the midweek runs though. All my runs except my long run were with dd in the jogger and she had a 30-45 minute tolerance. But the long runs were actually more fun than I thought they would be and I cruised through 14 miles. I was struggling with shoes though. Pregnancy and weight had collapsed my metatarsal arch and I foolishly thought that the right shoe would take the pain away.
Ran my first 1/2 M on halloween and did pretty well. 2:20. Much better than I expected.
The next weekend I tried to go out for a run and my calf muscle screamed at me. I had torn I think the soleus. PT. No running. I went to PA for my Dad's funeral then tried WALKING the long runs and swimming the short runs. Walking pissed off my ankles big time. If you are not used to walking speedwalking 14 miles is WAY hard. More PT. Finally got heel cups with a slant for extra pronation control. By now it is 3 weeks before the marathon and I had not run more than a mile in almost 8 weeks.
Went out and ran 20. It was a mental thing. If I can get through 20 I can do the marathon, otherwise I stay home. My ankles turned purple, but didnt hurt. My toes continued to scream from the metatarsalgia but they had been screaming for months so I didnt worry about it.
"tapered" caught a bad cold the day before we flew to phoenix. So on the morning of the race I had basically not run in 2 months, was injured, and was sick. Yay me.
I knew I was in trouble by mile 3. My friends and I had started out at a 12 mm and that seemed reasonable considering I had done my 20 in an 11:30 mm. But my lungs were not agreeing. I was struggling. Held it together for 10 or 11 miles and then started walking. I walked until my friends started to get out of sight and knew if I lost them I would quit. Started running til I caught them. Ran with them for a few minutes. Started walking. Repeat repeat repeat repeat.
By mile 20 my metatarsalgia had my toes SCREAMING but oddly enough my ankles bothered me not at all.
At mile 23 I took my shoes off and massaged my feet. Didnt help. Somewhere around here is when I lost my friends for good.
At mile 26 I sprinted for the finish because I saw 5:2X:XX on the clock and dammit I was going to beat 5:30.
And yet I came back to do more marathons. The long run was enjoyable and I really liked half marathons. Who knew.
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Beware the Pink Boxing Gloves of DOOM!
"It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds" - Captain Hammer
2008 Goals New PR's in 5K 10K HM, M What now?
I failed the 12 minute run in 11th grade... |
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posted: 9/18/2008 at 3:17 PM |
First Marathon = Last Marathon (for now)
2000 San Diego RnR. Most memorable race of my life.
ave 6:23 for 1st half
ave 6:26 for 1st 21
ave 7:10 for last 5
ave 8:45 for last .2
2:52.19 total.
I was fairly well prepared. Everything went off without a hitch. It was a breeze for 15 miles.
In hind sight, probably should have gone out a tad slower. Might not have crashed at the very end. Might have given a faster time, who knows.
But, I gave it everything I had and when I was done I had absolutely nothing left. I recall sitting on the ground 1/2 hour after the finish, crying, for no apparent reason.
Due to life getting in the way, I stopped running after that and started back up again January 2008.
If I ever do another, I will have to train like a motha. I won't do another unless I think I can beat that one.
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Guy running in pink |
posted: 9/18/2008 at 3:17 PM
modified: 9/18/2008 at 3:22 PM |
I went into my first one feeling prepared, but nervous for lots of reasons (some typical ones, some less so). I had done quite a few half marathons before my first full.
When I hit the halfway point in the full, I remarked to myself "wow, I just PRed in a half".
I learned the hard way why that can be a very bad thing.
It was the first of MANY.
This was the Portland Marathon, which I've now run 5 times. In that first one, my goal was "beat 4". I didn't... but my finish time was kind of cool to look at. I couldn't have hit this time if I had tried:
4:04:04
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