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Philadelphia Marathon

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Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,USA

Member Since:

Jan 01, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

Hood to Coast 2011 (31:32:39)

Wasatch Back 2011 (31:08:54)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RZeUjUmr-o

Wasatch Back 2010 (30:21:29)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaoleQmhjoA

Wasatch Back 2009 (31:01:17)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBm5Bz2sp8

Wasatch Back 2008 (29:14:47)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yErvZKrPxGQ

Boston Marthon 2008 (3:07:55)

Deseret News Marathon 2011 (2:39:50)

Deseret News Marathon 2010 (2:40:14)

Salt Lake City Marathon 2010 (2:49:28)

Philadelphia Marathon 2009 (2:50:58)

Fight for Air Climb 2011: 31 climbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC7VrGf8oUU

Short-Term Running Goals:

To run as a member of Shoulda Bought Puts: Team of Sams for the 2011 Wasatch Back!

 

To have fun running three marathons (Salt Lake, D-News, and NYC Marathon) and a trail race (probably the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship) in 2011

 

To improve my agility/balance

 

To take constructive steps to eat healthier

 

To get more quality sleep

Long-Term Running Goals:

To increase my overall strength and conditioning

To return to Hopkinton for the Boston Marathon

To freshen up on my French to run the Paris Marathon

Personal:

Hobbies are studying for the CFA exam and recycling

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: Philadelphia Marathon (26.2 Miles) 02:50:58
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

I began marathon morning by walking outside the Sheraton hotel that I was staying at to judge for myself the coldness of the temperature.  Surprisingly and fortunately, the temperature was pretty mild at 5:30 am; that is, upper 30s to low 40s (the temperatures were much more frigid at the starting line of the two Ogden Marathons that I have run).  As a result, I did not have to put to use all the cold gear that I brought with me.  This is just another example that marathons tend to be completely unpredictable because I was warned by many runners who have run this race in the past that the temperature usually remains at or below freezing for the entire race (e.g., many returning runners that I bumped into remarked how frigid last year’s race was).  Consequently, since I do not handle cold weather that well (especially the part that involves standing around and shivering in the cold waiting for the race to start), I caught a big break with the outside temperature being so high for this time of the year.

After getting on all my running gear, I preceded with my sister and brother-in-law (who both ran the half marathon) to the starting line (which is also the finish line; that is, the course is essentially an oddly shaped figure-eight in that you visit the start/finish line three times--once at the start, at the 13.1 mile marker which is the end of the half marathon, then at the finish) by walking the twelve blocks from the Sheraton hotel down to the Philadelphia Art Museum and its steps that were made famous by the movie Rocky.  The place was absolutely packed with approximately 20,000 runners participating in this year’s races.  I was just able to deposit my drop bag in the appropriate UPS truck and get to my corral approximately five minutes before the race began.  Bart Yasso (running guru, developer of the brutal interval workout involving 800s, and Runner’s World icon) along with the Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter were leading the festivities at the starting line.

Once the starting horn sounded, we were off and running.  I immediately proceeded to run my slowest mile of the race (i.e., 6:57).  Even though I was near the front of the enormous pack in first corral that was comprised of one thousand of the fastest runners, it was slow going for the first couple of miles.  I think people were a little timid due to some of narrow streets caused by construction and due to the streets being wet in certain places on a chilly, but comfortable morning.  After we turned west at the base of the impressive Ben Franklin Bridge on to Delaware Avenue, I was able to pick up the pace a little bit (i.e., 6:18 for the third mile).

I just continued to chip away and improve my average pace over the subsequent miles with the exception of a 6:36 and a 6:35 pace on miles four and eight, respectively.  The biggest climb of on the course was between miles seven and eight; therefore, the reason for the 6:35.  However, I’m not completely sure why my fourth mile was 6:36, but my left foot seemed to bother my gait from time to time for the first ten miles.  With that said, I was able to knockout the following paces in the first ten miles: a 6:14, another 6:18, a 6:11, and a 6:10.  With the exception of a 6:13 for mile fifteen, my minutes-per-mile pace on this relatively flat course was basically a linear upward regression with a peak of 6:42 on mile twenty-five. 

By the way, what an amazing course!  The first half is in the big city and university areas of town; whereas, the second half goes along a road following the Schuykill River under a number of bridges and short stone tunnels to a turnaround point which is in the small town of Manayunk that is lined with small shops, a bunch of screaming supporters, and many signs that indicated there was plenty of beer in this town.

Once I reached mile twenty (shortly after the Manayunk turnaround), the so called second half of the marathon began.  By this time I realized that unfortunately my PR was not going to be broken in this race; that is, for some reason I was unable to accelerate with the faster runners.  As a result, I focused on keeping my minutes-per-mile down and not letting anyone else pass me.  After I ran under another bridge and by the mile-marker twenty-three, I determined that I felt good enough and my pace was fast enough to hold off any runners that would try pass me; therefore, I changed my objective to start chasing down runners over the last 5k.  I was able to pass a few runners as I headed back to the Art Museum, not because I was picking up the pace, but because I was able to hold it as other runners began to slow (especially during the last mile which involves an incline to the finish line).  

A larger crowd of supporters greeted the runners as we circled around in front of the Art Museum heading toward the finish line.  Since the Philadelphia Marathon puts first names on the bibs, everyone yells out your name as you run by.  Hence, with “Eye of the Tiger” blaring over the speakers and complete strangers lining the roads yelling out my name and words of encouragement made for an unforgettable experience as I approached the finish line.  I ended up finishing in a time of 2:50:58 which is my second-faster marathon and the first marathon where I ran every single mile at a sub-7:00 pace.  A product of a relatively flat course, my pace range of 47 seconds (6:10-6:57) was also a personal best.  However, if I could have kept up with the 2:40 runners, it was the perfect course and weather conditions to set a PR.  As a result, I’ll be thinking about this missed opportunity on all my upcoming training runs which should keep me motivated all winter long.

Finally, after recovering for awhile, I was able to get in some post-race training by completing 300 sit-ups and 30 push-ups.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Comments
From Adam RW on Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 11:52:39 from 155.101.152.103

Sorry that you feel you missed your goal. It sounds like it was a decent race none-the-less. Between being your second fastest and maintaining those sub-7s I would say it was a good accomplishment. Where in SLC are you? I'm just behind Foothill Village.

From jtshad on Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 12:23:42 from 204.134.132.225

Great job at this race! Way to stay consistent even though you didn't PR (we can't PR at every race!). You did a great job in running strong and taking what the day gave you, for which you should be proud of such a good result.

From Rossy on Wed, Dec 02, 2009 at 00:02:35 from 66.53.208.90

After nearly two weeks on the East Coast, I'm finally back in Salt Lake City. Thanks for all the feedback, it's greatly appreciated!

Adam--I live in the St. Mark's Hospital/Big Cottonwood Park area town (i.e., South Salt Lake); however, once in a while I run up in the Foothill Village part of town. Sounds like we are both training for the SLC Marathon on the 17th of April; therefore, it should be a fun winter of training!

Run on!

From Burt on Wed, Dec 02, 2009 at 00:35:16 from 98.177.216.165

Jo-hn! Jo-hn! Jo-hn! The crowd is still chanting your name. Sorry I missed your report. Sub 7's the entire marathon is incredible. Way to go!

From Rossy on Thu, Dec 03, 2009 at 15:31:16 from 151.151.73.167

Burt, thanks for taking the time to read my race report. Also, nice 6:58 mile today! Keep up the running!

From Burt on Thu, Dec 03, 2009 at 15:42:38 from 12.231.112.98

Yep. I can do a sub 7 once. Now just got to get where I can do it 25 more times.

From Kelli on Wed, Dec 09, 2009 at 13:18:49 from 71.219.71.229

HOLY CRUD!!!! I am so late reading this (sorry) but you are amazing!! All of your miles sub-7, I can not even imagine! That is a great accomplishment. Like every runner, you have "wishes" about the race, but, like you said, it will keep you motivated all winter!!

NICELY DONE!!!!!

From Rossy on Wed, Dec 09, 2009 at 19:31:37 from 151.151.73.168

Thanks Kelly! Also, I checked out that dance video earlier today and since my athletic ability consists of just running straight ahead, that group is beyond amazing! Also, you are so close to a 2k year; however, way too many miles to run on a treadmill. You'll smash 2,000 miles next year! Lastly, are you and Scott planning to run Boston in 2010?

From Kelli on Wed, Dec 09, 2009 at 19:36:35 from 71.219.71.229

That dancing was amazing, huh?? Not quite as amazing as your marathon, but close!

YES, we will be running Boston in 2010. Scott just tore his calf muscle, so he is out for a bit, but should be healed up in time.

I am SO close to 2,000 it is depressing. Maybe i will not give up yet. If I just run 20 miles on Christmas Day I will have it!

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