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

Austin Marathon

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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.

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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

Sun, Feb 14, 2010

Race: Austin Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:24:50

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
1.20	25.00	0.00	0.00	26.20

Well, yesterday was just not my day. A recent death in the family has been really stressful for us and the injury a few weeks ago did not help either. But I decided to go ahead and give it a shot and see what I could do. I had trained really hard and felt that I could do it. I played it conservatively for the first 17 miles, probably too conservatively. I was around 45 - 60 seconds off the pace group at that point. I just kept telling myself to start picking it up a little at a time and then to make a final push down Red River and then Duval like we had on so many long runs. At mile 24 I still had a legitimate shot but I needed to make up a bit over a minute. So I pushed the pace and was feeling pretty good but all of the sudden I completely bonked at 25. I just died. I lost all form and was pretty much delirious at this point. I am not sure why because I had taken water at every stop as well as a Gel every 4 miles.

Thank goodness that my pal Monique was there at mile 25 cheering others on. She ran out and got me walking again. We did a run/walk to the Capitol Building. Then I took off with what I had left, sprinting to the finish, with Monique yelling at me the whole way. I pretty much collapsed when I crossed the finish line. I was taken to the medical tent in a wheel chair. I was completely dehydrated and my calves were cramping big time. Several ice bags and bottles of Powerade later I was finally able to get up and walk on my own.

It was definitely something I will never forget – being paced during the last mile and to the finish by Monique in a green afro wig and then collapsing and getting taken to the medical tent in a wheel chair! What is the slogan – Run Austin – LOVE Austin? You gotta love Austin. I was 4 minutes from BQ’ing but I did manage to PR by 6 minutes – so that is something.

This is only my third marathon and I am still learning - I probably don't race enough. Last year I only ran one 10k, a couple 5ks and a half marathon. I will continue to train and take what I learned from this experience. I am only 4 minutes from a BQ.

Newton Sir Issac's Miles: 26.20

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 0.00

Comments

From jtshad on Mon, Feb 15, 2010 at 12:39:54 from 69.20.183.178

Wow, a PR coming off a injury and the family stresss...bonking at 25M and still nearly BQ'ing, what a race. Way to hang tough and make it through. Marathons are strange beasts to tame, your next one will be better.

From derhammer on Mon, Feb 15, 2010 at 14:55:14 from 76.233.36.211

Thanks for the encouragement - it is very much appreciated.

From SlowJoe on Mon, Feb 15, 2010 at 19:05:49 from 71.21.119.111

So close - looks like you'll be there next time for sure. I guess not every race can be a 40-minute PR! Nice run despite all the setbacks, looks like you've come a long way.

From Lyman on Mon, Feb 15, 2010 at 19:48:24 from 75.169.191.99

Tough race. You did great and set a new PR. I'm sure all that training will payoff soon and you'll get the BQ.

From SlowJoe on Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 20:45:15 from 71.21.119.111

Just curious, are you doing the Capitol 10K again? I'm signed up this year and was curious how the crowds were. It looks massive from the photos.

From derhammer on Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 23:15:40 from 76.233.36.211

Hey there,

Yes, I am planning on running it again this year. It is pretty crowded but nothing outrageous. The start is on the south side of Congress bridge and they have the both sides of the street blocked off so there is plenty of room. I started up pretty close to the front last year and it was fine. I am not too sure how it is if you start further back. Once you get on to 15th it starts to thin out quite a bit. It is a great race - just beware of the first 2 miles - pretty much all up hill.

From SlowJoe on Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 11:14:24 from 131.59.200.82

Thanks for the info. I put my predicted time as 47, so I'm not sure what color bib that puts me with - hopefully not back too far.

From derhammer on Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 16:13:40 from 192.156.110.34

The colored bib is a bit of a joke - there wasn't anyone policing people last year. You could pretty much line up where ever you want. Good Luck!

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