… 2:44:33 for sixth place. It was a pure strength run. Put your head down, pump your arms and grit your teeth… nothing glamorous or sexy as evidenced from the blood that filled my right shoe from some sort of cut. Blood and sweat would be the cliched phrase on the poster of this one.
I had nothing from the start and I realized it was going to be a battle on Saturday night when my other calf (the left one) started spasming uncontrollably. That meant the right calf/ankle/Achilles shook non-stop and had been submerged in ice and water since Wednesday got a partner to join the party.
The good part is that I got tough. I was strong and I didn’t waste anything even though it was disheartening to note that I ran 5 miles in 26:38 just seven days ago. About 10k into the marathon I knew last week’s good 5 wasn’t going to translate.
Shit.
It would have been nice to have run this marathon last weekend when I had calves and hamstrings, but the world does not start and stop on the condition of my limbs. Plus, I also made a tactical error by not running with the leaders early, but what are you going to do?
Next time out I’ll run 2:34.
Anyway, here’s what I learned:
I am not a downhill runner… well, actually, I am. I’m just not a down-mountain runner. I guess the name of this race – The Pocono Mountains Marathon – should have been a giveaway about the type of terrain. It was definitely a beater.
It’s probably a good idea to run the first part of the marathon somewhat aggressively. My pace drops at 20ish miles anyway, and I run positive splits. Therefore, three or four minutes faster for the first 10 probably wouldn’t hurt… I guess I’ll have to experiment with it because, frankly, I don’t mind getting tough over the last miles of the race.
My strength was good (great, actually), but I could probably get away with fewer miles per week if I substitute it with more traditional speed-style work. The big mileage weeks help with recovery, though, and are much more fun.
This was the most difficult course I have run — the downhills were extreme and they were followed by lots of ups that weren’t long, but were challenging. Tactically, the course was much more difficult than Boston.
Some year I ought to run a cruise-fest like Chicago. I need a fast time before I get too old. My PR is now more than 10-years old.
My taper was good. Actually, aside from the injury (yes, I’m calling it an injury now), the mix was damn-near perfect.
I should have run with the leaders instead of sitting back to warm into it. Did I mention that before? I should have run 2:34 (2:29 if healthy) today. That was a big tactical error. My inclination was to be aggressive and I sat back — in retrospect it was unwise, though I don’t know if the back of my legs could have handled the pace for long.
Michael Wardian is a bit of a bad ass.
OK. I like running and I like being in shape so I’m going to keep training hard. Being really fit is very enjoyable. Plus, there is a certain cache with being a marathoner/vegetarian/fitness dude. Is it an identity? I guess so. There are worse things to be. Truth be told I enjoy the competition, discipline and sacrifice. I like the fact that I earn things — in a bourgeoisie and privileged kind of way.So, I might race a bit through the summer (specifically the 5-miler in York in late July/early August. I also plan on running a 50k in D.C. in early September as an over-distance training run for the Harrisburg Marathon in November.It’s about time I nail one of these damn races.
splits:
1 – 6:18 (too slow)
2 – 6:24 (made the decision to sit back)
3 – 5:34 (short)
4 – 7:17 (long)
5 – 6:17 (eh)
6 – 6:08 (warming up)
7 – 6:13 (my calves started to spasm)
8 – 6:12
9 – 5:30 (HUGE downhill)
10 – 5:54 (solid)
11 – 5:58 (OK)
12 – 6:00 (solid)
13 – 6:06 (found a rhythm)
14 – 6:10 (OK)
15 – 5:56 (good)
16 – 5:48 (worked hard here)
17 – 6:21 (calves gave up and went to the bar)
18 – 6:17 (uphill at the marker)
19 – 6:25 (uphill)
20 – 6:19 (up and burnt)
21 – 6:34 (up and numb)
22 – 6:34 (ibid)
23 – 6:45 (ibid)
24 – 6:45 (last uphill)
25 – 6:30 (nothing left)
26 – 6:38 (all I had, which was nothing)
.2 – 1:29 (on the track – slowest quarter ever)
This entry was posted on May 4, 2008 at 9:58 pm and is filed under Pocono Mountains Marathon, pain . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed
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May 5, 2008 at 2:36 am
That’s a hell of an effort, John and am impressive showing! Looking forward to joining you for H-burg.
May 5, 2008 at 3:40 am
I was thinking about you today during our paltry 10K here in Tucson. Glad you stayed tough but I’m sorry you didn’t get the desired result after a hell of a lot of tough training. You might be ready for another one sooner rather than later if you feel you overplayed the mileage and under-did the speed, as that’s something you can keep building from (once you’re injury-free and recovered of course).
May 5, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I’m definitely bummed and I’m looking to bounce back quickly, but I’ll just take that as it comes. However, if it takes more than three weeks to get my legs back, I’m going to move on and focus on the fall. I think I’m heading in the right direction…
Anyway, my tactical error was not going out harder from the start. With more than 24 hours of thinking about it, I realize that 6:00-6:10 miles were too easy. I didn’t labor or feel uncomfortable at all… not even in the slightest.
My worry, though, was the cramps in my hamstrings and calves, which never relented. I wasn’t sure what 5:40-5:50 pace would have done during the race and I guess at the time I didn’t think it would have been good.
Sigh.
I’m pretty banged up now, but it seems as if it’s just soreness and not anything serious. I’m definitely tired too based on the fact that my resting heart rate jumped to 56 this morning… it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. In the meantime, I’ll do some jogging with my wife and take a few junk food days and get some chiro/ART and get back out there.
For now it’s time for more ice…