Notes
a very sound race for my first maratho in 1-1/2 year. i certainly had anxiety going into this one. wanted to test my level of fitness, but didn't want to get hurt. think i accomlished that with a steady 8 min pace. was certainly drained in the later miles, but was able to pick up the pace in the rolling hills of central park, milese 25 & 26. lost some steam in the bronx, but felt like the headwind was more significant there.
was concerned about my right hamstring throughout the effort, but this sensation lessoned as in the late miles, which surprised me. no discomfort in this area post race, while walking to the hotel and the bus. these were signifcant walks that served me well. the walk to the bus was at a brisk pace. use the rolling stick post race and again on the bus. rolled when i got home too. think that continues to be very important.
i've clearly got some work to do. the 3:30 turned out to be a significant effort. need to consider the wind and that the winning time was 2:10. but, i clearly don't have the leg strength yet or overall endourance to threaten a quicker effort. this supports impact of the many traing interruptions i've had since 3 years ago at marine corps, and the need for several, quality, consecutive training cycles. that said, i'm very encouraged by how i feel the day after, with general soreness, but not acute or focuse discomfort. that alone is a big win!!!
the calf issues i felt on columbus day weekend were not a factor at all, during the race or post race. need to factor in the fact that I had a (2) week taper and had run 21 miles (2) weeks prior to race day, to test my calf and "know it was right".
my fueling stratagy worked well for this 9:40 race start. rise and shine at 2:45 am. had (2) scoops of oatmeal with raisens and nuts. a bannana and some peanut butter toads on the bus. some peantus mixed with raisens and kashi cereal at the runners vilage 2 hours before the starre. i did not gue during this race. alternated gaterade and water at the aid stations, and took both at some. pinched a loaf on the bus. no gi issues and never felt hungry or bloated during the race. consumed the prezels, recovery shake and protien bar immedaitely after the race, and rolled my legs in andy's hotel room.