Rocket City Marathon

Date: Dec 14, 2013

Where: Huntsville, Alabama

The short version: I crossed the finish line and had a lot of fun. The stats are not even worth mentioning (at least to me).

This was my debut full, I’m still considering this as a “one and done”, but I’m not sure I want it to end like this. I know that I can do way better with a proper training cycle. There was a whole bunch of stuff that made this difficult. These are not excuses, well, okay; maybe some of them are, but mostly just a bunch of things leading into this day. This race had been on my radar since last year, and then a little bug called cancer set me back, so I had to wait for 2013. I have recovered well, so thought this might be the time. I had chosen the Hal Higdon Intermediate 2 plan as my choice for the full, but also had a couple of halves planned that I wanted to use the Ryan Hall 10 week plan. So there was some overlapping, mixing and matching, swapping around to make things work. At least that was my plan. I was to start on Aug 11^th. But, somewhere during the first part of May, the dreaded PF struck. And it struck with a vengeance! As I struggled through the summer just to get miles in, I was hoping that I could pull off this full since I had already registered. Here is a snapshot of my monthly mileage for the year.

So I survived the summer of PF, and I started increasing my mileage back up. I was very reluctant to do any formal speed work at all, other than a few fartleks, and some short and rather easy tempo runs, the quality of my runs was lacking. I managed some decent LR’s along the way, but not where they should have been. My weekly miles were in the 30-35 range, with a few weeks in the 40’s, and a peak of 51. But I also had a few weeks of zero. I did a few races along the way, mostly just to test my fitness, or lack of, and here’s how they looked

8/24 - 7k, 38:10 for 8:47 pace

9/28 – 5k, 24:03 for 7:46 pace

10/12 – 15k, 1:20:27 for 8:40 pace

10/19 – 5k, 23:50 for 7:42 pace

10/26 – HM, 2:03:38 for 9:27 pace (this was a bad day, stomach issues, foot going numb)

11/2 – 10k, 52:14 for 8:26 pace

11/9 – HM, 1:56:05 for 8:52 pace (3.1 before race, and 3.1 after race)

On the first of Oct, I started working 12 hour swing shift, 5 days per week. By the middle of Nov, a 6^th day was added, so now I’m working 72+ freaking hours a week trying to train for 26.2 miles. I work in a steel mill, wear steel toed boots, and am on my feet most of the 12 hour shift. There are no structured breaks, so you take them when you can. And if shit is hitting the fan, you don’t take a break. If we are not producing, I lose a bunch of money because we get paid a weekly incentive.

I hydrated like crazy for the 3-4 days preceding the race. I also took some electrolyte tabs from work for the entire week, and was taking these twice per day. On the day before the race, I ate a large bowl of rice, a banana, a bagel, Gatorade, and water. My wife and I then headed over to the expo, got my packet, seen a few of my running friends, bought a bunch of new running clothes. I can’t remember the name of the company, but he was from out of town. Everything was $9.99! Shorts, shirts, tanks, vests, pants, leggings, socks, bras, jackets, pullovers, you had to get there early though. I was hoping to get some new shoes, but there was not a size 9.5 in the building. Then we went out to eat for a chicken sandwich and some fries, maybe not the best, but it was good. Later that night, I had more rice, and some pasta and bread, with more Gatorade, and water.

Race day started at 5:00 am, I got up for a banana, and a bagel with Nutella, some more Gatorade and water. On the drive over, I had a half of a power bar, another Gatorade, and water. There were 10 of my friends also doing this race, along with 2 of my grandsons doing the kids marathon. We gathered up for some pre race photos, and then parted ways for our respective corrals. I had posted a thread a few weeks back about my goal pace; I had about decide on a 4:10 goal for 9:33 pace (based on race times above). But after some reassurance from LTH, Damaris, and others, I knew it was in my best interest to try for a 4:25, or 10:07 pace. I started just ahead of the 4:25 pacer, but could look back and see them periodically. I’m not going to post all my splits; rather I’ll just mention a few different numbers along the way.

The weather was calling for 38 degrees with 100% chance of rain. I was really starting to dread this (I raced in 42 degrees and rain/wind earlier in the year, it sucked). But the weather changed, it was still in the high 30’s, but the rain stopped during the night, and we just had a little drizzle here and there with heavy clouds all day. I took GU, Powerade, or water at every aid station, and even ate a Power bar along the way.

Miles 1-8; splits here were 9:35-9:55 and I was having a blast. This pic was from mile 7, as I was being a goof.

Miles 9-12; splits from 10:00-11:20. This is where things really changed for me. I don’t think I went out too fast, I just had a really weak last few weeks going into this run, and my knees just wouldn’t take it. I started a run/walk somewhere in here as you can see from my splits.

I crossed the Half at 2:14, and I thought okay, just rinse and repeat. NOT!

I became really mad at myself for a bit, and was quite disappointed that my knees were already saying quit. I wanted that 4:20 ish badly, and in all reality, I probably could have gotten it, if the cards fell my way with training. I know that I will get it next time! I had 3 bracelets on today, Team TJ, Running For Jenny, and Colon Cancer Awareness. As these miles became more painful, I just kept looking at my arm, and thinking that there was no way that I was quitting. This is when I really started feeling good, not to run mind you, but feeling good that I am still able to try this. There are so many people that will never experience this, but I have!

Miles 14-20; I was still trying to do a run/walk, but it was almost more walking than running. And each time I tried to run, my knees would scream WTF. So from here to the finish, I walked. Is this a death march? I don’t know, but while walking, I wasn’t in pain. I was laughing and talking to everyone. All the pacers ended up passing me, and the 5:25’s, assured me that I would make the 6 hour cutoff.

Summary

The bad----not enough weekly miles, too many work hours, maybe some traces of the PF, no speed work, too many races leading into this full, need to pick the goal race(s) and stick to the plan,

The good----not injured (before, during, or after) the race, never felt weak or dehydrated, had plenty of fuel, only one small cramp when I bent over to retie my shoes, had fun, my wife, son, and grandkids were there to see me finish, and most of all, I have absolutely no regrets on this outcome.

I have 2 halves already scheduled for 2014, but have yet to think of, or plan for a full. I almost think that I want to try to get my mileage up in the low 40’s and hold, then if work slows down, go for it. Only problem with that is we never know when things will change. Here’s a few pics, don’t bash me, I am buying them.

This is my youngest son, ya think he looks like me? haha

See that smile? That is real, I'm glad it's over!

Purple shirt grandson, he has asthma too

Pink shirt grandson

Pre race with with all my running friends

5:00 am before we left to the race

Here's one at mile 24 where I tried to run, but the ole knees said hell no. I looked at the photographer and said "you know that's a fake run, right?" Then I just busted up laughing and thanked him for taking my pic.

Thanks for reading,

Mitch

Great work, Mitch.. If your training is not disrupted by work, I am sure you will meet your goal. If you decided to try for anothe full, you will be better prepared.

I could not stand for a pic immediately after my first!

The half marathons will seem a like a piece of cake comparatively speaking!  Looking forward to reading about them and how your marathon experience impacted them.

That is cool that you will be able to mentor your grandsons in our sport!

Congrats on the debut Mitch! Love you were able to share this with family & friends. Love the pixs!

The race: pretty crappy, won't sugarcoat it, and you do not appear to be kidding yourself about it.

The story: excellent. I imagine you will say worth all the suffering for a great story to tell the rest of your life, even if one & done.

Congrats!

The big smile crossing the finish line is wonderful. Love it!  Congrats Mitch!

Congratulations Mitch on your debut marathon!!

You had to battle a lot to get to that marathon and that is where your victory is. You're a strong man, Mitch and holy cow, you look like the father of those young kids, not the grandfather! And yes, the handsome young man by your side looks exactly like you. :-) In the end, what stands out for me is that you had strong HMs before your goal race, you overcame a lot to get race ready and you finished with a happy smile. You did awesome. Bravo, Mitch!