A Balance, Redefined

First marathon:

Well, it's two days later and I'm finally back in St. Louis and have access to a computer.
I'm happy with the performance. I had a great time. I went out to have fun and I did. I'll
give you a blow by blow and fill in anything else later.
I'll start with the stats on my training.
First, a little scientific jargon to show that Hal's program works.
VO2 max during week 17 was 59.5 ml/kg/m max heart 190 VO2 max during week 1 was
66.9 ml/kg/m max heart 189
If the above actually means anything is still up for debate but it looks good.
During the 18 weeks I ran a total of 720 miles. My longest week at 56.5 and the shortest
at 18.
My short runs were done between 6 and 8:30. My medium runs were done between 6:30
and 8:30. My pace runs were done at 6:25 to 6:35. My 20 milers were 2:45, 2:30, and
2:22 (in that order). My main goal was 3 hours with this being my first marathon. (But in
the back of my head I REALLY wanted 2:50) My projected finish (Runner's World) By
last 5K of the season was 2:52:53 (Sept 8th) By last 10k of the season was 2:51:56 (Aug
26th) By only 20k of the season was 2:57:16 (July 8th)
Now let's see what happened:
I went out in a 6:26, so even with the crowd it wasn't too bad. Even though I got the
seeded bib I started in the back of the pen because I didn't want to get pulled out too fast.
The next mile went a little too smooth. There were just so many people cheering and the
pace felt so easy.
Mile 2 6:11
The third mile Sandra and Mike were there cheering for me and I was hamming it up
trying to get the crowd going.
Mile 3 6:23
I felt good at this point and decided I would try to stay under 6:30 until the 20 mile mark
then see what I could roll in to the finish with.
Mile 4 6:11.
I didn't want to be too under pace and tried to take it a little more under control.
Mile 5 6:26.
At this point I started talking with the guy next to me and he also was shooting for 6:30
miles so we teamed up. But, the talking distracted me.
Mile 6 6:15
We didn't like the way things were looking at that point. We wanted to get our splits a
little more on. At that two other guys heard us talking and joined in. We were going
pretty well but I was just too excited and wanted to run on my own and enjoy it my way
so I dropped them.
Mile 7 6:09
My mom was a little after the mile mark and she gave me a water bottle and a GU pack. I
felt great and started hamming it up again whenever there was a big crowd. The energy
was contagious.
Mile 8 6:15
The next few miles were some of the most crowded and I went through Miles 9 10 11 and
12 in 6:16 6:17 6:18 and 6:18. At this point I was thinking what the hell lets go for a 6:20
to 6:25 pace for the whole thing. A little after the 12 mile mark Sandra and Mike were
waiting there to give me another GU and water bottle. At 13 I still felt great!
Mile 13 6:19
I went through the half on 2:44 pace I was positive I would break 2:50. This is were the
pain started. I felt something in my hams but at the same time I still wasn't even breathing
hard and there was enough crowd for me to keep sapping on their energy.
Mile 14 6:21
The next few miles flew buy. I was dealing with the tightness in my hams but nothing too
bad.
Miles 15 and 16 in 6:24 and 6:27
So right now I'm like wow this is amazing I'm way past the half-way mark and have yet
to do a mile slower than my goal pace. So I decided to keep at it for 6:30 or under until
20 miles. And give whatever was left in the last 10K.
Mile 17 6:31
So I didn't stay under 6:30. I'm like this is ok even if I continue to slow down 4 seconds
per mile I'll still stay under 7 minute pace for every mile.
Mile 18 6:34
Still not too bad keep pushing… As soon as I entered China town my mom was there
with another GU pack and water. She hadn't planned on being there because of the power
gel station. But, that stuff tastes like crap and I didn't eat it so boy was I glad when I saw
her I really needed that one!
From mile 13 to this point I was the pace setter of a pack of 6. I didn't see them. They
stayed behind but at mile 19 two came alongside and said let's take mile 20 easy and then
trade off miles. I thought this was a great idea and really needed the help at this point but
in the back of my head my legs were telling me that the story would soon be much
different. I tried to keep up with these kind souls but soon watched as they slipped passed
and moved to join with the group ahead of me and then soon out of site.
Mile 19 6:36
I was not too worried because I'd only been slowing down about 2-4 seconds a mile and
now with only a 10K to go I was psyched but the pain started to migrate to my calves.
Mile 20 6:51
Well when I saw that split I was a bit discouraged it was my biggest unplanned decrease
but I was happy I made through 20 miles of sub-7 but I would have been happier to have
stayed closer to 6:30 until this point.
Well, a little after the 20 mile mark my calves tightened more, then the fun really began.
Mile 21 7:02
Well so much for sub 7 every mile.
Let's try and squeeze as many sub 7 as I can.
Mile 22 7:00
Well I got back down to 7 I was pretty happy it had been quite I few miles since I had
done a negative. Also, the pain had been there long enough that my legs were going
numb. But, the subsidence in pain took a turn for the worst in pace.
Mile 23 7:12
I was starting to really feel it. Also, at about this point people started passing me in
groups of 5-7 at a time. But, I was still passing a few people so I just told myself things
could be a lot worse. So I just thought lets get rolling NOW!
Mile 24 7:14
I thought well that wasn't too bad. You only have 2.2 to go if you can kick your ass into
gear and get under 7 do it NOW!
Mile 25 7:35
Well it looked like my body disagreed with my assessment of going under 7. However,
there was a guy at the 25 mile marker yelling you can still make 2:50 PUSH!!! I tried to
take his words of encouragement but to no avail. Coming out from under McCormick
place up the exit ramp was like climbing a mountain. But, I could see the 26 mile mark.
Mile 26 7:40
Then THE CROWD!
What a great feeling. Any pain in my calves vanished as the finish line came into site. I
put up my arms and hammed it up to get the crowd going. Their energy was contagious.
The euphoria of the moment carried me through the finish.
Last .2 in 1:15 (6:15 pace!) Watch time 2:52:27.34 Chip time 2:52:28!
I did it I broke 3! I didn't get 2:50 obviously but I also didn't run the smartest race. But
you know, who cares! I had an awesome time and loved every minute of it even the last
10K! Do I think I could have broken 2:50 if I had gone out on pace, YES. But, I don't
think I would have had as much fun…