Where do I begin? Today marks my 9th marathon:
1. STG 09' 3:15:43
2. STG 12' 3:13:38
3. Ogden 14' 4:18:30
4. Ogden 15' DNF
5. PHX 16' 3:31:48
6. STG 16' 3:28:37
7. STG 19' 3:29:26
8. Beav 20' 3:06:33
9. Char 22' 3:25:15
Some marathons I was injured going into it and probably shouldn't have run it. Other times injuries flared up and made it a rough day. One thing that has been a common trend among them is my inability to start out conservative. So obviously going into this one, finally, I would have figured it out. Especially after training more than I ever have and switching my diet.
Nope! I am still a bone head! Every time I hop on a downhill course and those miles come easy, I figure it's all good and I am not using any energy. Such was the case today, I just let the hills roll me into some fun mile splits. In the moment I didn't think it was taking a toll on my body. I knew I wanted to back off to 6:40-6:50 pace but the miles were coming so easy. At around 13 (where the biggest hill is) I was finally compelled to slow down a little bit. I thought perfect I have the 1st half in the books, now for a slower but still moving 2nd half. Things started to really unravel at 15-16 where I started to feel dehydrated and hot. I consumed a lot of nuun drinks and water at the aid stations. Somewhere during 16 my legs started to feel really tight. I kept chugging a long at a slower pace. I figured I could still make up the time. At 18 when I started to get some cramps in my calves and quads. I probably should have stopped and stretched but continued on. Mile 21 right before the turn, I was struck by cramp lightning and toppled over as my quads and calves were no longer relaxed but tight and painful. On my way to the ground I also bumped my watch into a setting I didn't recognize so I have some random splits. I might have hit my head too? Some people helped me stretch out the calves and then I continued on my way. Even at mile 21 I thought I could muster up some 7-8 minute miles to save my race. Unfortunately the cramping didn't stop at 21. It continued the rest of the race and I fell over at least 2 more times. One of the times I fell I heard someone shout: "call an ambulance!" I thought it was kind of funny even in my terrible condition. When I could run a little in those last couple of miles I was really nervous my legs would betray me again. So not the day I wanted. I blame myself for starting out too fast. I am sure that was the biggest factor in the cramping. I also need to figure out better hydration.
So where do I go from here? I am very dissappointed after today. I wasted a big opportunity. My training has been solid (thanks to Aaron and PV). I plan to train for STG and really get into some better speed play with Aaron. I know I can figure this marathon out. I just need to stop getting in my own way! I want to go from a mediocre marathon runner to a decent one.
Miles:
1. 6:17
2. 6:03 12:20
3. 6:12 18:32
4. 6:08 24:40
5. 6:15 30:55
6. 6:15 37:10
7. 6:04 43:14
8. 6:00 49:14
9. 6:04 55:18
10. 6:15 1:01:33
11. 6:27 1:08:00
12. 6:34 1:14:34
13. 6:43 1:21:17
14. 6:40 1:27:57
15. 7:02 1:34:59
16. 7:41 1:42:40
17. 8:01 1:50:41
18. 8:41 1:59:21
19. 8:13 2:07:34
20. 8:14 2:15:48
21. 10:06 2:25:54
22. 9:03 2:34:57
23. 9:50 2:44:47
24. 10:10 2:54:57
25. 12:33 3:07:30
26. 14:36 3:22:06
.35. 2:54 3:25:00
Depressing progression of the race (the mat splits are different than my garmin splits):
6.5 40:55/6:14 mi projected 2:43:43
1/2 1:22:44/6:19 mi projected 2:45:29
19.65 2:13:36/6:47 mi projected 2:58:08
23.1 2:47:25/7:14 mi projected 3:09:53
25.2 3:12:31/7:38 mi projected 3:20:10
Finish: 3:25:15/7:49 mi
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