First Marathon experience (Read 252 times)

My first Marathon was on last Sunday, 11 th May. Being a heavy sweater, I think raining and wind during race was not a big issue. I hoped to complete it under 4:00 hrs. But I realized that it was not easy due to my low-mileage training.

I started at a slow pace(I guessed it was about 5:50 min/km), occasionally slightly increased the pace whenever I felt it was a bit slow. KM markers seems to be there for only every 4 kms(or so), So I could not pace really well. After 15 km I decided to increase speed further to complete the Half in 2:00 hrs.

One can finish either one of HM / 2/3 or FM during the race. I decided to continue further if doesn't hurt at 3/2 distance. After 30 km, I felt fatigue in legs. Actually I did not care much about pain/fatigue in legs, but it was  uncomfortable to run. At the 32 km mark, it was more than one hour left to finish it in 4 hrs.

But it was difficult to run even at slow pace. So I walked for 30 sec after running every few hundred meters(may be every half km), This

uncomfortable running and walk continued till the finish line.

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Chip Timing

split         time       diff

7 km      00:39:15 39:15
18 km    01:40:51 01:01:36
Half        01:59:03 00:18:12
33.7 km 03:09:42 01:10:39
net         04:11:26 01:01:44

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So I kept a pace of about 05:37 min/km in 33.7 km , then on wards 07:18 min/Km for the Run-walk part. 

I think I did not bonk, It was the leg fatigue that caused the trouble.

Even though I did not take any gels during the run, I drink sports drinks/water from most of the stations
took several banana pieces or fruit bars. I took 3 salt-stick tablets during the first 3 hrs to cope with
sweating.

Congratulations on completing your first marathon.  It sounds like you were doing well until the last bit, and even then you came close to your four hour goal.  How many miles a week were you running in training?  Which race was it?  Was it a good race, aside from tired legs at the end?

4:11 is a fine first marathon. Good finish and congratulations.

Thanks for the encouragement. I knew 4:00 hr  kind of optimistic time for a first timer. I thought the following were the beneficial for me

• All my runs are on empty stomach, I took very little fuel and drinks for the long runs so I hoped it would enable fat burning efficiently.
• My running route has moderate elevation, I usually run downhills not that fast pace, I hoped for a flat course this would be advantageous, In addition more than 70 % my training distance is on local park  which has fixed sand as surface
• I started running back-to-back long runs even before 16 weeks(usual training cycle) prior to marathon. I had several 30 km week-end runs(e.g. 12(sat)+18(Sun) or 10(sat)+20(Sun). I hoped this would help as well.

I thought following would negatively affect the race

• heavy sweating . Race day raining and mild temps was helpful for this issue.
• No drinking/fueling practices during training runs, reluctant to use gels(I could drink well and eat during the race, I haven't used any gels).
• Never run in sunlight/warm temps(Fortunately no warm temps during the race)

Nothing wrong with 4:11, nothing at all!

Enjoyed the pics of the race.  American marathons really need more costumed mascots with huge heads, and actual cheerleaders.

Let's just call it a marathon instead of an "FM".  I know it's my problem but it creeps me out slightly for some reason. 

 

Congratulations!

Frequency Modulation?

 Family medicine?

 

A marathon is a set distance.  So why say "full marathon" when "marathon" will work much more efficiently?

We've been over this.  With the proliferation of 5K marathons and mini marathons and mud marathons and seesaw marathons and whatnot, you have to be specific.  This is a 26.2 mile full marathon that you run the whole 26.2 miles (with luck).

 

We've been over this.  With the proliferation of 5K marathons and mini marathons and mud marathons and seesaw marathons and whatnot, you have to be specific.  This is a 26.2 mile full marathon that you run the whole 26.2 miles (with luck).

LOL!  Indeed!