Runner's Forum: The Official: Training Summary Start Up Thread

Hi all,

 Just wanted to pop in and wish MarkRTC & ericjacquie the very best for your marathons - can't wait to read how you both got on.

simmoT Great report.  Made it on guts....I love that.

 Ericjaquie Have a greatrace. You have worked hard it WILL be worth it.

 Me?  back from Alaska..  Got to run a couple of times in the dark at 9 a.m.  interesting.  Been keeping up my 6 or 7 a day @ 9:15 - 9:30.  Tomorrow we have a 5k.  That is my wife and I .  She has been running now for a while.  This will be her second race.  It looks like rain and wind. But eh it's only a 5k!  I am hoping for under 25.  I won't push it too hard as I have a 10k in three weeks.

Good luck ALL you weekend racers

Hey MarkRTC....did not mean to forget you!!  Best of luck....go get them!! 

Thanks rpetreccajr !!  Running without the mukluks should be easy!  ha ha

MarkRTC - go get 'em!  Best of luck mate.

SimmoT - it sounds like you and I could've been running the same race.  I know exactly how you feel.  We also finished with almost exactly the same time after going through the half way point way ahead of schedule and with the last few km's plagued with internal dialogue - why oh why?  To your great credit you did push on and finish even though assailed with doubts and that's what it's all about.  Nice job.

baseroom - have a good 5k and best of luck to your wife also.

ericjacquie - have a great marathon.  I am always impressed by your persistence and consistency. Looking forward to hearing how you went.

Stinking hot here in Melbourne for this time of year - over 30 deg C (86 F) at 3:30pm when I headed out for an easy 5k with 8 stride outs thrown in for good measure.

SimmoT - great job!  Way to stick with it.  stopping periodically to stretch sounds like it was the perfect strategy under the circumstances.

Tranquil - I love days like that!  They make running worthwhile

Easy pace 10 for me yesterday.  Not the best of runs for me.  My back was stiff and started to hurt about halfway through.  I some mild stomach problems, my watch somehow stopped a couple miles in and I didn't notice for about a mile, so I have no idea how my pace was, and it generally a cold dreary day.  At least it wasn't raining.  On to a better run next time.  On a good note, I wanted to run 4 10 milers this week.  I got all 4 in and am happy that.

soaringeagle sounds like you came close to carrying your friend on your back. Nice gesture and sacrifice, you'll be paid back with a PR soon.

SimonT Excellent race report and yes those last 6 miles are the unknown zone on any given day for any of us. That's the mystique of the distance. Nice finish and solid time for almost crashing at the end.

Reptr Sounds like the honey dew list! Honey do dis and honey do dat!

Well, watching 3 mile cross country races automatically makes me say, "Is that all," after 18 weeks of long runs and completing the big "M." I have to say I know it ain't easy having competed in HS. Today was a watery mucky mess of a course for my son's sectional meet. The times reflected the course conditions and the stiff westerly wind, and 40 degree F temps. My sons time was about 50 seconds slower than his PR this year of 19:33. I'm proud of him because in the stretch of 2 months and having never run before, he broke his goal 20 minute barrier twice. Loyola Academy took team honors and the legendary York HS was second. Saw 80 year old coach, Joe Newton, all wrapped up in a sleeping bag next to the stretch towards the finish, man is that guy old. He'll never retire. LOL

Ran a cool down with son, then added a few miles. About 4 miles total @ average overall 8:30 pace. I still have some major lingering soreness after running on asphalt this week, so I took 2 days off and ran the grass CC course today. The marathon recovery continues.

Looking forward to watching the NYC marathon on NBC tomorrow. GO Ryan!

Well.... It was a perfect day for a marathon in Auckland today - clear sky, very light breeze, and temperatures between 9 and 14 C.

The day didn't get off to a perfect start. After feeling great yesterday, I woke up this morning feeling stiff in my calves and with a sore throat and running (ha) nose - the perils of living with 3 kids under 5.  I put the stiffness down to nerves, but couldn't ignore the other symptoms - just figured that I had done the training and the beginnings of a cold wasn't going to affect my legs or (hopefully) lungs, so all would be fine.

The gun went off at 6:10, and this year the marathon runners (2200) started off 35 minutes before the half marathoners (6800) - about 9000 in both events.  The split start was great, as you knew that everyone around you had the same goal, and there was a real feeling of cameraderie.

The first half of the race went well.  I stuck scrupulously to 5:30/km pace - most splits were around 5:25-5:27, and I think the worst one was around 5:15.  So the pacing was going well.  About 15km in I passed the 4:00 hr pacer, who had shot out a bit fast, and thought all I needed to do was stay ahead of him for the rest of the race, and I would be fine.  I went through half way in 1:54.20 (average pace 5:25/km) - about 40 seconds ahead of schedule.

In Auckland, once you pass through half way the course heads out in a loop along the waterfront to a turnaound point about 31.5km in to the race, then back along the same route to the finish.  On the way out I started to feel that it was beginning to become noticeably harder to maintain the 5:30 pace - still I stuck with it (or thereabouts) through to the turnaround point.  I reached there pretty much on target - at one point the 4:00 hr pacer drew up along side me, and I managed to increase the pace and pull away a bit.

By the 33 km mark however, I was starting to tire pretty badly, and my pace dropped into the low 6's.  I'd also stopped taking GU at that stage (I had the chomps), as I just couldn't stomach any more of the things.  At about 34km, I heard the patter of feet behind me (just like SimmoT's experience), and after playing cat and mouse for a few hundred metres I relented and the 4:00 hr pacer went by.

From 34km-40km it was survival city for me.  I slowed down to a walk at the aid stations and, if I'm honest for about 100m afterwards to try to catch my breath.  In between I tried, in vain, to maintain some kind of pace, but dropped down to the mid 6's or worse.  I resorted to just concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. 

At the 40km mark, I was at about 3:53, and realised then that unless I was going to turn in a KDogg turn of speed for the last 2.2, I wasn't going to get there in 4:00 hrs.  I was actually pleasantly surprised, as I had stopped looking at my watch around the mid 30's, and thought I would be further back.

I ran strongly in the last 1km (that seemed so much easier with the crowds around the finish starting to build).  As I came down the finishing shute, I saw my wife Bridget on the side with our twin boys. She lifted them both over the fence (this year Charlie was dressed as Superman, and Max as a Lion), and they ran the last 100m with me to the finish line.  That was far and away the best 100m I have ever run.

Finish time was 4:06:41.  Although the 4 hour mark proved elusive once more, I took 18 minutes off my time from last year, and overall I enjoyed the race.  And managed to raise over $7,000 for Mercy Hospice Auckland in the process.  So not a bad day in the office after all.

I'm going to take a couple of weeks off running now, so I won't be posting.  But I will be reading all of your posts in the meantime. So keep running strong.  And, finally, GO ericjacquie!

NickCD - thanks! I did read your race report - It was a good marathon all in all, with great crowd suport. But what about those hills!?!?!? In answer to your question, this was my second marathon (a PB by about 10mins as well)...so I'm not complaining. All in all it's probably the time I should have gotten given my training. What are your goals for next race/marathon?

MarkRTC - great race report! I know what you mean about young kids....It's always touch and go that they are not gonna bring something home from school/kindergarten/childcare that puts you out of action. I'm sure your kids will never forget running a marathon with their dad! Next time sub-4.00 is in the bag!

Ericjaquie - really looking forward to reading your experiences from Marathon day!!!

MarkRTC - great race report.Good job taking 18 minutes off your previous time. That is a hell of an improvement. You'll get that 4 hour goal next time out.

Looking forward to ericjacuie's report.

Over to the gym this morning for an hour on the bike. I'll be doing these in the basement once we get the harvest completed.

Autiemom Hurt like Hell, bright red, hummmm, you didn't dress up like the devil last night did you? LOL I can identify with that too much chocolate problem.

 MarkRTC good reading your race report. Way to bring that time down from last year. It is special having the kids there to celebrate with you. Good job on that fund raising too, wow.

Finally had a nice sunny day. Started out close to 4 pm and realized daylight was waning fast due to the time change last night. Felt really good and decided to go long. Finished strong even though had some knee pain and hamstring tightness about 5 miles in. 8 miles @ 7:35 pace (1:00:41)

Congrats to Meb on bringing the USA a victory in NYC today!!

Thanks everyone. If anyone is interested, or terminally bored, you can see some photos of me and the boys crossing the line - just go to www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz and follow the links to 2009 Photos - and enter my bib #501.

Hi all,

Marathon day weather was just perfect 56 degree with a light wind, could not ask for more.  My feet started to act up during the week, plus I had new pains in my groin/pelvic area?  I tried to trick & treat with the kids but could only walk three blocks and then I started to limp.  I iced my feet, the night before, did the exercises  and took ibuprofen.

It was a sight to see the other runners surging after the gun "boom" (it sounded more like a cannon).  I got a bit teary every time a new wave went out on the bridge, top and lower levels at the same time.  I tried not to walk around on the feet and sat most of the time until my wave was called to the gate.  Going over the bridge was great, but unfortunately, there were no more runners left in Fort Wadsworth to cheer us on.  After existing the bridge into the borough of Brooklyn,three groups of runners met up at the foot of the bridge into Brooklyn, each group running from different bridge levels. This was just magnificent.

The Brooklyn cheer crowd were perfect, from high school bands, church choirs, individual homes, bars etc. (I just loved it). By mile 6 the pain in my groin got worst, I began to put pressure on my right side in order to compensate the pain on my left side.  I remember what Nick said that he stopped and stretched several times during his race, so I did that (maybe a little longer), felt better, but I was losing time that I could not catch up. I did not hit the "wall" like last year, however, the noise from the spectators and the bands became extremely annoying by mile 18, I just wanted to run with no noise.

I completed the marathon in 5 hours 40 mins, 5 mins slower than last year.  My middle toes are still numb and I still have pain in my groin.  Overall, I feel great this morning.

Ericjacquie, congratulations on running despite not feeling 100%.  You are so lucky to run in such an amazing race!

Baseroom, congrats on the 5k and congrats to your wife too - awesome improvement!

MarkRTC, I checked out your pics - they are fantastic!!!

rpetre, thanks for the info, maybe it was something like that.  I ran today again 10.5k in 51:43 - a great pace for me.  I ran with the hubby who kept me honest with the pace. 

Mark congrats...I got caught up with my post, cool pics. That's quick time to see your picture on line.  I've to wait at least 2 weeks before I can see my pictures.

Question: after mile 20, I felt like I wanted to pee, but when I tried "nothing", this kept on for a while until mile 24, I gave up.  I was drinking both gatorade and water at every stop.  Has this ever happened to anyone?

Ericajacquie and Mark great reports. It's seems to have been a tough road for everyone this year but there have been some terrific results and reports.

Ericajacquie- I've also had the urge while running. I think it is just an irritation of the urethra by a small volume of urine so nothing comes out but the lining is stimulated so it says that it wants to (needs to, desperately needs to) go. Annoying but it seems to pass.

15 km up in the National park on Sunday morning with a group. Lovely morning for a run cool and fresh.

Hi all,

First of all, Congratulations ericjacqui! - It sounds like it was an epic race for you.  What an incredible effort you put in - I'm delighted that you were able to finish despite your setbacks along the way.  I loved your comment about how the crowd noise etc. became intolerable to you after mile 18 - you were well and truly in 'the zone' at that point!

btw - I can't take credit for the stop and stretch advice - I think it was SimmoT's

Baseroom - don't sweat the 5k result too much - the joy of racing regularly is that there will always be a next time.  Your wife's great result must be some consolation also.

A quick 5km for me this morning - I've been struggling with a painful ankle since last week's marathon, just on/under the big bone on the inside of the joint - I think the pronation correcting orthotic I've been wearing has changed the way the ankle absorbs the impact when I run and the marathon caused some internal bruising (my theory anyway).  Anyway - frustrating that a week's rest still hasn't solved it.  I might have to take another week off as 'running through it' is probably not helping. 

Anyone had similar experiences?  What with the blisters and now this I'm beginning to think that 'the cure is worse than the condition'

To the gym before work for an hour on the stationary bike. Planned to do more than that, but was moving slow this morning, so that was all I had time for.

NickCD - I had some posterior shin splints that caused some pain in that area. I forget the name of the muscle, but there is one that attaches to the back of the tibia and goes under that bone to hold up the arch. The pain for me started just behind the big ankle bone and then moved up to my shin. Some ultrasound, very specific massage by a PT and some excersizes cleared it up in a few weeks.

hey boyjame - the hardest part about running in the morning is developing the discipline to go to bed early enough.  You know you can only burn the candle at both ends for a short time.  (And it gets shorter as you get older.)

Got in a short tempo run today - 6k with the middle 1.6k at tempo.

Welcome shader!  

ex-k1-w1 - I totally understand about the discipline of getting up early and going to bed sooner.  I've been trying to go to bed earlier.  Worked this morning. 

Got out at 6:15am for an easy 5 miles.  It was a brisk 34 degrees F.  Received some good news yesterday - I am first on the wait list for this trail marathon I wanted to run the end of this month.  I think I have a good chance that one out of 500 runners would need to back out early.  We'll see. 

tranquil - keep going.  make sure you stretch and that your shoes aren't wearing out.

boyjame - thanks for the welcome!

Just got back from a quick 4 miles.  What a beautiful day it is to run through central park!  Surprisingly fast pace for me at 7:47/mile but felt pretty good.

Shader - Welcome!

Tranquil - that's got to be frustrating.  I think Rpet's advice is sound.  You should be tapering off anyway at this point, if you can get the ex cercise on a bike or elliptical machine until your shins feel good, I would try that.

 Easy 7 for me today.  Ran in the park along the river and canal and felt better than yesterday but not 100%.  It was a real nice day though and I did enjoy that.

Just found out my wife's friend entered her husband into the lottery for the NYC Marathon next fall.  I was thinking Boston 2010 might be my last one for a while but if he gets in, I'll probably do it too.

Tranquil Yep, it's taper time anyway, don't sweat it. Take a day or two to rest the legs and see how they feel. Everything can be easier runs from here on out. I heard massage a couple days after is wise. I think ice bath might help your aches after long runs.

Glombard  Just registered for the big "B" yesterday, no confirmation yet. I was debating waiting til 2011, but thought, "what if Armageddon happens before then?"

Welcome to the happy thread Shader!

Ran my usual Wednesday trail run today. Got kind of lost and disoriented in the Skokie Lagoons forest preserve, then had to back track and ended up doing an out and back instead of a loop. Turned out to be  around a 7.6 mile tempo (approx. overall ave. pace was 7:45-ish.)

EricJaquie and MarkRTC - great job on your marathons!

Shader - welcome to the thread

I've been doing 4-5 runs per week, but haven't had the motivation to do any more than 3-4 miles for each one. I think it's because I've mostly been running on the treadmill, which I find really boring.  I may need to invest in some winter running clothes.

Fostever - Glad to hear I have company in Boston!  You probably won't hear confirmation until after Christmas if I remember right, but I think its a safe bet you're in.

Easy 10.3 for me today.  There was a hint of snow in the air when I stepped accross the alley to the building where our locker room is.  It was light rain by the time I got out.  I really didn't feel like running today, but it turned out to be one of my better runs lately.  You never know how you're going to feel 'til you get out and start running.

Starting to think about my Boston training plan.