Ran a 10k in June (8 Viewers)

[FUBAR]

Oh, and....

Happy Birthday, Tri-Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have some Cake

 

[FUBAR]

woke up this morning ready to run an hour and had bad diarrhea. :( Stomach still not feeling good, but we'll see what this afternoon holds.

 

[gruecd]

Perfect weather for a run today, and the schedule says SRD. Stooooooooooopid taper. I purposely left the lawn mowing for today so I'd at least have something to do. I'd go for a bike ride, but I'm afraid that I'd crash or get hit or something, and I don't wanna take any chances so close to the race.

And just in case you guys have nothing better to do next Sunday morning than to track Wraith and me, here's the link. I'm bib #9972. Not thrilled about the high number, but a friend of mine asked me to run for his buddy's charity (Walter Payton Foundation), and apparently everyone associated with charities got higher numbers. Really makes no difference whatsoever, but I'm a bit of an elitist that way.

Hope you all have a great day, and Go Pack!!!!

 

[Mario Kart]

Temp is 45 degrees. Run in pants or shorts?

 

[2Young2BBald]

Temp is 45 degrees. Run in pants or shorts?

Shorts & long sleeved shirt

 

[Darrinll40]

Heading out for my first 8k here in a bit. Getting excited/anxious at all the same time. People at work who sponsored me are keeping an eye on me here and I dont want to be embarrassed. I will say that most of the folks at work are in shock that anyone could run an 8k at all so I have that going for me. I am expecting coeds here as it is at the UA campus.

Here is the course. http://www.runnroll.org/8kracemap.asp

Have a great time. Good luck with the coeds.

 

[Darrinll40]

Oh, and....

Happy Birthday, Tri-Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday. I hope it is a good one.

 

[Mario Kart]

Temp is 45 degrees. Run in pants or shorts?

Shorts & long sleeved shirt

Don't think I have a long sleeve... two shorts sleeve shirts okay?

 

[Darrinll40]

This morning while on my run I had some POS redneck in a POS pickup truck think it would be funny to fake swerve at me. I think he expected me to jump into the bushes. The bike lane where I was running is right next to the sidewalk with no curb, so I was definitely not blocking his way.

I have had people jeer at me and spit at me lately, but this is the first time a driver acted like he was going to hit me. The only reason I can think of for this is that he must be jealous of me for some reason. I am sure he will take his redneck ### home and have a couple of cases and a few packs of smokes.

 

[gruecd]

Temp is 45 degrees. Run in pants or shorts?

Shorts & long sleeved shirt

Don't think I have a long sleeve... two shorts sleeve shirts okay?

You do not need long sleeves for 45 degrees. If it's a race, you'll be fine with a singlet. For a training run, you should still be plenty warm with a short-sleeve shirt. Don't listen to 2Young. Seriously, he's a Lions fan; how smart can he possibly be?

 

[gruecd]

This morning while on my run I had some POS redneck in a POS pickup truck think it would be funny to fake swerve at me. I think he expected me to jump into the bushes. The bike lane where I was running is right next to the sidewalk with no curb, so I was definitely not blocking his way. I have had people jeer at me and spit at me lately, but this is the first time a driver acted like he was going to hit me. The only reason I can think of for this is that he must be jealous of me for some reason. I am sure he will take his redneck ### home and have a couple of cases and a few packs of smokes.

That sucks. I would've thrown up my arms in "WTF" fashion and probably would've motioned for the POS to come back. And then I probably would've ended up getting in a fight. I've got no patience for juvenile crap like that.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Temp is 45 degrees. Run in pants or shorts?

Shorts & long sleeved shirt

Don't think I have a long sleeve... two shorts sleeve shirts okay?

You do not need long sleeves for 45 degrees. If it's a race, you'll be fine with a singlet. For a training run, you should still be plenty warm with a short-sleeve shirt. Don't listen to 2Young. Seriously, he's a Lions fan; how smart can he possibly be?

Not very smart apparently. GB/DET spread had now been bet up to 14 1/2.

 

[Darrinll40]

This morning while on my run I had some POS redneck in a POS pickup truck think it would be funny to fake swerve at me. I think he expected me to jump into the bushes. The bike lane where I was running is right next to the sidewalk with no curb, so I was definitely not blocking his way. I have had people jeer at me and spit at me lately, but this is the first time a driver acted like he was going to hit me. The only reason I can think of for this is that he must be jealous of me for some reason. I am sure he will take his redneck ### home and have a couple of cases and a few packs of smokes.

That sucks. I would've thrown up my arms in "WTF" fashion and probably would've motioned for the POS to come back. And then I probably would've ended up getting in a fight. I've got no patience for juvenile crap like that.

Yea, but you are younger and bigger than I am.

 

[wraith5]

This morning while on my run I had some POS redneck in a POS pickup truck think it would be funny to fake swerve at me. I think he expected me to jump into the bushes. The bike lane where I was running is right next to the sidewalk with no curb, so I was definitely not blocking his way. I have had people jeer at me and spit at me lately, but this is the first time a driver acted like he was going to hit me. The only reason I can think of for this is that he must be jealous of me for some reason. I am sure he will take his redneck ### home and have a couple of cases and a few packs of smokes.

That sucks. I would've thrown up my arms in "WTF" fashion and probably would've motioned for the POS to come back. And then I probably would've ended up getting in a fight. I've got no patience for juvenile crap like that.

I do the same thing - I've been known to "catch myself" from falling on the trunk or hood of cars that stop over the crosswalks (or start to roll through intersections before they see me). Twice I've gotten into arguments with guys that stopped and said something. Someday, if I keep it up, that kind of foolishness will probably get me shot.

 

[Mario Kart]

Just keeping a running tally for myself (wisconsinmidwest) :

Run 1 - Sep 30 = 12.5 laps in ~32:00

Run 2 - Oct 1 == 8 laps in 18:45

Run 3 - Oct 3 == 10.5 laps in 25:50

 

[Mario Kart]

One new thing I am noticing is that the muscles, I think, below my calves, kind of like behind my shins have been "hurting" lately. They don't hurt in the manner that I cannot walk or have to take any kind of medication for them but I can feel something going on. I have no idea for that reason but at least it is not my knees. Any ideas?

Yes, I have been pushing myself a bit for my own reasons so...

 

[wraith5]

<------------------------------ # 45089

And just in case you guys have nothing better to do next Sunday morning than to track Wraith and me, here's the link. I'm bib #9972. Not thrilled about the high number, but a friend of mine asked me to run for his buddy's charity (Walter Payton Foundation), and apparently everyone associated with charities got higher numbers. Really makes no difference whatsoever, but I'm a bit of an elitist that way.

 

[gruecd]

<------------------------------ # 45089

And just in case you guys have nothing better to do next Sunday morning than to track Wraith and me, here's the link. I'm bib #9972. Not thrilled about the high number, but a friend of mine asked me to run for his buddy's charity (Walter Payton Foundation), and apparently everyone associated with charities got higher numbers. Really makes no difference whatsoever, but I'm a bit of an elitist that way.

LOL. I was # 589 last year!! How the hell do they fit all those numbers on your bib, anyway?

 

[Workhorse]

Had my best training run ever this AM. 55 degrees at the start, 18 miler with 14 at marathon pace on the agenda.

Simply put, I kicked the living poop out of this run.

18 miles at 8:10 pace overall, with at least 10 miles at 7:45 pace.

I feel awesome.

 

[wraith5]

OK, for those who are not iPod elitists (That would be you, 2Y ):

I need some good hip-hop songs for my Chicago Marathon playlist.

Traditionally, I'm a metal guy (Metallica, Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Rage Against the Machine, etc.) or sort of Industrial/Metal (Crystal Method, Chemical Brothers, Ministry, Fear Factory) but I want to add some more variety that will be more interesting to listen to (that I haven't listened to on 109 runs already this year!).

I have several Eminem songs, California (2Pac), Crank That (Soulja Boy), Gold Digger (Kanye West) and a couple of others. I just don't pay enough attention to know what's out there and I know some of you do.

TIA

 

[wraith5]

<------------------------------ # 45089

And just in case you guys have nothing better to do next Sunday morning than to track Wraith and me, here's the link. I'm bib #9972. Not thrilled about the high number, but a friend of mine asked me to run for his buddy's charity (Walter Payton Foundation), and apparently everyone associated with charities got higher numbers. Really makes no difference whatsoever, but I'm a bit of an elitist that way.

LOL. I was # 589 last year!! How the hell do they fit all those numbers on your bib, anyway?

Size 6 font. What's even funnier is that they only allow 45,000 people to register!

 

[Workhorse]

I'm not a hip-hop expert my any means but I find that I run well to anything by Greg Gillis aka "Girl Talk". Pick up "Feed the Animals" -- It's a mashup of rap and classic rock, pop and all sorts of snippets of music that's pretty easily identifiable. Great running music that's completely high energy.

 

[wraith5]

Had my best training run ever this AM. 55 degrees at the start, 18 miler with 14 at marathon pace on the agenda.Simply put, I kicked the living poop out of this run.18 miles at 8:10 pace overall, with at least 10 miles at 7:45 pace.I feel awesome.

Excellent job!

 

[2Young2BBald]

OK, for those who are not iPod elitists (That would be you, 2Y ): I need some good hip-hop songs for my Chicago Marathon playlist. Traditionally, I'm a metal guy (Metallica, Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Rage Against the Machine, etc.) or sort of Industrial/Metal (Crystal Method, Chemical Brothers, Ministry, Fear Factory) but I want to add some more variety that will be more interesting to listen to (that I haven't listened to on 109 runs already this year!). I have several Eminem songs, California (2Pac), Crank That (Soulja Boy), Gold Digger (Kanye West) and a couple of others. I just don't pay enough attention to know what's out there and I know some of you do. TIA

I am only a race snob, training is OK with me. Want to go way our there, download Apocalyptica's version of Stairway to Heaven. Huge change of pace from just about anything else, yet has a very good running "cadence". Another band on the training mix is Dropping Daylight. They add some piano to their songs, which is another change of pace. Others on the mix that I look forward to are: Your Decision by Alice in Chains, Polyamorus & I Will Not Bow by Breaking Benjamin, Hell Ya by Rev Theory & Scream, Aim & Fire by Bullet for My Valentine.

 

[Ned]

So I did my 8 miler today and I'm friggin giddy over it. My running buddy couldn't make it today so I was on my own. I was a little concerned about doing it alone since I tend to get impatient and won't have him there to distract me with his crazy NFL predictions.

I've been trying to give my joints some relief and get a trail run or two in each week. I'm concerned about all the pounding my joints are taking with all of these road runs. At any rate, I went to my favorite state park where I hunt a lot and my old HS xcountry home course was at. I decided I'd run the xcountry course x2 and then just wing it until the Garmin told me I did 8 miles. Well, I forgot just how hilly it was there. I guess doing a 5k in those hills is ok, but doing it twice plus a few more a 3rd time? ouch

How accurate is the Garmin when it measures incline/grade? The biggest hill is only about 0.1mi, but the Garmin says it was a 24% grade. Can that be right? It shows a total ascent of 2012ft and total descent of 1974ft. I have no idea what this really means other than I climbed 36ft at the end of it all. I can say my legs definitely felt it and it was much harder than the flat 7 I did last week.

Either way, I'm totally siked about logging my longest run ever, again!

 

[Sand]

Tried to come back and do an easy run today. No go. Got a mile out and the calf grabbed again. Furthest point away from my house, of course. Another session of limping home.

Next week's race is definitely not a sure thing. I haven't DNS a race before.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I'll do a full race report later, but my unofficial garmin time was 3:58:57 (goal time was 3:59:59). Obviously I'm very happy right now, but I'm going to be honest and say that that was a lot harder than I had expected. In particular, the course -- and the last six miles or so in particular -- was much more challenging that I thought it would be.

Regardless, now I have a fun four hour drive back home to look forward to.

 

[gruecd]

I'll do a full race report later, but my unofficial garmin time was 3:58:57 (goal time was 3:59:59). Obviously I'm very happy right now, but I'm going to be honest and say that that was a lot harder than I had expected. In particular, the course -- and the last six miles or so in particular -- was much more challenging that I thought it would be.

Ah, yes. Summit Ave.Great job, Ivan!

 

[prosopis]

I made it!!!!!!

My goal was 50 mins. According to my Garmin I did it in 48:32 with avg pace 9:45. The official times are not in yet. I had a great time and yes the co eds were out in full force. It was pretty warm but cooler then I am used to. It was probably in the 70s when the gun went off and 80s by the end.

Some really cool people there. They had a wheelchair race. I am not sure you can call those things wheel chairs. I overheard one of the racers say they go for about 6 grand Those guys are fast and few of them are competing in the world championships. There seemed to be quite a few big time runners there. I met one girl who I later found out came in 8th at Boston marathon last year. I stuck around for the awards ceremony and it just seemed that every other person had quite a racing resume. Like I say official times are not up but I think the winner came in at around 26 mins.

I did end up walking twice but it was not for long. I was really trying to do well. I feel pretty good about it but I still think I am slower then some one who has been running for close to two years should be. It is what it is though so I will keep trying to get faster. I feel sort of bad because I got behind these two girls who were fantastic and I really wanted to get the bib numbers for you guys but I failed. I paced behind them for a mile or so. Early in the race I ended up passing them but they caught up to me and I stuck with them again. They turned it up at the end and lost me in the last mile so I could not get their bib numbers but I think I will be dreaming about them tonight.

I got a free massage and hung around the vendors after the race it was fun. Some of the folks who were getting awards will be running Chicago next week. I am signed up for a 5k next week and I hope to be faster.

 

[prosopis]

Looking at my garmin info I see that I just dont maintain a steady speed/pace. It is all over the place. My HR also hit 186 during this run. Avg HR was 176. That does not seem good but I dont really know?

 

[2Young2BBald]

I made it!!!!!!My goal was 50 mins. According to my Garmin I did it in 48:32 with avg pace 9:45. The official times are not in yet. I had a great time and yes the co eds were out in full force. It was pretty warm but cooler then I am used to. It was probably in the 70s when the gun went off and 80s by the end.Some really cool people there. They had a wheelchair race. I am not sure you can call those things wheel chairs. I overheard one of the racers say they go for about 6 grand Those guys are fast and few of them are competing in the world championships. There seemed to be quite a few big time runners there. I met one girl who I later found out came in 8th at Boston marathon last year. I stuck around for the awards ceremony and it just seemed that every other person had quite a racing resume. Like I say official times are not up but I think the winner came in at around 26 mins. I did end up walking twice but it was not for long. I was really trying to do well. I feel pretty good about it but I still think I am slower then some one who has been running for close to two years should be. It is what it is though so I will keep trying to get faster. I feel sort of bad because I got behind these two girls who were fantastic and I really wanted to get the bib numbers for you guys but I failed. I paced behind them for a mile or so. Early in the race I ended up passing them but they caught up to me and I stuck with them again. They turned it up at the end and lost me in the last mile so I could not get their bib numbers but I think I will be dreaming about them tonight. I got a free massage and hung around the vendors after the race it was fun. Some of the folks who were getting awards will be running Chicago next week. I am signed up for a 5k next week and I hope to be faster.

Way to go, beating your goal time.

 

[Darrinll40]

I made it!!!!!!My goal was 50 mins. According to my Garmin I did it in 48:32 with avg pace 9:45. The official times are not in yet. I had a great time and yes the co eds were out in full force. It was pretty warm but cooler then I am used to. It was probably in the 70s when the gun went off and 80s by the end.Some really cool people there. They had a wheelchair race. I am not sure you can call those things wheel chairs. I overheard one of the racers say they go for about 6 grand Those guys are fast and few of them are competing in the world championships. There seemed to be quite a few big time runners there. I met one girl who I later found out came in 8th at Boston marathon last year. I stuck around for the awards ceremony and it just seemed that every other person had quite a racing resume. Like I say official times are not up but I think the winner came in at around 26 mins. I did end up walking twice but it was not for long. I was really trying to do well. I feel pretty good about it but I still think I am slower then some one who has been running for close to two years should be. It is what it is though so I will keep trying to get faster. I feel sort of bad because I got behind these two girls who were fantastic and I really wanted to get the bib numbers for you guys but I failed. I paced behind them for a mile or so. Early in the race I ended up passing them but they caught up to me and I stuck with them again. They turned it up at the end and lost me in the last mile so I could not get their bib numbers but I think I will be dreaming about them tonight. I got a free massage and hung around the vendors after the race it was fun. Some of the folks who were getting awards will be running Chicago next week. I am signed up for a 5k next week and I hope to be faster.

Fantastic race, congrats on beating your goal time. Though you lost points for not getting bib numbers of the girls, you can make up for it if they have pictures online, you just have to find them.

 

[Ned]

Nice job prosopis & Ivan!!

 

[tri-man 47]

woke up this morning ready to run an hour and had bad diarrhea. Stomach still not feeling good, but we'll see what this afternoon holds.

Have some cake. Thanks for the b'day wishes, guys.Ivan and prosopis - way to go, guys! Way to beat your goals. Prosopis, this was a new experience for you. Feel free to boast a little when you get back to work on Monday!Gruecd, be careful with that higher number. You'll be fighting a lot of foot traffic at the start and crowded streets throughout. Wraith, with 45,000+, you might as well wait and run the race on Monday.

 

[prosopis]

woke up this morning ready to run an hour and had bad diarrhea. :( Stomach still not feeling good, but we'll see what this afternoon holds.

Have some cake. Thanks for the b'day wishes, guys.

Ivan and prosopis - way to go, guys! Way to beat your goals. Prosopis, this was a new experience for you. Feel free to boast a little when you get back to work on Monday!

Gruecd, be careful with that higher number. You'll be fighting a lot of foot traffic at the start and crowded streets throughout. Wraith, with 45,000+, you might as well wait and run the race on Monday.

That aint right

 

[gruecd]

Gruecd, be careful with that higher number. You'll be fighting a lot of foot traffic at the start and crowded streets throughout. Wraith, with 45,000+, you might as well wait and run the race on Monday.

Bib number doesn't have anything to do with corral placement. I'm still Corral A, so I'm just behind the Elites. Same place I started last year. Congestion shouldn't be an issue.

 

[wraith5]

I'll do a full race report later, but my unofficial garmin time was 3:58:57 (goal time was 3:59:59). Obviously I'm very happy right now, but I'm going to be honest and say that that was a lot harder than I had expected. In particular, the course -- and the last six miles or so in particular -- was much more challenging that I thought it would be.

Regardless, now I have a fun four hour drive back home to look forward to.

Congratulations Ivan! Great job!

I look forward to the full race report, and hope to find inspiration in your effort!

 

[wraith5]

Gruecd, be careful with that higher number. You'll be fighting a lot of foot traffic at the start and crowded streets throughout. Wraith, with 45,000+, you might as well wait and run the race on Monday.

Bib number doesn't have anything to do with corral placement. I'm still Corral A, so I'm just behind the Elites. Same place I started last year. Congestion shouldn't be an issue.

 

[gruecd]

Easy 6-mile recovery run this morning. Legs feeling super fresh.

Also, I just realized that I'll hit the 2,000-mile mark for the year DURING the marathon on Sunday. How cool is that?!

 

[pmbrown_22]

Prosopis and Ivan - Way to come in under your goals.

Happy Belated Birthday Tri-Man. I saw it last night on facebook, but I was heading to bed and did not get to post it.

Some quality work put in this weekend by everyone.

-------

As for me, I got my miles in, but my quality probably was not where I wanted it to be. On Friday night, I was at my wife's 15 year reunion and on my feet until like midnight so when I got up at 6:30, I was pretty tired and did not get the race pace running in that I needed to. I did 9 miles and 2 of it was at race pace. I just did not have it in me. Completed the miles, but not getting the 6 in at race pace was a bit of a downer.

On Sunday I completed my last pretty long run at 17 miles. Did 50 for the week and have over 1800 miles now for the year. I will hit 1900 by my race in two weeks. Nothing big about the 17, just got them in and in not too bad of a time.

As for weather it was pretty good. 45 and windy at the start of my run. I had to put on sleeves as the wind made it pretty chilly. I am hoping for just 45 on race day. I can do without the wind though so I will try and leave that at home. I am looking forward to getting my rest though. That is my biggest noticable problem on my runs. If I don't get enough sleep, I am pretty much crap on my runs.

Have a great day all.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

RACE REPORT

Cliff notes. Very inefficient course management, resulting in a total distance of 26.48 miles. Calf problems during the last 10K. Came in about a minute better than goal time (3:58:54 chip).

Long version: My wife and I did Twin Cities this weekend. This was my second marathon, and her first. Her mom and step-dad joined us in St. Paul for moral support, but more importantly to keep an eye on the kids while we were on the course. Mrs. K was shooting for 3:50:59, which would be enough to get her to Boston. Since Boston is completely impossible for me (3:15), I just wanted to have a positive experience with this event, finish strong, and come in sub-4.

The forecast called for 40 degrees at the 8:00 am start, with temperatures rising to 52 by noon. In other words, absolutely ideal conditions. Our hotel was at the finish line, so we got up early, caught the bus to the start, and sat around the Metrodome for an hour or so. Being able to sit in a warm building was a huge plus. If anybody here is ever thinking about running this event, you need to know that each men’s room in the Metrodome has like 2 or 3 stalls, and the lines at every single one were at least 20 deep. Fortunately, I had taken care of business back at the hotel; if I had planned on waiting until we got the dome it would have been bad.

Anyway, we eventually moved into our corral and went our separate ways. Mrs. K was running with the 3:50 pace group, and I was running with the 4:00 group. Everything was uneventful for the first several miles, but then our pacer hopped off the course just after the 3 mile marker to take a piss. Okay. I just kept on going with everybody else in the group. A couple of minutes later our pacer rejoined us but was now running noticeably faster than our 9:09 target pace. Sure enough, that fourth mile came in at 8:37. I was also getting irritated at how congested it was. The 4:00 pace group was quite large, with maybe 60-80 people, things were tight, and water stops were a complete cluster####. Eventually I realized that everybody else was insisting on running behind the pacer, whereas there was basically nobody in front of him, so I worked my way up front, and as long as I stayed a few yards ahead I had the road all to myself.

At mile 6 the pacer made another potty break. And then he made another during mile 9. At this point, I decided that I’ve been training for this event since Memorial Day, and I’m not putting my race in the hands of this jerk, so I just took off on my own. This was also the point where I began to notice a clear discrepancy between my garmin distance and the mile markers. By the time I got to the official halfway mark, I had actually run about 13.3, so I must have blown a bunch of distance early on. I had been very conscious of trying to run tangents, taking corners on the inside, etc, but I either I just completely failed at this or the congestion during the first 10K or so added a bunch of distance. My official half marathon split was only 1:59:36, so even though I was running a nice pace on my garmin, I was barely sub-4. I was periodically checking over my shoulder for the four-hour pacer, with his sign and balloons, but he was nowhere in sight. I picked up my pace a little and turned in the next bunch of miles in the 8:50-9:00 range.

I was still feeling pretty good at mile 15, and still fine after 18. So far, the course had had some hills but was mainly flat. That all changed. Right after the 19 mile marker, there was a decent downhill followed by a pretty steep climb. I hadn’t expected any major hills until we reached Summit Avenue, which is the part that everybody discusses in race reports, but there was actually about a full mile of solid uphill before we even reached Summit, and then we had another mile of more gradual uphill after that. Summit Avenue itself wasn’t so bad, but the mile or so before it was, at least for me. After looking at my splits, I averaged 9:15 over miles 19, 20 and 21, so I gave back 18 seconds over this stretch, which I guess is okay.

Sadly, I caught up with Mrs. Karamazov around mile 21 or so. I’m not sure exactly when this was because everything was starting to bleed together now mentally. We exchanged hellos and I kept on going. Then I started to develop twinges in my calves. I had calf cramps after each of my last three long runs (20, 22, 22), but that was always while driving home after my run or while sitting in a tub, never while actually moving around. After the course leveled out around Mile 22, I tried lengthening my stride, shortening my stride, and speeding up for short periods, but nothing really seemed to work. If I stopped to stretch I would never make up that time, so I just kept going.

Now I noticed that the crowd’s cheers were changing from random stuff to “Go Four Hour Group!!” I looked around to see if the four hour pace group had caught up to me, but again I couldn’t see the sign/balloons anywhere. Then somebody in the crown yelled “Come on guys, keep up with those balloons!!” and I noticed the pacer had somehow gotten about 100 feet in front of me, on the other side of the road. I don’t know how I didn’t notice this before, but no way was I getting passed by this guy. I buckled down and caught up with him, and ran along with what was left of the group, down to about 10 people or so now. Sure enough, he was running a little under 9:00 and must have gained on me during the hills. I ran with him until I got to the 25 mile point on my garmin, and then it was time to say adios to Mr. Four Hours. My calf twinges were quickly turning into cramps, but I ran the last 1.2 (really the last 1.48) at an 8:45 pace, saw my kids in the stands right at the end, and limped across the finish line barely able to plant my right foot. Mrs. K came in a little later at 4:03. My time of 3:58:54 was good for 382/738 in my division, 2256/4817 among men, and 3101/8211 overall. My garmin 26.2 mile time was a couple of minutes better than this, so messing up my lines early on cost me quite a bit of time.

Overall, I’m very happy with this, having achieved exactly what I set out to do. On this particular day and course there is no way I could have done any better. Even as recently as a few weeks ago, I had thought about joining my wife in the 3:50 group, but between the late hills and my calf issues, that never would have happened and I probably would have crashed and burned just like my first marathon. I don’t know what the deal was with my calves. It definitely wasn’t a hydration problem. All I can figure is that it must have been hill-related or just one of those things. If the finish line had been even another quarter mile away, I probably would have had to walk at the end, because my right calf in particular would not have tolerated any additional distance.

The course was beautiful and offered great crowd support. I would definitely consider doing this event again. The next time I do one of these, though, I either need to go way out of my way to incorporate some hill workouts into my training – hard to do in my town, which only has one significant hill – or I need to pick an event like Fargo or Chicago that fits my normal training better. Since I’ll want to work on my time for the next go-round, going with a flatter course is probably best.

 

[gruecd]

Cliff notes. Very inefficient course management, resulting in a total distance of 26.48 miles. Calf problems during the last 10K. Came in about a minute better than goal time (3:58:54 chip).

Hey, Ivan. First of all, congratulations again on a great job yesterday.Regarding the distance, I doubt it was really that long. I mean, it's normal to run a little bit over, since the course is measured in such a way that assumes you run the tangents perfectly, which is near-impossible to do. But I remember specifically from having run TCM in the past that the buildings in the first (downtown) portion of the race tend to screw up the Garmin, too, so that's probably what explains the difference.

 

[Ned]

Awesome stuff Ivan!! Great job fighting through that calf issue. Those pesky buggers can be painful as heck.

 

[Norman Einstein]

Decided it was time to start getting ready for officiating season. Have been running 3 miles every workday and resting the weekends. Endurance is the main issue as I have a similar problem as Nigel. The lungs are shot well before the body gets tired. I've got a Garmin 305 and it shows that I'm running 10min miles...yet I end up walking about 1-1.5 blocks every mile. I've taken 4min off my 3 mile time with how I'm running/walking currently. Should I slow my running down?

 

[Sand]

Decided it was time to start getting ready for officiating season. Have been running 3 miles every workday and resting the weekends. Endurance is the main issue as I have a similar problem as Nigel. The lungs are shot well before the body gets tired. I've got a Garmin 305 and it shows that I'm running 10min miles...yet I end up walking about 1-1.5 blocks every mile. I've taken 4min off my 3 mile time with how I'm running/walking currently. Should I slow my running down?

Slow so you can run without walking. Then get going longer before worrying about faster. IMO, of course.

 

[FUBAR]

I'll do a full race report later, but my unofficial garmin time was 3:58:57 (goal time was 3:59:59). Obviously I'm very happy right now, but I'm going to be honest and say that that was a lot harder than I had expected. In particular, the course -- and the last six miles or so in particular -- was much more challenging that I thought it would be.

Regardless, now I have a fun four hour drive back home to look forward to.

this always seems to be the case for me. GREAT run Ivan!

2 runs down on the 100/100 now, got over my DI issues yesterday afternoon to knock out a decent 5 miler, 2 minutes fast, 2 slow throughout. Nothing better than being 1:15 into a 2 minute fast segment and coming up to one of the larger hills in the area, feel the burn!

I'll be sure to include 20+ minutes of cardio after my weights today, I'll have to do 2 on Tuesday.

 

[FUBAR]

Looking at my garmin info I see that I just dont maintain a steady speed/pace. It is all over the place. My HR also hit 186 during this run. Avg HR was 176. That does not seem good but I dont really know?

205 - half your age would make that just about our max.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Regarding the distance, I doubt it was really that long. I mean, it's normal to run a little bit over, since the course is measured in such a way that assumes you run the tangents perfectly, which is near-impossible to do. But I remember specifically from having run TCM in the past that the buildings in the first (downtown) portion of the race tend to screw up the Garmin, too, so that's probably what explains the difference.

That's very possible. I noticed that the "real-time pace" was completely screwed up for the first couple of miles because of all the buildings and underpasses, and I did lose most of that distance in what seemed like the first 10K or so.

 

[Darrinll40]

Congrats Ivan and to Mrs. K too, though she missed her goal of 3:50. Running a marathon in around 4 hours is not something a lot of people can do.

 

[pigskinliquors]

From the writings in this thread, it certainly sounds like the whining and griping that was done in this thread regarding working through the heat has paid great dividends! In particular:

Ned, Prosopsis, IvanK and Workhorse Just awesome!

Grue: So sorry to see your number is large. I'm sure the extra weight of the numbers will slow you down immensely

Sand: Injuries suck!!

_____________________________________________

My Update:

I had two mighty fine workouts this weekend. Saturday I did 85 minutes on the trainer, doing my Spinnervals from HELL DVD. It kicked my ###, but I truly enjoyed it. I really wanted to get outside as it was beautiful out, but I had my daughters, and had to bite the bullet to get some time in the saddle. Sunday I ran 10 miles, with the first mile being 8:43 pace, and the last being 8:02 pace. I ran each mile at least :03 faster than the previous, and felt like I could have kept running with little difficulty (overall, ave. pace was 8:24). This was a bit fast for my marathon training (MP = 8:00), but I needed a confidence boast for my HIM attempt next month. I truly need my new shoes and HR monitor to arrive soon, as I rely on both to assist with injury prevention

Today I'll get in a swim of approx. 2,400 yards, and will have 3 workouts in the first 4 days of the month. Tomorrow I'll try to get a brick in to make it 5 in 5. Curses to this month for starting on a Friday which is typically my SRD!!!!