Ran a 10k in June (4 Viewers)

[Sand]

Where is gruecd? I keep checking in for his report. Maybe he is in an ice bath with some beverages?

I'm betting on this one.

 

[Dexter]

Grats to all the Chicago runners. I drove through Chicago today and was wondering how everyone did.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Congrats to everyone who ran this weekend including, of course, Chad!

Finished Chicago at 3:26. Last year, my first, I finished at 3:50 and set a goal this year of 3:30 so I’m reasonably pleased.

Are all the splits available on-line yet? I can’t find them.

It was cold enough that I felt good starting out at a brisk pace. At about the half way point I was under a 3:20 pace. Both knees were getting sorer and sorer though. At mile 15 I remember thinking that I would have shut it down if this were a normal training run. It’s strange. All training season my calves and my left heel had been giving me problems but my knees had been fine until my right knee started acting up a few weeks ago. My left knee hadn’t given me any problem.

I slowed down to my goal pace for much of the second half but I think I really fell apart the last 5 miles or so.

After I got home my knees started getting sorer and stiffer. I decide to take a nap at 4:00 (I was anxious enough Saturday night that I only was able to get about 3 hours sleep) and woke up about 10:00 p.m. When I awoke the pain was worse than I have EVER felt after running. It was hard to just roll over in bed and the idea of bending my knees was out of the question. I went downstairs and back up using my hands and butt one step at a time!

I feel much better this morning although, of course, still sore. It's a good thing I have the day off work!

Even though my goal was 3:30 I was hoping for 3:20. I should have trained harder and included more 20 mile runs. Oh well, I guess this leaves me with something to shoot for! My next marathon will be in Phoenix in January. I haven’t set my goal yet – I want to think about it and the commitment it takes a week or so longer.

 

[pmbrown_22]

Congratulations to all the runners and now BQers. Just reading the posts from everyone has gotten my spirits up about next weekend. I am ready though. I had a 4 miler on Saturday and an 8 miler on Sunday. Both easy runs with me definitely wanting more. I am ready for this weekend now. For me the hardest part of this next weekend is just coordinating travelling with my family and getting schedules and parking directions and all that stuff ready for them.

Again, congatulations to all for the great racign this weekend.

And gruecd, congrats on teh BQ. Someday I hope to join you in that respect. You were flying out there.

 

[tri-man 47]

Congrats to everyone who ran this weekend including, of course, Chad!Finished Chicago at 3:26. Last year, my first, I finished at 3:50 and set a goal this year of 3:30 so I’m reasonably pleased.

One more! That's a big improvement, so be very pleased. Hope the knees are OK ...maybe an ice bath or some bags of ice are needed. Enjoy your day off! You definitely earned it.---pmbrown, I'm getting psyched for next weekend, too! I had a weird schedule the last few days ...ended up running a comfortable 10 miler on Saturday. On Friday, my auditors took me out golfing - first time out all year (my free time is otherwise used for training). Hit the range twice during the week, then the Friday golf - in a steady/pouring rain throughout. I was actually striking the ball great, but -lol- now my neck/shoulder muscles are sore from the new activity.---So the watchband of my Timex Ironman broke recently. The one-piece band wraps around the watchface, so I sent it to their repair center with a $10 check. I just got a package back - they said they could not fix that particular band and returned it as it was ...but they also sent me a brand new Ironman watch of 'equal or greater value.'

 

[pmbrown_22]

Congrats to everyone who ran this weekend including, of course, Chad!Finished Chicago at 3:26. Last year, my first, I finished at 3:50 and set a goal this year of 3:30 so I’m reasonably pleased.

One more! That's a big improvement, so be very pleased. Hope the knees are OK ...maybe an ice bath or some bags of ice are needed. Enjoy your day off! You definitely earned it.---pmbrown, I'm getting psyched for next weekend, too! I had a weird schedule the last few days ...ended up running a comfortable 10 miler on Saturday. On Friday, my auditors took me out golfing - first time out all year (my free time is otherwise used for training). Hit the range twice during the week, then the Friday golf - in a steady/pouring rain throughout. I was actually striking the ball great, but -lol- now my neck/shoulder muscles are sore from the new activity.---So the watchband of my Timex Ironman broke recently. The one-piece band wraps around the watchface, so I sent it to their repair center with a $10 check. I just got a package back - they said they could not fix that particular band and returned it as it was ...but they also sent me a brand new Ironman watch of 'equal or greater value.'

GOLF!!! and in the rain...man you live dangerously. Just Kidding. I am trying to not take any chances. Too much bad luck in the past getting hurt right before the race. Great news on the watch. Sounds like good customer service. Rare these days. I was debating whether or not to workout today. I think I am going to. For no other reason than to keep my sanity. I am trying not to think about the race too much and let it control me.

 

[Keggers]

Where is gruecd? I keep checking in for his report. Maybe he is in an ice bath with some beverages?

I'm betting on this one.

I talked to him just before noon yesterday. He was still at the race....taking it all in! He told me a group of people were going to watch some football and meet up for dinner later. I'm sure there was much celebrating!!!

 

[wraith5]

Big congratulations to Sand, Gruecd, Juxtatarot, DolphinsPhan and jmcc on their great races this weekend!!

I had a "step-back" 13 miler yesterday, goal pace of 9:08/mile. It was a brisk 32 degrees when I set out:

5 miles, 9:05/mi, 155 bpm

4 miles, 8:54/mi, 157 bpm

2 miles, 8:32/mi, 164 bpm

1 mile, 8:16/mi, 172 bpm

1.1 miles, 7:46/mi, 179 bpm and a little

Overall 13.1 miles, 8:46/mi, 160 bpm

Not sure how much of this run was conditions v. conditioning, but I finished only 8 seconds off my pace in the RnR 1/2 two months ago and I could easily have gone much faster. I was shocked I had enough to go sub-8 at the end. Definitely a confidence boosting run.

 

[gruecd]

Hey, guys!!! First and foremost, THANKS SO MUCH for tracking me yesterday and for all the support. It means a lot to me knowing that you guys would take time from your busy days to watch my progress. So a collective to all of you guys.

I'll write a full RR later, but needless to say, it was a great day. PR by almost four minutes and BQ for 2010 and 2011. Felt awesome through 22 miles, good during 23-24, and "OK" the last 2.2. It was easily the best I've ever felt during and after a marathon, which is good, because now I've got New York in three weeks! I won't stress about that one, though, since I'm planning on just enjoying it and doing it as a "victory lap" of sorts. I'll probably shoot for 3:30 or something like that.

DolphinsPhan and Juxtatarot - Great job yesterday! So proud of you guys!!!

tri-man and pmb - You're up!!!

 

[Sand]

Big congratulations to Gruecd, Juxtatarot, DolphinsPhan and jmcc on their great races yesterday!!

 

[meeka]

My right foot is still giving me troubles. My wife thinks I may have some sort of stress fracture. It is on the bottom of my foot and it runs along the outside. I gave running a try today since my legs have recovered from the marathon. It did not bother me too much while I ran, but it is pretty sore now. I would like to get a couple of 5 mile runs in this week and start getting ready for my half on Halloween.

 

[tri-man 47]

Big congratulations to Gruecd, Juxtatarot, DolphinsPhan and jmcc on their great races yesterday!!

Meh - you raced on Saturday, right? Old news, my friend, old news.

 

[wraith5]

Big congratulations to Gruecd, Juxtatarot, DolphinsPhan and jmcc on their great races yesterday!!

Meh - you raced on Saturday, right? Old news, my friend, old news.

I didn't even think to look back before the gruecd viewing party started - OP fixed and to Sand I offer humble apologies and

CONGRATULATIONS ON A 22:44 PR IN YOUR FIRST 5K!!!

 

[BassNBrew]

Hey, guys!!! First and foremost, THANKS SO MUCH for tracking me yesterday and for all the support. It means a lot to me knowing that you guys would take time from your busy days to watch my progress. So a collective to all of you guys.

I'll write a full RR later, but needless to say, it was a great day. PR by almost four minutes and BQ for 2010 and 2011. Felt awesome through 22 miles, good during 23-24, and "OK" the last 2.2. It was easily the best I've ever felt during and after a marathon, which is good, because now I've got New York in three weeks! I won't stress about that one, though, since I'm planning on just enjoying it and doing it as a "victory lap" of sorts. I'll probably shoot for 3:30 or something like that.

DolphinsPhan and Juxtatarot - Great job yesterday! So proud of you guys!!!

tri-man and pmb - You're up!!!

Congrats on qualifying gru.

 

[wraith5]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Big congratulations to Sand, Gruecd, Juxtatarot, DolphinsPhan and jmcc on their great races this weekend!!

Great work, and congrats to every one that raced this weekend. Good to hear others are doing well, as I'm not. Achilles isn't getting better, ran just twice last week and haven't run now since Thursday. Super busy at work this week with some people in town from our Atlanta HQ for the next few days, and then I'm off to San Diego on Sunday morning for 3 days of a trade show, so can't even get in to see anyone right now to have it looked at. So, guess I'll just take the hint(s) and take a little time off, not planning on running again now until mid-next week, which will give me almost 2 full weeks off. Pretty bummed, as my annual mileage goal and goal of another ultra in December are now pretty much shot. Even worse, I haven't been on a trail since the first week of September - it's killing me!

 

[The_Man]

Back into the harness myself after missing 3 weeks following my first race (5K). I run in the a.m. and work had been incredibly busy and it's suddenly cold and dark in the morning. Lots of excuses for me not to run. Finally decided to HTFU and get back out there.

Did 3 miles on Saturday and killed myself to keep an 8-minute pace. Conditioning, why have you forsaken me? And then yesterday, went out to do a long run (6 miles, which is long for me) with no focus at all on time, just wanted to enjoy the day and start building back into shape - cruised the first 5m at 9:00 pace and felt so good that I picked it up for the last mile, which I did in 8:13.

One calf is really sore today (am going to ice and elevate tonight after stretching) but otherwise feel great. How do you know what your "best" distance is? I find it very hard and taxing to run fast for shorter distances, but feel like I could crank out 9-minute miles until the cows come home. Unfortunately, the very longest runs I can squeeze in on weekday are 40 minutes, and I feel like that kind of limits my ability to train for longer distance runs.

 

[pmbrown_22]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

I do agree with this wraith. I think the bottom line is that it has to be fun for you. I think the training plans are great, but I think that I realized during this round that you can deviate from them a bit and just to change things up. This time around I did not do every planned day that I was supposed to run. There was one Sunday that I woke up @ 6 in June and did not want to get out of bed. I knew the kids were going to sleep in and turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. Later that afternoon I did a 12 mile bike ride instead of running. I had a thoroughly enjoyable ride and did not think twice about it afterward. The only reason I went out on that ride is that I felt guilty and did not want to miss a fitness day.Also, I am trying to keep everything into perspective on why I am running. I am running more for my health than anything else. In the grand scheme of things, I am not going to be healthier because I can run faster. I may need that as a mental challenge or hurdle for me to shoot for those goals, but I think I am just as happy if I go out and run 5 miles at 9 min/mile or 7 min/mile.There is a lot ot be said about the goals as well. So far what I have seen on here, the focus of goals drives a lot of people and that makes them happy, as it does me. I just don't think you have to let it control you for the bad. Everyone has to decide how important those goals are to them and what they are willing to do to accomplish them and to what extent.I am not preeching hear because I hate to miss a run and feel guilty when I do, but in the long run if you do that trail run you will see something you will never experience again whereas, running on your street or track, that really does not change every day. Running can expand your mind and respect for everythinng if you let it.Stepping down off my soap box here. I hope I am not offending here, I am just typing my thoughts possibly as random as they are.

 

[pigskinliquors]

GREAT race reports all-around I'm back from freezing Milwaukee to the warmth of Texas. Our lows are back in the mid-70's through Thursday, but it looks like they'll be in the high 50's by weeks end One BIG glitch just occurred for my attempt at an Ultra. Literally the only day that my wife and I have available to have our 7 year old's 8th birthday party is the day of the race. We haven't sent invites yet = I'm doing all I can to adjust schedules, etc. but it isn't looking all that good right now. My best hope is that I can convince both Mom and Daughter that a late afternoon (post race) party is far superior. I shall do my best groveling.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

Wow! We're pretty much opposites. I frequently start runs and have no idea how long I'll last. If I have a bad day and quit early, I use it as motivation to do better the next time. As I'm starting to think about training for my next marathon, I'm thinking about putting in more structure. I didn't put the hours in like I should have and could have done better yesterday if I did. Probably what's best is somewhere in the middle...have a basic structure but push yourself a little harder when you're feeling good, don't stress the bad days and take a day every few weeks as a wild card run to try a fast 5K or run a trail.

 

[gruecd]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

It gets better with experience. After training for a couple of marathons and figuring out exactly what works for you, you start to understand how to tweak your schedule to allow for more variability.

 

[2Young2BBald]

My right foot is still giving me troubles. My wife thinks I may have some sort of stress fracture. It is on the bottom of my foot and it runs along the outside. I gave running a try today since my legs have recovered from the marathon. It did not bother me too much while I ran, but it is pretty sore now. I would like to get a couple of 5 mile runs in this week and start getting ready for my half on Halloween.

Make an appointment to see a poditrist ASAP. I came back from vacation with the exact same problem from running on the beach and self diagnosed it as a stress fracture. First thing my podiatrist said was that men tend not to get stress fractures like women do (and I apologize for the insult if it is in fact a stress fracture). What she found was a tendon issue that was very much reduced and improved with a cotisone shot and three days of rest. I was literally back to running three days later and raced the following weekend. The cortisone shot hurt like a #####, but the result was well worth it!

 

[2Young2BBald]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

I'll say this, you seem very comfortable sticking to a plan & you are to damn close to even be thinking like this!!!!! But, I'll also say that I completely get what you are saying. I hated the marathon training I did earlier this year. Having to burn vacation time for longs runs made me miserable and even doing them frustrated me. Interesting, was how enjoyable a 10-mile run was on this past Saturday. I really loved every minute of it (except when I realized I'd dropped one of my Amphipod bottle off my belt, but as kharma would have it, I found it on the "back" portion of my out and back). Since the marathon in April, I haven't followed a training routine other than to just train. I really like reading PSL's updates because they typically are go do what my gut tells me to do and only with the time I have sorta thing. That is cool and was very un-me. I'll still stress the race day stuff (and the fact that I spent the entire day in a conference room full of coughers and now feeling like I am getting a cold on race week), but have really enjoyed training without a set plan.

 

[Sand]

Big congratulations to Gruecd, Juxtatarot, DolphinsPhan and jmcc on their great races yesterday!!

Meh - you raced on Saturday, right? Old news, my friend, old news.

I didn't even think to look back before the gruecd viewing party started - OP fixed and to Sand I offer humble apologies and

CONGRATULATIONS ON A 22:44 PR IN YOUR FIRST 5K!!!

Thanks!

I have a serious question for the runners. I plugged in a training regimen to Running World's Smartcoach. To say I'm shuked is an understatement. My easy runs should be at 9:30 pace? Seriously? I went easy tonight (though it still hurt due to the bike I did Sunday) and ended up at an 8:15 pace. Am I really supposed to go that slow?

Oh, and tri-man you get the :finger: award of the day.

 

[DolphinsPhan]

Finally back from finishing Chicago. Couldn't do a race report on a blackberry.

IT WAS AN AWESOME EVENT/EXPERIENCE!!!

I ran with a buddy of mine that I grew up with. This was his 6th marathon and he had run Chicago before. It was cold at the start. Probably pitched my long sleeve cotton t-shirt somewhere around mile 9, ya know...when the elites were at mile 22. Weather didn't bother me though. Glad it was cooler. Started out at my long run pace and pretty much held it steady (within 20 seconds) for about 23 miles. Had a little delay around mile 5 or 6 waiting to pee. Probably cost me 5-7 minutes, but the nice thing about not having a time goal is that it didn't matter...it was just frustrating. After the first 6 miles, I thought to myself that I am now warmed up and just need to do a 20 mile long run...piece of cake. Had a mental lapse at about 1:40 though as I drank some gatorade at one of the aid stations and then 2 minutes later realized I was supposed to grab water for my 2nd Gu. Luckily my friend ran with one of those camel backpacks and he carried a fuel belt bottle with water for me. This was the only time I used it. Ran through each aid station. Never walked once...never even thought about it. Can't believe how many people I had to dodge walking through aid stations and on the course. It was like trying to get through a wall.

At mile 10, people were holding signs saying 16.2 miles to go. Seemed daunting until I remembered that I did 4 training runs longer than what I had left Right around mile 16 my stomach started feeling queezy. I was due for a Gu in about 5 minutes so I took it early with water and that certainly helped. My stomach was good the rest of the race. My legs started to feel "used" around mile 21-22 which would make sense since that was the furthest I had ever run up to that point. Right around mile 23 I started thinking that I only had a 5K to go and it will be nice when this is over. Every time from then on I came to an aid station I kept thinking I don't want anymore gatorade and I don't want anymore Gu (that's what she said). At about mile 24 I started to pick up the pace to finish strong (I always tried to run my long run last mile hard just to prepare for this). I was pumped at this point. I knew I wasn't going to bonk or cramp and I had just seen my support group cheering like crazy and I was about to finish my 1st marathon! And I hope this doesn't sound mean, but watching people suffering through the last few miles kind of psyched me up even more b/c I knew I was going to cruise through to the finish. I booked it and ran the last two miles around 10m/m and 9:40m/m. I was soooo psyched. Felt awesome running through the finish and being able to pump my fist and smile the whole way. Finished at 5:00:45. I think it ended up being an 11:09m/m pace.

My quads were a little sore afterwards. I also had this weird soreness right below my knees kind of on the outside. Everyone I talked to pretty much said that was due to the course being flat since almost everyone trains on hills and that it would go away in a day. They were right, it went away the next day. By the end of Sunday I was way more tired than I was sore. Legs felt much better today, but going up and down stairs still sux. Treated my wife and I by upgrading to first class on the flight home. Extra leg room was life saving. Will be enjoying my massage on Wednesday and then I can officially close this marathon experience!

Other random thoughts...

I wore gloves the whole race and somehow managed to lose (not pitch) just one...WTF? I have no idea how that happened.

Garmin was a little off from the mile markers. Seemed to be 0.6 miles or so by the time the race was over. Probably due to 30,000 people wearing those things and all of the buildings in the way. Didn't care though. Really just needed it for time tracking and HR.

Why is it the first thing people ask you after finishing is "when are you doing your next one?".

For the work that I put in to my training, timing my Gu, and just mentally breaking the race down to smaller distance segments, I think I ran my optimal race. I honestly don't think there was anything I would have done differently except just peeing behind a tree and not waiting for a port-a-potty.

My support group was awesome. They managed to see us 5 times during the race including in the finishing chute, so it was awesome. Certainly helped that my cousin lives in Chicago and has run it twice. There were fans cheering at all points throughout the course. It really was cool to see. I have run races where you wouldn't see people for miles and it was brutal. This was unbelievable. Don't know if I could have picked a better race/event for my 1st marathon experience.

Way to go to all of the racers and to Gru for qualifying for Boston...unbelievable accomplishment! And thanks to everyone in this thread for all of the motivation, support, and advice. It certainly helped getting through 16 weeks of training...BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!

 

[SteveUK]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

It gets better with experience. After training for a couple of marathons and figuring out exactly what works for you, you start to understand how to tweak your schedule to allow for more variability.

Plus I am not a fan of generic training schedules. Only you know what your body is telling you. As I get older it is becoming clear even to me that I cannot train the way I used to train when I was running 15 years ago. It seems to me injury is just waiting to happen if you follow a training schedule and don't listen to your body.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Finally back from finishing Chicago. Couldn't do a race report on a blackberry.

IT WAS AN AWESOME EVENT/EXPERIENCE!!!

I ran with a buddy of mine that I grew up with. This was his 6th marathon and he had run Chicago before. It was cold at the start. Probably pitched my long sleeve cotton t-shirt somewhere around mile 9, ya know...when the elites were at mile 22. Weather didn't bother me though. Glad it was cooler. Started out at my long run pace and pretty much held it steady (within 20 seconds) for about 23 miles. Had a little delay around mile 5 or 6 waiting to pee. Probably cost me 5-7 minutes, but the nice thing about not having a time goal is that it didn't matter...it was just frustrating. After the first 6 miles, I thought to myself that I am now warmed up and just need to do a 20 mile long run...piece of cake. Had a mental lapse at about 1:40 though as I drank some gatorade at one of the aid stations and then 2 minutes later realized I was supposed to grab water for my 2nd Gu. Luckily my friend ran with one of those camel backpacks and he carried a fuel belt bottle with water for me. This was the only time I used it. Ran through each aid station. Never walked once...never even thought about it. Can't believe how many people I had to dodge walking through aid stations and on the course. It was like trying to get through a wall.

At mile 10, people were holding signs saying 16.2 miles to go. Seemed daunting until I remembered that I did 4 training runs longer than what I had left Right around mile 16 my stomach started feeling queezy. I was due for a Gu in about 5 minutes so I took it early with water and that certainly helped. My stomach was good the rest of the race. My legs started to feel "used" around mile 21-22 which would make sense since that was the furthest I had ever run up to that point. Right around mile 23 I started thinking that I only had a 5K to go and it will be nice when this is over. Every time from then on I came to an aid station I kept thinking I don't want anymore gatorade and I don't want anymore Gu (that's what she said). At about mile 24 I started to pick up the pace to finish strong (I always tried to run my long run last mile hard just to prepare for this). I was pumped at this point. I knew I wasn't going to bonk or cramp and I had just seen my support group cheering like crazy and I was about to finish my 1st marathon! And I hope this doesn't sound mean, but watching people suffering through the last few miles kind of psyched me up even more b/c I knew I was going to cruise through to the finish. I booked it and ran the last two miles around 10m/m and 9:40m/m. I was soooo psyched. Felt awesome running through the finish and being able to pump my fist and smile the whole way. Finished at 5:00:45. I think it ended up being an 11:09m/m pace.

My quads were a little sore afterwards. I also had this weird soreness right below my knees kind of on the outside. Everyone I talked to pretty much said that was due to the course being flat since almost everyone trains on hills and that it would go away in a day. They were right, it went away the next day. By the end of Sunday I was way more tired than I was sore. Legs felt much better today, but going up and down stairs still sux. Treated my wife and I by upgrading to first class on the flight home. Extra leg room was life saving. Will be enjoying my massage on Wednesday and then I can officially close this marathon experience!

Other random thoughts...

I wore gloves the whole race and somehow managed to lose (not pitch) just one...WTF? I have no idea how that happened.

Garmin was a little off from the mile markers. Seemed to be 0.6 miles or so by the time the race was over. Probably due to 30,000 people wearing those things and all of the buildings in the way. Didn't care though. Really just needed it for time tracking and HR.

Why is it the first thing people ask you after finishing is "when are you doing your next one?".

For the work that I put in to my training, timing my Gu, and just mentally breaking the race down to smaller distance segments, I think I ran my optimal race. I honestly don't think there was anything I would have done differently except just peeing behind a tree and not waiting for a port-a-potty.

My support group was awesome. They managed to see us 5 times during the race including in the finishing chute, so it was awesome. Certainly helped that my cousin lives in Chicago and has run it twice. There were fans cheering at all points throughout the course. It really was cool to see. I have run races where you wouldn't see people for miles and it was brutal. This was unbelievable. Don't know if I could have picked a better race/event for my 1st marathon experience.

Way to go to all of the racers and to Gru for qualifying for Boston...unbelievable accomplishment! And thanks to everyone in this thread for all of the motivation, support, and advice. It certainly helped getting through 16 weeks of training...BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!

Great read man, thanks and congrats again! I watched the entire race online and I kept thinking to myself just how great Chicago looked. Between the fans and the city itself, it was awesome to see. The start was crazy to see from the helicopter. If you can find it online it is worth a watch.

 

[jmcc]

Congrats to everyone this past weekend. I dont want to forget anyone so I wont name names. Nice report DP

 

[tri-man 47]

Nice report DP

Still smiling about the long pit-stop, though in Chicago you don't get many places to step aside to pee in solitude - too urban and too many people.

 

[SteveUK]

Nice report DP

Still smiling about the long pit-stop, though in Chicago you don't get many places to step aside to pee in solitude - too urban and too many people.

I have to say I cannot remember ever (either in the last few years or in my previous incarnation as a cyclist and runner in my 20's & 30's) having to stop in a race to pee. This includes my 4:40 Marathon and similar times in 100 mile time trials. I guess I am just lucky that I must sweat enough when I am racing.

 

[pigskinliquors]

DP: AWESOME race report!!! Great to hear.

My easy runs should be at 9:30 pace? Seriously? I went easy tonight (though it still hurt due to the bike I did Sunday) and ended up at an 8:15 pace. Am I really supposed to go that slow?

Those are days for your body to recover. I seldom run them as slow as they ask, but most training research reveals that training at low HR's can greatly assist endurance, while minimizing the chances of injury.

 

[tri-man 47]

I have a serious question for the runners. I plugged in a training regimen to Running World's Smartcoach. To say I'm shuked is an understatement. My easy runs should be at 9:30 pace? Seriously? I went easy tonight (though it still hurt due to the bike I did Sunday) and ended up at an 8:15 pace. Am I really supposed to go that slow?

Oh, and tri-man you get the :finger: award of the day.

I have a hard time running a pace that's significantly slower (= more than a minute/mile) than my tempo pace. I feel like it is actually harder on my legs to short-stride too much. IMO, the idea is to just keep it easy (conversational pace) and not 'work' the stride (which taxes your system more). So on my long runs, I just go easy with no real reach to my stride, but not short-stepping either. The benefits are all internal ...just gotta trust that the body is becoming more efficient via those runs.Oh, and

 

[DolphinsPhan]

DP: AWESOME race report!!! Great to hear.

My easy runs should be at 9:30 pace? Seriously? I went easy tonight (though it still hurt due to the bike I did Sunday) and ended up at an 8:15 pace. Am I really supposed to go that slow?

Those are days for your body to recover. I seldom run them as slow as they ask, but most training research reveals that training at low HR's can greatly assist endurance, while minimizing the chances of injury.

This was huge for me in my marathon training. I went out on my long runs with the notion of keeping my HR lower than 150-160 for as long as possible. I did not worry about what pace I was supposed to run. In the beginning of my training it meant I was doing 13m/m and I wanted to kill myself. However I saw progress pretty quickly. Now when I look back at my Garmin training stats, my long runs were 2-3 m/m faster than when I started and my HR was about 20-30 bpm lower...and that was at mile 20 of a long run vs mile 8 of my initial long run.

 

[wraith5]

I was talking this weekend about the grind of training and how it becomes too much like a job. I love the runs, but I have trouble keeping that focus all the time like I feel I need to. Anyone else get this feeling or is it just me? I may not be describing it right or maybe I just need to vary my training or do more races. I am not bored by any means, but for me the grind just gets to me.

I've been thinking about this statement quite a bit lately (long runs provide an optimal opportunity, actually) and I've realized that for me, the grind comes into play when I'm locked into a regimented training program. I know exactly what my runs are going to be every week between now and December 13 (starting 2 months ago, actually). Any variance from the program makes me nervous because I am so singularly focused at one goal (4:10 in Tucson). If I want to see how fast my 5k is now, I don't feel like I can. Incline work? Now I have to add an extra run and possibly hurt my tempo workout as a result. Trail run to enjoy the colors of fall? No way - it'll slow my time and what if I twist an ankle? It's not that I don't enjoy the runs and the results, it's just that I'm locked into the routine.

It gets better with experience. After training for a couple of marathons and figuring out exactly what works for you, you start to understand how to tweak your schedule to allow for more variability.

Plus I am not a fan of generic training schedules. Only you know what your body is telling you. As I get older it is becoming clear even to me that I cannot train the way I used to train when I was running 15 years ago. It seems to me injury is just waiting to happen if you follow a training schedule and don't listen to your body.

Guys thanx a TON for all of the responses (including Juxtatarot and 2Young - the system wouldn't let me quote everybody). I almost didn't even post my thoughts because it felt a little whiney - but now I'm really glad I did and feel more motivated than ever!! I'm definitely enjoying my training, and recognize that my rigid schedule is self-imposed. Some of the "grind" I have been feeling is just being tired as I get accustomed to running 100+ miles/month (a light number for many, but one I've never maintained for very long). Ironically after crushing my 13 miler on Sunday I've felt very good and anxious to get after my next run. I can't wait to run my 18 this weekend and see if I can make it the entire way without any walking or misc. stops! Heck maybe I'll go completely nuts and run some of it on trail (although that's unlikely because of the pace I need to maintain, but we'll see). There are many aspects that I really like about my current program (and have posted about them before), and I definitely feel like there is a method behind the madness. My 4 previous marathons ('00, '02 - '04) all failed to meet my finish time goals, and I choose my current training plan specifically because I figured it would give me the best chance of avoiding that disappointment this time around. I've had more than one person tell me I'm nuts for doing five 20 milers in training (honestly I kinda like that, too!). If it was easy, everyone would run marathons, right?? Maybe after December I'll switch to a more customized and flexible version of FIRST, with the same speed/tempo/long-run set-up but allow for easier days if I decide to mix in something different or more challenging. Maybe I'll be eyeing a spring marathon by then, too...

 

[wraith5]

OK, so related training question - how bad an idea would it be for me to race a 1/2 marathon 2 weeks before the Tucson Marathon? I just found out about a Turkey Trot 1/2 close to my home (Schaumburg) on Sat 11/28 that a friend is running. I'm supposed to do 13 that day, anyway, so really the only question (I think) would be how fast to push my pace...

 

[gruecd]

OK, so related training question - how bad an idea would it be for me to race a 1/2 marathon 2 weeks before the Tucson Marathon?

My training plan for Chicago called for a 8-10K "tune-up race" the second-to-last weekend before the marathon. I don't think it's a problem to do it, but maybe just do it as a marathon-pace training run. In other words, ease into your GMP over the first 6-7 miles and then run the last 10K at MP. I wouldn't "race" it, per se.

 

[Third]

Wraith - I think I'm going to use the FIRST program for my half in March. The RW schedule is a 10-week, which I would start around the first of the year. Thanks for the tip. I'm going to be working on getting some mileage under my belt in the next 2 months before really getting into the program.

 

[Darrinll40]

I was all set for a good short run this evening and then at work today I banged my leg into a desk. It must have hit in the exact right spot because I almost instantly felt light headed and nauseous. I made it about 40 ft before having to sit down. Then the cold sweats broke out. Ten minutes later I was fine except for the large aching pain. No bruise as of yet. I must have it an artery, no other reason I can think of for what happened. Anyway going to rest it tonight and try again tomorrow.

So how was your day?

 

[Sand]

I was all set for a good short run this evening and then at work today I banged my leg into a desk. It must have hit in the exact right spot because I almost instantly felt light headed and nauseous. I made it about 40 ft before having to sit down. Then the cold sweats broke out. Ten minutes later I was fine except for the large aching pain. No bruise as of yet. I must have it an artery, no other reason I can think of for what happened. Anyway going to rest it tonight and try again tomorrow. So how was your day?

Better than yours, evidently. Swam tonight - 2400 yds just to keep maintenance over the winter. Arms felt like crap (and I almost cut it short), but I was very surprised to see fast tempo 100 yd intervals coming off in the 1:12 range.So really not so bad a day.

 

[SteveUK]

I was all set for a good short run this evening and then at work today I banged my leg into a desk. It must have hit in the exact right spot because I almost instantly felt light headed and nauseous. I made it about 40 ft before having to sit down. Then the cold sweats broke out. Ten minutes later I was fine except for the large aching pain. No bruise as of yet. I must have it an artery, no other reason I can think of for what happened. Anyway going to rest it tonight and try again tomorrow. So how was your day?

Maybe you'll look where you're going next time You missed a much better evening for a run. Though it was still 82, it felt cooler and there was a breeze going. All of which, contributed to my 5 miles in 48:25 - considerably better than I have done since starting up again in August. Looking forward now to a 10K this Saturday - where the temp is supposed to be around 60 I may need arm-warmers

 

[tri-man 47]

My 4 previous marathons ('00, '02 - '04) all failed to meet my finish time goals

Don't underestimate the fact that you've got two new little members in the Wraith fan club that weren't there for those earlier races. They'll provide a lot of inspiration for you!And I agree that doing that 1/2-marathon would be beneficial. It'll get the racing juices churning.---I'm just cruising through the week as I get ready for Sunday. Still sore in the neck/left shoulder from the golf ( ). If nothing else, that's a nice distraction ...if that's generally better by Sunday, it'll give me an extra boost. Temps should be about the same as for the Chicago race.

 

[pmbrown_22]

ran a quick 4 miler yesterday and will do the same today. No aches and pains to speak of, but I am starting to overthink everything. Not worried at all about the race, but what to wear is driving me crazy. Supposed to be in the upper 30's at the start and not get above 50 for the day. I am thinking that I will be in sleeves all day, but not sure about gloves and hat. I know I will just figure it all out when the time comes, but it is all the little things that are driving me mad.

One question for the more experienced racers, and this one is another big one. My bib. Do I put it on my shorts or on my shirt? I did my shirt the last time, but for this time if I change shirts mid race I don't want to waste time with my bib, so I am thinking shorts. Any suggestions?

 

[gruecd]

CHICAGO RACE REPORT:

(I've never done one of these before, so cut me some slack...)

Background

Going into the race, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to do well. Chicago would be my 8th marathon, but I really hadn’t run a “good” marathon since my first and only BQ at Green Bay in 2007. I did Pfitz for the first time and had an awesome training cycle; I was healthy; it was a flat, fast course; and the weather was perfect. There was no excuse for me to do well in Chicago.

Pre-race

I left home around 7:30 on Friday morning and arrived in Chicago a little after 10:30. My RWOL friend Jay made arrangements for me to stay with him at his friend’s place in Roscoe Village (thanks again), so I met him at the apartment and we headed out for an early lunch. From there we took the train to the expo, where I was able to meet some of my other “imaginary” RW friends. The funniest part was when my friend (and Bears fan) Paul made good on our Week 1 bet and showed up wearing a green Packers “3-time Super Bowl champ” t-shirt!

I always like to have my pasta dinner on Friday night for a Sunday race, so later that night Jay and I, his girlfriend, and some friends went to an awesome Italian place in Ravenswood called Caro Mio. Highly recommended. Closed out the night with a couple of beers at a neighborhood pub close to his friend’s place and called it a night.

Saturday morning was pretty chill. Took the train downtown for an early-morning run on the Lakefront Path, then had a great breakfast at the Bongo Room in Wicker Park. It was about this time that I started to get a little quiet. Jay’s GF asked me if something was wrong, and I told her that I was just starting to get into my zone. We headed back to the expo for a little bit so that Jay could find a calf sleeve for his “injured” leg , but by mid afternoon we were back at the apartment with our feet up watching college football. Had a Jimmy John’s sandwich for dinner, got my stuff ready for the morning, and headed to bed around 10:30 feeling ready to race.

Race Day

I got about four hours of solid sleep, but by 2:30 I was half-awake tossing and turning. Got up at 4:00 and took a quick shower to loosen up the muscles, and by 5:15 we were on the Brown Line train heading downtown. We arrived at the seeded gear check area around 6:00, and after getting our stuff ready and taking care of business, we check our bags and headed towards the starting corrals. It was cold and a little breezy—very similar conditions to Green Bay when I BQ’ed in 2007. At this point I was still wearing my throwaway sweats and hoodie, but I’d be racing in shorts, singlet, and arm warmers. I couldn’t help but laugh at the people dressed like Dennis Quaid en route to a frozen NYC in “The Day After Tomorrow.” Both Jay and I had seeded starts, and we entered Corral A around 7 AM. I met up with my RW friends Paul, Kevin, Carl, and Walter, and we talked race strategy. At about 7:20 I ditched the warm-ups, and ten minutes later, it was game time.

The race

0-5K: 22:19 (7:11 average pace)

Paul and I decided pre-race that we would run together, and our goal was to run 7:15’s for the first two miles, 7:10’s for mile 3-20, and then hopefully 7:05’s for the last 10K, which would bring us home at 3:07:25. (I took my splits manually, but I did a really crappy job of it, so I’m going mostly from memory here.) We hit the first mile around 7:25 and the second mile at 7:05 and felt pretty good. This was my first Chicago, and it was invaluable running with someone like Paul who’d run the course several times—made it a lot easier running the tangents and stuff like that.

5-10K: 21:48 (7:01)

A little fast here, but the crowd was great here, and we saw Paul’s wife and family, which got him (us) going a little bit faster. Mile four was my fastest mile of the entire race. I think we ran 6:46 or something like that. I remember hearing “Move B***h” by Ludacris around mile 5, which got me going a little bit, too. At this point, it became pretty evident that we’d be running this race by feel, which was OK with me. We both felt good, and I think we both knew at this point that the pace band was getting thrown out the window.

10-15K: 22:04 (7:06)

15-20K: 21:52 (7:02)

20-25K: 21:58 (7:04)

I remember feeling remarkably smooth and consistent during this stretch. We hit the half at 1:32:52—more than a minute faster than we’d planned. But we still felt good and decided to roll with it. The slower start definitely paid off, as it felt like we were passing people left and right. I bet we passed several hundred people during the race, and we only got passed by a few. Around mile 15 we caught up to Carl and Kevin and chatted with them for a few miles before pulling ahead.

25-30K: 21:56 (7:04)

We were totally locked into the pace. Narrowly avoided some drama when one of Carl’s buddies STOPPED DEAD right in front of me at mile 17 to pick up a $20 off the ground. At mile 17. Of a #######’ marathon. I put both hands on the guy’s back, pushed off, and hurdled him without breaking stride. I told Paul that I would’ve punched him in the face if he’d taken me out. It could’ve been a disaster, but we both ended up getting a good laugh out of it.

30-35K: 21:43 (6:59)

I’d honestly never felt even close to this good at mile 20 of a marathon. My right quad and calf were a little tight, but nothing major. Chinatown was pretty cool, and we saw Paul’s support crew again. Just humming along….

35-40K: 22:23 (7:12)

At this point, the BQ and a PR were in the bag. We turned north off 35th onto Michigan Ave, and while Paul was finding another gear, my right leg was getting a little tighter. I didn’t want to risk getting a cramp, so I sent him on his way around 23.5, and I backed off the pace a little bit. As they say, discretion is the better part of valor….

40K-finish: 10:07 (7:31)

The wind was getting a little nasty coming up Michigan Ave., but it felt great knowing that I’d soon be finishing up an awesome race. Took the turn off Michigan onto “Mount Roosevelt” and climbed the hill without much of a problem. I remembered this part from watching “Spirit of the Marathon,” so I took the left-hand turn nice and tight and was happy to find a little left in the tank for a sprint to the finish.

Net finishing time: 3:06:10—BQ for 2010 and 2011 and a PR by almost 4 minutes.

My leg was a little tight walking to get my bag, but it loosened up pretty quick. It was honestly the best I’ve ever felt after a race. My only real complaint about Chicago—why the hell do the fastest runners have to walk the furthest to get their stuff after the race??? Gave Jay a call and found out that despite the “injured” leg, he’d run 2:38. Jerk. Hung out for a while with him and his family before we got back on the train to get showered and start the celebration.

Post-race

After cleaning up, we headed to the Riverview Tavern to watch football with some of Jay’s friends. I devoured a half-pound cheeseburger, tater tots (yum), and a couple of beers. Next stop was the “official” RWOL after-party at Piece Brewery and Pizzeria. The pizza and beer (Golden Arm = yummy) were great, but the company was better. Everyone had such great races, and it was awesome hearing their stories. The highlight might have been Shan pouring her beer over her head, but I think Jay and I might have been the only ones to see that. Those crazy Brits. All-in-all, it was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Epilogue

Again, I want to thank all of you guys for your support and encouragement. I can’t tell you the number of times I thought about you guys while out on the course. You’re the best!

 

[Third]

CHICAGO RACE REPORT:

Great report! It was obviously a sucessful weekend all the way around. And I agree on Piece and the Golden Arm.

 

[Darrinll40]

CHICAGO RACE REPORT:

(I've never done one of these before, so cut me some slack...)

Whatchya mean? That was a great report. Though I wonder what really happened between the 10k and 25k marks that you aren't talking about. :(

25-30K: 21:56 (7:04)

We were totally locked into the pace. Narrowly avoided some drama when one of Carl’s buddies STOPPED DEAD right in front of me at mile 17 to pick up a $20 off the ground. At mile 17. Of a #######’ marathon. I put both hands on the guy’s back, pushed off, and hurdled him without breaking stride. I told Paul that I would’ve punched him in the face if he’d taken me out. It could’ve been a disaster, but we both ended up getting a good laugh out of it.

Twenty bucks is twenty bucks, though he should have given a warning. I once stopped in a training run to pick up a dime.

Epilogue

Again, I want to thank all of you guys for your support and encouragement. I can’t tell you the number of times I thought about you guys while out on the course. You’re the best!

Well, I could lie and say that we all forgot you were racing, but I believe there is ample proof that it would be a lie. I am glad that their website had live tracking info because the email alerts were not good. I got the email that you have finished at 6pm my time. Six and a half hours after you finished.

 

[tri-man 47]

CHICAGO RACE REPORT:It was about this time that I started to get a little quiet.

Great report, buddy. And again, great race - amazing to read of the consistency and "ease" of your race. Lot of great stuff happening here lately (how 'bout Sand's 5K PR!), but in particular, I'll be carrying the memory of Duck's triumphant and emotional 50K and your steady BQ run with me on Sunday. Being Dutch, I'll also be looking for $20 bills out on the marathon course.

 

[pmbrown_22]

gruecd -- great race report

How did the Chicago crowd take the singlet? -- may not wear my PSU stuff because of the chilli weather this weekend for me.

As tri will, that report and performance will make me push a little harder this weekend.

 

[gruecd]

gruecd -- great race report

How did the Chicago crowd take the singlet? -- may not wear my PSU stuff because of the chilli weather this weekend for me.

As tri will, that report and performance will make me push a little harder this weekend.

Honestly, I didn't get one negative comment the entire time. I did, however, hear a couple of people yell, "Go Pack!" Apparently Bears fans are getting soft.... I'm glad to hear that my RR will provide some motivation for you and tri-man this weekend. Kick ###, guys!!

 

[Sand]

CHICAGO RACE REPORT:

It was about this time that I started to get a little quiet.

Great report, buddy. And again, great race - amazing to read of the consistency and "ease" of your race. Lot of great stuff happening here lately (how 'bout Sand's 5K PR!), but in particular, I'll be carrying the memory of Duck's triumphant and emotional 50K and your steady BQ run with me on Sunday. Being Dutch, I'll also be looking for $20 bills out on the marathon course.

Oh, so now you're trying to make nice.

 

[DolphinsPhan]

Awesome report gruecd and congrats again!

Has anyone here run the Baltimore marathon or 1/2? Thoughts? Might look into that one for next October...