Running With Pepper

2008 Marine Corps Marathon

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Location:

Falls Church,VA,USA

Member Since:

Mar 02, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

2010 Ocean City Half Marathon: 1:41:49

2008 Marine Corps Marathon - 3:40:59

2009 Clarksburg 5k - 20:05

2008 Jingle all the way 10k - 42:36

2009 Cherry Blossoms 10 Miler - 1:14:43

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Run a sub 3:20 Marathon

Run a 1:30 half marathon

Ensure my heart doesn't explode while running, biking, hiking, and exercising. Live long and prosper.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep on running and not become a lard-a$$.

Personal:

Pepper is my dog, thus my namesake. Used to run quite fast in the USMC (15:30 3 miles was my best) but stopped running when I got out. Now, it's much tougher and I generally cycle more than I run. However, I still compete in races because it's run and I can be a wee bit competitive.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: 2008 Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:40:59, Place overall: 1956, Place in age division: 290
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

Here's what everbody was waiting for....I know it. To start, I've learned some valuable lessons from this race and I'll share them with everyone.

1. If you are going to run a marathon, make sure you actually run more than 15 miles prior to the race.

2. Don't start out too fast thinking that you'll be able to carry the pace throughout the race.

3. I'm able to finish a race, with minimal training, and meet my goals. That said, maybe I need to consistently train and actually run something like a 3 hours next time.

4. Injinji socks are AWESOME. I had blister problems on all my long runs prior to the marathon, lubed my feet up with some glide, put the Injinji socks on, and my feel only have one small blister. El Perfecto.

5. Do not, I repeat NOT help someone sod a 3500 sq ft yard one week prior to a marathon.

Total run time was 3:40:59.

I was able to mosey my way to the front 10th of the people in the start, so I didn't have to navigate through too many people like I did last year. First mile I clocked in at 8:15 mile and I continued on. From there, I began to loosen up and felt great, which is probably why I blazed a trail. Up and down the hills of Georgetown, no problems there, and then down to Hains Point. At the halfway mark, my time was just over 1:38 and I felt really good. I figured that if I stayed with the 3:20 pacer/group, I would be fine. Well....not so fast my friend. At mile 16, I began to hit some bumps in my personal running road. I thought it was lack of fuel, so I continued to eat goo's and drink water/sports drink at the stations. Right after mile 18, my day was made when my brother, Greg (non-runner unless he has to) hollared my name he was holding my neice, the Maeve. I ran back to them, where he said I was going to wrong way, then popped a quick kiss on the little tyke. Seeing them really energized me and I probably continued to run for another mile before I really broke down. From there on out, I would run, at a really slow pace for a while, then walk for a minute or two. I did this until the end of the Marathon. The worst part about the whole race was just after mile 24 when both my quads seized up, I mean, totally seized up. I walked for about three minutes then until they were loose again, stretching and massaging them as I went, and finally got going again. This was probably a combination of me not running far enough prior to the race and the mad sodding event. Oh well, from there, I hit the home stretch, at a very slow pace and felt total relief that the end was in sight. It was my assumption that I would have to go a little further than I did, based on last years course, but we made an immediate left and headed up the final .2 mile hill to the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Overall, I really did learn some valuable lessons during this race. The one salient point that bothered me at the end of the race was the fact that I wasn't meeting anyone there. Last year, I did, but this year, things are different....it's a long story. I'm happy with my performance to some extent, given the fact that my "really tough" goal was to run a 3:30 but my realistic goal was to run a 3:45. Well, I beat my realistic goal but have a long way to go. Training....it does the body good. I feel good about myself, now my legs....they are a different story. If anyone wants to run a fantastic race, with great fan support, I highly suggest heading towards DC and hitting the MCM up. My sense of pride as U.S. Marine in finishing our marathon is nothing but amazing...although I'm no longer in my beloved corps, I will always love everything about it and I honestly feel re-connected to more than many of my brethren ever will.

Semper Fi - Aaron

(Brooks Infinitis - 36.7 miles)

Comments
From Dale on Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 21:00:12

Great job! I'll read the full report tomorrow (running/hobbling out the door again now), but a big PR!

Wow, considering your training limits, you did amazingly well! I'm sure the PSU win over Ohio State gave a big boost (it sure did for me!)

Great race report! From reading it, all signs point to some really fast racing times if you can get some consistent training in (difficult with a career, I know!). Great work!

From snoqualmie on Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 21:14:35

That's quite a PR from last year's time!! What is the secret of your success?

From Lucia on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 10:22:31

You rule Aaron! I would've loved to see you cross the finish line but I was helping out a much slower runner unfortunately. I hope soon we'll be able to run together so you can push me as hard as you push yourself! Congratulations again!!! Get some rest and some pet therapy with the wonderful Pepper.

From Burt on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 11:51:37

All that walking and you still managed a sub 4 hour marathon. I think that's a pretty good time. I'd take it.

From Aaron-PSU on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 12:34:13

Dale - Looking back at everything a day later, I'm pretty darn happy with my results, especially considering all my training inconsistencies. And yes, I was motivated by Penn State's big win as well as the Phillies big win. World Series winners and the CFB National Champs? That would be great.

Snoqualmie - I think my new PR was based on a few things. First, I knew what I was in for from doing the race last year. Second, I ran it by myself instead of running it with a friend of mine. Third, I've lost about 15 more lbs from last year to get back to my former Marine Corps weight, which helps me move faster. Finally, I completely and utterly exhausted myself to the point where I'm sick the day after. This may work for me, but maybe not for others since I have been known to be a little nuts.

Lucia - I barely made it across the finish line. Like Dale, my legs gave out on me just as I shuffled across the line like a zombie. Once you heal up, we'll definitely have to run together again! :) Poor Pepper, I think he sprained his tail and has been whining all day.

Burt - Thanks for the encouragement. As I said, looking back, I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Thanks to everyone for their support! I'm paying for it today...definitely paying for it.

From The Howling Commando on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 17:35:13

What a great run! And a PR?! That's always fun! You rock buddy!

From walter on Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 08:59:51

Great race! I have definitely been there with my legs seizing up! Its good you ran that time without much training! Alot of runners envy a time of such great speed. Its good you had family there at 18 too. I ran a race a couple of years ago and my dad was at mile 18 which totally surprised me. I still to this day think that it helped me get a pr for that year. I really want to do the MCM. Its on my list to do's. Way to go!

From mikemac on Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 08:25:19

Great race Aaron!!Awesome time and even had some walk breaks in there!!I'm from Ala.and miss playing PSU in football.We have had some great games in the past and I heard coach Paterno say that he missed playing Al. also.He said that he got more fan mail from Al.fans than any other school that he played.That just shows the respect that we have for the man!!Now that we have a good coach again maybe we will meet again.(this year?)It would be a great game.Once again way to show determination and heart in your race.NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

From marion on Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 10:51:42

Nice race Aaron! Way to go!!!

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