Here I go again!

Marine Corps Marathon

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Location:

Washington,DC,

Member Since:

Jan 01, 2009

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Two Marine Corps Marathons: best '09: 3:55;
10k PR 46 something

Half marathon PR: 1:42:50

Short-Term Running Goals:

3:40 at Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach, March 20

Long-Term Running Goals:

Stay healthy and fit!

Personal:

I'm a very clumsy and injury-prone 31-year-old Argentine runner and biker living in beautiful Arlington, VA.

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Mizuno Lifetime Miles:						401.24
Saucony Lifetime Miles:						289.49

Sun, Oct 25, 2009

Race: Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:55:15, Place overall: 838

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
26.20	0.00	0.00

Sorry to disappoint you guys...

Cruising till about the 1/2 way point, then got some really bad side stitches. The first time I had to walk for a few minutes. Then I had to slow down several times. I tried breathing in deeply through my nose and exhaling through my mouth. Didn't work. Then my stomach felt really full, as if I had been taking too much water. But I felt thirsty! Took clif blocks along the way and then I didn't want them cause I felt so full. Then around mile 17 I felt like I was lacking energy, so I took a gel. Used the bathroom but it didn't really help. Then I was sooooo thirsty crossing the bridge! I could not wait till the next water stop! I got some water there, but I was still thirsty! The entire mile on Crystal City I really wanted water! Sometimes people have water for runners even though they're not the official water stations, but this time, nothing... Finally it got there. Got some gatorade and some water. Felt better, but by then it was mile 24 already.

I really need to get the right water/nutrition combination down next time. And train better.

Thank you all for the encouragement! Now shower and food

Saucony Miles: 26.20

Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Eric Day on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 13:58:58 from 189.169.181.145

Sorry to hear it was not your day. Rest for now...

From artichoke on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 14:00:06 from 71.38.244.220

You did fine. You finished! Another one under your belt. Your race report sounds exactly like my St. George Marathon of 2003 and about identical time. Keep at it and you'll be just fine. Hope your new job goes well for you.

From seeaprilrun on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 14:19:49 from 68.103.250.39

Way to hang in there and finish! Sounds like you battled through some problems and you made it through without giving up! Great job! Get some rest and relaxation!

From Lyman on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 14:58:25 from 75.169.102.127

It takes alot of to finish a marathon when nothing goes right. Good job. Enjoy your recovery.

From Brent on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 15:08:22 from 76.8.201.223

Rocket - some days are just better than others, the Rocket will be back, your in great shape. We have all had races similar at times. Nothing you can do, just move forward. 300 commando points for the gutty effort to finish.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From Bonnie on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 15:24:48 from 75.164.100.248

Way to keep with it Lucia! After a few days you will realize the hardest races/runs are often the most satisfying - you showed a lot of courage seeing it to the end.

Hugs.

From The Howling Commando on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 17:59:06 from 72.224.31.85

Food/nutrition is the biggest lesson that I ever learned in either of my marathons. I have noticed it has made a huge difference in my racing this year. Who would have thought energy gels were really THAT important?? :) You learned something though today. AND you ran a marathon!!!!! Win win in my book. :D

From Burt on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 22:09:48 from 98.167.151.26

Sorry it didn't go how you wanted, but hey, you're out there doing it. That's more than most people can say.

From Burt on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 22:12:23 from 98.167.151.26

...and you're on top of the mileage board.

From Lyman on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 23:03:08 from 75.169.102.127

I ment to to say: "it takes alot of strength and focus to finish a marathon when everything goes wrong". And you are pretty tough!

From Huans32 on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 09:00:00 from 138.64.2.76

Awesome job FINISHING your 2nd full. They are tough and so much can happen come race day. And you made it to the end. And sounds like you have learned a few more things to work on for the next one. Food and hydration is what I have been working on too. If its not trying to drink and run. Its making sure I dont have to use to PoP.(which still seems to be a problem). But you finished it which in and of itself a huge accomplishment. Awesome job.

From LuzyLew on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 12:45:27 from 208.187.197.42

You finished! I'm not dissapointed for you. I really truly believe that a finish is a win. So much has to go right in order to have a good race. It's a tricky combination of things that can go really well, or terribly wrong. Leaving a race unsatisfied can help build your fire for the next race and it helps cement in your mind the way you will do things differently next time around. It takes lots of different experiences to make a seasoned marathoner--that's what I'm telling myself. Not every experience is a good one. I was only sorry to read how much you struggled from dehydration, stomach, energy issues. What a drag! Keep you head up and keep on, keepin' on. What a great accomplishment!

From Eric Day on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 13:46:04 from 189.192.44.86

How are you doing today?

From Rossy on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 14:45:50 from 151.151.98.238

I have discovered that you sometimes have to survive a brutal race or two before having a really great race. Great job with finishing and refusing to quit!!!

From jtshad on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 15:14:33 from 204.134.132.225

Way to finish when you weren't feel so good and had the hydration issues.

From argentinerocket on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 21:50:03 from 69.171.176.82

Thank you my friends... Any recommendations/suggestions you can provide about the stomach/nutrition/hydration issue is appreciated.

Eric, I was just a little stiff yesterday and today but nothing bad. Started my new job yesterday and had to go up and down lots of stairs with my new boss and he didn't even notice, so I guess it's not that bad!

Now I have to figure out my next steps... but first I have a midterm to pass tomorrow!

Thank you again to all for the encouragement. I am disappointed but also know I have a great fast marathon in me and it'll come out eventually and it will be GREAT!!!

From Metcalf Running on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 17:09:44 from 207.225.192.66

Congrats on completing the marathon. Sorry it was not the race you wanted it to be, but I'm sure you will have another one do great!

From montelepsy on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 05:28:34 from 155.85.58.253

Bummer!

I don't have any nutrition tips, but I think you should look for an elevator.

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 06:27:35 from 72.224.31.85

Since I sweat a lot, I carry a hydration bottle (20 oz Amphipod) with me at all times. I take water/gatorade at every aid station and bring along my own Hammer Energy Gels. HAMMER is by far the best!

From Burt on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 11:22:20 from 68.76.197.194

Benn - why do you say Hammer is the best? I was thinking about picking some up today for my run home.

From LuzyLew on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 15:06:40 from 208.187.197.42

I can never ever use gel during a race, it makes my stomach go crazy and I'm in the bathroom within a half hour. All of it gives me cramps, it doesn't matter which brand, or what it's made of. If I'm desperate, I'll take a half a mouth full with water and toss the rest. I try to eat good complex carbs and hydrate really well the week before the race, and then cut back a little the day before eating only simpler carbs (spagetti). If you've hydrated well the week before the race-- you won't be as dehydrated overall. I drink small sips of water at one station, and then small sips of gatorade at the next. I'm sure you'll figure it out--but I can not use the gels, and neither can my running friend catherine.

From Mark on Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 19:12:10 from 173.168.88.68

Like everyone else said, but I'll say it also, way to hang in there and finish. It sounds like you were at least feeling a little better towards the end. I've gotten that insatiable thirst feeling before and hated it. Best of luck with all your future races, you have what it takes!

From Britta on Fri, Nov 06, 2009 at 16:23:20 from 98.148.73.26

Great Job finishing! So sorry it didn't turn out as you planned. You learned some good lessons for next time!

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