I only run on days that end in a "y."

Marathon to Marathon, Iowa

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Location:

Austin,TX,USA

Member Since:

Feb 02, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

2008 Austin Marathon - 4:12

2008 Dallas Marathon: 3:30 (8 months later)

2010 Austin Marathon - 3:24 (bonked at 25 - 12 minute last mile run/walk)

2010 Steamtown Marathon - 3:27 (quads killed on the down hills)

2011-Feb   Austin Marathon - 3:17 (finally BQ'd!)

2011-June   Marathon to Marathon, IA - 3:07 (BQ'd by 13 minutes!)

2011-Dec  CIM - 3:02

2012-April  Boston Marathon - 4:03

2013-April  Boston Marathon - 3:06

2008 Austin 3M half marathon: 1:43:00

2009 Austin 3M 1/2 Marathon: 1:29:50

2011 San Antonio Half - 1:25 (100% humidity fun fest)

2010 Chuy's 5k - 19:19

2011 Chuy's 5k - 18:23

2012 Chuy's 5k - 18:25 

2012 RFTW 5k - 18:05 - PR! 

2009 Austin Capitol 10k: 41:50

2011 Austin Capitol 10k: 38:57

2012 IBM Uptown Classic 10k - 37:52 - PR!

Short-Term Running Goals:

BQ at Austin Marathon - 2/20/2011 Tough course, warm and humid - but I did it.

Break 3:10 in a fall marathon (TBD) 3:07 at Marathon to Marthon

Break 40:00 in a 10k 38:57 @ Cap10k 2011

New: Break 3:05 @ CIM on December 4th, 2011  3:02

Break 38:00 in a 10k - Done - 37:52 @ IBM Classic 

Break 18:00 in a 5k - 18:05 @ RFTW - October 2012 - getting close!

2011 RACES:

Run for the Water 10 mile - 10/30/2011  1:04:06

San Antonio 1/2 Marathon - 11/13/2011

California International Marathon - 12/4/2011

2012 Fall Races

IBM Uptown Classic 10k - 37:53

Run For the Water 5k - 18:05

2013

Boston Marathon - 3:06

2014

Boston Marathon - April 21 - 3:11

2016

Rookie Tri - May 1st

Peak to Creek Marathon - Oct 29th

 

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run a sub 3:00 Marathon

Personal:

Der Hammer is a nick name I picked up from my German friends while living in Germany. My real name is David. 

 I have been running seriously since March 2007.  I started with a local running group called "Gilbert's Gazelles".  Before that I had run a couple 5k's (26:00's) and never run more than 3 miles at one time.  I have lost about 40 pounds in a little over 2 years. 

I am 45 years old, married and have 2 children, ages 5, girl, and 10, boy.  I try to keep my running from interfering with my family as much as possible, e.g. getting up at 5 am.  However, Saturdays are long run days and I don't come home until around 9 am or so.  I owe my family a debt of gratitude for allowing me to pursue this passion. 

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Hoka One One Lifetime Miles: 152.00
Saucony Ride 7's - Blue Lifetime Miles: 345.97
Hokas Red Lifetime Miles: 127.25
Brooks Launch Lifetime Miles: 151.75
Race: Marathon to Marathon, Iowa (26.2 Miles) 03:07:36, Place overall: 5, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

Race prep:  I had carb loaded well the day before. As always, I drank most of them - 3 bottles of Gatorade Pro Prime, Gatorade G2, spaghetti twice, etc.   I had to get up a 4 am for the 6 am start.  As soon as I woke I had some liquid carbs that I had premixed the night before. I drank all of it.  I then drank another pre-made bottle 5-10 minutes before the start.  I was pretty confident that my fuel stores were close to max. At this point I am totally sold on the Aussie carb load plan – I have used it twice and had two great marathons.

 The race started at a local high school.  The school was open which was nice.  Runners could go in and use the restrooms, stretch, talk, etc.   I went for a quick jog – maybe a half mile or so just to warm up.  I then went back to the car to get my fuel belt.  I stood there a while deciding whether or not I should wear it.  I had it all stocked up and ready to go, but I also had all my Gu’s in my Race Ready short pockets.  So I was good to go fuel wise.  It was not hot so at the last moment I decided to ditch the belt and run unencumbered.  It was a good decision.  I made it to the starting line with 2 minutes to spare.  Fortunately, with only 200 marathoners, the start was not crowded and I lined right up front.  No timing chips for this race – it was all done by hand with officials along the course to mark the bib numbers.

The Race:  I could not have hoped for better weather.  It was 50 degrees and cloudy at the start with a slight breeze.  The wind was just enough to keep me cool but not strong enough to slow me down.  The race began in Storm Lake, a beautiful Iowa town, and ended in Marathon, a small town with a population of 244.  When I picked up my packet the night before they made a joke about how at the end of the race the runners would outnumber the population of Marathon.  The course was very fast – there were some minor rollers – but for the most part it was pretty flat.

My strategy was to go out 20-30 seconds slower than MGP for the first couple miles.  That got thrown out the window at the gun, though; about five of us took off at a 6:40 pace.  I slowed considerably to get it under control.  At that point I aimed to keep my average pace around 7:10-7:15 pace.  I felt good there.  I did not pay attention to splits during the race but ran by feel and kept an eye on the average pace window of my watch. Water was every 2.5 miles and I took 2 full cups at every stop and ran with them while I drank.  I took a Gu every 5 miles and that worked well for me.   

I had to take a port-a-potty break a mile 13 and I did not pause my watch.  My mile time for that mile was 7:33 – not sure how I made that stop so fast.  Fortunately, the half marathoners were bused to the halfway point and they started an hour later than the full.  By mile 15-16 I started to pass some of those runners.  That was a big mental boost because for most of the race it was me, the cows and the cornfields.  I never hit a wall though the last 4 miles were a mental test, of course.  I just kept thinking of all of the hard work and traveling all the way up here – I wasn’t going to stop.  I picked up that pace a bit.  Around mile 24 I knew I could pass one runner that was ahead of me the entire race.  I had closed on him over the miles and now he started to slow down.  I got him a 25.  I had no idea where the finish line was but I could see the small town of Marathon approaching.  I turned a corner and saw that I could break 3:08.  I couldn’t believe it.  I picked up here – I ran the last .26 miles at a 6:19 pace.  Crossing the finish line was awesome.  I had to catch my breath but this was the best I felt after any previous marathons. 

They support at the finish was great.  They had ice water and Gatorade, of course, and had pancakes and eggs for the runners in the local community center. 

I don’t think it has sunk in yet as to what I accomplished.  I am pretty sure I will be Boston bound next year.

Splits:  7:09, 7:14, 7:15, 7:07, 7:06, 7:12, 7:12, 7:14, 7:11, 7:13, 7:05, 7:05, 7:33 (potty break), 6:55, 7:02, 6:58, 7:14, 7:03, 7:09, 7:11, 7:04, 7:09, 7:16, 7:07, 6:56, 7:06, .27 @ 6:19 pace.

Kinvara Lime Green II Miles: 26.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From I Just Run on Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 19:25:53 from 166.205.15.29

Im driving but yeah....!!!!!

From SlowJoe on Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 20:01:46 from 184.79.24.255

Really awesome, that one will guarantee you actually get into Boston. Looking forward to the rest...

From jtshad on Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 21:00:59 from 24.10.248.6

Congrats on the high placement and AG finish. Great time and great new PR!

From Dan on Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 22:04:59 from 24.209.83.20

Awesome man! Look forward to the full report.

From JG on Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 12:03:45 from 98.66.194.199

Great job David! 10 minute PR is awesome & congrats on 5th Overall!!

From I Just Run on Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 15:04:34 from 71.41.149.142

You know that's happened to me a few times where I write out a long report and then lose it as I go to post it. I've started typing the long ones out in Word and then cutting and pasteing it to the Blog Report.

From Claudio on Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 20:21:48 from 173.67.51.129

Great job, looking forward to the full report

From Dave S on Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 20:35:11 from 4.254.220.238

Nice job on the big PR and 5th overall!

From flatlander on Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 19:47:26 from 76.31.26.153

Super race, so happy for you. You are laying down PRs at an amazing rate. First in that age group must have meant first masters as well? Congrats again, can't wait for the details if you ever get up to typing them in again!

From derhammer on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 20:15:18 from 68.96.20.126

Thanks everyone! I finally had time to write up a full report. Still can't believe it. :-)

From JimmySG on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 20:22:37 from 168.178.86.127

Great run, sounds like you ran it about perfect.

From I Just Run on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 20:55:03 from 166.205.140.135

Way to go Der Hammer....!!! I'm celebrating with you! I know how hard you've worked. Look out Sub-3:00 here you come!

From Dan on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 22:06:51 from 98.103.86.233

Great report and Bravo man.

From SlowJoe on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 23:10:41 from 184.79.24.255

Congrats again, inspiring report. Awesome (but not surprising) how everything just clicked for you. You are on a roll now.

From jtshad on Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 16:18:35 from 204.134.132.225

Congrats on the great time, PR and high finishing place. You ran a very smart and strong race.

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