Another race, another disappointment...

triing

Barefooters
Nov 29, 2011
69
51
18
My first official marathon, you'd expect me not to have any expectations. But I did. Great expectations, in fact. I was hoping to qualify for Boston.

Shortly after the bombing at the last marathon and before it was clear that it was an isolated incident carried out by two disturbed individuals, in an emotional conversation with a friend I made up my mind to try and qualify "as a way to combat terrorism". A noble decision, some may argue. A fool-hardy one if not plain stupid, I'd say. I needed 3:15. That's a 7:24 average pace. In reality I'd have to run even faster. My best was about 8.

The last couple of months I trained hard to get faster. My last long run 3 weeks before the race was 18 miles at a 7:25 pace. I felt ready. Then came race day. The race, Self Transcendence Marathon, is a 9-lap race on an almost 3 mile bike path around Rockland Lake in NY. The surface is paved but parts of it are aged and thus more jagged than others. Which isn't a major challenge, if one checks their form.

The race started and I started flying. It was cool in the morning. I felt good. I was pacing people I had no business pacing. I did the math later but in my first 3 laps (almost 9 miles) I averaged 6:45 min-mile! Then I felt it. I minor annoyance at first but sure enough my feet were rubbed raw. I had failed to check form on the rough spots. By 18 miles my feet were screaming in agony. But I was still on target. I finished my 6th lap in 2:06. 3 more laps... then 2 more laps... Sometime between the start of the race and 2 hours into it the temperature had decided to rise at least 15 degrees. I guess I was too busy having fun and managing my screaming feet to notice. I hadn't hydrated as much. I started feeling the cramps on this second last lap. The time at the end of that lap was 2:48 leaving me with 27 minutes to clear 3 miles. A piece of cake on a good day. But it wasn't to be.

The cramps in my right leg brought me to a grinding halt. I could still walk but every time I tried running I'd cramp up again. I drank water, ate bananas but the damage was done. I managed to hobble to the finish line in 3:25:30. Not even close. Next time I'm wearing shoes.
 
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My first official marathon, you'd expect me not to have any expectations. But I did. Great expectations, in fact. I was hoping to qualify for Boston.

Shortly after the bombing at the last marathon and before it was clear that it was an isolated incident carried out by two disturbed individuals, in an emotional conversation with a friend I made up my mind to try and qualify "as a way to combat terrorism". A noble decision, some may argue. A fool-hardy one if not plain stupid, I'd say. I needed 3:15. That's a 7:24 average pace. In reality I'd have to run even faster. My best was about 8.

The last couple of months I trained hard to get faster. My last long run 3 weeks before the race was 18 miles at a 7:25 pace. I felt ready. Then came race day. The race, Self Transcendence Marathon, is a 9-lap race on an almost 3 mile bike path around Rockland Lake in NY. The surface is paved but parts of it are aged and thus more jagged than others. Which isn't a major challenge, if one checks their form.

The race started and I started flying. It was cool in the morning. I felt good. I was pacing people I had no business pacing. I did the math later but in my first 3 laps (almost 9 miles) I averaged 6:45 min-mile! Then I felt it. I minor annoyance at first but sure enough my feet were rubbed raw. I had failed to check form on the rough spots. By 18 miles my feet were screaming in agony. But I was still on target. I finished my 6th lap in 2:06. 3 more laps... then 2 more laps... Sometime between the start of the race and 2 hours into it the temperature had decided to rise at least 15 degrees. I guess I was too busy having fun and managing my screaming feet to notice. I hadn't hydrated as much. I started feeling the cramps on this second last lap. The time at the end of that lap was 2:48 leaving me with 27 minutes to clear 3 miles. A piece of cake on a good day. But it wasn't to be.

The cramps in my right leg brought me to a grinding halt. I could still walk but every time I tried running I'd cramp up again. I drank water, ate bananas but the damage was done. I managed to hobble to the finish line in 3:25:30. Not even close. Next time I'm wearing shoes.
I want to feel sorry for you but I don't you bone head, what were you thinking? In order to qualify for Boston you have to run a smart race shoes or no shoes. Next time go outhere and don't be a fool.:oops:
Now that you have my sympathies where the hell have you being?:smug:
Welcome back my friend:smuggrin:
 
Dama, I was expecting you to say that :) I've been training hard. I guess I should have trained smart... and raced smart... I guess some dogs just can't help but chase cars. How are things with you?

Halfhazard, I've run longer distances in the past (longest run was probably 36 miles). But this was my first official marathon. Also, I was much slower before.
 
Dama, I was expecting you to say that :) I've been training hard. I guess I should have trained smart... and raced smart... I guess some dogs just can't help but chase cars. How are things with you?

quote]
Glad I didn't disappoint you:happy: but seriously, you have to be mindful when you race and don't go crazy like that you better than anyone knows your body. Wasn't at any point on the race that you thought about slowing down and hydrating? I know that my body "talks" to me when I am going too fast or not hydrating enough. Next time you'll get it right-right?
 
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Wow, while you didn't hit your goal thats still impressive. 3:25 for your first? And that including hobbling!?! It had to have been one heck of a struggle with the cramps and feet and everything just to finish, but you still pulled it off. I'm kind of nervous about the toughness of my soles for my first marathon comming up soon, and I'm only up to about half your mileage. :sour:
 
My first official marathon, you'd expect me not to have any expectations. But I did. Great expectations, in fact. I was hoping to qualify for Boston.

Shortly after the bombing at the last marathon and before it was clear that it was an isolated incident carried out by two disturbed individuals, in an emotional conversation with a friend I made up my mind to try and qualify "as a way to combat terrorism". A noble decision, some may argue. A fool-hardy one if not plain stupid, I'd say. I needed 3:15. That's a 7:24 average pace. In reality I'd have to run even faster. My best was about 8.

The last couple of months I trained hard to get faster. My last long run 3 weeks before the race was 18 miles at a 7:25 pace. I felt ready. Then came race day. The race, Self Transcendence Marathon, is a 9-lap race on an almost 3 mile bike path around Rockland Lake in NY. The surface is paved but parts of it are aged and thus more jagged than others. Which isn't a major challenge, if one checks their form.

The race started and I started flying. It was cool in the morning. I felt good. I was pacing people I had no business pacing. I did the math later but in my first 3 laps (almost 9 miles) I averaged 6:45 min-mile! Then I felt it. I minor annoyance at first but sure enough my feet were rubbed raw. I had failed to check form on the rough spots. By 18 miles my feet were screaming in agony. But I was still on target. I finished my 6th lap in 2:06. 3 more laps... then 2 more laps... Sometime between the start of the race and 2 hours into it the temperature had decided to rise at least 15 degrees. I guess I was too busy having fun and managing my screaming feet to notice. I hadn't hydrated as much. I started feeling the cramps on this second last lap. The time at the end of that lap was 2:48 leaving me with 27 minutes to clear 3 miles. A piece of cake on a good day. But it wasn't to be.

The cramps in my right leg brought me to a grinding halt. I could still walk but every time I tried running I'd cramp up again. I drank water, ate bananas but the damage was done. I managed to hobble to the finish line in 3:25:30. Not even close. Next time I'm wearing shoes.

Nice post on the race experience and congrats on your marathon!

The saying a marathon is 20 miles of warmup and a 10k of hope is certainly true.
 
Dama, I'll certainly try listening to my body better next time. But then again it's my body. The first half of the race it appeared to be ecstatic going as fast as it could go. Then it started throwing a hissy fit about feet hurting and legs cramping and all that bull. I need some Dama spirit to tell me to HTFU next time :)
 
Wow, while you didn't hit your goal thats still impressive. 3:25 for your first? And that including hobbling!?! It had to have been one heck of a struggle with the cramps and feet and everything just to finish, but you still pulled it off. I'm kind of nervous about the toughness of my soles for my first marathon comming up soon, and I'm only up to about half your mileage. :sour:
Thanks. I've run the distance before so I had that confidence going in. Which is helpful. Regardless, 26.2 is still a long way for your feet to endure. If after 20 miles every pebble doesn't feel like pieces of burning lava under your feet you're either Superman or your nerve ends have died :) Otherwise, enjoy the race. Draw strength from all the comments you receive. And you will, for instance, when the guy in first place lapped me he said, "Nice shoes!" as he passed by. You'll do great.
 
Dama, I'll certainly try listening to my body better next time. But then again it's my body. The first half of the race it appeared to be ecstatic going as fast as it could go. Then it started throwing a hissy fit about feet hurting and legs cramping and all that bull. I need some Dama spirit to tell me to HTFU next time :)
let me know next time you have a race, I promise you that I'll be there with you in spirit yelling at you, I mean encouraging you through out the race so you can finish in one piece.
Because that's what friends are for right?
 
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I wanted to Qualify as well after the bombing, then reality kicked in. I like the marathon but I'm not fast. I think it's far from a disappointment, and way to fight through. Lots of people spend many years to qualify, you came close on the first try I am sure by this experience you will get it on the second try.
How are you? Good to chat with you again. I didn't know I was this fast until earlier this year. I had a chance to run a huge 5-miler here at the Jersey shore (disclaimer: I have no snooki connections). So I'm standing at the starting line and this guy comes up and says something along the line of , "So, you're gonna clock sub 35 with no shoes on?" and something snapped. In spite of walking twice towards the end as I was winded beyond belief, I clocked 33:37. Felt real good :)