Earlier this year I decided to attempt a Maniac feat of 2 marathons in 2 weeks on a low budget.  The only ones that fit the bill were City of Oaks on 11/1/09 (local) and Richmond 11/14/09 (2.5 hr drive).   The "Plan" was to run the first as a long run and hammer the second... we'll that was the "Plan"..

 

Trainning this year has been up and down like a roller coaster. After my best racing ever in February, I got an adductuor injury which made me miss running Boston.  Then that healed perfectly and training went well until July, including a 19 mile training run at 8:10 pace 8 weeks out from City of Oaks.  Then for the first time in 11,000 miles of running I started having a knee problem in my left leg.  This resulted in my training pace dropping as well as mileage.  The Sports Dr said I could run the marathon(s) after draining my knee.  City of Oaks was a steady run in the hills, mud and rain with 70% power in the right leg and 30% in the left. But doable. After 2 weeks easy low mileage I was ready to run Richmond but had no idea how fast.  These were the first marathons where I was good enough to get to the starting line but not nearly 100%.

 

My goals were simple:

1. Finish and become a Marathon Maniac

2. Get a race photo with a smile instead of the usual agony

 

 

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to stay with Tramps and his DW about an hour from the race.  We had a really good time talking about each other's past, present and future.... and running!  Tramps was planning to catch up with Rosie and RS who were doing the half and then meet me at the finish.  I gave him a window of 3:45 - 4:15 (I know a bit broad eh?).

 

Richmond is so easy. Parking near the finish and short walk to the start. I arrived 90 min early and camped out on a heating grate with other homeless  runners. It was 50° drizzle.  What's a marathon without rain?  And a few gusts of wind....

 

I had signed up for 3:30 time in corral #1.  My legs felt good, so why not? 

 

 The race started and I had burning shins and ankles which kept it slow. I've had this the day before marathons but never during!  That was painful for only about 4 miles. I felt like a traffic island, stationary, with heavy traffic zooming around me.

 

 The next few miles were getting better but not much speed.  At mile 7 there was a "Party Zone" dense with spectators yealing loudly which was energizing.  Then downhill, over a bridge crossing the swift, swollen James River and then a beautiful section along Riverside Drive.  After 3 days of a Nor'Easter, the James was really high.  At one point the side of the road was only 10 feet away from very loud dangerous looking rapids that once was a waterfall!   That was awesome!

 

 Miles 7-10 felt really good.  Then there was a bunch of climbing which felt hard due to the lack of leg power.No soreness, just no power.  By mile 14 it felt like you feel after hitting the wall at 20!  When running on weak legs, this course feels like it is uphill without a break from miles 14-20. Not steep, just a noticable incline and looong straight roads.  Mentally taxing.

 

My half split came in a 2:03:XX (9:20's).  The second half was way slower with those hills and overpasses.  I never walked, except it did feel like I was doing the Moon Walk, lots of effort but going nowhere, or backwards.  Luckily this course gets easier after mile 22 and has a steep downhill finish the last half mile. I was passed by about 1500 runners but I passed a bunch the last few miles even though my pace had slowed to around 10+. 

 

The best parts of the race were hitting mile 24 and knowing that I'd hold together to become a (one legged) Maniac, and hearing Tramps, Rosie and RS cheering at the final stretch!

 

Now the smiling part: I'm Lovin It

 

 

So... mission accomplished!!

 

City of Oaks11/1/09: 4:12:23

Richmond 11/14/09: 4:12:59  ( within the window I gave Tramps.. hee, hee)

 

Marathon Maniac #1949

 

Now to fix that leg....

And what a handsome Maniac you are too!!     Get that leg healed up - you have many more marathons in your future.

 

Great report and congratulations!!

Way to meet those goals!  It almost looks like you  were enjoying yourself.

Yea, Perchcreek.   Many Bravos to you.  I loved the report and pictures too.

Huzzah!

Yay Perch!

I am so glad you wrote this, I was wondering about the river.  We didn't see it... I think.  

Congratulations on a nice 26.2.  Yes, do heal up that leg.  I wish we would have talked with you at the finish but, I felt like I needed to cheer for Emily. Although she felt differently...

Shamrock in March?

I am not sure I would have done it with all your issues, but man you really showed some guts and pulled off a MM double. Congrats to you on an outstanding effort.

Hope the knee gets back to normal quickly.

perch, congrats on your two fine marathons, in spite of the knee problems, and in your new maniac status.  You did a great job of smiling for the finish line.   I hope your knee can now heal up properly.

 

TomS 

That picture is worth 1000 words!!!

 

Congratulations Maniac!!

 

Francesca

#985