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Sorry for the results, but you should be pretty proud of your effort. I am dripping wet after just a few miles in those temps. I don't know how you guys do it for a marathon.No Frills Marathon
3:44:40 (8:32/mile; avg HR 167)
As gruecd noted, I was unsuccessful in the BQ attempt, needing a sub-3:40 (on FB, my daughter got a little too optimistic based on my 20 mile split). Ultimately, conditions and quads conspired against me. It's very disappointing, of course. I did what I needed to do: I raced the marathon to try and hit the qualifying time. But it wasn't a favorable day to make it happen.
All the pre-race stuff on my end was OK. However, thunderstorms rolled through at 3:30 a.m. and continued into the early miles of the race (a big deluge hit twenty minutes before we started). Temps were around mid-60s, and the humidity was close to 100%. The effect was that as the race started, my HR was about ten ticks higher than it otherwise would be for marathon pace (160s vs. 150s). For all my training, I had not experienced this. Frankly, I didn't quite know what to do about it.
The race broke down into four sections:
1) Miles 1-3
7:44 (HR 159), 7:56 (161), 7:59 (163)
A bit of a Sanded start while the HR was (theoretically) low. I was surprised and confused by the HR when I first looked. I tried to back off and get it in the 150s, but without significant adjustment, that wasn't happening.
2) Miles 4-12
8:05s to 8:10s/mile (HR mid 160s, some climb to high 160s)
I adjusted my goal from the 3:30 target to 3:35 (=8:12/mile), but realized the HR was still an issue. The miles came and went alright, but the HR kept moving.
3) Miles 13-22
8:20s or higher (HR high 160s climbing to mid-170s)
Another readjustment: Work to hold regular BQ qualifying pace (=8:24/mile) and keep the earlier bank.
Mile 16 had a short, steep hill that cost 30 seconds.
The battleground became miles 19-22. Miles 19 and 20 regressed up to 8:50s and a HR in the 170s. That's when I really did think of some of you no-quit warriors here and fought back. Miles 21 and 22 were 8:21 and 8:27.
4) Miles 23-26
9:00s and 10:00s. I was spent. I tried to keep making moves, but I lost the pacing as my quads tightened up. My average pace was still 8:24 through mile 23, but I couldn't stride, which meant I could not run 8:24s for another three miles. It's fair to suggest, though, that this became mental as well as physical.
Maybe I should have changed strategy much earlier instead of slowing backing off. Unfortunately, I was into mile 1 before I discovered the challenge. So: no Boston.
Way to leave it all out there, tri. Sorry the elements conspired against you this time. But I love the bolded statement; I know this thread has gotten me through some tough patches more than once.Man sorry to hear this tri, I was pulling hard for you bud. Great effort and as the others have said, it was not for lack of preparation on your part.
The bolded statement is what makes this thread and you guys an awesome resource. It's funny how in the middle of a struggle you remember something stupid (or useful) from here and it provides that extra effort you need to get over the hump.
You may just want to max out at 8 miles next weekend and then keep your runs around 6 miles the week of the race. A 12 mile run days before your race is going to way more harm than good.
Brutal conditions man and that race is a beast anyhow. I have a similar race and feel the same way. I won't be satisfied with until I'm satisfied with the effort. You'll best it, just keep chipping at the beast until it's behind and you're laughing at it. Seems like we are all "I'm really happy with the run" or "that run sucked", there is no in between. We know different and today was a 'tweener. More experience and another axiom proven over & over in this thread: don't change up the routine on race day.prosopis said:I made it through my race but it did not go well. Mostly my fault that it went bad but I to had weather. It was 80 with high humidity when I arrived. I slammed a large gator ade when I got there. I was wearing my belt to put my car key in and carry the music. I found a half bag of stingers in there. I think they were stingers, very similar to sports beans. I decided what the hell maybe they will help and I proceeded to eat them. Race starts and I sand the hell out of it which I believe leads to my demise. First two miles 8:19,8:50. To me that is sanding I know to many it is a recovery pace but am what I am. During mile 2 I start to feel nauseous and I am thinking I should not have eaten those bean things. Serious consideration went into puking but I kept it down.
Mile 3 9:48- This is what I should have started at
Mile 4 the terrible hill is there and I am done. I feel sick,I am mad, hips are killing me,its starting to drizzle a little, I see lightning in the distance.
From mile 4.5 and on there were serious winds. Winds strong enough to push me around. I really felt like I was being piled on now.
The remainder of the race was just a fight to finish. I walked/ran the remainder just kicking myself.
I am glad I did it and I will do it again next year. I mentioned on facebook that this race has become my personal white whale and I will not stop until I feel that I have beat it to the best of my ability.
I remember I was much happier last year so I went back and reviewed the numbers. It really confirmed that I went out to fast. I also think the winds and weather were part of it as well.
2012 mile splits- 9:14,9:18,9:28,9:50,11:40,9:14,9:23,9:19, avg 9:42
2013 mile splits- 8:19,8:50,9:48,10:59,13:32,10:28,11:56,10:58 avg 10:35
My hips,feet,groin area is killing me.
Eccentric heel drops are your friend. Lower on just the bad leg, rise back up with both. Three sets of 10, three times a day. Do them even if it hurts. Seriously.
Sorry, but that's basically what I thought when I read your earlier post. Kind of surprised this requires an MRI, since it's a pretty common injury.
So that's what those are called? Been doing them to death with my physical therapist, didn't realize that's what an eccentric heel drop was. Learn something every day.
I'd start them right away. And yes, similar to that, but like I said, lower on just the bad leg, but rise back up with both.
I battled tendonitis in my AT late last year/early this year. You really have to let it heal all the way...or else it will absolutely linger. It's easier said than done, but I'd suggest taking a month off from running. :(how many weeks is a few? my goal race is just six weeks away
And like I said earlier, this is a rare exercise where you're supposed to keep doing them even if it hurts.
I am feeling good that I had a day, thanks.
My experience was about the same -- 3 weeks of no running at all. Gruecd is right that tendonitis just comes right back if you don't let it heal completely.
![[icon]](/data/avatars/m/5/5167.jpg?1660313464){kind=avatar}
Between hearing stuff like that and then reading the accomplishments you guys make in here is pretty inspiring stuff. 
I agree but if he wants to do a 10-12 mile "easy" run a week before the race, I think that would be OK. At a minimum, it will help his erectile confidence and he should have enough time to fully recover.Hang 10 said:
How long is the race? If it's a shorter race you may still be able to get yourself ready for it. I encountered a setback mid August last year and was able to get myself ready for a race Sep 30 despite taking almost 3 weeks off.how many weeks is a few? my goal race is just six weeks away
Control what you can control, you can't control the weather. Don't worry about it and just adjust your plan if necessary race day. This time of year can be absolutely brutal...or absolutely perfect. 24 hours ago here is was completely miserable, now? I wish today weren't a planned off day.Hate hearing all these adverse conditions piling up and slowing you guys down. Good to see that most of you are able to push through and complete though.
Making me nervous for my run in 10 days now... Caught a really bad cold/flu last Mon (26th) that crushed my energy. Cost me a week of running. Still have runny nose and #### that's trying to move into my chest but keeping it all coughed up. Went out Mon AM for a 10/3/10 run on couch to 5k and was feeling good so just ran the whole 23min.
Working on my stride a bit after some advice from an ultra marathoning buddy. He's currently training for some 100mi run in VA or something. Ran into him out sat night and he was drinking water (He's a beer nut), asked whats up. Apparently he had run 25mi (all trail running) Fri PM, Sat AM, and was due to knock out another 25 the next morning.
Running Wed/Fri/Sun/Tues (Shorter Run) then taking 2 days off before the Race Friday. Fingers Crossed. Early forecasts looking like cooler temps (high 85ish vs high 100ish that we've had the last week or two).
Nothing to be disappointed about, you left everything out on the course and in the end that's all you can ask for.No Frills Marathon
3:44:40 (8:32/mile; avg HR 167)
As gruecd noted, I was unsuccessful in the BQ attempt, needing a sub-3:40 (on FB, my daughter got a little too optimistic based on my 20 mile split). Ultimately, conditions and quads conspired against me. It's very disappointing, of course. I did what I needed to do: I raced the marathon to try and hit the qualifying time. But it wasn't a favorable day to make it happen.
All the pre-race stuff on my end was OK. However, thunderstorms rolled through at 3:30 a.m. and continued into the early miles of the race (a big deluge hit twenty minutes before we started). Temps were around mid-60s, and the humidity was close to 100%. The effect was that as the race started, my HR was about ten ticks higher than it otherwise would be for marathon pace (160s vs. 150s). For all my training, I had not experienced this. Frankly, I didn't quite know what to do about it.
The race broke down into four sections:
1) Miles 1-3
7:44 (HR 159), 7:56 (161), 7:59 (163)
A bit of a Sanded start while the HR was (theoretically) low. I was surprised and confused by the HR when I first looked. I tried to back off and get it in the 150s, but without significant adjustment, that wasn't happening.
2) Miles 4-12
8:05s to 8:10s/mile (HR mid 160s, some climb to high 160s)
I adjusted my goal from the 3:30 target to 3:35 (=8:12/mile), but realized the HR was still an issue. The miles came and went alright, but the HR kept moving.
3) Miles 13-22
8:20s or higher (HR high 160s climbing to mid-170s)
Another readjustment: Work to hold regular BQ qualifying pace (=8:24/mile) and keep the earlier bank.
Mile 16 had a short, steep hill that cost 30 seconds.
The battleground became miles 19-22. Miles 19 and 20 regressed up to 8:50s and a HR in the 170s. That's when I really did think of some of you no-quit warriors here and fought back. Miles 21 and 22 were 8:21 and 8:27.
4) Miles 23-26
9:00s and 10:00s. I was spent. I tried to keep making moves, but I lost the pacing as my quads tightened up. My average pace was still 8:24 through mile 23, but I couldn't stride, which meant I could not run 8:24s for another three miles. It's fair to suggest, though, that this became mental as well as physical.
Maybe I should have changed strategy much earlier instead of slowing backing off. Unfortunately, I was into mile 1 before I discovered the challenge. So: no Boston.
The Balance Disk is money for ankle strength. I just stand on it, alternating feet, while I'm on the phone or watching tv. Like anything, ease into it with short durations at first.
Sounds like a race I'd enjoy, minus the pavement of course! Congrats!
My daughter has multiple life threatening food allergies, so I know well how those reactions can be scary stuff. A couple of years ago I got stung right on the lip by a yellow jacket during a trail run (I bit the ******* in half, spit out his head, and pulled the stinger out). I ran straight across a field to short-cut back to my car, where I always have benadryl. I don't have any known allergies, but anytime something like that gets near the airway, I get nervous.
Great idea, although I think my "competition" with ultras this year is just Gru and BNB (so far), so hopefully I'll be able to sneak my slow ### onto the podium!
Be careful with this - when I was battling achilles issues after my first ultra back in '09 I tried lifts. A month later I had plantar fasciitis. As my achilles still tend to bark at me on occasion, I rotate in my "traditional" Cascadia 7 running shoes with a 12mm drop to lift the heel a bit, and give the Hokas with the 4mm drop a break.
One more vote for these, first thing my PT has me do when my achilles flare up at all. At this point I make sure I get in a few sets every week, even when they're feeling good. I've added weight as well - I do them with my laptop backpack on as I hit the stairs up from the parking lot.
I don't know about other RNR races but the people running the one in Virginia Beach certainly come off as greedy. Them refusing to pay the elites is just one more example IMO. This is the most expensive race in town and you get virtually no bang for your buck. 1 beer, got rid of course split timing, added a 5k that's untimed and worst race after party you've ever saw.
And yet they keep getting huge numbers in their races, so why change anything??I don't know about other RNR races but the people running the one in Virginia Beach certainly come off as greedy. Them refusing to pay the elites is just one more example IMO. This is the most expensive race in town and you get virtually no bang for your buck. 1 beer, got rid of course split timing, added a 5k that's untimed and worst race after party you've ever saw.
I understand all of that, but again, if CGI's target demographic is the casual runner, why is it their responsibility to provide a venue for the elites to race? It's not, plain and simple.
I liked the 2 RnR races I've run. (And was OK with only one "free" beer.) Besides, they have nice medals!
They are changing things. That's what we're talking about, right?gruecd said:And yet they keep getting huge numbers in their races, so why change anything??Hang 10 said:I don't know about other RNR races but the people running the one in Virginia Beach certainly come off as greedy. Them refusing to pay the elites is just one more example IMO. This is the most expensive race in town and you get virtually no bang for your buck. 1 beer, got rid of course split timing, added a 5k that's untimed and worst race after party you've ever saw.gruecd said:
I'd venture a guess that a much higher percentage of people running Boston or NYC at least care about the elites...
Touche.They are changing things. That's what we're talking about, right?gruecd said:And yet they keep getting huge numbers in their races, so why change anything??Hang 10 said:I don't know about other RNR races but the people running the one in Virginia Beach certainly come off as greedy. Them refusing to pay the elites is just one more example IMO. This is the most expensive race in town and you get virtually no bang for your buck. 1 beer, got rid of course split timing, added a 5k that's untimed and worst race after party you've ever saw.gruecd said:
