It's been a long time since writing, but not quite as long for running.
I ran my first race of the year on March 24th. It was a 5k. It went a lot better than I expected.
Distance 3.13 miles
Time 33:30 min
Pace 10:43 min/mile
Avg HR 183
Calories 376
Not a very flattering photo, sure need to work on my form (especially my arms).
Showing posts with label race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label race. Show all posts
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Marine Corps Marathon!
I have successfully completed my 2nd marathon. My time was 25 minutes faster than my first marathon. This alone makes it a success.
However, I do not feel like the race itself was that good. I feel like I could have broke 5 hours which I did not end up doing. The first 1/2 of the race was good. The 2 up-hills near the beginning were not too bad and the downhills were wonderful. I just had to pick up my feet and down I went. I had to pee at one point, and I stood in line for a port-a-potty, but decided I couldn't waste that much time so I found a tree. Funny, any other time in DC you would be arrested, but during the marathon there was no second thought about it. About 1/2 way through the race I started getting horrible cramps in both of my calf muscles. I tried to stop and stretch some but to no avail. Matt, the Gatorade, and the Miniature Butterfingers (thanks Kim & Jim) around the 16.5 mile mark were life savers. Mine 4 was my best, while mile 20 was my worst. Along the 14th street bridge I managed to ignore some of the pain by shutting my eyes. I would look ahead, shut my eyes and take a few steps, open my eyes to make sure I didn't run into anyone and repeat. With this I was able to "beat the bridge". I decided that no matter how bad I felt I was going to gut out the last .2 miles up the hill to the finish. I had been dreading the end, but truthfully I didn't even notice it. (!)
It definitely helped knowing where Matt & friends were going to be along the course. They were a great motivator. Just knowing there was going to be a known friendly face cheering me on helped propel me further along the course. Even saw some of my other friends surprised me and came out and it was a great boost to see them on the corner near the end. Many thanks to everyone who was cheering me on in person and from afar.
My final time: 5 hr 46 minutes 14 seconds.
My professional photos can be found here
However, I do not feel like the race itself was that good. I feel like I could have broke 5 hours which I did not end up doing. The first 1/2 of the race was good. The 2 up-hills near the beginning were not too bad and the downhills were wonderful. I just had to pick up my feet and down I went. I had to pee at one point, and I stood in line for a port-a-potty, but decided I couldn't waste that much time so I found a tree. Funny, any other time in DC you would be arrested, but during the marathon there was no second thought about it. About 1/2 way through the race I started getting horrible cramps in both of my calf muscles. I tried to stop and stretch some but to no avail. Matt, the Gatorade, and the Miniature Butterfingers (thanks Kim & Jim) around the 16.5 mile mark were life savers. Mine 4 was my best, while mile 20 was my worst. Along the 14th street bridge I managed to ignore some of the pain by shutting my eyes. I would look ahead, shut my eyes and take a few steps, open my eyes to make sure I didn't run into anyone and repeat. With this I was able to "beat the bridge". I decided that no matter how bad I felt I was going to gut out the last .2 miles up the hill to the finish. I had been dreading the end, but truthfully I didn't even notice it. (!)
It definitely helped knowing where Matt & friends were going to be along the course. They were a great motivator. Just knowing there was going to be a known friendly face cheering me on helped propel me further along the course. Even saw some of my other friends surprised me and came out and it was a great boost to see them on the corner near the end. Many thanks to everyone who was cheering me on in person and from afar.
My final time: 5 hr 46 minutes 14 seconds.
My professional photos can be found here
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